Magical Mouse Planner

Do you have a family of 5? If so, then this article is for you. Traveling with a party of more than 4 does require a bit of extra planning when visiting Disney World. Thankfully, you do have options and there are options for every budget too. I hope this list is helpful in helping you choose the Disney Resort that is right for your family. (This list does NOT include the properties that are Deluxe Villas or Disney Vacation Club properties such as Saratoga Springs, the Boardwalk Villas, Bay Lake Tower at the Contemporary Resort and others).

First up are the Deluxe properties. Nearly all of the Deluxe properties have the ability to sleep 5 to a room. From the Grand Floridian to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, there are deluxe properties in a variety of different themes and pricing. The properties are: Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Beach Club Resort, BoardWalk Inn, Contemporary Resort, Grand Floridian Resort and Spa, Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Wilderness Lodge and the Disney’s Yacht Club Resort.. Most of the Deluxe properties have rooms with a day bed or a suite configuration to sleep a family of 5. (Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge have some rooms with bunk beds too). The Deluxe properties are located in close proximity to parks. The BoardWalk area resorts are within walking distance to Epcot or Hollywood Studios. The monorail resorts are located a hop, skip and a jump away from the Magic Kingdom! These resorts offer more recreation options such as boat rentals, a gym, a pool waterslide and more. They also have multiple restaurants (table service and quick service) on property (with the exception of the BoardWalk Inn which has the entire BoardWalk area at its feet). These resorts are generally more expensive properties. But oftentimes if there is a room rate discount available, these resorts can provide a wonderful option for larger families.

Day bed in room at Yacht Club Resort

Next are the Moderate Resorts. This list includes Port Orleans – Riverside and the Cabins at Fort Wilderness. Port Orleans – Riverside has rooms with a small murphy bed to accommodate a party of 5. The Cabins can sleep 6 with a double bed and bunk beds in the bedroom and a Murphy bed in the living area. Both of these resorts offer some great features not found in the value resorts. Port Orleans has bus transportation to all parks and boat transportation to Downtown Disney. You can share amenities at its sister resort – Port Orleans French Quarter, giving you access to 2 pools, 1 table service restaurant and 2 food courts! Fort Wilderness is almost an experience of its own. There is boat transportation to the Magic Kingdom and bus transportation to all other parks. There are 2 restaurants, 2 dinner shows and snack bars available. Fort Wilderness is also home to horseback riding, bike rentals and more. AND it is the only pet friendly resort on property.

Murphy bed in Alligator Bayou room at Port Orleans Riverside

Cabins at Fort Wilderness

The last resorts with rooms for families of up to 6 people are the Value Resorts – the family suites at All-Star Music and Art of Animation. The family suites at All-Star Music have a bedroom, 2 bathrooms, a mini-kitchenette and a sleeper sofa and sleeper chair. The family suites at Art of Animation are set up slightly differently with a bedroom, 2 bathrooms, a mini-kitchenette and a sleeper sofa and a table that turns into a bed (Murphy bed style). Both of these resorts provide bus transportation to all parks. Also, no table service restaurant is available on property. But they both have great quick service food courts. The suites at All-Star Music are located in the first two buildings on either side of the guitar shaped pool, giving you quick access to the main building and the bus stops. There are two pools – the main guitar shaped family pool and the piano shaped quiet pool as well as a kiddie pool near the guitar pool. There is also a playground available. The suites at Art of Animation are themed – Cars, Finding Nemo or Lion King. The Finding Nemo wing has the main attraction pool but there is also a pool in the Cars wing, the Little Mermaid wing and a play area in the Lion King wing. There is also a splash area near the Finding Nemo pool.

Cars themed Murphy bed

So just because you have a larger family doesn’t mean that staying on property at Disney World is impossible! I’d love to help you and your family find the best resort for you. Please email me at Amy@TravelwiththeMagic.com or you can find me on Facebook. You can also call me at 1-800-670-4312, ext 129. I can’t wait to plan your family’s MAGICAL vacation!