AoA Family Suite or Deluxe Studio?

[Boardwalk_bride]

We are planning a WDW trip for first week of December (give or take). Two adults + 7 year old. Last time we went, for her 3rd bday, we did the one bedroom at Kidani, but I want to spend less this time. Our most recent trip was to Disneyland, and it was a split room - she had bunkbeds in a room with sliding doors separating our room.

So, we are considering the AoA family room or renting dvc points for a studio at GF, Poly or BLT, since the room layouts allow for some separation for her to fall asleep while we are still awake. Any thoughts? We have only stayed in value once (Pop) and while we loved it, we got use to deluxes (via renting points) on our last 5 trips. We are all very sensitive to noise - I remember having some issues at Pop but none at deluxes.

We do plan to spend a lot of time at Epcot, so skyliner would be nice. But it would also be nice to be near MK at night for fireworks (she hasn't seen any disney ones yet - she hasn't been able to stay awake!).

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Looking for feedback on room layouts and general resort area. We haven't stayed at any of these resorts.

TIA

 

[Little E]

Hi there! I would recommend the AoA family suite. There are two full bathrooms, and the master bedroom is a completely separate room with door that closes. There are two other sleep surfaces in the family room area, plus a table and chairs and a kitchenette area. The proximity to the skyliner is awesome too!

While I love deluxe resorts (I've stayed at all three and I own DVC at GF), the studios at GF, Poly, and BLT are laid out more like regular hotel rooms. They do not have separate sleep areas. They have small kitchenette areas and all are on the monorail, which is great. But, in order to get separate sleep areas, you would need to rent points for a 1 bedroom at these resorts.

Have a magical trip!!!

 

[genebean203.5]

But, in order to get separate sleep areas, you would need to rent points for a 1 bedroom at these resorts.

I think that if you truly want separation between sleeping areas, and are a bit more budget aware for this trip, I agree with @Little E that AoA is the way to go. As they mentioned, you aren't going to really get "separate" areas at those other resorts unless you upgrade to a 1 bedroom, and then that kind of defeats the budget part of the equation.

Just to expand on one of the points already made, the fact that there are 2 bathrooms that are fully separated makes a huge difference. While your DD is sleeping in the main area, you could be in the bedroom area (with a TV), with the door closed, and still have access to a full bathroom the whole time. No need to go out to an area and potentially wake her up.

Also, you can't beat the access to both Epcot and DHS that the Skyliner offers! It is so easy and the omni-mover style makes it quick and constant (as opposed to waiting for a bus/ boat/ monorail).

I would also add that the in-room theming at Art is awesome. There is no question that you are staying at a DISNEY resort. The themes are Nemo, Cars, and Lion King.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

I think that if you truly want separation between sleeping areas, and are a bit more budget aware for this trip, I agree with @Little E that AoA is the way to go. As they mentioned, you aren't going to really get "separate" areas at those other resorts unless you upgrade to a 1 bedroom, and then that kind of defeats the budget part of the equation.

Just to expand on one of the points already made, the fact that there are 2 bathrooms that are fully separated makes a huge difference. While your DD is sleeping in the main area, you could be in the bedroom area (with a TV), with the door closed, and still have access to a full bathroom the whole time. No need to go out to an area and potentially wake her up.

Also, you can't beat the access to both Epcot and DHS that the Skyliner offers! It is so easy and the omni-mover style makes it quick and constant (as opposed to waiting for a bus/ boat/ monorail).

I would also add that the in-room theming at Art is awesome. There is no question that you are staying at a DISNEY resort. The themes are Nemo, Cars, and Lion King.

Thank you! I think we will probably go with AoA, especially while she is younger and would enjoy the theme. I think the hotel looks really cool but I could use a bit less of it in the rooms. I also think the skyliner would be amazing.

When we last stayed in a one bedroom deluxe I think we paid $550 Cdn/night (for a animal view at AKL) but it looks much more $$$ now (that was in Jan/Feb 2020). I have great memories of Pop, aside from some occasional noise, so maybe it will be nice to go back.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

Oh one more question. How far in advance should I book? The current discounts only go until December - so I was planning to wait for that. Or should I book and add a discount when it comes out?

 

[genebean203.5]

Oh one more question. How far in advance should I book? The current discounts only go until December - so I was planning to wait for that. Or should I book and add a discount when it comes out?

