Tara:
If one of your friend's children is under the age of 2 and can sleep in a crib/pack 'n' play, you have more choices like a
cabin at Fort Wilderness or one of the family suites at
Art of Animation or
All-Star Music. While the cabin gives a family lots of outdoor space and a full kitchen to help allow meals to offset its cost, it only has one bathroom which may be difficult if you have a few teenagers in the bunch. Both of the family suites include two bathrooms and a kitchenette with a small fridge and microwave.
If all of the children in the party are 3 and older and you want to stay at a Disney resort on property, you'll need to consider booking two connecting rooms at one of the
Value Resort if you're on a budget or consider the
2-bedroom Villas at the Deluxe Resorts. Keep in mind that Disney does not guarantee connecting rooms, but will try their best.
I would suggest going to www.disneyworld.com and choosing the PLACES TO STAY tab and entering the family and the children's ages and letting the website do the work. It can show you every option that the family will qualify for at your fingertips with prices to consider. But ultimately, I'd use that information to book with a Disney-certified travel agent if it is their first trip. A Disney-certified travel agent will also be able to give them options from a Good Neighbor hotel near Downtown Disney if they can't find the best fit at one of the Disney resorts.
Wishing them a magical vacation!
Whitney