The Best Disney Resort for Families of 5 (or more)

For families of five or more, finding Walt Disney World accommodations to fit your family’s size, needs and budget can be a challenge. But the stress-saving, on-property extras — like extended theme park hours, free resort and airport transportation and earlier booking windows for dining and Fastpass reservations — can be invaluable for a busy Mom. Whether you’re traveling with your kids or letting your extended family in on the fun, there are resort options for families of five or more to fit any budget!

This topic is very near and dear to my heart, and I loved going to Walt Disney World as a kid. My Mom always had a child under 3, so we would often stay on the monorail so she could take the baby back for a nap and my Dad and I could ride my favorite roller coasters. Once my youngest brother was born when I was 10, we stopped going to Walt Disney World. At that point, we were a family of 6. There just wasn’t an accommodation option for us, and my family couldn’t afford 2 rooms at a monorail resort. 

Thankfully, Disney realized this was an issue for many families like ours and started developing villa properties and adding family suites. Now, there are more options than ever, especially for larger families!

Port Orleans Riverside was the first non-deluxe resort with room for more than four guests. Caribbean Beach has added hundreds of five-person rooms, and All Star Movies and Art of Animation offer family suites for groups of six.  And of course, with the exception of the Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge, all the deluxe resorts have standard rooms (with daybeds) that sleep five.  There are other options, including a junior suite at Coronado Springs with room for six, plus DVC properties and deluxe resort suites where families can enjoy the amenities of connecting Deluxe Resorts. 

A few quick tips:

• A child under 2 is not included in the listed room capacity, a Crib can be requested from the resort without counting towards the maximum persons. 
• Make sure you pay attention to the number of sleep surfaces! If you have older children who refuse to share a bed, you’d be better off with a room with twin pullout chairs.
• Some of the Murphy/Pullout Options are not suitable for adults. If you’re traveling with a group of adults, try pricing out two rooms at a value resort that may be around the same price for comfort (and piece-of-mind — no one wants to spend their dream vacation sleeping on a sofa)!

Standard Rooms That Sleep 5 

Port Orleans Riverside and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort are Moderate Resorts that both offer select rooms that have a capacity of 5. These rooms are the same size as the standard rooms with two queen beds but offer a murphy bed under the TV. When you’re looking at room rates, make sure to pick a room with “5th Sleeper” clearly designated.

Remember: the Murphy Bed is not suitable for adults and should only be used by children under 12.  

Best for Families with Preschool aged Children

If you have preschoolers, resorts like Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside are a great option!

• Moderate Resort Sleeps Up to 5 People
• Some rooms in the Alligator Bayou section of the resort can accommodate up to 5 people
• 2 Queen Beds, 1 Pull Down Murphy Bed more suited for children than adults
• One Bathroom
• 314 square feet

Another great option is a standard room at a Deluxe Resort. All of the standard rooms at the Deluxe Resorts (except Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge) offer a sofa or day bed for the 5th sleeper. These can accommodate older children or an adult a little more comfortably. Plus, these rooms are a little bigger and give you a little personal space, although everyone still shares a bathroom. 

Best for Families with Middle-Schoolers/Teens

If your brood is filled with broody tweens or teenagers, resorts like Disney’s Beach Club Resort are another perfect option!

• Deluxe Resort Sleeps up to 5 People
• Standard rooms can accommodate 5 people
• Two Queen Beds and a Daybed 
• One Bathroom
• 391 square feet

Fort Wilderness resorts and campgrounds

Best for Adventurous Families: Fort Wilderness Cabins

Whether you’re a seasoned camper or an amateur looking to save money and try your hand at the “back-to-nature” scene, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort invites you to enjoy a unique “backwoods” experience.

Set on 750 sprawling acres, the American Frontier-themed resort offers 784 private campsites and 750 air-conditioned cabins.

• Campsites accommodate up to 10, with many configurations and hook-up options available.
• 504 square feet cabins, each of which sleep six and feature one bathroom, a full kitchen and an outdoor grill
• master bedroom with a double bed, a set of bunk beds, and a living room with a Murphy bed

For families with older kids, or multi-generational families, cabin sleeping arrangements can be a bit tight and awkward, but for close-knit crews, Fort Wilderness is a fun, budget-stretching option. Note that cars may be parked onsite and may be used to commute to the theme parks, but cannot be driven to onsite dining and recreation. Be sure to factor the optional golf cart rental (around $60 per day) into your vacation budget.