I would book as soon as you are confident in your dates. Disney only ever raises prices, and if they do start a new promotion that would save you money, that can always be added later. I have a trip to AoA this month and we booked it without a promotion, and then within the week of booking, Disney released their early 2024 promotions. I called Disney and they applied the promotion for me. Something in my mind says that this might not be possible if you have already paid in full, but I am not sure.

 

[brockash]

We are planning a WDW trip for first week of December (give or take). Two adults + 7 year old. Last time we went, for her 3rd bday, we did the one bedroom at Kidani, but I want to spend less this time. Our most recent trip was to Disneyland, and it was a split room - she had bunkbeds in a room with sliding doors separating our room.

So, we are considering the AoA family room or renting dvc points for a studio at GF, Poly or BLT, since the room layouts allow for some separation for her to fall asleep while we are still awake. Any thoughts? We have only stayed in value once (Pop) and while we loved it, we got use to deluxes (via renting points) on our last 5 trips. We are all very sensitive to noise - I remember having some issues at Pop but none at deluxes.

We do plan to spend a lot of time at Epcot, so skyliner would be nice. But it would also be nice to be near MK at night for fireworks (she hasn't seen any disney ones yet - she hasn't been able to stay awake!).

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated! Looking for feedback on room layouts and general resort area. We haven't stayed at any of these resorts.

TIA

We would def do deluxe studio over the family suites in your situation. The suites are fine, but you are NOT at a deluxe, so with only 3 ppl. going; we'd for sure do the studio at a deluxe.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

We would def do deluxe studio over the family suites in your situation. The suites are fine, but you are NOT at a deluxe, so with only 3 ppl. going; we'd for sure do the studio at a deluxe.

Can I ask what would make you pick the deluxe? Just the amenities in general? I haven't done a value in so long it's hard to remember. I do enjoy a good hot tub! And I like good food.

 

[brockash]

Can I ask what would make you pick the deluxe? Just the amenities in general? I haven't done a value in so long it's hard to remember. I do enjoy a good hot tub! And I like good food.

We actually typically prefer the quick service at the values, but otherwise just the whole atmosphere at the deluxe resorts is much nicer. We stay at every level and are always just excited to be there, but if it were just. the 2 adults and a 7 year old; if it were remotely close in price we'd choose a deluxe every day. Now if we had 3 kids or teenagers, then we'd probably go with the family suite, but otherwise we feel you get way more bang for your buck with the deluxe if the prices are close at all.

I just don't think a 7 year old had much use for their own bathroom. You'll have hot tubs, a balcony, a table service or 2 restaurant on site, the pools have slides and are typically nicer with nicer loungers. It's just much more of an upgrade, which for the money we'd rather that than more space when it's only 2 adults and a 7 year old.

 

[Mle8308]

Can I ask what would make you pick the deluxe? Just the amenities in general? I haven't done a value in so long it's hard to remember. I do enjoy a good hot tub! And I like good food.

If you think you will use the extended evening hours, then maybe a deluxe studio is better. You would have a balcony you could sit out on while your daughter falls asleep. Even look into renting DVC points which could make a deluxe less than a family suite at a value.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

If you think you will use the extended evening hours, then maybe a deluxe studio is better. You would have a balcony you could sit out on while your daughter falls asleep. Even look into renting DVC points which could make a deluxe less than a family suite at a value.

That is what we were thinking! We were actually thinking the three in particular we listed are great, because they have the split bathrooms, so we can even read in the one without the toilet (my parents totally did that!).

In AoA we would have to walk through where she is sleeping which could wake her up (although it would just be one of us of course). It worked when we did 1 bedroom at AKL but she was just turning 3 - so if one of us came back at 9:30, she was fast asleep.

I'm also hoping she can start staying up later by December!

 

[sponica]

That is what we were thinking! We were actually thinking the three in particular we listed are great, because they have the split bathrooms, so we can even read in the one without the toilet (my parents totally did that!).

In AoA we would have to walk through where she is sleeping which could wake her up (although it would just be one of us of course). It worked when we did 1 bedroom at AKL but she was just turning 3 - so if one of us came back at 9:30, she was fast asleep.

I'm also hoping she can start staying up later by December!

From my experience, my 7 year old was up laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate most nights on our 2023 trip. We weren't out and about, but in the room she was routinely up until 9 or 10. We did do one late night with her on the last night.

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

From my experience, my 7 year old was up laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaate most nights on our 2023 trip. We weren't out and about, but in the room she was routinely up until 9 or 10. We did do one late night with her on the last night.

