When you are a big family traveling to Walt Disney World (defined as more than 4 people) finding affordable rooms onsite isn’t too easy.
The options can be limited, especially when your budget is also limited.
In the past we stayed at the Fort Wilderness Cabins- and LOVED it.? It offers 2 rooms, 1 bathroom, a full kitchen and porch.
Lots of room for large families to spread out.
This past May we decided to try something different.
My travel agent had a killer rate on rooms at Port Orleans Riverside.? Since #OhLucy was still under 3, she didn’t count toward the 5 person limit in the room.
We took advantage of the cheap rate at one of our favorite resorts knowing that next visit we would need either 2 rooms or to go back to the cabins.
Friends asked how it was staying with 6 people in an average size hotel room for a week.
Welp.? It was an adventure.
Did we hate it?? Did anyone sleep? Where did we store the luggage?
All good questions.? Here’s some basic information for your next large family stay.
Your 5 person room options
I’m assuming you, like me,? are trying to stay in one room as a cost saving factor.? I am leaving the Deluxe options off the list for this reason.? If cost isn’t a big issue, I’d suggest 2 rooms at a moderate resort in most cases anyway.
Why?? Two bathrooms.
If you are paying that much, you might as well optimize personal space (and storage space!) by asking for adjoining rooms rather than squeezing into one room and one potty at a Deluxe.
Cost?
Port Orleans Riverside will be your cheapest option.? Why?? It’s only one room.? It offers 2 queen size beds and one twin Murphy style bed.
All Stars Music Suites will be the next cheapest option.? It offers sleeping for 6:? 1 Queen Bed and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Chair, and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Twin-Size Sleeper Ottoman.
The Art of Animation Suites? should be slightly less expensive than the moderate option of the Ft. Wilderness Cabins.? The problem is finding vacancy!? These suites are the newest on property and are highly sought after.? They offer a master bedroom, with a sleep sofa and fold down Murphy style bed in the living room.
The Cabins have the Murphy bed in the living room with a separate bedroom equipped with a full sized bed and bunk beds.
We ruled out the Value resorts this past trip for a couple of reasons.? The pools are always a factor.
We like slides!
Another was the price: did I mention my fabulous TA?
She managed to score a great room block for the 24-Hour Rock Your Disney Side event and we couldn’t turn down the value priced moderate accommodations.
Did we regret our choice?? Let’s answer those questions.
Did we hate it?
NO!? Not at all.? The kids loved the room, loved the pools, loved the dining options, and loved the theme of the resort.
Mr. Shenanigans and I were pleasantly surprised that even with a poolside room it was nice and quiet.? We never heard the neighbors through the walls.
That’s a plus in our book!
Did anyone sleep?
Like freakin babies.
The beds were extremely comfortable for everyone.? My oldest loved the fold down bed and said he’d happily sleep there again.
When we hit the parks, we hit them hard so it was not a surprise that once we got back to the room everyone was ready to hit the sack.? We were all quite comfortable in the beds and in a single room with each other.
Where did we store the luggage?
This was the only issue we had.? As chronic over packers, it was a tight fit for everyone’s clothes.? We opted to hang some up, leave some in the suitcases, and some went into the drawers provided.
My biggest tip to a family of 6 trying to make one room work: bring a foldable laundry basket.? Knowing what was clean and dirty made all the difference in my sanity.
The bathroom rotation was not too hard at this point in my kids lives.? They get in, they get out.? That won’t always be the case as the tween years set in. But for now, it wasn’t bad only having one bath.
We had a great trip.? Even being altogether in one room worked out for us.? Would I like to have separate rooms?? Sure.? But I chose park hoppers and Feel the Force tickets over getting that extra square footage.
Everyone has priorities, right?
Are you a large family?? Where do you choose to stay when you visit Walt Disney World?
Patty Holliday is a Marvel loving, Disney obsessed wife, and mother of four. She’s a travel agent specializing in Disney & Universal vacations- and loves a candid confession. Find her in Virginia (or anywhere frequent flyer miles or her trusty minivan takes her.)
Amy Albers says
You give me hope. You give me hope, girl.
patty says
It’s not bad, I promise!
Erika Rodkey says
When we were younger and traveled as a family of 6, we usually went with the adjoining rooms at a moderate resort. Now that we’re older and 2 of us are married, the 8 of us are staying at Saratoga Springs in one of the villas, so that each couple has separate rooms and we still have the pull out for others if we need it. We love that we will have enough room to spread out and find our own space when everyone gets annoyed with each other!
patty says
Having some space makes all the difference, doesn’t it? It’s awesome that you are still traveling as a family Erika.
Cara says
Were a family of 5 but the youngest is still in a pack and play so we are still ok with a standard room but the Murphy beds in the moderates give me hope for when we need the space. So excited they are including them in the Caribbean beach makeover.
We stay in the cabins too usually when we go with my parents and there are 7 of us. This makes a great option because we enjoy being able to make our own food.
patty says
I really love those cabins! Our best visits were at the cabins- we’d go back in a heartbeat!
Tania says
Good info! I love that Murphy bed. Although it’s doable, I would rather get two rooms at a Value Resort than put my family in one room.
patty says
Understood. It does help to have the space to put things away especially if there for a long visit.