The Best Disney World Accommodations for Large Families
Families of all sizes love the magic of Walt Disney World! But figuring out accommodations for your larger family may feel intimidating.
Where can you stay if you’re a party of 5, 6, 7, or more? What’s the most economical option? Which resort is most functional for a bigger group?
Source: planDisney
Check out these Walt Disney World Resort Hotel possibilities for big families:
Family Suites
Family suites are some of the most economical options on property! One such Resort Hotel that specializes in Family Suites is Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. It’s perfect for larger-sized families!
This value resort has over 1,000 Family Suites. That’s a lot of suites!
Guests particularly love that suites are themed to reflect favorite Disney films: Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and Cars.
Family Suites can accommodate up to 6 guests plus 1 guest under the age of 3.
The layout is popular too! Guests can enjoy two bathrooms, which is a game changer when getting ready for a fun-filled day in the parks.
Additionally, Family Suites include a separate bedroom with a queen bed. The living area features a double-sized sleeper sofa and double-sized table bed.
At close to 600 square feet, there is a good amount of space to spread out.
Another popular value resort featuring Family Suites is Disney’s All-Star Music Resort; however, this resort is not scheduled for re-opening as of our publication date.
Credit: Disney
Deluxe Suites
Are you willing to splurge on your Disney World accommodations? You might be interested in Deluxe Suites!
These suites can be found at just about every deluxe resort with the exception of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. Deluxe Suites range in accommodating 2 guests up to 10 guests.
(Kent Phillips, photographer)
For example, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort boasts the impressive Ambassador Vice Presidential Suite and the King Kamehameha Suite.
These suites sleep up to 8 guests – but they will cost you at around $1,600 per night!
Wilderness Cabins
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort offers a unique booking category: Wilderness Cabins.
If your family is outdoorsy, you’ll likely be sold with the Wilderness Cabin!
Photo: Disney
These cabins feature 1 queen bed, 1 bunk bed, and 1 double-sized sleeper sofa, and they can accommodate up to 6 adults.
Best of all, this is the only non-villa option that features a full kitchen!
There’s a trade-off, though. There’s only one bathroom.
Here’s another important note:
Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is a HUGE property, and Wilderness Cabins are a hike from the bus stop and boat launch areas.
Many guests choose to rent a golf cart to navigate the property, which can be reserved as early as 60 days prior to travel.
Guaranteed Connecting Rooms
It’s a little known fact that Disney World offers guaranteed connecting rooms for larger families. But this booking category has specific requirements:
A maximum of 2 adults is allowed when booking guaranteed connecting rooms.
To illustrate, let’s consider the standard room category at Disney’s value resorts. These can accommodate up to 4 guests plus 1 child under age 3.
Let’s say you want to stay at Disney’s Pop Century Resort, but your family consists of 6 guests. You can book two guaranteed connecting rooms with 1 adult and 2 children listed on one reservation and 1 adult and 2 children listed on the second reservation.
Photo: wdwbasics.com
With guaranteed connecting rooms, Disney will only require one $200 deposit. Likewise, you’ll receive one confirmation number that can be linked to your My Disney Experience account.
And like the name suggests, Disney will also guarantee that your family is booked in rooms with a connecting door.
There is a small catch with guaranteed connecting rooms, though.
Your MagicBand, MagicMobile account, or Key to the World card will only open the room in which you are listed. However, you can stop at the front desk to request a room key for the connecting room.
Guaranteed connecting rooms are not bookable online.
Deluxe Villas
Perhaps your family wants room to spread out. Or maybe you want to enjoy the luxuries of home like a full kitchen or washer and dryer.
Disney’s Deluxe Villas are likely the answer!
These options can be found at Disney’s Vacation Club properties, which include:
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House (currently closed)
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Types of Villas
Villas feature 1-bedroom, 2-bedroom, and 3-bedroom grand villas that include multiple bathrooms, a full kitchen, a separate sleeping area(s), and a washer/dryer. These are often the perfect option for larger families.
Take note, though, that most 1-bedroom villas can only accommodate up to 5 adults. So if your family is larger than 5, you will will need a 2-bedroom or 3-bedroom grand villa.
Disney’s Old Key West Resort is often a popular and economical choice in the Deluxe Villa category. This property features 1-bedroom villas, which sleep up to 5 adults, 2-bedroom villas, which sleep up to 9 adults, and 3-bedroom grand villas, which sleep up to 12 adults.
Villa Variations
Are you looking for a unique villa option?
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is great choice! Along with standard villa options, you’ll find Cabins.
These are located along Bay Lake and can sleep up to 8 adults. We’ve had the opportunity to tour a Cabin, and trust us when we tell you that you will not want to leave!
Another especially magical, albeit expensive, option is a Bungalow at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows.
This special space sleeps 8 adults and offers a private deck with plunge pool that overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon.
Villas = Disney Vacation Club Properties
One caveat with villas is that they are Disney Vacation Club properties. This means that they open for booking to DVC members ahead of the general public.
Bookings for non-DVC members typically become available approximately 10-11 months prior to guests’ travel dates.
Photo: CanadianDisneyBlog.com
Consequently, booking some of the larger villas can be challenging as DVC members receive first dibs.
Good Neighbor Resorts
Most families choose to stay onsite at Disney World. Yet others choose to explore the economical pricing available at Disney’s Good Neighbor Resorts. Many of these locations specialize in accommodating larger families.
One popular Good Neighbor Resort is the Margaritaville Resort Orlando. This hotel offers a range of room categories including cottages that can sleep as many as 18 guests!
The pricing here is competitive and hard to beat!
A private pool at one of the Margaritaville Cottages
Credit: Margaritaville Orlando
Recently, a MickeyTravels agent priced out this option for a family of 6. Their 3-night stay in a 4-Bedroom Cottage with private pool came in at just under $4,000! That’s with 3-Day Base Tickets, too!
Keep in mind, though, that most good neighbor properties do not qualify for Disney “perks”.
Relax in the Lazy River at the Margaritaville Resort Orlando
Credit: Disney
It’s often recommended to drive or rent a car when staying offsite as transportation to and from the parks can be spotty or cost extra.
No matter where you choose to stay, families of any size can enjoy great accommodations at Disney World!
Let’s start planning your Disney vacation! Complete the form below for a FREE quote or email me at erin@mickeytravels.com You can also follow me on Facebook! I look forward to hearing from you!
