Walt Disney World almost has all of their hotels back. For a time most of the offerings for families have been DVC rentals at premium resorts. The best Disney resort to stay at depends upon your vacation needs. For most people, the Deluxe resorts are the most desirable because they make everything easier. They have the best locations, the best transport, the most amenities, and the most immersive themes. However, if you have a large family, accommodating your group at one of these can be very expensive. Across the three tiers of value, moderate, and deluxe, there are some winners and losers when it comes to the best Disney resorts for large families.
The Best Disney Resorts for Large Families
Art of Animation
For a value resort, the Art of Animation provides the best compromise of price, convenience, and immersion. Three of the four buildings are made exclusively out of family suites. Each one has an elaborately detailed theme that puts other value resorts to shame. In addition to providing more space and a hideaway bed for that extra family member, Art of Animation is the best value resort for adults and kids to share the Disney experiences together.
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Among the best Disney resorts for large families, the Art of Animation provides the most convenient location. In part, this is because it has a Skyliner station. Disney’s Skyliner whisks guests away to EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and a variety of other must-see resorts and attractions. The dining is easier on large families because the Art of Animation is renowned for its food court, Landscapes of Flavor.
Saratoga Springs
On the higher end, large families can’t do much better than Saratoga Springs. Because it’s a little bit more reclusive, Saratoga Springs is among the cheaper deluxe resorts. It’s also the best DVC resort for large families. The biggest perks of Saratoga Springs are the deluxe resort amenities, the easy access to Disney Springs, and the treehouse bungalows that sleep nine (9) people.
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All-Star Music
If you are looking for the most economical solution for large families, All-Star Music is the ‘value’ option for you. It’s the only hotel among the All-Star resorts to feature family suites, which are extraordinarily helpful if you have more people in your party. All-Star resorts are the least expensive of all the Disney resorts.
The Worst Disney Resorts for Large Families
Coronado Springs
Although Coronado Springs is a lovely resort with lots of terrific features, it is not one of the best for large families. Nevertheless, it is a good place to visit if you have made time to explore the grounds. The biggest attraction here is the Gran Destino Tower which is inspired by Salvador Dali and the rooftop restaurant Toledo, which is adorned with architectural overlays resembling the style of Antoni Gaudi. Though the resort is beautiful, it lacks convenience and is not among the deluxe resorts which offer more amenities. This resort services business travelers more than families, so there are some occasions where Coronado Springs could be the best resort, just not in this case.
Wilderness Lodge
Wilderness Lodge is a stunning retreat on Bay Lake. It’s immaculately themed and full of deluxe resort amenities. However, the rooms are not large and as Magic Kingdom resorts go is one of the least convenient locations. The more family members you have to round up, the more convenience of location becomes important. Lost time is a major disadvantage at Walt Disney World. For that reason, Wilderness Lodge should be a pass for large families, unless you book a cabin or a large suite and you plan to enjoy a more relaxing Walt Disney World vacation.
All-Star Sports
On the opposite end of the spectrum, All-Star Sports is considered to be the worst among all of the Disney value resorts. While All-Star Music is not much different, the family suites alone make it one of the best Disney resorts for large families. All-Star Sports offers no such solution for large families. It also has a very inconvenient location and the least Disney-theming among all of the resorts. If you stay at an All-Star Disney resort, be aware that you are far off from most of the Disney World attractions. There is no table service for dining and transportation is by buses only. That’s true across the board for these resorts.
Besides these selections, plenty of other resorts accommodate large families, though they may be higher in price or have less convenience. Ultimately, your choice in a resort is a value proposition and you will need to evaluate these benefits on your own terms.