Traveling is often designed for parties of 2-4 people. But what happens when your family has five or more? Walt Disney World offers several options when traveling with five or more that make your stay fun and won’t leave anyone without a bed. Please keep in mind the available spaces comply with fire code laws, and breaking them is creating a safety hazard for your family or group and other guests.
The first thing to consider is the room occupancy of each hotel. Most standard rooms accommodate four guests, plus a crib with a child under three years old. To see the exact guidelines for each hotel on Walt Disney World property, visit our Room Occupancy page. Here are some general guidelines and suggestions for groups of five or more:
Value resorts accommodate up to four people plus a crib. Four plus an infant might leave little walking space, but it is permissible.
Disney offers two options in the value category that can sleep up to six guests. Family suites are available at All-Star Music and Art of Animation, and not only feature a separate bedroom but also two bathrooms and a kitchenette. These amenities can be very valuable for any family, but especially a larger one.
Some Moderate Resorts also accommodate five people plus a crib. Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort have rooms that have two queen-sized beds and one bunk-size pull-down bed. This is not a full-size mattress but is big enough for a typical child under 10 years old. A larger teen or adult isn’t likely to be comfortable in this configuration.
If you prefer a woodsier atmosphere, the cabins at Fort Wilderness sleep six guests. They feature a full kitchen as well as a bedroom with a double bed, bunk beds, and a Murphy bed in the living room. The cabins each have a charcoal grill and picnic table outside to help with some quick meals. This really is a great option for groups or families of five or more.
Disney Deluxe resorts (except Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge) sleep five (plus a crib). The fifth person sleeps on a day bed. These rooms are typically larger and can handle five people easily. Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge standard rooms accommodate four plus a crib.
Disney’s Deluxe Villa Resorts are also available and are available in studio, one- and two-bedroom options. There are even a few grand villas which feature three bedrooms. These options can be quite roomy and have a kitchenette or a full kitchen.
Disney also has some suite accommodations available. Not all suites accommodate large parties, but some do. The best way to find out about suite availability is to contact your travel agent or Disney directly.
Finally, guests can choose to book multiple rooms in the hotel of their choice. This will afford guests the chance to have a little more floor space, another bathroom, and a bit of privacy. Multiple rooms can be connected or adjoining. Connecting rooms have an interior door connecting the rooms. Adjoining rooms are next to each other but do not have an interior connecting doorway. Parties with more children than adults will be given preference for connecting rooms but no room request is guaranteed. All rooms booked must have at least one adult on the reservation.
Beyond Disney property, there are other choices to accommodate larger parties, but we recommend staying on-site because Disney Resorts have several benefits. Keep in mind that off-site transportation may not run frequently and a rental car may be faster. But either way, everyone will need to be transported to and from the parks. Larger rental cars might mean that everyone at the party needs to stay in the parks for the same length of time.
The best choice for your family is out there. Take into consideration your family’s needs for five or more for both sleeping arrangements as well as transportation to and from the parks, and you will find a solution to meet everyone’s needs.