Can Disney Cruise Line Staterooms Accommodate Families of 5?
If you’re considering a Disney Cruise and have a larger family, one area of hesitation is whether or not Disney can comfortably accommodate your family size. Though Walt Disney World has caught on over the years and has increasingly added accommodation like villas and family suites to accommodate slightly larger families, it’s still slim pickings when it comes to cruising. That’s why we thought we’d provide a guide for families of 5 or larger!
Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy Staterooms
As the two newer ships in Disney Cruise Line’s fleet, you’ll find stateroom options here that are a bit more family-friendly. Those stateroom categories that can accommodate a family of 5 includes:
Category 8: Deluxe Family Ocean View Stateroom:
These rooms come with a queen-size bed, single convertible sofa, wall pull-down bed or upper pull-down berth. They also feature a split bath with round-tub and shower in most. These rooms average about 241 sq. ft and come and are located on Decks 5-9.
Category 4: Deluxe Family Ocean View Stateroom with Verandah
These are Disney Cruise Line’s largest verandah staterooms before you start to get into suite and concierge options. They come in at 299 sq ft (including the Verandah) and come with a queen-size bed, single convertible sofa, wall pull-down bed or upper pull-down berth. They also feature a split bath with round-tub and show in most. These rooms average about 299 sq. ft (including verandah) and are located on decks 7-10.
Concierge Level and Suites
The two categories listed above are the most common for families of 5. However, those looking to splurge may also want to consider the Concierge Family Oceanview Stateroom with Verandah (Category V) which comes with Club Level amenities, the Concierge 1-Bedroom Suites with Verandah (Category T) or the Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah (Category R) all of which accommodate 5.
All of the other stateroom categories on the Disney Dream or Disney Fantasy including Inside Staterooms (Categories 11 and 10), Outside Staterooms (9) or Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms (Categories 5,6 and 7) can old sleep between 3-4 guests.
Disney Magic and Disney Wonder
If you’re considering cruises to the Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Panama Canal, and Europe, chances are you’ll be aboard one of Disney Cruise Line original ships, the Magic or Wonder. Unfortunately for larger families, these ships don’t have quite as many options as the Dream and Fantasy with NONE of the outside staterooms able to accommodate families of 5.
This means the only stateroom (that isn’t a suite or concierge room) that can accommodate a family of 5 is the Category 4 staterooms.
Category 4: Deluxe Family Ocean View Stateroom with Verandah
Similar to those on the Dream and Fantasy, these staterooms come in at 304 sq ft (including the Verandah) and come with a queen-size bed, single convertible sofa, wall pull-down bed or upper pull-down berth. They also feature a split bath. You’ll find them on Deck 8.
Concierge Level and Suites
After that, unless you want to split guests up over two rooms, your only other options when sailing on the Magic or Wonder are Concierge One Bedroom Suites with Verandah (Category T) or Concierge Royal Suite with Verandah (Category R). Unlike the Dream or Fantasy, there are no Category V (Concierge Family Oceanview With Verandah) rooms on either of these ships. However, there is also the Concierge 2 Bedroom Suite with Verandah (Category S) which can sleep up to 7 guests.
All of the other stateroom categories on the Disney Magic or Disney Fantasy including Inside Staterooms (Categories 11 and 10), Outside Staterooms (9) or Deluxe Oceanview Staterooms (Categories 4, 5,6 and 7) can only sleep between 3-4 guests.
Would It Be Cheaper to Book Two Staterooms For My Family of 5?
The answer to this question depends on a myriad of factors including the particular cost of your sailing, how far out you’re booking and what stateroom category you are interested in. However, if you’re debating between having the whole family in 2 inside staterooms or one outside stateroom that sleeps 5, in my experience, it is typically more affordable to have everyone in one stateroom.
For instance, if you look at the 3-night Bahamian Sailing out of Port Canaveral on September 3, 2020, the cost of having a Family of 5 in one Category 8B (outside) stateroom is $3474.55. The cost of splitting that family up over two inside staterooms still comes out at $3799.81 and you lose the view.
The reason for this is that Disney Cruise Line charges the first two guests in each stateroom the full fare and any subsequent guest in a stateroom at a 1/2 off fare. If you spread your family across two staterooms you are essentially doubling up on the members of your family that are paying the full fare. That being said, larger families may find having your entire gang in one stateroom a bit claustrophobic making shelling out a wee bit more for two staterooms the more favorable option.
Let the Experts at MickeyTravels Help You Find Your Perfect Stateroom
Whether you have a family of 3 or are travelling in a large group of 10, let the experts at MickeyTravels help you with your travel plans. We know Disney Cruise Line’s incredible fleet of ships inside and out and can help you find the ship, itinerary and stateroom(s) that are perfect for your family. Getting started is easy! Simply fill out our form below to get your FREE, no-obligation quote!
Find articles like this helpful? Then why not consider working with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner? As an agent with MickeyTravels, I’ll be on hand to assist you with everything from finding your perfect stateroom to helping you plan lots of special touches to make your sailing truly magical. Best of all my services are absolutely FREE. Get in touch at 1.800.801.4025 via email at mroden@mickeytravels.com or follow along on Facebook