Large Families at Walt Disney World
OVERVIEW: LARGE FAMILIES AT DISNEY WORLD
A large family is one that will not fit into a standard Walt Disney World hotel room—more than 4 people for values and almost all moderates, and more than 5 for most deluxe resorts.
(See this for the distinctions among the resort classes at Walt Disney World.)
The problem with connecting, adjoining, or nearby rooms as a solution is that Disney won’t guarantee that you will get them.
When you show up at Walt Disney World, your “connecting rooms” may be not connected, and in fact may be in completely different buildings at your resort.
Your chances of getting connecting rooms are best during the slow season—which is when this site recommends you go, see this for when to go—but even then, there are no guarantees.
DISNEY WORLD SOLUTIONS FOR LARGE FAMILIES
The links below present the best options–by price and family size–for large families at Walt Disney World
Room capacity figures on the pages linked below always exclude one child under 3 in a crib, which can be added to any Disney room—so always read, when a capacity figure is given, “plus one child under three at time of check in, in a crib.”
These links cover large family options
- Large families looking for low-priced rooms—what Disney calls “Value” rooms—see this page
- Large families looking for deluxe level accommodations can see recommendations on this page
- Some recommendations involve reserving Disney Vacation Club rooms, or even renting points from current Disney Vacation Club members to use. See this for more on Disney Vacation Club rooms in general, and this for more on renting points
- For suites, see this
- For staying off-site, see this
MORE ON WHERE TO STAY AT DISNEY WORLD
- For where to stay, see this
- For your next best choices, in order, see this
- For picking your resort based on appeal to kids, see this
- For picking your resort based on convenience, see this
- For where not to stay, see this
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- For what you get in each resort price category, see this
- For Walt Disney World resort price seasons, see this
- For resort reviews, see this
- For the value resorts, see this
- For the moderate resorts, see this
- For the deluxe resorts, see this
- For suites at the deluxe resorts, see this
- For the Disney Vacation Club (“DVC”) Resorts, see this
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- For a (geeky) overview of comparative room size, see this
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- Military/DOD families should look at this
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- Families seeking the most comfortable place to stay should see this
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36 comments
You don’t need to post this comment, but I’m wondering why you don’t at least mention some off-site alternatives for large families. We have 5 in our family and since we don’t have the budget for a deluxe on Disney we nearly always stay off-site.
We usually are able to find a really nice 3-bedroom (or more) condo with kitchen and living room within a couple of miles of the front gate for under $600/week.
I realize it’s not for everybody, but a lot of large families would probably enjoy the off-site option if guided to something good like a condo or pool house.
Love your site, especially the “pick a week” application. Spot on!
Joel–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/01/27/the-tightwads-guide-to-staying-off-site-at-walt-disney-world/
Good point about my not mentioning it out the “large families” page–I’ll put a link to it there in a second…
Thanks!! Dave
I have reviewed your information and congratulate you on a fine job. We have been going to Disney World since 1972 and have enjoyed watching it grow and evolve.
We now have need for accomadations for wheelchair and roll in shower, and I have’nt seen any information regarding recommendations for the disabled on your site. Love to see that corrected.
Thanks
Hi Larry, thanks. My first visit was also in 72…hard to believe how the time has passed.
Thanks for the thought on the disabled. I have no expertise to share, so instead recommend a book on the topic–it’s the fifth one on this page: http://yourfirstvisit.net/about-2/recommended-books/
Accessibility information on Disneyland, Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line can be found at http://MickeysFanClub.com
Just curious-does Disney allow a 5th person in a room? i’m refering to a standard room in the Wilderness Lodge. (The 5th person is only 4-would bring an air mattress).
Thanks in advance..
In standard Wilderness Lodge rooms, not really. They hold four, plus a third under 3 in a crib. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/08/25/review-disneys-wilderness-lodge/
I don’t think they will kick you out, but you won’t be able to get a room key (and hence use extra magic hours) or the dining plan for the fifth person…
Hello, I just stumbled upon this site,it is definitely a bit helpful to us. We are a family of 7, 2 adults/5children under 12! Any other advice for a family our size would be wonderful, we would like to try a disney world vacation within the next few years! Thank you!
Hi Kara! The main problem you’ll run into is finding an affordable place to stay. And you are on the right page for that!
