Groups of Five or More: Where to Stay at Disney World?

I grew up in a family of five, and I am now the mother of three beautiful girls, so I understand how frustrating it can sometimes be to see that a room sleeps "up to four people." The immediate response is: "But what about us?"

Thankfully, Disney has thought of the larger family, and continues to add options for groups of more than 4 people.

Read more to find out about various resort options for groups of 5 or more.

Limitations

Before I explain the different options available, I first want to be sure that we are working from a similar understanding of Disney guidelines. When Disney resorts specify a maximum number of people in a room, in reality, that means that specified number plus an additional child under 3. This is because that child could stay in the Pack-n-Play and does not necessarily take up bed space. So if you are a family of five and one of your children is still under the age of 3, you can still stay in a room that specifies a maximum of four people.

We stayed in a Standard Room at Wilderness Lodge for this trip.

Deluxe Resorts

All of the deluxe resorts at Walt Disney World have rooms that accommodate at least 5 people.

Contemporary Resort

At some resorts, this requires staying in a Club Level Room:

• Animal Kingdom Lodge: The 1-Bedroom Suite accommodates up to 6 people and the 2-Bedroom Suite accommodates up to 8 people.
• Wilderness Lodge Resort: The Deluxe Club Level Room accommodates up to 6 people.

At other resorts, the standard room accommodates at least five people:

• Beach Club Resort: The Standard Room accommodates up to 5 people by including a day bed or sleeper chair in addition to 2 queen beds. (Club Level 2-Bedroom Suites are also available; these accommodate up to 7 people.)
• Boardwalk Inn: The Standard Room accommodates up to 5 people by including a day bed in addition to 2 queen beds. (Club Level Deluxe Rooms are also available; these accommodate up to 6 people.)
• Contemporary Resort: The Standard Room accommodates up to 5 people by including a day bed or sleeper sofa in addition to 2 queen beds. (Club Level Suites are also available; these accommodate up to 7 people.)
• Grand Floridian Resort: The Standard Room accommodates up to 5 people by including a day bed in addition to 2 queen beds. (Club Level Suites are also available; these accommodate up to 6 people.)
• Polynesian Resort: The Standard Room accommodates up to 5 people by including a day bed or sleeper sofa in addition to 2 queen beds.
• Yacht Club Resort: The Standard Room accommodates up to 5 people by including a day bed or sleeper chair in addition to 2 queen beds.

Beach Club

Moderate Resorts

Some of the moderate resorts also offer options for groups of more than 4 people:

• Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground: These cabins include a living space with fully-equipped kitchen as well as a bedroom area, and accommodate up to 6 people.
• Coronado Springs Resort: This resort offers Suites that accommodate up to 6 people.
• Port Orleans Resort - Riverside: Standard Rooms accommodate up to 5 people by including a pull-down bunk; however, this bunk is not recommended for children over the age of 9. (Unfortunately, Royal Guest Rooms do not include this option, and only accommodate 4 people.)

Port Orleans Resort - Riverside

Value Resorts

Two of the value resorts offer Family Suites that accommodate up to 6 people, and include a small kitchenette and 2 full bathrooms.

• Art of Animation Resort: This newest addition to Disney resorts consists mostly of Family Suites. These suites include a queen bed and either a table bed or sleeper sofa. These suites have themes inspired by the movies Cars, Finding Nemo, and The Lion King.
• All-Star Music Resort: There are a small number of Family Suites available at this resort. These include a queen bed, sleeper sofa, convertible ottoman, and convertible chair.

Art of Animation - Finding Nemo Family Suite

Deluxe Villas

It is possible to reserve any of the Deluxe Villas (which are also the Disney Vacation Club Villas). These are perfect for larger groups, as some villas can accommodate up to 9 people. Of course, these are also the most expensive option.

• Animal Kingdom Villas - Jambo House: The 1- Bedroom Villa accommodates up to 5 people.
• Animal Kingdom Villas - Kidani Village: The 1-Bedroom Villa accommodates up to 5 people and the 2-Bedroom Villa accommodates up to 9 people.
• Bay Lake Tower (at Contemporary Resort): The 1-Bedroom Villa accommodates up to 5 people and the 2-Bedroom Villa accommodates up to 9 people.
• Beach Club Villas: The 2-Bedroom Villa accommodates up to 8 people.
• BoardWalk Villas: The 2-Bedroom Lock-off Villa accommodates up to 8 people.
• Old Key West Resort: The 1-Bedroom Villa accommodates up to 5 people and the 2-Bedroom Villa accommodates up to 9 people.
• Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa: The 2-Bedroom Villa accommodates up to 8 people and the Treehouse Villa accommodates up to 9 people.
• Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge: The 2-Bedroom Villa accommodates up to 8 people.

