Planning a Disney World vacation ain’t easy — and many folks would argue that going to Disney World isn’t really a “vacation” at all.

Things can get even more complicated if you’re traveling with a large family or group, too. Sticking to a budget is tough, and even more so when trying to find a hotel room that can fit everyone in your party. But, we’ve got a tip that might save you money in the long run — even if it sounds like it won’t!

Vacationing at Disney World can be tough if you’ve got a large group, and trying to find a hotel room that will meet your needs can cost as much as the rest of the trip all put together! Sometimes, the move is actually to get two hotel rooms next to each other. You might think that there’s no way this will end up being a better bang for your buck, but that’s where you’d be wrong — and we’re sharing exactly how.

Art of Animation vs. Pop Century Resort

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is perfect for families — or is it?! While we do love the immersive theming this hotel offers, most people book this resort because of the family suites. And, while Art of Animation is technically a Value Resort, you’ll find yourself paying Moderate to Deluxe pricing here depending on the room type and when you visit.

On average, a family suite will run you anywhere from $550 to $650 per night, which can really add up. Family suites sleep up to six adults but often lack the space for that many folks to comfortably be in the room for long periods of time. This can be especially true if you’re traveling with friends and would like a bit of privacy from time to time!

So, what’s a better alternative? Well, you can typically book two hotel rooms for the price of one if you know where to look — like at Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Pop Century is another Value Resort — but this time, Disney really means it. What it lacks in luxury it makes up for in theming, convenience, and overall bang for your buck. You won’t find any fancy amenities, but there are plenty of places to explore and things to do.

Oh, and did we mention just how cheap it can be?! A standard room starts at around $200 per night (but we’ve seen prices drop below $200 occasionally!) and sleeps up to four adults. Wait — only four?! You have more people than that in your party but it’s no problem — that’s where the second room comes in.

BAM –not only have you now doubled the amount of space you have, but instead of sleeping six adults you now have the ability to sleep up to eight between the two rooms. We’re no math experts, but that comes out to around $400 per night for two rooms that can sleep up to eight people, giving you more privacy and space to spread out.

Of course, this plan may not work for parents traveling with young kiddos, but if you have teenagers or you’re visiting with friends and everyone just needs a little space — this might be a solution!

Monorail Resorts vs. Swan & Dolphin Resorts

Staying at a Disney World hotel on the monorail line can be a bucket-list dream for many — and with good reason. These hotels are within walking distance of Magic Kingdom, offer monorail transportation, and are some of the most iconic resorts on property. But that means they also come with an iconic price tag. Rooms at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort start at around $700 per night…

…while rooms at the Polynesian start around $600, and rooms at the Contemporary start around $500 per night — certainly no chump change. Of course, since these are all Deluxe Resorts, you can expect a bit of luxury on your trip, not to mention stellar restaurants, shopping, and access to Disney World. If you have a large family or are traveling in a big group, it might seem like the Deluxe Resort life is a bit out of reach.

But, what if we told you there was a way to get the deluxe vibes without the price tag — all while still being within walking distance of a Disney World park? Meet Disney World’s Swan & Dolphin Resorts. While they may not technically be owned and operated by Disney (Swan & Dolphin are run by Marriott!) you can still get many of the same perks at these hotels — and for way cheaper, too. Since Marriott owns these hotels, the prices are often more comparable to other non-Disney hotels.

A night at the Swan starts at around $240, while the Dolphin will run you around $260. You might not get the immersive theming you’d find at a Disney World hotel, but these resorts are nice and offer a bit of an upgraded feel. Plus, you can literally walk to EPCOT — or take any of the free transportation to the other parks.

Hold up for a sec! Before you plan your next trip to Disney World, check out our DFB Guide Everything Bundle here. You will get ALL of our best-selling eBooks with details on Disney World Dining, EPCOT Festivals, the BEST snacks in each park, and soooooo many tips and tricks we’ve learned over decades of visiting our happy place.

Be sure to stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney World news and planning tips!

These Are the BEST Disney World Hotel Rooms for 2023

What’s your favorite hotel in Disney World? Tell us in the comments!