Not sure how old your youngest is, but if under three at the time of your visit, they don’t count against room limits and enter the parks for free.
On the other hand, kids who are ten or older at the time of your visit are more expensive–park tickets are hihger, and, espedially, the dining plan…
Great article! Big families (families of 5 or more) are always struggling to find hotel accommodation. It always amazes me that hotel chains haven’t realised that families do not want to be separated, they want to stay together and like you say, connecting rooms doesn’t always mean this. That’s why I created ‘Room For 5′ to help bigger families find accommodation easily. The web site is http://www.roomfor5.co.uk
We now have over 8000 hotels listed and over 5000 of those are in the USA!
Hi Drina, thanks for the link!
I wanted to plan a trip for myself and daughter for next year. Originally, I wanted to plan it for Dec. because, that is her birthday but then I was looking at what you were saying for the ticket projections and I got overwhelmed. Seems that August is the best time to go but, it’s probably super hot as well. So, if you could lead me in the right direction that would be amazing.
Thanks much,
Kerry
Hi Kerry, see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/09/19/2013-weeks-to-visit-walt-disney-world-ranked-in-order/ There are some great December weeks, and August is pretty low down the list…
We have eight children 15 yrs to 1 yr…and my husbands dream is to run the 20 year anniversary marathon in Jan. 2013. What affordable accommodations do you suggest for our family size, as we are wanting to max. the 10 day Disney pass as we are traveling so far to get there. We would not have a car as we will be flying in, unless you feel we need to rent one. What are the best options? I hope to make my husbands dream come true. Thank you SO much!!
Hi Holly, there’s no great answer on site, and if you went off site you’d have to rent something–a school bus? One kid younger than three does not count against room capacity limits, so your best bet is a two bedroom villa at Old Key West which has a capacity of 9 + one in a crib. See this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/special-circumstances/special-circumstances-large-families/more-on-large-families-at-walt-disney-world/large-families-looking-for-value-pricing-at-walt-disney-world-continued/ You should look into renting points for it–see this http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/special-circumstances/special-circumstances-large-families/more-on-large-families-at-walt-disney-world/renting-dvc-points-at-walt-disney-world/
Hi Dave,
My kids (12&9) and I made the trip from Texas to DW in 2011 & 2010. Both times we’ve stayed at the Cabins at Ft. Wilderness. I know this is out of the way, but I tend to travel quite a bit with my job and if I can get away from the feel of a hotel, I’ll take it! This year I got re-married and now the new wife and 4 year-old step daughter want to go too. So, I’m planning a trip for the 5 of us in June of 2013. Looking to arrive on the 10th and leaving on the 19th. Do you know of a way for us to stay at a place that doesn’t have that hotel feel to it? Also, the times that we have gone before has been late August and it has been pretty hot. Will earlier in the summer be any better? I don’t have too much of a choice but to go during the summer because of the amount of days that we want to stay. I know about the new Fantasyland opening, but other than that, what else will be new to us next year?
Thank you for any help you can give us and for all the information that you have on this site!!
Hi Ron, and thanks!
To be honest, June feels better to me than August–I’m in Disney World right now as I write this, and it’s hot and muggy–but I think the stats will say it’s not really any better. See the various stuff here: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-to-go/next-best-dates/weather-and-when-to-go/
If you can afford it, a great “doesn’t feel like a hotel” option is a one-bedroom villa at Old Key West.
See the image
…and see this for more: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/01/17/review-disneys-old-key-west-resort/
The rack rate in June is $497 a night–but it’s possible a discount will come out for then…
I’m trying to think of what other than Fantasyland is new since you last visited…not much that I can think of…
I am traveling to Disney as a family of 5…my husband and I, my 5 year old son and twin 2 year old girls. Can basic rooms fit 2 gribs? Is it s squeeze? Is it even allowed? I have called Disney and am getting the run around. I know AoA can fit us but my mom is paying for the trip and I am trying to make it most affordable for her. I called Orleans Riverside and talked to housekeeping and they said they could work with me when I arrived…thoughts?
Jen it will likely vary by resort.
In the case of Riverside, see the floor plan.
This is out of date, as since I visited the full beds have been replaced by queens, and the trundle bed is gone. (There are still 5 sleeping spot rooms, but that’s not your issue.)