Mine, who is turning 7 in a few weeks, stayed up to a hot 8:30 on NYE lol. We just went to Disneyland and it was a struggle to keep her up past 7pm, but we all had a hard time with the time change (where as WDW is same time). She goes so hard during the day and falls asleep at night!

 

[Carolynleanne]

We would def do deluxe studio over the family suites in your situation. The suites are fine, but you are NOT at a deluxe, so with only 3 ppl. going; we'd for sure do the studio at a deluxe.

SAME.

 

[sponica]

Mine, who is turning 7 in a few weeks, stayed up to a hot 8:30 on NYE lol. We just went to Disneyland and it was a struggle to keep her up past 7pm, but we all had a hard time with the time change (where as WDW is same time). She goes so hard during the day and falls asleep at night!

When we took my 7 year old at 20 months, we had to stash her P&P in the dressing area of the bathroom at POFQ and keep the curtain closed because she needed it pitch dark to fall asleep.

She probably needs it lower key to fall asleep now, but we had Disney+ on a tablet and threw it in the bed that the girls shared last time around with a movie on and that usually helped them fall asleep (They were 6.5 and 2.5)

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

When we took my 7 year old at 20 months, we had to stash her P&P in the dressing area of the bathroom at POFQ and keep the curtain closed because she needed it pitch dark to fall asleep.

She probably needs it lower key to fall asleep now, but we had Disney+ on a tablet and threw it in the bed that the girls shared last time around with a movie on and that usually helped them fall asleep (They were 6.5 and 2.5)

That is what I am thinking! We are planning a busy road trip with a couple 'normal' hotel rooms (i.e studio) this summer to see how much she can be pushed and how late she can stay up. This is in July though so we will have already booked our hotel for WDW.

I think we are going to wait until March to book - so we might just have to take what is available. I had a layoff with severance and now a new job, and not sure if I'll get a tax refund or owe (yikes!) and kinda want to know that before making our final WDW budget. We are also in Canada so I need to watch the exchange rate....

 

[lanejudy]

if they do start a new promotion that would save you money, that can always be added later.

There is no guarantee that any given promotion can be "added" to an existing reservation. The same room type must be available at your resort. Some promotions exclude certain resorts and/or room-types, and there is always a limited number of rooms for such promotions. If you are flexible with changing your resort or room-type, you likely can adjust an existing reservation to a promotion. Just know that if you are set on what you've booked, it may not work.

I always recommend to book something you are happy with at a price you are willing to pay. If you won't go without a promotion, don't book until one is available. WDW offers promotions to fill resort rooms; if everyone is willing to book at rack rate, they have no incentive to offer a promotion.

 

[Leehro]

We had a similar situation, family of 3. My daughter LOVED Cars, and we stayed in an AoA Cars family suite twice - when she was 5 and when she was 8. We enjoyed the theming and we all sleep better when we're not in the same room as her. So it was a great fit for us. Depending on how everyone sleeps, I'd recommend the AoA family suite over a studio. We also found the restaurant (Landscape of Flavors) at AoA to be really easy and always had something she would eat.

We're returning to WDW next month (she's 10 now), staying at a 1BR at Boardwalk Villas. We considered going back to AoA (no complaints really) but I've always wanted to stay at boardwalk and our Cars phase is over.

 

[Karebear]

This is a hard one. While I love the deluxe resorts and vote for those every time, I would say A of A in your situation. With my kids anyway, they did fine sleeping in the same room as us when they were little and again when they were older. The 6-9 year old range was tough for sleeping and we found it best if they had their own space for sleeping. That is just my family though and it might be different for you. But my vote would be the suite for now and a studio (or similar) for the next time. This is based on me trying to read or watch TV in the bathroom or on the balcony and while it sounds like it may work, in practice it is not very comfortable. Hope this helps!

 

[Boardwalk_bride]

We had a similar situation, family of 3. My daughter LOVED Cars, and we stayed in an AoA Cars family suite twice - when she was 5 and when she was 8. We enjoyed the theming and we all sleep better when we're not in the same room as her. So it was a great fit for us. Depending on how everyone sleeps, I'd recommend the AoA family suite over a studio. We also found the restaurant (Landscape of Flavors) at AoA to be really easy and always had something she would eat.

We're returning to WDW next month (she's 10 now), staying at a 1BR at Boardwalk Villas. We considered going back to AoA (no complaints really) but I've always wanted to stay at boardwalk and our Cars phase is over.

We really want to to do Boardwalk! We got married in Epcot, so would love to be close to it, but it doesn't seem the best logistically at this age.