Planning a trip to the most magical place on Earth and need help finding the perfect Disney hotel to fit your family of 5?
As a family of 5 myself, I know the difficulties in trying to find accommodations to fit that 5th person. As you already know, most standard hotel rooms are made to fit only four people.
However, Disney is all about families and they do an amazing job at keeping us big families comfortable. No matter what your budget is, Disney has the perfect place for your family.
Having stayed at Disney countless times with my family of 5 (in a variety of value, moderate, and deluxe resorts) and being a travel agent specializing in Disney, I have a wealth of knowledge about all of the Disney Resorts.
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Here are my picks for the best 17 Disney World resorts for a family of 5.
Value Resorts (Budget Friendly $)
Value Resorts are going to be the most budget-friendly option at Walt Disney World.
These resorts are brightly colored with giant Disney characters located throughout. They are perfect for families, especially those with young kids.
You have two choices here when it comes to a Value Resort for a family of 5 at Disney World.
1. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation is an excellent choice for those with larger families at Disney World. Its family suites hold up to 6 people.
This resort is wonderfully themed after Disney and Pixar’s most popular movies The Little Mermaid, Cars, Finding Nemo, and The Lion King.
They also have the largest resort pool in Walt Disney World! The Big Blue Pool is inspired by the movie Finding Nemo. There is also a fun interactive water play area perfect for the youngest kids.
All Disney Value Resorts offer a convenient quick-service food court serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
A great benefit of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is that it’s one of the few resorts where you can take the Disney Skyliner. The Skyliner will take you to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
Disney’s Art of Animation family suites include:
- plenty of space to spread out for up to 6 people
- beautifully themed rooms-your choice of Finding Nemo, Cars, or The Lion King
- separate bedroom with 1 queen size bed
- 1 double-size convertible TableBed, 1 double-size sleeper sofa
- living room
- 2 bathrooms
- kitchenette
2. Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort is a fun-music-themed hotel with giant, music-inspired decor throughout the resort.
What makes this resort unique is the guitar-shaped pool with no other than the Three Caballeros-Donald Duck, Jose Carioca, and Panchito spraying water.
They also have a Piano Pool. This is a fun, grand piano-shaped pool complete with black and white keys.
Like all Value Resorts, you’ll find a food court that is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Disney’s All-Star Music family suites include:
- spacious accommodations
- separate bedroom with queen bed
- 2 queen size pull down beds
- 2 full bathrooms
- kitchenette
Moderate Resorts (Mid-Range $$)
Disney’s Moderate Resorts are your mid-range accommodations at Disney World.
However, for a family of 5, you will probably find that a Moderate Resort will give you a cheaper option than staying at a value resort.
This is because a Moderate Resort for 5 people will be a standard hotel room, whereas a Value Resort for 5 will be a suite with more than 1 room.
What’s the difference between a Value Resort and a Moderate Resort?
Let’s talk dining! A Value Resort offers quick service dining, but no table service dining. A Moderate Resort offers both quick service and table-service dining.
Let’s talk size! The Moderate Resorts are spread out a lot! You’ll find that you’ll be doing a lot more walking to get from one part of a Moderate Resort to another part.
Let’s talk pools! Moderate Resort pools are more elaborate and will always include a waterslide. Value Resort pools are more basic and have no waterslides.
3. Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is an excellent choice for a Moderate Resort at Disney.
As you might have guessed, it has a Caribbean theme with fun vibrant colors and lush landscapes. This resort is divided into 4 “islands” Barbados, Jamaica, Martinique, Trinidad, and Aruba.
The resort’s main pool, Fuentes del Morro is lots of fun for the whole family. It’s a zero-entry pool themed after a colonial Spanish fortress. Kids will love sliding down one of the two waterslides.
There’s also an entire area great for toddlers and younger children with mini water slides spray cannons and buckets.
Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort is also a Disney Skyliner Resort. From here, you can take the Skyliner to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT.
