When Size Matters: Tips For Choosing A Disney Resort Hotel Room

Square footage isn't something everyone has to worry about when picking a hotel room, but when you're spending a week living in one room with folks, it probably should be. I often hear "we won't be in our room very much" as a justification for staying at the Value Resorts. If you are traveling as adults alone, or have a single small child, this can work really well. However - as your kids grow, or if you are sharing a room with friends or family, nerves can fray when you don't have enough space.


Tips For Choosing A Disney Resort Hotel Room


Value Resorts

Disney's least expensive Resort Hotels are called the Value Resorts. These are bare bones rooms that make for a great place to rest your head when luxury, and floor space isn't a concern. While the rooms are clean and well maintained, there isn't a lot of room in these standard double doubles. Several people getting ready at once can be trick as guests can trip over each other getting to the single sinks, and open closet space. These rooms are great for couples or small/young families, especially if you won't be in the room for anything but sleeping. Square footage here is roughly 260.

It's worth noting that Disney's Value Resorts also offer family suites that allow double the room space and create some more privacy for lager family groups. If you're interested in these rooms, check out our previous article on the Finding Nemo Family Suites at the Art of Animation. Square footage in a family suite is roughly 565.


Royal Guest Room at Disney's Port Orleans Riverside


Deluxe Studio Villas

Disney's Deluxe Studio Villas can technically sleep four. While the Studios are beautiful and only available at Deluxe Resorts (so they have better amenities) I would think twice about putting more than two adults and a child in this room. Deluxe villas offer one queen size bed, and a queen size sofa sleeper. To me these are the perfect rooms for couples, with ample bathroom space and a kitchenette with a full size coffee maker, microwave, dorm fridge, sink, and paper products. Square footage here is roughly 340-360 depending on resort.


Animal Kingdom Lodge Deluxe Studio Villa


Moderate Resorts

Square footage goes up with the cost of the room at Disney, so the Moderate Resorts have more space than a value, and a deluxe offers more footage than a moderate. The sleeping space in a moderate resort remains about the same, though double queen size beds replace the double doubles. Most of the additional space in a moderate comes as subtle changes in the seating area, bathroom, and closet space, including an extra sink in the bathroom, larger mirrors, drawers, and chairs.

Depending on the people in your party, you may want to choose a room with a little more bed space than a double double. For king or queen size beds, chose one of the Moderate or Deluxe Resort Hotels. Square footage here is roughly 314.


Coronado Springs Standard Room Interior


Deluxe Resorts

Disney's Deluxe Resorts have a very comfortable size jump that can hold easily accommodate 4 adults without anyone worrying about tripping over each other. These rooms offer enough space to spread out, while still providing a standard room configuration. Double queen size beds are surrounded with ample floor space, dressers, tables, and a couch/daybed. Bathroom space is roomy with full closets, double sinks, and a separate space for the tub & toilet. Square footage here is roughly 395.

If you need a place for more than four people to lay their heads, some moderate and deluxe resorts sleep five using a murphy bed or day bed. While this extra sleeping space is a big boone for larger families, it's important to note here that they are rather short, and work best for people less than 5' tall.


The Grand Floridian Has Luxurious Large Guest Rooms


Two Bedroom Villas

Disney does offer one bedroom villas, but we're going to skip over them here because they still only sleep 4-5 people, and that's on sofa and murphy beds. While this will add a whole bunch of square footage for you (plus full kitchen, king bed, and Jacuzzi tub) when you need more sleeping space it feels like it falls a little short to me.

If you need "real beds" for your sleepers, i.e. those that are beds full time and don't fold out from a sofa, dresser, or table, look to the villas for exceptional space and comfort. Disney's dedicated two bedroom villas offer guests a condo-like retreat with two full bedrooms that sleep six people comfortably, and another two to three people in the living room on pull out beds. In addition, with the dedicated two bedroom villa you get a fully functioning kitchen, and two full bathrooms. Square footage here varies from 1080-1230 depending on resort.


Wilderness Lodge Villas Master Bed and Bath
Wilderness Lodge Villas 2nd Bedroom


Ask yourself a couple of questions when you start planning so that you can be sure everyone will sleep comfortably during your trip.

• How many people will be staying in the hotel room?
• How big are those people, will they fit on a little bed? Do they need a larger bed?
• Will the people on the sofa bed be comfortable there?
• Do you need extra space to get ready? Extra sinks or mirrors?
• Will your family get along in one room, or do you need a little more privacy?

This article didn't touch on all of the room options that Disney offers, and you can find additional options when you look into cabins and suites, but I hope that it gave you a good place to start when considering your needs for sleeping space. For a great visual representation of the space offered at Disney Resort Hotels, check out this fun story by Laurel Stewart.

Does size matter to you when choosing a Walt Disney World hotel room? Leave a comment below and share your thoughts!