My Top 5 Disney Hotels For Family of 5 2021

With more than 25 official Disney resorts, there is something for everyone… but the bad news is that not every hotel room will accommodate a family of 5. I want to give you a quick list of my top 5 picks and a few reasons why I think these are great choices.

So let’s jump right in.

Art of Animation

More than any other resort I have stayed at, this resort just feels like Disney to me. Everywhere from your room, to the pools, to the lobby is filled with over the top theming of Disney animated movies.

What sets this resort apart also is that the majority of the rooms are themed suites that sleep 6. The suites contain one private bedroom containing a queen bed with an additional pull out double and a double murphy bed in the living space. They also have a small kitchenette, a dining table that doubles as the murphy bed, and 2 bathrooms! They are themed to The Lion King, Cars, and Finding Nemo.

*Yes there are Little Mermaid themed rooms at this resort, but they only sleep 4 (plus an infant under 2). I will say from personal experience that they are amazingly themed, but are some of the smallest rooms on property.

Transportation at this resort includes buses, and the Skyliner which is a gondola system that connects to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.

These larger rooms are going to be more expensive but they are a great option for families that really feel they need more space. It is important to also mention that when Disney does offer discounts, these rooms are almost always included.

Caribbean Beach Resort

The Caribbean Beach resort is usually going to be your best bet price wise for a room that accommodates 5 on Disney property. Considered a “Moderate Resort” these rooms are larger than the “Value” hotel rooms allowing for some rooms to accommodate 5.

The rooms include 2 queen beds and a pull down sleeper which is basically like a murphy bed that is turned on its side. In these rooms it is directly under the tv and can be pulled up and used as a bench during the day. It is important to note that rooms for 5 are separate bookable categories which will contain the words “5th sleeper”.

While the hotel will sometimes receive negative reviews for being spread out into many different buildings, It has really great theming with an amazing feature pool and access to the Skyliner which makes transportation to Epcot or Hollywood studios a breeze.

Plus with rooms well under $300 a night for many dates, they are definitely worth a look for anyone in search of a room that will sleep 5.

The Beach Club

Not only is Disney’s Beach Club a great pick for families of 5, but it is my favorite hotel on property!

This is what they consider a Deluxe resort, so it will come with a larger price tag, but also an increase in amenities that could be worth it to your family.

It is located in the Epcot resort area so you can easily walk back and forth to the park or take advantage of the short boat ride. Hollywood Studios can also be reached by either walking path or a boat ride. It is quite a walk with little ones, so I would definitely recommend the boat if your kids are no longer using a stroller. With kids of different ages I love the option of having one parent be able to easily take a tired preschooler back for a quick rest while everyone else stays and plays.

Just like Caribbean Beach, the room set up is 2 queens and a fold down bed. In these rooms however, the bed is found by pulling down the back of the couch to convert it to a small bed for one. The rooms are also going to be larger allowing more space for a family to spread out.

The theme is seaside resorts of the northeast U.S. This leads to it being bright and casual which makes it more kid-friendly than it’s connecting sister resort The Yacht Club. The best part of this resort, however, is the amazing sand bottom pool Stormalong Bay. Older kids love the huge slide, younger kids love playing in the large sandbar, and I love Hurricane Hanna’s which is a contender for the best pool bar on property.

*As of now Beach club resort is still closed after Disney World’s reopening in 2020, but is slated to open at the beginning of summer 2021. It’s sister resort the Yacht Club is currently open for reservations.

The Grand Floridian

Any other year this spot would belong to the Polynesian Resort but with its current closure, I really think this is the year to highlight the Grand Floridian as a great pick for families. Yes is is one of the priciest hotels on property, but if you are looking for a location close to the Magic Kingdom it can’t be beat.

There are just 3 hotels that are on the Monorail loop: Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. As an added bonus, a walking path has recently opened to connect the Grand Floridian and the Magic Kingdom making travel even easier.

Considered Disney’s “flagship resort” this property’s theme is elegant Victorian seaside resort. It features a beautiful grand lobby and beautifully landscaped walkways. The rooms are large and elegantly themed. The rooms for 5 contain a day bed in the same set up as the previously mentioned rooms at he Beach Club.

While it can seem more of a “grown up” resort than others, there is still lots of family appeal. The main pool features zero entry along with a fantastic Alice in Wonderland themed splash zone for young children. Plus, what is more fun than looking out your window and seeing the Monorail whoosh by, not to mention The Electric Water Pageant that floats by every night on Seven Seas Lagoon.

Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside

So my last pick is a bit risky because it’s not actually open yet, but it is such a great option I am hopeful it will be welcoming guests again soon. As more people begin to travel in 2021 more onsite hotel rooms will be needed, and this expansive resort will be a great addition to the hotels currently welcoming guests.

Basically, I think it is work keeping on your radar.

This is another “Moderate Resort” that provides accommodations for a family of 5 along with beautiful grounds and great theming. The resort itself consists of 2 areas: Alligator Bayou and Magnolia Bend. The Alligator Bayou area is themed to as you would guess- the Louisiana Bayou. The Magnolia Bend section is themed to historic southern mansions. All of the rooms that sleep 5 are located in the Alligator Bayou section. The rooms consist of rustic wood décor, complete with a pull down sleeper depicting a sleeping Louie from The Princess and the Frog.

What really makes this resort shine are the beautiful grounds full of lush greenery and theming that really transports you away from the Disney Parks. The main building which houses the gift shop and dining areas is complete with a water wheel and the feature pool is themed to a backwoods swimming hole.

In addition to being one of the more affordable on site accommodations for a family of 5, this hotel also provides a boat service to Disney Springs. Just like all Disney transportation this is included for free with your stay. Being connected to this large shopping and dining district provides easy access to a huge variety of dining options as well as a great way to spend time if you are planning to spend part of your vacation “out of the parks”.

But Wait! There’s More!

This is by no way a comprehensive list of all the accommodations for a family of five, just a list of my top picks for my own family as we look to our stays in 2021 and beyond. There are so many “on site” and “off site” options, it’s easy to find a fit for every family!

Now I want to know- What are your favorite places to stay with your family of five at Disney World? Do you have a dream resort that your family hasn’t tried yet? Do you have a “go-to” resort you stay at every trip? Let me know below!