Disney World has two great options for guests who need larger rooms that sleeps up to six, but don’t want to pay the villa prices. There are two different family suites on Disney property that fit this need called the Family Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation and Family Suite at Disney’s All Star Music Resort.

These family suites are a great option for larger families. A question that we hear a lot from guests wanting to stay in a family suite is “which one is the best?”

Both are great options and have kitchenettes and two bathrooms (yes, two bathrooms!) But honestly, it really depends on which one would be best for your family. There are pros and cons to both resorts.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Do you want to stay right in the middle of a Disney movie? If so, Disney’s Art of Animation is the resort for you!

This resort features family suites that are inspired by Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Lion King. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort also features three swimming pools and four playful courtyards, one for each of the featured films. The Finding Nemo pool is the biggest resort pool on the Disney World property. You can’t beat that!

The family suites include a bedroom with one queen-size bed, one double-size convertible Table Bed, one double-size sleeper sofa, a living room, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette.

They are 565 square feet (and the bigger of the two family suites). Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has 1,120 family suites. The Finding Nemo family suites are closest to the main building and the pool.

Pros of Staying at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

• Pool:  One of the biggest perks of this resort is the main pool called The Big Blue. This pool is amazing and has a Finding Nemo theme that also has an underwater soundtrack. How cool is that? There is also a kids splash area, which is perfect for little ones. There are two more pools on property, The Cozy Cone Pool and the Flippin’ Fins Pool.
• Food Court:  The food court at this resort has some amazing food choices. Landscape of Flavors Food Court includes five distinctive food shops; The Soup, Salad and Sandwich Shop, The World Flavors Shop, The Pizza Shop, The Burger Shop, and The Market. I love all of the “create your own” options at this food court!
• Dedicated Bus System:  This resort has a dedicated bus, which means they don’t share buses with any other resort. This is a huge perk over the All Star Music family suite.
• Disney Magic Everywhere:  The theme of this resort is 100% Disney. If you have young children, you can’t go wrong with the theme of this resort. Guests can stay in a room dedicated to their favorite Disney movie character. Here is a picture from the Lion King themed family suite.

Cons of Staying at Disney’s Art of Animation

• Price: The price is the biggest con of this resort. It is a value resort, but is more expensive than the All Star Music family suites. This makes it tough when trying to stay within a certain budget.
• Smaller Kitchenette: The Kitchenette is a little on the small side in this resort. There isn’t a lot of room for groceries with this kitchenette.
• Shared Beds: If the members of your travel party don’t want to share beds then this resort is difficult. There is one queen bed in the bedroom, the double size sleeper sofa, and the double size table bed (this bed is really comfortable by the way).

Disney’s All Star Music Resort

This resort has a music theme. As with the other All Star Resorts this resort has larger than life décor. Large sized musical instruments, a giant jukebox, as well as a piano and a guitar shaped pool.

This value level resort has two heated pools and a children’s pool. This resort features the following musically themed buildings: Calypso, Jazz Inn, Rock Inn, Country Fair, and the Broadway Hotel.

Family suites include a bedroom with one queen-size bed, a living area with a double-size sleeper sofa, a sleeper chair, a sleeper ottoman, a kitchenette, and two bathrooms. The family suites can sleep up to six guests plus one child under the age of three.

They are 520 square feet and the smaller of the two family suites. There are only 260 family suites at All Star Music Resort.

Pros of Staying at Disney’s All Star Music Resort

• Cost: Cost is one of the biggest perks with this family suite. It is the less expensive of the two family suites. Larger families wanting the best bang for their buck can find it at the All Star Music Resort.
• Preferred Location: The family suites are also in a preferred location at the resort. This means that they are closer to the main building, pool, food court, and/or bus stop. If families want a preferred standard room then they have to pay a little more, but with the family suites its included in the price.
• Bigger Kitchenette Area: The kitchenette area is a little bit bigger in this family suite. There is more room to store groceries and other items.
• Food Court: The Intermission Food Court refurbishment has tended to have better reviews than the one at Art of Animation.

