[keljen]

Hi,
I'm new to the forum and wanted to see what resort was prefered for a family of 5 . I've been looking at the Contempory and the Dolphin.
I've been to WDW before and stayed at the CBR and loved it but the family is too large now and need and want to look into another resort

[mickaholic4077]

Welcome to Disney Central keljen! I think some people have said that Port Orleans can fit a day bed in. Also,the deluxe resorts have rooms that fit five. More experienced people will come along who can better tell you.

[soxmets]

Check any of the deluxe resorts, since most will find you space for a family of five.

Try Beach Club. Their Storm-A-Long Bay is the largest pool at WDW. It's right on a small lake. You can take a free bus to Magic Kingdom & Animal Kingdom. Walk to Boardwalk & Epcot. Or, take a boat to Disney Studio's directly from Beach Club!

[Dana]

Welcome to Disney Central!!

The resorts that can fit familes of five are as follows:

Animal Kingdom Lodge
Beach Club
Boardwalk Inn
Contemporary
Dolphin
Fort Wilderness Cabins
Grand Floridian
Polynesian
Port orleans
Swan
Wilderness Lodge
Yacht Club

This is according to the 2004 Passporter resort comparisons page

You either have to get a deluxe room or rent a trudle bed. The best deal to me seems to be Forst Wilderenss Cabins. You will have ample space and the ability to cook meals there and the price is that outrageous either.

$229 = value season
$269 = regular season
$299 = peak
$329 = holiday

The other good deal is Port Orleans, but you will be crammed in
with 2 queens and a trudle bed. Rooms are only 314 sq feet!

Standard Rooms
$133 + $15 for roll-away bed =Value season
$144 + $15 for roll-away bed =Regular season
$169 + $15 for roll-away bed =Peak season
$184 + $15 for roll-away bed = holiday season.

Here's my reasoning for thinking the cabin is better. They are 504 square feet and are equipped with living room, bedroom, bathroom (thank god..lol). It also comes stocked with pots, pans and utenzils for cooking meals (save money on in park meals) Also has a microwave, coffeemaker, dishwasher, stove, cable TV, VCR, phone, hair dryer, and safe. They have daily cleaning service. All of the comfort of a deluxe and then some for only another $100. You can save that on just eating breakfast at the cabin every day.

For the record, Port Orleans comes with a TV, limited room service, in-room safe , house keeping , and voice mail. I don't know how important space is to you, but I know with five people, I'd like to at least breathe a bit....but any WDW is better than none. Still, I'd rather wait on a trip and save more than cram in, but this is all just my humble opinion. I'm not bashing port orleans. This place would be nice for a few people, but for five, I think it may be a little uncomfortable.

[disneyjenny]

We stayed at Port Orleans Riverside (then Dixie Landings) with 5 people. There were 3 adults and 2 kids. Our room had 2 queen (or double, can't remember) and a trundle bed. The trundle bed is only a twin size bed that slides underneath one of the other beds. When it was not in use side it back under the bed for more room. This worked very well for us.

I am assuming that it will be 2 adults and 3 kids in your room. That should be even more comfortable than the "group" we had!!!

Port Orleans is a very nice resort too!!

Jennifer :)

[tinkerbell]

like DisneyJenny we also stayed at POR and it was still Dixielandings *grin*
we were 3 adults and 2 children, we didnt feel like the room was too small, after all we were only in the room to sleep. The rooms at POR are the same size as the rooms at CBR, and as disneyjenny said the trundle bed goes under the regular bed.

[iluvwdw]

I recently stayed at the Polynesian and I think it was GREAT for 5 people! The rooms are a about 405 square feet with two queen sized beds and a full size day bed...DEFINITELY a lot of room!!!!! :D

[keljen]

:dazed Thanks for the information I see it will be a tough decision but one we will enjoy making. We can't wait to go in December seems like it will never get here.

[KarenT]

I am not sure how helpful this will be for you, but here it goes...
In Aug 2003 we stayed at PO. We had two adults and a 13 year old and a 3 year old. Sleeping conditions were fine, but not a lot of room for your suitcases, clothes etc. We enjoyed the resort but felt a little cramped in the room. In Dec. 2003 we stayed at the Contemporary. Three adults ( me, my mom and sister) and my DD who is three. More than enough room for sleeping two queen beds and a sleeper couch. Plenty of room for suitcases, clothing etc. , large closet. Did not feel cramped at all. Could have easily fit one more person. Also the bathroon in the CS had two parts to it. A shower area with a sink, then there is a door to the bathroom area with another sink. SO two people could be getting ready at the same time. ( oh I forgot PO has two sinks adjacent to each other.) So IMO PO would be a tight fit for five people.

We haved staye at PO twice and CS three times. We prefer the CS because of the larger rooms and proimity to the MK.
They are both nice resorts and I pay a return visit to either one.

Oh, another little perk at the CS is, if you have a car they have valet parking for I think 6 or 10 dollars a day. It was nice to pull up to the door and have someone take your car.
At PO we were close to the river. So when we came back at night , sometimes it was hard to find a close space and then we had to walk to the room. Sounds sort of lazy, but when you are carrying a sleeping 3 year old, it's a long walk.:D


I hope this helps you to choose a resort!
Karen

[KarenT]

oops a little proofreading mistake I meant CR ( contemporary resort) not CS ( coronado springs)
So sorry!
Karen

[keljen]

Thanks Karen,
This does help as there will be four Adults and one child and space is needed