Hello Dolores!
Yes, the struggle is real with large families when it comes to hotel accommodations. We're a family of 7, 2 adults with 5 children. When we are on a tighter budget, we will usually get two rooms at a Disney Value Resort. Our favorite is
Disney's Pop Century Resort. With the ages of your children, 2 rooms at a Disney Moderate Resort may work out better due to bed size and amenities. I really love
Disney's Port Orleans Resort-French Quarter, because of the smaller resort size, beignets, and boat ride to Downtown Disney.
I also recommend visiting during off-peak times like September or January. Prices are lower, crowds are lower, and usually better discounts and promotions are offered.
We have tried staying off-site before. There are good deals on hotels or rental homes with more space, however the cost savings was not enough for us to do it again. After a van rental, paying for parking at the theme parks, and the time spent going back and forth, my family just missed the convenience and extra magic of staying on property. It's like a whole new world.
If you have any other questions about planning your family's Walt Disney World vacation, please come back and see us real soon. I love helping larger families know that a Walt Disney World vacation on a budget is just as magical as a splurge.
Happy planning!
Tania