Rooms with a 5th sleeper include:
- sleeps up to 4 adults plus 1 child
- 2 queen beds, 1 child-size pulldown bed with a fun Mickey mural inside
- mini-fridge; coffee maker
4. Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort
Another great Disney Moderate Resort for a family of five is Port Orleans Riverside Resort. This resort has a Louisiana Bayou theme.
The resort is divided up into Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. Each has a uniquely different decor.
The main pool at Port Orleans Riverside is on Ol’ Main Island themed after an abandoned sawmill. It includes a fun 95-foot-long rustic waterslide. There’s also a kiddie pool for the littlest ones.
What’s unique about this resort is that it offers a water taxi to Disney Springs.
Rooms with a 5th sleeper include:
- sleeps up to 4 adults plus 1 child
- 2 queen beds, 1 child-size pull-down bed with a fun Princess and the Frog mural inside
- mini-fridge; coffee maker
5. The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort are a unique place to stay at Disney.
Themed after the great American frontier in the middle of the woods you’ll find a spacious cabin for up to 6 people.
The resort’s Meadow Swimmin’ Pool features a fun corkscrew waterslide. They also have a toddler-friendly fort-themed water play area.
Here at Disney’s Fort Wilderness, you’ll also find the popular dinner show Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue.
This resort offers unique activities such as Chip ‘N’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long, pony, wagon, and carriage rides, and canoe and kayak rentals.
Wilderness Cabin includes:
- spacious accommodations for up to 6 adults
- 1 double-size sleeper sofa, 1 queen bed, 1 bunk bed
- full kitchen with dishwasher, stove, refrigerator, and microwave
Deluxe Resorts & Villas (Deluxe $$$)
Disney’s Deluxe Resorts & Villas offer the best of everything, but they come at a price.
They are beautifully themed and have amazing pools and amenities.
Not only do they offer quick service dining and table service dining, but some of them offer character dining and fine dining options.
But what’s also great about the Deluxe Resorts is the LOCATION. These resorts are located closest to the parks.
They also offer the MOST transportation options for the resorts such as monorail, ferry boat, or the Disney Skyliner.
Here are my picks for the best Deluxe Resorts & Villas for a family of 5 at Walt Disney World. (There are quite a lot!)
5. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is a beautiful resort modeled after the historic Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone National Park.
I’ve stayed at both Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and can tell you Disney did an AMAZING job with the theming of this resort.
This resort is home to one of the most sought-after dining reservations at Disney World, Storybook Dining at Artist Point. It’s also home to Whispering Canyon Cafe, one of the most “fun” and “rowdy” restaurants at Disney World.
The main pool, Copper Creek Springs Pool fits the American Northwest theme so well. Enjoy sliding down the 67-foot waterslide. For little ones, there’s a great water play area with a mini-slide included.
What’s unique to staying at Wilderness Lodge is that you can take a short boat ride to the Magic Kingdom from here. This is the only resort where you can take a boat to the Magic Kingdom.
Deluxe Room-Club Level Access:
- sleeps up to 6 adults
- 2 queen beds, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa
6. The Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
Also part of Disney’s Wilderness Lodge is the Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and the Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge.
Here you’ll find even more spacious accommodations for your stay at this wonderful Pacific Northwest-themed resort; all in a natural, serene setting.
Here are some of the wonderful spacious options to choose from.
Deluxe Studio(Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge) includes:
- sleeps up to 5
- 1 queen bed, 1 double-size sleeper sofa, 1 single pull-down bed
- kitchenette with small fridge and microwave
- porch or balcony
2-bedroom Villa (Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge) includes:
- spacious accommodations that sleep up to 8
- 1 king bed, 2 queen beds, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa
- 2 full bathrooms
- full kitchen
- living and dining area
- washer and dryer
- porch or balcony
Cabin (Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge) includes:
- a spacious cabin that sleeps up to 8 adults
- 1 king bed, 1 queen bed, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa, 1 single pull-down bed, 1 twin-size sleeper sofa
- 2 full bathrooms
- full kitchen
- living and dining areas
- washer and dryer
- private porch with a hot tub
7. Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is one of the original, classic Disney resorts. What’s unique about this resort is that the monorail runs right through it!