Cons of Staying at Disney’s All Star Music Resort

• Smaller Family Suite: Some guests have complained that the living area is a little tight because there are two single sleepers and the sofa double sleeper. If this doesn’t bother you or if you have guests who would rather not share beds then its more accommodating for your family. This is the smaller of the two family suites.
• Shared Bus Transportation: This resort is one of three All Star Resorts and sometimes they will share bus transportation. Sometimes each resort might have its own dedicated bus, but other times this resort will pick up and drop off at All Star Sports and All Star Movies Resorts as well.

The good news is that both Disney’s Art of Animation and Disney’s All Star Music family suites are great options for your family’s next Disney World Vacation. They are both value level resorts, so it’s a great way to stay within your budget, but still be able to experience all of the perks of a Disney Resort hotel.

Ready to price or book your next Disney World vacation? Kristin at Couponing to Disney hand picked Erin & Elizabeth (C2D Dream Team) to help you book your family vacation. You can request a quote below to start planning your family vacation.

Have you ever dreamed of staying at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort?

This amazing resort is worth the dream. The amenities and location make this resort one of the best at the Walt Disney World Resort.

It is a deluxe level resort, so it is one of the more expensive resorts on property, but for some this is considered a bucket list resort for many guests.  Is this one on your bucket list?

We adore the Victorian-style theme of this elegant Disney Resort Hotel. It is conveniently located, just a Monorail ride away from the Magic Kingdom! Can you imagine watching the fireworks over Cinderella Castle from your resort during your next vacation?

Description of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

This Disney Deluxe Resort opened in 1988 and including the main building there are seven buildings.

The buildings names are Sargo Cay, Surgarloaf Key, Conch Key, Boca Chica, Big Pine Key, and The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa. There are 842 rooms, 25 suites and 147 Villas.

The rooms and decor of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort are elegant. This resort offers standard and deluxe rooms. Standard rooms can accommodate up to five guests, plus one child under three.

All standard rooms are 448 square feet and have two queen beds or one king sized bed and a day bed. The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort offer Deluxe Studios and Villas – including one and two bedroom options. In unit amenities include kitchenettes (Studios), full kitchen (Villas), balcony or porch, private bedrooms (Villas) and washers and dryers (Villas).

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort Amenities

Relaxing Spa & Salon

This high end luxury resort also is home to Senses – A Disney Spa that provides relaxing spa services to help you rejuvenate mind, body and soul.

This spa has several revitalizing therapies including facials, massages, body wraps and aromatherapy and a 24 hour fitness center. The fitness center has cardio, strength training equipment and free weights.

There is also Ivy Trellis Salon located on the second floor of the main building. This salon offers services for men, women, and children. I little insider tip! If you cannot get into the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique, the salon offers a princess hairstyle!

Lots of Water Fun

The resort has two pools, the Courtyard Pool and the Beach Pool. The Beach Pool has an 181-foot long water slide and overlooks the Seven Seas Lagoon. It is 111,261 gallons of fun complete with zero entry and a fun waterfall.

The Beach Pool hosts an onsite lounge and bar that has refreshments for when you need a bite to eat or drink while playing at the pool and you can rent a cabana if you need some added luxury. For the little ones, there is an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ aquatic play area nearby if they want to splash and play.

If you want a calm and peaceful swimming experience instead, then head to the Courtyard Pool. This zero entry leisure pool is heated and has a maximum depth of nearly 5 feet. It is also open 24 hours and doesn’t have a lifeguard on duty. There is also a whirlpool spa close by and the Courtyard Pool is located conveniently behind the main building.

Delicious Dining

Do you want elegant dining, outstanding American cuisine, or just want to share a meal with a favorite Disney Character?

Then Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort has a dining experience for you. They offer character meals at 1900 Park Fare, an afternoon tea at the Grand View Tea Room, delicious meals at the Grand Floridian Cafe, a waterfront meal at Narcoossee’s, a culinary mastery in the very romantic Victoria & Albert’s, and the lively onstage kitchen of Cítricos. There are wonderful option for every type of appetite.

Also, there is a 24 hour quick service restaurant called Gasparilla Island Grill.

Lots of Shopping

If you want to shop then guests can enjoy Basin, Summerlace, Commander Porter’s, M. Mouse Mercantile, or Sandy Cove Gifts and Sundries. Located on the second floor of Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort is a bath and spa products store, called Basin White. Basin White is a part of the Basin chain of stores. Basin White’s products are chemical free and alcohol free and created with higher end ingredients. The store’s signature items are bath bombs, but they also carry shampoo bars, shaving creams, bath salts, lotions, and many more luxury bath, body and spa items.