Preferences

When asked my opinion on options for groups larger than 4 people, there are several factors to consider. What is most important?

• Budget? If you have a lower budget to consider, and a child small enough for the pull-down bunk, Port Orleans Resort - Riverside is by far the best choice. It is the lowest cost option per night for a group of 5.
• Group of 6? For a group of 6, I highly recommend the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground. These cabins cost only slightly more per night than the Family Suites at the Art of Animation Resort, and offer a fully equipped kitchen, plus boat launch service to the Magic Kingdom. If cost is an overriding factor, the Family Suites at All-Star Music Resort are the most economical.
• Proximity to major theme parks? The rooms at Beach Club Resort and Boardwalk Inn are the most economical of the deluxe resorts, and have boat launch service to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. The Contemporary Resort has the lowest cost rooms of the deluxe Magic Kingdom resorts. However, if budget is a consideration, the Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground are much more budget-friendly, and still close to the Magic Kingdom.
• Luxury? If cost is not an issue, then of course the best options are the Deluxe Villa Resorts. These have ample space plus many are close to major theme parks. My recommendations are the Villas at Disney's Wilderness Lodge or Bay Lake Tower, as these are closest to the Magic Kingdom and the villas themselves are very nice. If Epcot is more your style, the Beach Club Villas are another good option. However, since these villas are designed for luxury, it makes little difference which one you choose!

Cabins at Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground

What do you think? Which large group accommodation would be best for your family or group?

Enter the Giveaway!

Enter my Disney gift card giveaway! The more entries we have, the more chances there are for you to win! I will give away one $25 Disney gift card for every 20 people who enter. If you comment on this post (or any other post on the blog), you can earn 2 entries!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a magical day! 

Worldwide Scavenger Hunt: Hidden Mickeys

Did you know that there is a built-in scavenger hunt at every Disney destination? It's a fun way to pass the time while waiting in line, or to make a familiar attraction new again.

Can you find the Hidden Mickey?

It's called Hidden Mickeys...and they're everywhere! Read more to find out some secrets.

Whether it's your first time to a Disney destination, or you've visited a hundred times, there are always new things to explore. One way to liven up an attraction or line is to look for Hidden Mickeys.

Do you know where this one is?

A Hidden Mickey is a Mickey Mouse shape hidden in many areas on Disney destinations. Sometimes these Mickeys are very obvious, and other times it requires some careful looking, or some special help.

Here are some examples:

There are 2 Hidden Mickeys in this mural on the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Animal Kingdom.

Look at the upside-down Mickey as his earring!

This one is harder! Look at the bushes.

Look at the middle of the flower on this bedspread at Wilderness Lodge.

A Hidden Mickey is usually the traditional outline, as seen above. However, any Mickey will do:

In the old Test Track cue at Epcot: a Mickey koosh ball on the top shelf.

We love looking for Hidden Mickeys, and we can find them anywhere!

There are some great resources if you'd like some help. There is a book called

Hidden Mickeys: A Field Guide to Walt Disney World's Best Kept Secrets

by Steven Barrett. This book gives you a guided scavenger hunts to find the Hidden Mickeys. He has also written a similar book about Disneyland Hidden Mickeys. There is also an iPhone app (based on the book) available in iTunes, which we love to use!

Are you ready for the answers to the first two Hidden Mickeys?

Look at his necktie. This was in Mickey's Toontown Fair.

This one is at Peter Pan's Flight. See if you can find it!

What are your favorite Hidden Mickeys? Post them in the comments.

Overlooked Attractions: Future World

Epcot at Walt Disney World is an enormous park, and Future World is the largest section, which makes it very easy to overlook fun attractions in order to fit in the more popular experiences.

However, there are several experiences worth doing that you may have overlooked. Read more to find out which ones!





