Big Families: Where to Stay in Disney World

A trip to Disney World is a magical experience for families of all ages and sizes, but planning the perfect stay for a large family can feel a bit more challenging. Finding where to stay at Disney World that is comfortable, convenient, and budget-friendly can feel like a daunting task. Fortunately, Disney World offers a wide range of accomodations to cater to big families whether you’re planning for your immediate family or your entire extended family!

Since I was young, I’ve been traveling to Disney World with my extended family (up to 20 people and growing!). I love the memories we’ve shared with our grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles. My most recent adventure was a girls trip with 10 of my family members, so I’ve got lot of advice for large families traveling to Disney World.

Often families may decide to rent a house outside of Disney property in an effort to stick to a budget. However, it’s crucial to understand you’re missing out on advantages of staying on property like Early Entry into the parks, being able to package your tickets with your Resort, adding Disney Dining Plan in 2024 (a GREAT budget tool) and free transportation but most importantly – valuable time! Time is especially precious in Disney World but particularly if you’re traveling with younger children who need to take a midday break.

Here are some of my favorite suggestions for Disney Resorts for big families!

Art of Animation – Family Suites

Disney’s Art of Animation offer family suites with separate sleeping and living areas, kitchenettes and two bathrooms. These suites are designed with big families in mine and can be a more budget-friendly option. Family Suites are designed with captivating themes from favorite Disney movies like Cars, The Lion King and Finding Nemo.

Disney Villas

If you’re looking for spacious and home-like accommodations many Disney Resorts offer Villa options. There are many configurations for Villas that include multiple bedrooms, full kitchens, multiple bathrooms, and living areas, making it perfect for larger families. Some popular Disney Resorts that offer Villas include Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, Contemporary (Bay Lake Towers), Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club and Grand Floridian.

5^th Sleeper

Many Disney Resorts offer 5^th sleeper rooms designed to comfortably accommodate 5 guests. These rooms often feature an additional option like a pulldown bed, in addition to the standard beds, allowing for families of five to stay together on their Disney vacation.

Connecting or Nearby Rooms

When reserving a Resort room at Disney, you can request connecting or nearby rooms. While Disney cannot guarantee these specific room arrangements, they will make every effort to accommodate your request. This allows your group to have individual rooms while ensuring that you are located in close proximity to each other within the resort.

Overwhelmed with trying to plan your family vacation (large or small) to Disney World? I’m here to take the stress out of planning. With my expertise we’ll plan a magical vacation that considers everyone’s needs and interests – while avoiding long waits in line! I’ll help you create lasting memories at the Happiest Place on Earth – without the stress of planning by yourself!

Author: Caitlin Nahorski caitlin@theenchantedtraveler.com

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