Hi Amanda,
Welcome to planDisney and thank you so much for asking us a question!
There’s something just so special about travelling in a big group when I visit Walt Disney World Resort. It’s just so much fun to share the Magic with lots of other people, and your gang sounds like it would be a ton of fun. I also completely understand your desire to find a place to stay that has more of a “homey” feel for your visit, especially with that many kiddos.
The answer to your question really depends on your budget. If you’re willing to put more of your vacation dollars towards having an amazing room, then I would highly recommend that you check out your options for
Deluxe Villa accommodations. I think that a 2-Bedroom Villa at
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village would be perfect for your gang. Plus, you’d have access to 3 full bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a washer and dryer; amenities that are amazingly convenient when travelling with a big group. I’d recommend getting a Savanna View room because watching the giraffes and zebras graze away on the open savanna is always a highlight of my family’s visits, no matter how many times we stay there.
If you’re looking for slightly more budget-conscious options, perhaps a Family Suite at
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort or
Disney’s All-Star Music Resort might work for your family. Although these are definitely more “hotel-style” rooms, they do have two bathrooms and a kitchenette, which could be a good compromise for your group.
Finally, I just came back from a stay at
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and I can’t stop raving about how wonderful our stay was. Because of how big and outdoorsy the entire Resort is, I really didn’t find that we had that “hotel room” feeling at all, even with a standard room. Plus, don’t forget that you have two Deluxe Villa options at this location:
Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and
Copper Creek Villas & Cabins at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. This means that you can get a big 2-Bedroom Villa at these locations too, albeit you’d only have access to 2 full bathrooms because their layout is different than the Villas at Kidani Village.
I hope my answer helps you plan a great big beautiful Disney Parks vacation for your crew! Please don’t hesitate to come back and see us if you have any other questions.
Have a Magical Day,
Lynne