Disney’s Deluxe Villas

Best for larger or extended family groups traveling together

Disney’s deluxe villas offer upscale accommodations and some of the best locations closest to the parks. All Disney Villas offer themed luxury accommodations, immersive experiences, and plenty of Disney Magic. 

Most Disney Villas are adjacent to Disney Deluxe Resorts with the exception of Saratoga Springs and Old Key West, which are standalone properties. They’re technically part of Disney’s time share program, Disney Vacation Club properties, but rooms are sold to the public like typical hotel rooms. Guests staying at the villas are free to use all of the adjacent Deluxe resort pools, restaurants, activities and features. Better yet, there are so many configurations for every type of family!

Even if you don’t see a resort that’d be a perfect fit for your family, remember that one infant under the age of 3 can be added to any Disney Villa, even if you’re already at the maximum occupancy! Portable cribs are available in each unit.

Studios: Maximum Occupancy 5 (at some resorts)

• sleep up to five people
• one queen-size bed, one double sleeper sofa, and one small fold-down bed suitable for a child or small adult
• BoardWalk studios are 412 square feet, but currently only Beach Club Villas, Boulder Ridge Villas, Boardwalk Villas, Polynesian Villas, Grand Floridian Villas, Riviera Resort can accommodate 5 in a studio.

1 Bedroom Villa: Maximum Occupancy 5

• some sleep 5 and include a formal kitchen, a second bathroom and a living room with a fold-out chair and sofa (enough room to sleep 3) in addition to the studio bedroom
• The resorts at Walt Disney World that can accommodate five guests in a one-bedroom villa are: Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas (both Kidani Village and Jambo House). Be careful when booking Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House, though, as there are one-bedroom units there that accommodate either four or five guests.

2 Bedroom Villa: Maximum Occupancy 8-9

• some resorts allow up to 9 people, including a bedroom with a king bed, a bedroom with a queen bed and a queen-sized sleeper sofa, a living room with a double sleeper sofa. Certain resorts offer a living room chair that converts into a twin bed

2 Bedroom Lock Off: Maximum Occupancy 8

A “Lock Off” is a one-bedroom unit connected to a studio. This means there are TWO exit doors into the main guest hallways, one from each unit.

• includes a bedroom with a king bed, another bedroom with a queen bed and a queen sleeper sofa, a living room with a double-sleeper sofa, three bathrooms (including a master bathroom with a whirlpool tub). Certain resorts offer a convertible living room chair that converts into a twin bed

3 Bedroom Grand Villas: Maximum Occupancy 12

• includes a bedroom with a king bed and two other bedrooms with two queen beds and a sleeper sofa, a living room with a double-sleeper sofa, and four bathrooms, including one master bathroom with a whirlpool tub
• Before you book, remember: these are extremely limited and are typically booked by DVC members before they can reach the general public.
• The resorts that offer Grand Villas are: Bay Lake Tower, Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House, Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, Boardwalk Villas, Grand Floridian Villas, Old Key West, and Saratoga Springs Resort

The Treehouse Villas at Saratoga Springs only sleep 9, but they are extremely cool. I mean, who hasn’t dreamed of living in a treehouse?

When it comes to larger families—whether you’re a family of five or planning a full multigenerational getaway—Walt Disney World has never offered more flexibility. You don’t have to pick your resort just because it fits your family; you can now choose based on the experience you want to have. From cozy cabins to luxury resorts, there’s a perfect match for every type of family.

If you’re not sure where to start, I’ve created a free guide to help you narrow it down. It walks you through what really matters for your family—space, convenience, or extra magic—so you can find the resort that fits just right.

NEED HELP CHOOSING THE RIGHT RESORT?

The right resort can upgrade your entire Disney vacation—but with more than 25 Disney resorts and hotels to choose from, it’s easy to get overwhelmed! I can help you so you can choose the perfect-fit resort for your family—based on your budget, travel style, and family’s interests.

DOWNLOAD the Guide to Choosing the Right Resort to understand the differences in amenities, how to choose the resort with the right location and which resorts offer the activities you are looking for.

Who is Christina?

Meet Christina Vieira, a Traveler, a Planner, and a Mom. She is also the owner of Showcase the World Travel, a modern travel agency that helps busy Moms take the vacation they deserve without adding “planning it all” to their to-do lists.  After all, Mom should get to enjoy their vacation, too!

She specializes in Disney, the Caribbean, and Europe, and has helped dozens of families have magical vacations that they will always remember. She loves traveling with her four-year-old, Annabelle. Her favorite destinations include Walt Disney World, Wyoming, and Prague.