So you’ve made the decision to stay onsite for your next Disney vacay! Yay! Next step….where to stay?!? If your family has 4 or fewer members, there are basically no restrictions on where you can stay at Walt Disney World. If, however, you have a family of 5 (or more), like we do, you are a little more limited as to where you can stay. An easy option is to just reserve two adjoining rooms at a resort, and from what I’ve heard, Disney is pretty accommodating to that request! If keeping your family together in one room/suite is important to you, however, there are only a handful of options for you at the “World.”
For budget minded families, there are two options for you. Let me preface that by saying Disney’s version of “value” resorts are not what a lot people consider to be all that much of a “value.”
Note: The price range listed below are based on 2018 “rack” rates. Disney occasionally offers room discounts; usually ranging from 15 to 30% depending on location. The top of the range is usually reserved for holidays.
Value Resorts
- A family suite at the All Star Music resort
These suites come equipped with a queen sized bed for mom and dad and a full sized sleeper sofa. It also has a twin sized sleeper chair and an ottoman that doubles as a twin sized bed. Like I alluded to earlier, these rooms are not Motel 6 priced; a night at one of the family suites will set you back between $250-500 depending on when you go. - A family suite at the Art of Animation resort
Like the suites at All Star Music resort, these rooms can accommodate up to 6. These rooms have a queen sized bed, a double sized murphy bed and another double sized sleeper sofa. Again these rooms are not the cheapest either. One night will set you back $350-600. Both of these family suites have 2 separate bathrooms (score!) and have a kitchenette with a microwave and a small refrigerator.
Moderate Resorts
- Port Orleans Riverside resort
The rooms here can accommodate up to 5 people, but at least one of those 5 must be under age 9. The reason for this is that one of the beds in these rooms is a Murphy bed that is only intended for young ones (it’s tiny). These rooms have two queen beds in addition to the mini-murphy. You can expect to pay between $200-400 per night.
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach resort
Much like the rooms at Port Orleans, these rooms offer two queen sized beds and a pull down bed intended for guests under the age of 9 and their nightly rate is on par with Port Orleans as well. - Disney’s Coronado Springs resort, Junior Suite
Coronado Springs offers suites that can sleep up to 6 adults. The Junior Suites and 1 bedroom suites both have 2 queen beds and a queen sized sleeper sofa. The prices at Coronado Springs are significantly higher than the previous two moderate resorts with nightly rates for a junior suite setting you back upwards of $500. One Bedroom suite average about $1000 per night. (!!!!) - Fort Wilderness Cabin
The final moderate option is a cabin at Ft. Wilderness resort. The cabins feature a separate bedroom with a queen bed and a set of bunk beds. Additionally, there is a queen sized sleeper sofa bringing the cabins to a maximum occupancy of 6 adults. The cabins also offer a full sized kitchen in case you want to make some meals of your own while on vacation, with one full sized bathroom. If you choose the cabins, make sure to reserve a golf cart so you can ride around the sprawling resort (some of the campers decorate their sites and riding around at night with all of the sites lit up and decorated is easily a few hours worth of entertainment!). The cabins generally run in the $350-600 range depending on what time of year you travel.
If money isn’t a concern to your family, many Deluxe resorts offer accommodations for larger groups. These rooms can run you anywhere from $400 to upwards of $2,000 per night!! Generally speaking, the Beach and Yacht Club are the “cheapest” of the Deluxe resorts. They are furnished with 2 queen beds and a twin sized daybed. The Contemporary, Polynesian, Grand Floridian and Boardwalk Inn have the same sleeping arrangement; that is, 2 queens and a twin daybed. It should be noted though that the above Deluxe rooms only have one bathroom.
If you’re looking for even more space, Disney offers Deluxe Villa resorts as well. These are usually add-ons to one of Disney’s resort hotels and are part of the Disney Vacation Club. Because of this, you can either book from a DVC owner or directly through Disney. While very pricey, these rooms offer multiple separate bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, and some even offer a laundry room! Some of these villas have the capacity to sleep up to 12 guests!
When considering where to stay onsite for a large family, you must weigh all options and remember that time spent IN the actual room will most likely be minimal (sleep, shower, leave for the day, shower, sleep, repeat…..). Before making reservations, be sure to check out all of the extra’s the different resorts have to offer….dining options, entertainment, pool availability, transportation options, etc., as these things can be very important in making your stay extra magical! When visiting Disney, our family typically plans a rest day mid-week, to let the kiddos have some down time and recharge, so having a few easy things to do around the resort is perfect for these days. Regardless of your choice, you’re sure to have a fabulous time at the most magical place on earth!
Looking for more advice about Disney World Lodging? Check out our podcast!
Lodging: Advantages and Disadvantages of staying at a Disney resort