If you’re looking at getting the closest you can to Magic Kingdom, this is the resort to be at. You can walk to the Magic Kingdom from here or take the monorail.
Disney’s Contemporary Resort is also home to the popular character dining restaurant, Chef Mickey’s. It’s also home to one of the best dining experiences at Disney, California Grill.
The Contemporary’s main pool has a 17-foot, curving waterslide. They also have a fun water playground for the kids.
Standard Room includes:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- a theme park, garden view, or lake view room
- 1 king bed and 1 day bed or 2 queen beds and 1 day bed
- beverage cooler, coffee and tea station
- patio or balcony
1 Bedroom Suite includes:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- 1 king bed, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa, 1 twin-size sleeper chair
- small fridge, coffee and tea station
- patio or balcony
8. Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort is the Disney Vacation Club Resort at the Contemporary Resort.
These spacious accommodations get you even closer to the Magic Kingdom. Bay Lake Tower is connected to Disney’s Contemporary Resort by the convenient Sky Way Bridge.
Use all the amenities of the Contemporary Resort plus Bay Lake amenities such as the Bay Cove Pool.
1-Bedroom Villa includes:
- sleeps up to 5
- theme park or lake view room
- 1 king Bed, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa, 1 twin-size sleeper chair
- 2 full bathrooms
- full kitchen
- living and dining areas
- washer and dryer
- balcony
9. Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is another one of the original resort hotels of Walt Disney World. This amazing South Pacific-themed resort is also located in the Magic Kingdom Resort Area.
You are only a quick monorail ride to the Magic Kingdom and just one transfer from EPCOT.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is home to the super popular restaurant ‘Ohana. In the morning they serve the Best Friends Breakfast featuring Lilo and Stitch. At dinner, they have an amazing all-you-can-eat meal serving Hawaiian flavored specialties with lots of fun and music.
Also at this resort, you can indulge in one of Disney’s most popular snacks, the DOLE Whip, a pineapple-flavored ice cream.
Polynesian Village Resort’s main pool, the Lava Pool features a giant volcano, a waterfall, and a 142-foot-long waterslide.
Standard, Theme Park, Pool or Marina, and Lagoon View Rooms include:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- 2 queen beds and 1 day bed
- beverage cooler, coffee, and tea station
- patio or Balcony
- *Club Level is also available
1 Bedroom Suite-Club Level includes:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- views of Marina
- 2 queen beds and 1 day bed
- small fridge, coffee and tea station
- patio or balcony
- access to King Kamehameha Club
10. Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows is the Disney Vacation Club part of Disney’s Polynesian Village.
Here you’ll enjoy the South Pacific theming and all of the amenities of Disney’s Polynesian Village with more unique and spacious accommodations.
Deluxe Studio includes:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- lake view
- 1 queen bed and 1 queen-size pull-down bed and 1 single pull-down bed
- 1 full bathroom with 2 showers
- kitchenette with small fridge and microwave
- porch or balcony
Bungalow includes:
- sleeps up to 8 adults
- lake view
- 1 king bed and 1 queen bed and 1 queen-size pull-down bed and 2 single pull-down beds
- 2 full bathrooms
- full kitchen
- living and dining areas
- washer and dryer
- private deck with a plunge pool
11. Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa is Disney’s flagship hotel at Walt Disney World with a Victorian-style theme.
This resort is upscale, fancy, and elegant. Even though it’s all of this, it still is an amazing place to stay with kids.
It’s also a monorail resort and just a short ride away from the Magic Kingdom. You can even see Cinderella’s Castle from here!
The pools at Grand Floridian Resort & Spa are amazing.