The space the trundle bed used to go should fit a crib, easily. You could also move the table and chairs and fit another crib there…
We will be traveling with a party of 15. 11 adults and 4 children (11, 4,4, 2.5) We are also military, and all but four are florida residents. We are looking to go in November of 2014 (give or take on the months). What are you recommendations as far as preferably staying on site, getting the most bang for our buck (i.e. the least amount of money) Some are on more of a tight budget than others. When would, in your expert opinion, be a good time to start contacting Disney, or even a travel agent (highly impressed with your recommendation). Is it better to book a room only and get tickets later? Sorry for all of the questions haha
Thanks in advance!
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Hey Gretchen–give me a sense of two things:
First, family structures–what I mean by this is the different groups that would want their own private sleeping space, and how many kids and adults are in each. Because hotels will be the real variable that drives your trip costs.
Second, how long you plan to stay, and the balance of this for adults vs kids. That is, are you designing the trip for the adults, the 11 year old, or the little ones…All the kids except the 11 year old can have a great trip on 4 days, but the 11 year old and adults would enjoy 6 full days in the parks. This matters if Disney extends the military salute. (See http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-long-to-stay/ and also this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-oldtall-your-children-should-be/what-if-theyre-too-shortyoung/taking-your-too-shortyoung-kids-anyway/ )
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I have myself, husband, a 5 year old and 2 year old. We are staying at the Caribbean resort….I was thinking of adding my 9 year old niece since my 2 year old will be in a crib anyways but when adding another child it says that the room is not for that capacity. If I am right in what I read, I could add her and take off my 2 year old and just add her at check in??? I was wondering how this would work for the extra magic hours if that is the case since my 2 year old would not be listed as a guest??? Thank you sooooooo much
Hi Elizabeth, what I’d do is rebook with everybody, and then cancel the first reservation. If the website still gives you pain, then just call WDW at 407-939-7675…
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My husband and I am planning my trip to Disney for this September 2-10th. We have 4 children. They will be ages 6,4,2,2 at the time of travel. My mother will also be joining us. My question is would you recommend staying at the Art of Animation Family suite (and my mother will get her own suite to be close by) or a savanna view room at the Animal Kingdom. If we were to go to AKL, we would get two rooms (requesting connecting if available) One room for me, my husband and 2 kids and a room for my mother and my twins. But I think if we did not get connecting rooms then I would just bring the twins in the room with us. Which I know will be tight. But how much time will we really be in the hotel? I just don’t know which option will make for a better, more convenient and fulfilling vacation. My older kids have seen video of both resorts. They really love different things about each one. I have always said I was going to wait for them to be older before we went but then I thought I really want them to experience the magic of it all the way only a child could do. =-) Also, I read on here that there is a possibility that free dining could be offered in September. If this were to happen, could we call and have them take off the dining plan we were already purchasing? Thanks so much for any insight.
Hi Katie, first on free dining, yes, if it is released, you can call Disney and get your package transferred to it.
Regarding your hotel options…a coupla thoughts. First these are both great choices, so I wouldn’t break my head over it. Second, in your shoes, I’d pick AofA, for a couple of reasons:
To fully appreciate the full scope of AKL, your kids should be older–I’m not talking about the animals, but about the stunning architecture
AKL rooms are very small–tied wit Wilderness Lodge as the smallest among the deluxes. Fitting the twins will be a challenge
Related point: all seven of you can hang out in one of the Family Suites, but not in one of your AKL rooms…and kids that age will need a fair amount of room time for naps…
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This will be the second trip for most of us, and our last trip was greatly improved by your recommendations. We stayed at the Polynesian and loved it and went during one of your recommended weeks! However, this time we will be in a larger family. About 11 total, 8 adults and 3 kids (7, 5, and 2). I think each pair of adults is going to want their own rooms, but the kids can sleep in a crib or sleeper sofa. So, what might be best for 4 rooms plus sleeping for the kids? Is there one place on site that can handle that or should we split into two suites/rooms that are next to each other? Or just stay off site in a condo? We would likely drive to the resort, so we should have transportation.
Thanks!
Hi Paul, and so glad the site helped before!
The only on-site facility that will hold all of you and give a room to each adult pair is a grand villa, which costs an arm and a leg.
Another four adult bedroom option that’s much less expensive would be two TreeHouse villas. Each treehouse villa has two bedrooms each with a queen, a bunk bed in another room that sleeps two more, and sleeping areas for three more in the living room.
