Animal Kingdom Lodge or Art of Animation Cars Family Suite?

[jojomoore]

Hi, my family DH (44), DD (14), DDBFF (13), and me (42) will be traveling to WDW in November. Previously we have stayed at Old Key West, Animal Kingdom Villas - Kindani and Beach Club Villas. However, this year I am considering staying at Art of Animation Cars Family Suite inorder to have a little more room. We are used to staying in studio rooms which are very small. In the past, our children have been young and we have only used room to sleep in so the size of the rooms did not bother us. However, we have found that as our daughters get older they need a little more room - room to get ready and privacy and time to feel independant. My question is "do you think we will enjoy staying there as much as the Deluxe resorts we have stayed at in the past?" We loved Animal Kingdom Villas and do miss it but I would like each vacation to be a little different than previous ones and we love disney theming. The cars area of AOA looks amazing to us but I am worried about long waits for buses and missing the extra atmophere of AKV and BC. And im thinking i may happen upon a better deal to stay at AKL in the Fall. I guess i am trying to weigh expense, space, convenience, theming, and variety to decide. What are some positives about AOA that will keep me from changing my mind back to AKL. Personally i loved BC too but my family just didnt care for it as much as I. We will be traveling during a fairly busy time.

 

[DCbride]

Does the theming of the Cars area appeal to your DD? And will you be using the kitchen area? Those are 2 things that I would take into consideration. I am really surprised your DDs didn't like the BC. The pool is great and so close to 2 parks is a great perk. Did you consider staying at BW?

The only reason we would stay at a value over a deluxe is the price. We love the deluxes and just cannot afford to stay every time. I would miss the perks, just to have more room.

 

[lajspeech]

Well AKL is my favorite hotel on property, I dont think ANYWHERE can match the total submersion in theming that you feel there. However, we are staying at AoA for the 2nd time this February. We loved it there in June. The food court was large and had lots of options, the pool was awesome, the theming was fantastic, having lots of room space was amazing, and we didnt have any bus issues as all (except one pre opening breakfast ADR at MK). Hubby liked the pool bar, still had movies at night by the pool. The only thing I can think of thats different really is that theres no water slide at AoA... will your girls miss that?

 

[MJMcBride]

Jambo! I think AKL is the best resort hands down. Its simply amazing

 

[SnowWitch]

At the age the girls are at, I am surprised the Beach Club pool doesn't pull them out of the room for the majority of resort time. We have not staed at the AoA resort but have stayed at all the DVD resorts, except SSR. Why not do a 1 bedroom at the AKL villas or Beach Club?

 

[AliceIn]

The AoA suites were very nice. My family stayed in the Cars section last year. It's the most subdued of the room themes. We liked having the space and privacy for the adults/kids, and that second bathroom is wonderful. I've stayed at both deluxe and at value, and I've had a wonderful time every time I've gone to Disney.