These attractions are often bypassed as guests attempt to race to the most popular rides in Epcot: Soarin', Mission: Space, and Test Track. In addition, the large centerpiece of Spaceship Earth catches every guest's eye upon entering the park.

Ellen's Energy Adventure

Located close to the main entrance to the park, on the left as you enter, Ellen's Energy Adventure is a fun journey through the history of energy. Ellen DeGeneres and Bill Nye the Science Guy star in this adventure, where the theater becomes a time machine, using surround cinema technology to enhance the experience. During the show, the theater transforms into 6-passenger vehicles that move through various displays, ending with another movie experience. The show lasts about 45 minutes, but new shows start approximately every 17 minutes.

Advanced Training Lab

This attraction is actually the post-show to the Mission: Space adventure, and is often bypassed on the way out of the ride. However, there are four different interactive experiences here:

1. Mission: Space Race - Two teams (astronauts and ground control) compete to be the first to send a rocket from Mars back to Earth. Up to 56 people can play at once.
2. Expedition Mars - The object of this joystick video game is to find your 4 fellow astronauts on the surface of Mars within 4 minutes.
3. Space Base - This interactive space-themed playground is designed for young children.
4. Postcards from Space - Guests can email a space video of themselves to anyone. This is a great souvenir of your trip!

It is possible to explore the Advanced Training Lab without riding Mission: SPACE.

The Circle of Life

This attraction is found in The Land Pavilion, and is often overlooked in favor of Soarin' and Living with the Land. This 20-minute movie includes scenes filmed in over 30 countries, as Simba, Timon, and Pumbaa explain the importance of protecting our land and environment. Children enjoy the mixture of animation and live film.

 Innoventions

Innoventions is an experience full of interactive exhibits for all ages. Housed in two separate pavilions labeled "East" and "West", there is a variety of adventures to explore!

Innoventions East:

• The Sum of All Thrills - Design your own thrill ride using math, science, and engineering. Then experience your ride using a simulator!
• StormStruck - Learn how to be prepared in the event of a weather emergency.
• Test the Limits Lab - Attempt to damage everyday objects to test their safety.
• Environmentality Corner - Discover how to have a "green" mentality.

Innoventions West:

• Segway Central - Experience a Segway personal transporter. There are age and size limitations.
• SmarterPlanet - Create an avatar to use in a video game! You can then email your game to anyone!
• The Great Piggy Bank Adventure - This interactive experience helps teach children to save for a future goal.
• Video Game Playground - Play a variety of video games using the latest technology.
• Where's the Fire? - Learn about fire hazards and fire safety in an interactive game house.

Segway Central

  Conclusion

Since these overlooked attractions do not have a minimum height requirement (with the exception of Segway Central), they are ideal for families with younger children.

What do you think of these overlooked attractions in Future World?

A Pirate's Life for Me! Pirates League Pirate Makeovers

Have you seen pictures of little girls after their princess makeover, and wondered what the options are for your child who would rather be a pirate? The Pirates League in the Magic Kingdom specializes in makeovers for pirates-in-training.

There are several packages available to transform each guest into a pirate or mermaid. Read more to find out how!


The Pirates League is located in Adventureland, near the Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. It is open every day, and Magic Kingdom park admission is required. Reservations are strongly encouraged, and may be made up to 180 days in advance.

Each aspiring pirate may choose one of four pirate makeover packages. Additional costumes and accessories may be brought with you or purchased separately through The Pirates League. Portrait sessions are also available for an additional charge.

Package Options

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Package - $29.95 plus tax

• bandana with faux hair
• facial effect
• sword and sheath
• Pirates League bag
• pirate coin necklace

The "First Mate" or "Empress" Package = $34.95

• choice of facial effect
• reversible bandana
• earring and eye patch
• sword and sheath
• temporary tattoo
• unique pirate coin necklace
• personalized pirate oath
• official pirate name

Mermaid Package - $39.95

• mermaid makeup and makeup palette
• hairstyle and color-changing hair clip
• color-changing mermaid necklace
• nail polish
• mermaid sash

All new pirates and mermaids have the option of participating in the Parade of Pirates in Adventureland, which occurs daily, weather permitting.

This experience is a fun option for all aspiring pirates. It is also an alternative for those who are unable to reserve an appointment for a princess makeover, or who would prefer a less costly option.