For many families of five, the “Deluxe Family Room” aboard a Disney ship is an obvious and attractive option. This stateroom type is built to sleep five guests. It offers a larger layout than a standard room and includes a murphy bed that pulls down from the wall, so that the full sleeping capacity is available without needing additional cabins. For a single booking, this means everyone stays under one roof, which simplifies logistics, keeps costs contained, and lets the family share common spaces like the sitting area or small living space.
Staying together in one room can also boost family bonding as children might enjoy getting settled into their own kid-friendly sleeping spaces, and parents may appreciate being nearby but not far away. The convenience can be significant, especially for younger kids who might need supervision at bedtime or in the mornings. A single larger room can also make packing and managing luggage easier than juggling two cabins.
That said, there are reasons some families of five choose a different route: booking two connecting rooms instead. A major advantage of this setup is extra privacy and flexibility. With two rooms, you get additional bathroom and shower space. That can make a big difference when multiple people are getting ready at once for instance, before dinner, in the morning, or after pool time. More bathrooms mean less waiting, which tends to make mornings and pre-dinner routines smoother with children of different ages.
Additionally, sometimes guest choose to “go down a class” meaning instead of the larger deluxe cabin they book two standard rooms or a combination that results in more overall usable space (because you get two full bathrooms, two separate sleeping areas, and often more living space than a single five-person cabin). For bigger families or families with older children or teens, that extra space and privacy can be a real advantage, especially if the kids value their independence or if parents value a quiet night on their own.
Which option is best really depends on your family’s size, composition, and habits. If you have younger kids who will be happy to share and your family enjoys being together, a Deluxe Family Room could be ideal. If you value privacy, personal space, flexibility, or have older children, two connecting rooms might serve better — even if it costs a little more or is slightly less convenient.
In short, a Deluxe Family Room is often the most convenient and streamlined choice for a family of five, but for some families the extra space, privacy, and bathroom access of two connected rooms can justify going that route instead.