Beach Pool is a zero-entry pool with a huge rock feature with waterfalls and an 181-foot-long waterslide. There’s also an Alice and Wonderland-themed water play area for toddlers and little ones. Courtyard Pool is a great pool to relax and unwind.
Grand Floridian Cafe is a wonderful choice for a great breakfast or lunch. For the ultimate fine dining experience at Walt Disney World, go to The Dining Room at Victoria & Albert’s.
This resort has some fun shops to browse too. My favorite is Basin White, which has Mickey-themed soaps and bath bombs.
Rooms with Theme Park, Garden View, or Lagoon View include:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- 2 queen beds and 1 day bed
- beverage cooler, coffee and tea station
- patio or balcony
- *Club Level is also an option
1 Bedroom Suite- Club Level includes:
- sleeps up to 6 adults
- View of Beach pool, Courtyard Pool
- 2 queen beds and 1 queen-size sleeper sofa
- beverage cooler, coffee and tea station
- patio or balcony
- access to the Royal Palm Club
12. Disney’s Beach Club Resort
Disney’s Beach Club Resort is located in the EPCOT Resort Area.
It is the closest Disney resort to EPCOT. You are a quick 5-minute walk to the EPCOT International Gateway.
You are also an easy walk or boat ride away from Hollywood Studios.
This resort has a casual, elegant New England beach-style vibe.
Its pool, Stormalong Bay continuously ranks as the best resort pool in all of Disney World. It’s a 3-acre water playground with pools, lagoons, and a life-size shipwreck. Float down the lazy river here or ride down the waterslide. The kids will love the sandy beach which flows into the pool.
Disney’s Beach Club Resort also is home to the popular Beaches and Cream Soda Shop with the famous Kitchen Sink dessert. Here you’ll also find the delicious and fun character breakfast Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Cafe.
As you can see, this resort has so many things going for it.
Garden or Woods, or Standard View Room includes:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- 2 queen beds and 1 day bed
- beverage cooler, coffee, and tea station
- patio or balcony
2 Bedroom Suite-Club Level Access includes:
- sleeps up to 7 adults
- 1 king bed, 2 queen beds, and 1 day bed
- small fridge, coffee, and tea station
- patio or balcony
- access to Stone Harbor Club
13. Disney’s Beach Club Resort Villas
Disney’s Beach Club Resort Villas is the Disney Vacation Club part of Disney’s Beach Club Resort.
As part of Disney’s Beach Club Resort, you’ll enjoy all of its amenities plus the spacious accommodations of the villas!
Deluxe Studio includes:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- 1 queen bed, 1 double-size sleeper sofa, 1 single pull-down bed
- kitchenette with small fridge and microwave
- porch or balcony
2 Bedroom Villa includes:
- sleeps up to 8 adults
- 1 king bed, 2 queen beds, and 1 queen-size sleeper sofa or 1 double-size pull-down bed
- 2 full bathrooms
- full kitchen
- living and dining areas
- washer and dryer
- balcony
14. Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is a resort with a charming, whimsical atmosphere inspired by turn-of-the-century boardwalks like Coney Island and Atlantic City.
It’s located in the EPCOT resort area, so it’s an easy walk to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. You could even take a relaxing boat ride to Hollywood Studios from here.
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn is home to the delicious quick-service BoardWalk Deli and Trattoria al Forno, a delicious Italian eatery.
Its Luna Park Pool is a fun carnival-themed pool with a 200-foot-long waterslide that the whole family will enjoy.
Standard View, Garden View, or Water View Rooms
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- 2 queen beds and 1 day bed
- beverage cooler, coffee and tea station
- patio or balcony
- *Club Level available
15. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the most unique resorts at Walt Disney World. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into Africa when you walk into this resort.
What makes this resort unique is there are four lush savannas with over 200 animals and birds such as giraffes, zebras, gazelles, and flamingos. You could even get a savannah view room and see the animals from your room!
Animal Kingdom Lodge has an 11,000-square-foot zero-entry pool with a waterslide. There is also a children’s wading pool.
