No surprise that Walt Disney World loves its families. But extended families requiring more sleeping accommodations will also find Disney is magical with Murphy beds, villas, and bungalows created for the family traveling with more than two children, reunions, and multigenerational families. From the villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa to the Bungalows at Polynesian Resort, your family vacation just got better and roomier when traveling with your family.
Disney’s Polynesian Bora Bora Bungalow
Traditional and Not So Traditional Accommodations at Walt Disney World
Different strokes for different folks, as the old saying goes, and Disney gets that. Families traveling together can choose from standard hotel rooms to suites at most of the Walt Disney World Resorts. In addition, Disney has upped the playing field by offering not so traditional accommodations ranging from the bungalows at Disney’s Polynesia Resort to villas at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa.
To follow is a look and short review of the configurations of accommodations available at Walt Disney World for extended families:
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa one-bedroom Villa
As grandparents, we love traveling with our grandchildren, but now that we have 7 our hotel needs have dramatically changed. Recently, we returned to Orlando and took 2 lucky grandchildren for a #DisneyGrandAdventure, and stayed at Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa. This hotel is modeled after the grand New York hotels of the late 1800s, featuring Victorian-inspired accommodations.
After our cramped hotel quarters for 5 at Disney’s Coronado Springs, our multigenerational family of 4 loved the elbow room of a one-bedroom villa, just 2-minute walk from the lobby located in one of the Disney Vacation Club buildings. The grandkids (ages 11 and 9) slept comfortably on the pull-out couch in the living area, while my husband and I (grandparents) had some privacy in our separate bedroom, including option to close the door.
Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa start at $410
Disney’s Art of Animation
Take your family to Disney’s Art of Animation and you’ll instantly become the favorite grandparent (or parent). The kids are instantly entranced with the rooms decorated after favorite Disney movies: Finding Nemo, the Lion King, the Little Mermaid, and Cars, and parents will welcome the savings as this resort is included the “value” category.
Our family of 5 was able to bunker down in our beds (read: no elbow in my face when sleeping with the grandkids). The grandkids bunked out on the double-size sleeper sofa in the living room; the stepdaughter and her boyfriend on the double-sized convertible Murphy Bed (doubling as a dining table when not in use); and me hunkering down in the queen-sized bedroom.
Disney’s Art of Animation suites start at $170
Disney’s Art of Animation Cars Family Suite
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Although my solo stay at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge was in a standard hotel room, I wouldn’t hesitate to bring the family to this resort. Start with the beauty and romance of Africa, where literally you are set on a 43-acre wildlife refuge, where you can look out your window or step onto the balcony and a giraffe passes by.
The Villas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (part of Disney Vacation Club) offers studio, one- and three-bedroom vacation villas in Jambo House and Kidani Village, an amazing place to enjoy your first “African safari” experience with your extended family without the long flight to South Africa.
The Villas at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge (part of Disney Vacation Club) offers studio, one- and three-bedroom vacation villas in Jambo House and Kidani Village, an amazing place to enjoy your first “African safari” experience with your extended family without the long flight to South Africa.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village rates start at $1,185
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
I’m not going to lie; I’m excited about the extended family accommodation options at Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows. This is the newest addition to the growing Disney Vacation Club portfolio (which is also available to the general public based on availability). Although this is priced at the higher end of the Disney Resorts, with the additional space, multigenerational families are going to LOVE the villas and bungalows at the Polynesian.
Another option at the Polynesian outh Pacific island flair is the theme of this resort with lush landscaping, waterfalls, bamboo-style furnishings, and a family-fun swimming pool with a volcano and water slide.
Look long and hard at the beautiful Polynesian Resort’s bungalow (pictured at top of page), and now for the living room, with a view of the lake and Magic Kingdom. The nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks how sound is even piped into your Bora Bora bungalow. Yeah, pretty cool, right?
The new resort features Villa accommodations that sleep anywhere from five to eight guests, providing enhanced flexibility and choice to members (fully accessible Villas are available). The Deluxe Studios sleep up to 5 guests, while the Bora Bora Bungalows sleep up to 8 guests.
Lakeside living room and deck of Disney’s Polynesian Bora Bora Bungalow
The resort’s 20 two-bedroom, two-bath over-the-water Bungalows and include a private deck with plunge pool, and full kitchen with spectacular views of the Lake. Obviously, there is limited inventory, and travelers will need to call direct to book the bungalows.
Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows, rates start at $587
Are you ready to pack your bags and invite your extended family for a multigenerational Walt Disney World vacation?
Photo credits: Diana Rowe and Walt Disney World Resorts
