What are the ages of the children in your family?
If you are family of 5, but one of your children is younger than 3, you can occupy a standard room at a Value or Moderate resort just fine. While it might be a tight squeeze, there is enough room for a pack-n-play in addition to the 2 Double or Queen beds. My suggestion, while it restricts use of the bathroom at night, if you have a little one who isn't used to sleeping in the same room as other family members, is to move the pack-n-play to the bathroom area and close the curtain :)
Are you a family of 5 with older children or are you looking for a small kitchenette?
Then a family suite is right for you! While a little pricier, it will afford your family more space and more conveniences. There are 2 types of family suites at Walt Disney World.
All Star Music
These are the original family suites at Disney. The suites were remodeled by combining two standard rooms into one. They include a Master Bedroom, 2 bathrooms, a small kitchenette and a living room area. These suites sleep up to 6 people.
The success of the All-Star Music suites lead to the creation of the Art of Animation family suites. They looked at what worked and what didn't and created these amazing themed suites! These suites are slightly larger but offer similar amenities. They also sleep 6 people.
Do the suites offer more amenities then you need?
If you are still in search of a standard room for your family of 5 but the suites offer just more than you need, or you don't want to stay at a value resort, you have more options. The following resorts will accommodate a family of 5 in a standard room.
-Port Orleans Riverside Resort
-Grand Floridian Resort and Spa
-Polynesian Resort
-Contemporary Resort
-Yacht and Beach Club Resorts
-Boardwalk Inn Resort
Port Orleans offers a trundle bed while most of the others will offer a day bed. The square footage of moderate and deluxe resorts are slightly larger than a value, but similar amenities are offered within the room.
Do you like the idea of a kitchenette but want MORE?
If you are willing to splurge and looking for a bit more than a family suite, you might want to consider a Deluxe Villa resort. These resorts offer 1, 2 and 3 bedroom Villa's that come complete with full kitchens, split bathrooms, jacuzzi tubs and balconies. The price point is higher on these rooms but they offer a lot more space. If you have more than 6 people and don't want to split rooms, the Villa's might be a great options for you as well!
Remember, as a Disney Travel Planner it's my job to help you select the perfect resort for your family. If you want to find out more, just email me at Amanda@Mouseketrips.com.
OMG...love this entry! I have never traveled in a group larger than 4, and even that, I felt could have been handled better. So the idea of possibly traveling with 5 on our upcoming trip, one of those being a baby, I am struggling! So many options with so many variables! I didn't even think about suites until I read this!
ReplyDeleteSeeing the layout of the Art of Animation suite helped tremendously. It would definitely work for us. Loving the two bathrooms! We are budget conscious with our future trip, and I think, as nice as it would be to splurge on a villa, maybe a suite is just what we need. Now to decide....Lion King, Cars, or Finding Nemo.....
Thank goodness I have a wonderful Disney Travel Planner to help with the decision :)
If I get a vote it's going to be Nemo! Best pool and close to the lobby and transportation!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for this post - with a family of 6 with older kids, most resorts are out of the question for us. Looking at the room layouts for the family suites, however, it looks like there's a queen sized bed for Mom and Dad, then a sleeper sofa for all 4 kids? How are they claiming these suites sleep 6 people?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment Tricia! The family suites at Art of Animation do have a queen in the master bedroom for Mom and Dad, a sleeper sofa (sleeps 2) and the dining room table turns into a bed too! I'll have an upcoming post showing pictures soon!)
ReplyDeleteAll Star Music suites also have a queen bed in the master, but the living room has a sleeper sofa (sleeps 2) and then ottoman and chair that convert each into a single!