Advice please - Riverside vs AOA Suite

[Disneylovingmomof2]

Good morning!

This is my first time posting although I've read through a lot of information on here and it's been very helpful!

I've come across a few threads regarding the pros/cons between Port Orleans and AOA but I'm still having a hard time deciding.

Right now I have a hold on a POFQ room for February 2018. It will be myself, husband, my 6 year old daughter, and almost 2 year old son. We were in Disney during spring break in 2017 and stayed at AKL - I enjoyed it but would like to try something new.

Everyone says great things about POFQ but I know the theming isn't overboard disney. My daughter loved the pool at AKL and we walked all over to view the animals but she definitely didn't have any "wow there's Disney everywhere" moments. I'm also considering a Royal Room at Riverside but posters on here have me concerned about the size of that resort and I know my toddler will be exhausted at the end of the days. Then I started reading about AOA and the size of the suites there definitely sounds like a plus - my toddler is VERY active and I'm slightly worried that he will be bouncing off the walls in a regular room with no space for the rest of us to get ready, sit down for a minute, or whatever. Obviously we will not be out extremely late at night so there will be times when we are in the room. My concern is how busy/crazy AOA will be and if the buses will be bad, and the multiple bus stops at Riverside and size of the resort. I know the small size of POFQ is a plus but the rooms just look kind of blah to me (of course I've never seen them in person).

Sorry for the length of the post but I'm hoping for some input regarding all of these factors!! Thanks in advance

 

[Julylady]

As you probably already know, there are pros and cons for each resort. With A of A suite you get a bedroom with a door you can close. You also get a mini kitchen area with a fridge/microwave and a table to eat at (that doubles as a pull down bed). The pool is nice, but you don't have a slide or a hot tub. There is a single bus stop, but the lines awaiting the buses can have several hundred people in them. One morning, we waited for 6 buses to load and take off headed for Magic Kingdom before we were able to get on one. The food court is very large and often, very crowded. POFQ has charming theming. The resort is smaller, so the food court and bus lines are less crowded. But, you are all living in a single room. There is a small fridge, but no microwave. There is a nice pool with a great slide and hot tub. The food court is nice and has some unique offerings.

If it were me, I would pick POFQ. The theming at A of A was just too much for my family. It felt like we could never relax. The theme parks were over stimulating and then the resort was over stimulating. My girls really missed the pool slide and hot tub. And, the noise from the hall way at A of A was very loud during the night. We found out that we need to stay in a tranquil resort to counter the busy ness of the parks. My 14 year old made me promise we would never stay at A of A again. She disliked it that much.

I hope you have a great trip!

 

[StraightToDumbo]

Judging off of what you've said and the party you are travelling with, it sounds like AoA is your best bet. You have a place for DS to nap in peace and plenty of stuff around the resort to keep the kids busy. POFQ just doesn't scream "Disney" to me. Some people like Julylady like the contrast of relaxation, some like to stay within the magic with all the huge icons around the resort.

It really comes down to what is most important to you. If space and entertaining the kiddos are most important, I'd go with AoA.

 

[Lurkerin]

We have stayed in the Lion King Suite at AoA (DD4 and DD2) and the Royal Room at POR (DD6, DD4, and DS2). Theme is great at both resorts.
AoA - Extra room is definitely a plus. Felt like Quick Service was more centrally located here. Really nice pool.
POR - Quiet and very relaxing. Bus wasn't as packed in the morning. Evening is a different story if you close the park down. Multiple bus stops didn't bother us, but the Royal rooms were towards the end of night rotation when we stayed. Could see Fireworks from Epcot (?) from bridge over the tree line. And boat ride to Downtown Disney was fun for the kids.

Our daughters loved the Royal room. We didn't stay in the room long enough to miss the extra bathroom or kitchenette in AoA.

 

[SwanVT2]

How about staying at the dolphin or swan? You don't get magical express but the rooms are newly renovated and you can easily walk or take the boat to two parks (less time dealing with busses). My DD loves exploring the grounds at the swan and dolphin and walking the boardwalk. Nice afternoon activity for your toddler to release some energy. Awesome pool and kiddie pool area!

 

[srwarden1928]

Riverside is a moderate, with the amenities of that level.
AOA is a value, with the amenities of that level.
I generally prefer to save money, and generally stay at a value, but never AOA. Riverside is less expensive than AOA.
So for me, upgraded room, pool, restaurants, etc for LESS money, if I were choosing between these two, hands down Riverside.