At the Walt Disney World locations, guests can purchase Disney themed soaps. Priced at $5.99 these Disney themed soaps make a wonderful souvenir or a gift for a fellow Disney lover. If you are annual pass holder you can use your discount to save money at Basin.

Summerlace is located on the first floor and features women’s designer fashions, upscale resort wear, swimwear, fragrances, accessories, H2O Spa products and jewelry. If you want to look at the latest Dooney and Bourke purses then Summerlace has those too!

I am guessing you won’t need any more reasons to want to stay at the Grand Floridian Resort, but if you do then I have the top five reasons for staying there below.

Top Five Reasons to Stay At Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort

#5 Location

This is the number one reason! Location, location, location.

Guests can feel the magic, while staying at this resort. They can watch the fireworks at Magic Kingdom every night from this resort. There are also several transportation options. One of the best is the monorail! Guests are one monorail stop from the Magic Kingdom and a couple away from the Ticket and Transportation Center where you can transfer to the Epcot monorail.

Guests can also use water taxis to travel to Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Polynesian Resort. Disney buses also will take guests to the parks and Disney Springs.

#4 Deluxe Amenities

The rooms are the largest standard rooms throughout the entire property.

They are also hotel style meaning the doors open to an enclosed room and not the outside. Plus the transportation options are some of the best. Below we have the transportation options for Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort.

• Magic Kingdom: Monorail and Boat
• Epcot: Monorail
• Hollywood Studios: Bus
• Animal Kingdom: Bus
• Water Parks: Bus
• Disney Springs: Bus
• Transportation and Ticket Center: Monorail

#3 Dining and Shopping

As mentioned earlier, there are several options. I love coming to this resort to eat and shop even when I am not staying there. Be sure to include these dining options next time you visit the Walt Disney World Resort. They are some of the best on property.

#2 Extras

I love the extras at this resort. They really go above and beyond for their guests to feel the Disney magic. The Princess Promenade is an event that takes place every day at 3:30, Cinderella and Prince Charming will welcome guests in the lobby. They dance together and then parade around the resort lobby with all the little princesses behind them. This is a free event and open to anyone visiting the Grand Floridian.

Another Grand Floridian exclusive is the Gone Mad Tea Party. This party is held on Wednesdays from 8:30-10:30 PM. The Alice In Wonderland themed party is held outdoors near the Gasparilla Island Grill and is a perfect spot to view the fireworks. The decor is amazing and food and beverages are available. There is a DJ playing music which gets everyone in the party mood while waiting for the fireworks. My son loved this event! The party is free and open to anyone.

#1 Beauty

This resort is one of the prettiest lobbies and grounds at Walt Disney World Resort. This beautiful lobby has the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra that plays ragtime, Dixie, traditional jazz and popular Disney tunes. They play every day after 4:00 PM.

The lobby also has a pianist that plays a gorgeous grand piano after 3:00 PM every day. It’s worth a visit to this deluxe resort just to sit in the lobby and take in its elegance and enjoy the Grand Floridian Society Orchestra and the pianist.

Disney’s Grand Floridian also is home to Disney’s Wedding Pavilion. While we were staying at this resort we saw brides and wedding parties everywhere. It was such a neat experience and another reason why I loved staying at this resort.

Erin (C2D Dream Team Agent) Personal Experience at Disney’s Grand Floridian

My family recently stayed at Disney’s Grand Floridian after saving for a while for it. We wanted something special for my son’s birthday and knew it had always been a dream of ours to stay there. My family loved it and it is something that I will never forget.

My son loved the pools and being able to ride the monorail to Magic Kingdom and Epcot. My husband loved the look and feel of this resort. We really felt the luxury throughout this resort and I loved having so many restaurant options at our resort. If your family decides to stay at the Grand Floridian, they won’t be disappointed.

Kristin hand selected Erin and Elizabeth (C2D Dream Team) to help you plan your Disney World vacation. You can contact these agents by email at [email protected] or [email protected] or request a quote below. Be sure you mention Couponing to Disney for a FREE Disney Gift Card (when you book your Disney World Package).