See this for more including floor plans: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2009/08/16/review-the-treehouses-at-disneys-saratoga-springs-resort-and-spa/
Other than those options, your best bet is off-site…
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Planning Disney trip for Aug 4 of 2014, for 10 nights, plan on staying at Old Key West 2br Villa what do think of the time frame (Aug 4)
Vinnie, that’s a very crowded, and very hot, time of the year–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2013/01/15/august-2013-walt-disney-world/
My husband and I just returned from our empty nest long weekend trip to Disney. We stayed at riverside and only did downtown Disney and caught a braves game. But it made us long to return with our 4 children who are in college for a week long stay. We’d have to visit over their thanksgiving or mardi Gras break. We visited wilderness lodge and would LOVE to stay there but As you can imagine with four in college, it needs to be affordable. Ticket prices alone are $1750 for 5 nites 6 days. Are there ever any package deals available for 6 adults? Do you know how often the 30% off room rates are offered? We would go nov of this year or feb of ’14. Any and all suggestions would be so appreciated. Are we just dreaming or could this really be doable??!!! Many many thanks!
Dori
Hi Dori, the ticket prices will really hurt for a family that big–and so will dining. The bad news is that Disney hasn’t done much on tickets since the beginning of the recession, and there’s no guarantee on any discounts–particularly over thanksgiving, as Disney almost never discounts holiday weeks.
For 6 people, the most cost-effective place to stay is gonna be a Family Suite at All-Star Music, but the kids may find the beds too short and thinly padded–see this: http://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/09/05/review-the-family-suites-disneys-all-star-music-resort/ The beds in the Art of Animation family suites are much more comfortable–see this http://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/06/10/review-the-family-suites-at-disneys-art-of-animation-resort/ But AofA is typically around $50/night more than Music…
More expensive, but much more comfortable, close to your haunts at DTD, and with a full kitchen which can save you some dining money would be a two bedroom villa at Old Key West. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/01/17/review-disneys-old-key-west-resort/ Standard prices will be too high, but check into renting points: http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/special-circumstances/special-circumstances-large-families/more-on-large-families-at-walt-disney-world/renting-dvc-points-at-walt-disney-world/
Hope this helps! And if so…
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Hi,
I am planning to bring my family for a week. It will be 6 adults and 3 children ages 5 3, & 2 yr.
Can young children get on rides with adults or do they have to be of a certain height to get on all attractions ?
Lynn, some rides have height restrictions, so little kids can’t ride them at all. See http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-oldtall-your-children-should-be/
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Thanks for the great info here, I’m in the process of finalizing our trip with me, my wife, her mother, and 4 kids (11, 9, 7, 5). We have two options to choose from due to our late booking. 1st, May 28-June 4 at the Villas at Wilderness lodge or #2, May 31-June 8 at Saratoga Springs (2 nights) and Old Key West (6 nights). The price difference (WL villas are through Disney, others are DVC rental credits) is significant (which more than covers additional length of stay). Either timing can work for our family, but I’m leaning toward the later dates at OKW as it fits a bit better into our schedule. Am a bit worried by the transportation from there, appreciate your thoughts on the tradeoffs of staying a bit longer at OKW and still saving some money vs the location and theme of the villas at WL. Thanks!
Dave, I’d pretty firmly go with the SS/OKW option, partly from price, partly from dates (as you’ll miss a little more of the Memorial Day week crowds) and mostly because of OKW better fitting the family structure you describe.
The extra bus stops will be a pain–as will be the check out/check in–but a party your size will crowd the WL villas, but work really nicely in OKW. OKW has profound design differences compared to every other DVC resort that makes it much more livable for more than 6 people–and frankly, for more than 4 people. And WL tow bedrooms have a design flaw for groupls that can’t fit soloey inot the two bedrooms for sleeping. See the 2 bedroom floor plans here http://yourfirstvisit.net/2011/02/07/review-the-villas-at-disneys-wilderness-lodge/ and here http://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-stay/next-best-resort-choices/walt-disney-world-resort-features-by-price-category/review-disneys-old-key-west-resort-continued/ focusing on the maount and furnishing of the shared living/dining/kitchen/balcony space…
SS is lousy, but not by so much that it changes the overall call!
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