AoA or AKL?

[Tara1988]

We're planning our trip for this fall. It will be me, DH, DS1 (who will be almost 6), DS2 (will be almost 2) and DD1 (3-4 months). I was originally set on a Little Mermaid room at AoA, but just did some research from wishful thinking and found out I can get a studio at AKL with a savannah view for only $400 more by renting DVC points. While I would love to stay there at some point, I just can't seem to talk myself into booking it. I just don't think my boys would appreciate it at their ages. Is it worth the extra money? What would you do?

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Your children may not appreciate it, but, you might! Deluxe resort, interior hallways, kitchenette, amazing ambiance, animals, great restaurants, queen bed. LM rooms are incredibly small and quite a long walk to the food court and buses. Yes, definitely worth the extra money.

 

[AspenLL]

AKL hands down. We went last year with our 13mo at the time and had a blast. So many perks, especially as a family. We upgraded from CSR to AKL for $600 last year and it was worth every penny. Would do it again in an instant.

 

[AdamEfimoff]

We're planning our trip for this fall. It will be me, DH, DS1 (who will be almost 6), DS2 (will be almost 2) and DD1 (3-4 months). I was originally set on a Little Mermaid room at AoA, but just did some research from wishful thinking and found out I can get a studio at AKL with a savannah view for only $400 more by renting DVC points. While I would love to stay there at some point, I just can't seem to talk myself into booking it. I just don't think my boys would appreciate it at their ages. Is it worth the extra money? What would you do?

why not do both????

 

[Hopefully]

why not do both????

What???
Are you suggesting a split stay? I personally wouldn't do that with children those ages!!!!

 

[AdamEfimoff]

@Hopefully As you can see I am not a parent. But I would feel Animal Kingdom would be a bigger room and much more luscious.
@Tara1988 I feel the kids will love AOA however but you would appreciate animal kingdom lodge.

 

[Shanti]

AKL hands down. Maybe get a pool view instead of savannah view room to save money?

 

[disneyAndi14]

AKL for sure, no comparison. The LM rooms are small and very far from the main building.

 

[Tara1988]

Your children may not appreciate it, but, you might! Deluxe resort, interior hallways, kitchenette, amazing ambiance, animals, great restaurants, queen bed. LM rooms are incredibly small and quite a long walk to the food court and buses. Yes, definitely worth the extra money.

The distance isn't a big deal, we drive, and with a double stroller and 2 little ones that will have to be carried and a 3rd that will want to be carried by the end of the day, I don't imagine us bothering with buses. The bed size isn't a big deal either, we have a full at home. I am concerned about the sofa bed the boys would be sleeping in at AKL. I wouldn't enjoy that hassle every night with cranky kids.

 

[Tara1988]

AKL hands down. Maybe get a pool view instead of savannah view room to save money?

The Savannah view is the only reason I'm even considering it. We are generally rope drop to fireworks people, so deluxe amenities don't matter much(at Disney world).

 

[Tara1988]

why not do both????

What???
Are you suggesting a split stay? I personally wouldn't do that with children those ages!!!!

I hadn't thought of doing a split stay. Can you do that when renting DVC points and booking with Disney? And how would that affect a dining plan? It might be doable for us, everything is easier when you have your own vehicle. Plus we are already doing a sort of split stay. We're staying somewhere off site for the weekend with my sister and nephew for his birthday at Universal and Legoland, then doing Disney for a week by ourselves

 

[alex9179]

We stayed in a Cars suite at AOA, which was great for the 2 bathrooms and elbow room, and would jump at a chance to stay at AKL instead! The available rooms are out of our price range with our family of 5 (8-12 yr old kids).

As far as the sofa bed, we had to unfold every night at AOA and it took a minute. Move the table, flip the bed, add pillows. Done before jammies were on and teeth were brushed. One parent can start getting the little ones ready and the other joins to help a minute later.
The pool, dining, activities, and ambiance far exceed AOA. I think I could spend a big chunk of my vacation just at that resort!

 

[mickeynut1]

Deluxe resort, interior hallways, kitchenette, amazing ambiance, animals, great restaurants, queen bed.

Yes, definitely worth the extra money.

I hadn't thought of doing a split stay. Can you do that when renting DVC points and booking with Disney? And how would that affect a dining plan?

Yes, you can do a split stay when renting points and doing a cash reservation. As far as the DDP, you can get that for both stays. You can book AoA as a package with tickets/DDP for the beginning of the trip and AKL with DDP for the end. If you choose to do AKL first, you can book a ticketless package (room + DDP) for AoA and buy your park tickets separately. Either way will work, depending on availability .