Hello Couponing to Disney readers! I’m Carrie, vacation specialist with Destinations in Florida, an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner, and I visit you each week here on Couponing to Disney to answer some Disney FAQs. I love hanging out on Couponing to Disney every week with you, answering questions about the Happiest Place on Earth! Choosing a Walt Disney World Resort is part of the fun of planning a Disney vacation! With so many options, it can certainly be overwhelming. There are factors like price, park proximity, dining options, pools, and family size. What do you consider when choosing a Walt Disney World Resort?
What are my options for a family of 5?
Walt Disney World offers many options for families of 5! Most of the Deluxe Resorts have standard rooms for five guests. The only exception is Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. The rooms for five are at Club Level. The Standard Rooms at Deluxe have two queens and a daybed. If they do not have a daybed available, they will bring you a rollaway. At the Moderate Level, your options are the Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground, a Junior Suite at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, and standard rooms at Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside Resort. In the Value category, your options are Family Suites at either Disney’s All Star Music or Disney’s Art of Animation Resorts. Choosing a Disney Resort at any of these tiers will be the perfect choice!
What should I consider when choosing my Disney resort?
It is different for all families. At Disney, time is a huge factor. So proximity to the parks is a good one to start with, as well as the resort transportation. For example, the All Star Resorts share buses with each other, where as Pop Century and Art of Animation also in the Value Category do not. Bed size is another factor. The values only have double beds, as does Caribbean Beach at the moderate level. Other than that, the Family Suites, Villas, Moderate Resorts, and Deluxe Resorts all have queen beds.
Does my infant count toward my room occupancy?
Yes. The rule of thumb at Disney is if they have a head, they count. So, even if your infant is in a pack and play and not an actual resort bed, they count. They don’t count toward the room rate, but they do count on the reservation.
Is a Deluxe Resort worth the money?
Yes. And many times, a Deluxe resort is affordable if you can book your Disney trip under a discount. When you consider time and touring the parks at Disney, the closer you are the better. Nothing beats walking to EPCOT from the Boardwalk area resorts or hopping on the monorail from the Contemporary over to Magic Kingdom. These are especially great when traveling with children. Many people think the room is “just for sleeping”. Maybe so in some cases. But afternoon breaks at the resort, transportation, and dining options are all easier and less time consuming at the Deluxe Resorts. If you have the Disney Dining Plan, the majority of your meals will be at the parks or the Deluxe Resorts as well. For a Deluxe Resort for a more reasonable price, consider Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Disney’s Contemporary Resort.
Why should I choose a Disney Resort?
The perks to onsite Disney guests outweigh the amount you would save staying offsite. Couple that with the nightly rates at the Values staying on site becomes a no-brainer. Extra Magic Hours, Disney Transportation, FastPass Plus 60 days in advance, package delivery, charging privileges are all perks of Disney onsite guests. Plus, there is something extra special about staying in a Disney resort and being surrounded by Disney at every turn!
Are you ready to plan your next family vacation? Let the Dream Team help you plan!
Carrie with DIF says
You are correct, Mary. Thank you! I went back and updated it to mention Animal Kingdom Lodge as well. Thank you!
Mary Park says
Also, we have always been told that they do not count towards room occupancy until they are three and a paid guest, hence the reason we were able to stay with five at Animal Kingdom Lodge two years ago. Has this recently changed? Thanks!
Mary Park says
When did Animal Kingdom Lodge up their rooms to occupancy of five? We love Animal Kingdom Lodge, but have not stayed there since my four year old was two because their occupancy was a maximum of four per room.