Another wonderful pool here is Samawait Springs Pool. It has a thrilling waterslide and kids-themed water play area called Uwanja Camp.
The dining options at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge are also pretty amazing. Boma is an all-you-can-eat buffet with tastes from Africa. Sanaa is another amazing restaurant with African and Indian-inspired food. Enjoy your food here as you look out the windows to see giraffes and zebras roaming.
1 Bedroom Suite-Club Level Access includes:
- sleeps up to 6 adults
- standard view or savanna view room
- 2 queen beds and 1 queen-size sleeper sofa
- small fridge, coffee and tea station
- patio or balcony
- access to Kilimanjaro Club
16. Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas -Kidani Village & Jambo House
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas is the Disney Vacation Club part of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.
You’ll get all the great amenities and theming of Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge along with the spacious accommodations provided in Kidani Village and Jambo House.
1 Bedroom Villa (Jambo House) includes:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- View of the pool or one of the savannas
- 1 king bed, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa, and 1 twin-size sleeper chair
- full kitchen
- living and dining areas
- washer and dryer
- Balcony
- *Club Level available
1 Bedroom Villa (Kidani Village) includes:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- View of the parking area or one of the savannas
- 1 king bed, 1 queen-size sleeper sofa, and 1 twin-size sleeper chair
- 2 full bathrooms
- full kitchen
- living and dining areas
- washer and dryer
- balcony
17. Disney’s Riveria Resort
Disney’s Riveria Resort brings the beauty of Europe and the Mediterranean to Walt Disney World.
The resort has a very modern, and elegant atmosphere with subtle sophisticated Disney touches.
This resort is home to Topolino’s Terrace-Flavors of the Rivera. In the morning they have a delicious character breakfast, Breakfast a la Art with Mickey & Friends. For dinner, they have a Signature Dining experience with French and Italian-inspired cuisine.
Disney’s Riveria Resort has a stunning family-friendly pool with a waterslide and a great water play area for kids.
From Disney’s Riviera Resort, you can take the Disney Skyliner to Hollywood Studios or EPCOT.
Deluxe Studios-Standard View includes:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- 1 queen bed, 1 queen-size pull-down bed, and 1 single pull-down bed
- kitchenette with a small refrigerator, microwave, and coffee maker
- private porch or balcony
1 Bedroom Villa includes:
- sleeps up to 5 adults
- Standard or Preferred View
- 1 king bed, 1 queen-size pull-down bed, 1 single pull-down bed
- full kitchen with dishwasher
- washer and dryer
- private porch or balcony
Can 5 People Sleep in a 4-Person Room at Disney?
Disney World rooms that hold 4 people can accommodate 5 people only if the 5th person is a child under the age of 3.
A child under age 3 can sleep in a pack-and-play provided by the resort free of charge.
You can save some money before a child turns 3 by not having to get a pricier room for 5.
Why Stay at a Disney Resort?
Staying at a Disney Resort has so many benefits. You are right where all the magic happens! You are in the Disney bubble!
After arriving at a Disney Resort, you never have to drive anywhere. You can take your hotel bus, monorail, boat, or Skyliner anywhere on Disney property.
When staying at a Disney Resort you also get to take advantage of Early Theme Park Entry and Extended Evening Hours on select nights. This is a HUGE benefit. You can do so much in that time before the thousands of other guests staying off-property come in!
Final Thoughts: Best Disney World Resorts for Family of 5
I hope you have found my post 17 Best Disney World Resorts for a Family of 5 helpful!
Are you surprised Walt Disney World has this many resorts for large families? Can you believe there are more choices than this?
The best Disney World Resort for YOUR family of 5 will be determined by your budget, your vacation style, a certain park you want to be close to, and more…
Let me help you find that perfect Disney resort for YOUR family! Contact me for a free quote today.
I can get you the best price on a Disney vacation, plus, I always monitor and apply any discounts that come in after a booking.
Look forward to hearing from you!
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