AoA or All-Star Music

[mimi0884]

We are looking at suites- AoA or All-Star? There's a big price difference. What are the pros/cons? We've stayed at AoA... Hubby won't do a one room (there are 5 of us), insists on a suite but you're talking over a grand more for AoA over Riverside!

 

[JennyDrake]

All Star for me, hands down. I have over 40 stays in value resorts but only ONE in AoA where once was enough!

 

[Buckeye218]

Obviously AoA is much newer, but if there is truly a $2,000.00 difference, that would be a no-brainer to me. I just spent two days at All-Star Music in Jun 2017. The interior of the room was a little more worn and dated than I expect from even a Disney value resort, but overall the pools and grounds were immaculate and I enjoyed our stay there. The bed was comfortable and the bathroom was clean. I didn't stay in the suites at ASM (Calypso) though...I was in Rock Inn.

I'm certain the AoA rooms are a little more polished inside, but I wouldn't cough up $2,000.00 more for that. Just my $0.02.

 

[Arielfan98]

Just a heads up, two regular rooms at All Stars tend to be cheaper than their suites. I don't know your family situation, but if you are comfortable purchasing two regular rooms and requesting them to be attached this should be cheaper.

 

[goofyintoronto]

For a $2k difference, ya, i'd be picking Music! Thats a lot of money!

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Have you thought about renting DVC points? Music will likely be cheaper than DVC, but AoA is usually a few dollars more when we price a 1 bedroom DVC rental vs AoA. The downsides to renting DVC are paying in full up front and not being able to get a refund should you need to cancel or make changes to your trip. Price per point through the major brokers went up this year, though, so the price difference might not be as favorable if regular room rates did not also increase. Another idea to possibly explore, though.

 

[maxiesmom]

Just a heads up, two regular rooms at All Stars tend to be cheaper than their suites. I don't know your family situation, but if you are comfortable purchasing two regular rooms and requesting them to be attached this should be cheaper.

Actually if you compare 2 preferred rooms to a family suite at the All Stars (which is the apples to apples comparison) the suite is usually cheaper.

 

[Arielfan98]

Actually if you compare 2 preferred rooms to a family suite at the All Stars (which is the apples to apples comparison) the suite is usually cheaper.

True, I was referring to regular (non-preferred). Also, my family goes during January which is a little cheaper than the summer months. All about timing am I right?

 

[Shanti]

I would never pay $2,000 more to stay at one value over another. One has some amenities the other does not, but at the end of the day, a value is a value. Not awe-inspiring or worth that kind of money.

 

[mimi0884]

I guess it's not 2 grand, I was mistaken. About $1000 difference between AoA and Music. I have been crunching numbers so many different ways I got things mixed up. This trip is costing us 2 grand more than last time (went Dec 2016, planning on Oct 2018- so 2 yrs of price changes). Just trying to cut corners where we can I appreciate the feedback!

 

[mousefan73]

How old are the kids? ASMu only has one real bed I believe. The rest are pullouts.. I would almost rather have 2 rooms with 4 real beds. 2 youngest, smallest share a bed. They are full size but real beds.. Now if your kids are smaller then the suite really makes no difference as small light people dont notice comfort as much.. Just one is alone on the single pull out. If you have teenagers .. I would hestiate on 3 pullouts.

AOA we stayed and loved it. I liked the bathrooms and felt there was tons of space.. layout IMO better. one queen and the murhpy bed is quite comforable.. my mom actually didnt mind the pull out too.

now if that is 1000 more worth it... that is another discussion... I would lean more either 2 room ASMU or AOA..

 

[Lvsdisney]

We've stayed at ASMu in a suite. It was great! I've never been to AoA so I can't compare. ASMu suite is in the preferred sections so closer to buses/food court and main pool. It has 1 queen bed and three pull out beds (sofa, chair, and ottoman). Depending on the age of your kids these will either be great or somewhat uncomfortable. Kitchenette with microwave, sink, and small refrigerator, 2 bathrooms, 2 TVs, one small table with 2 chairs.

I guess the questions always amount to, how long do you plan on staying at the resort each day, what kind of amenities are you utlitizing, do you you mind if you have to share a bus? If it saves $1000 I think it'd be worth it, but it's up to you!

 

[HopperFan]

There is a big difference between AoA and ASMu, and their suites.

I suggest you study them both to see which resort works for you.

 

[mimi0884]

How old are the kids? ASMu only has one real bed I believe. The rest are pullouts.. I would almost rather have 2 rooms with 4 real beds. 2 youngest, smallest share a bed. They are full size but real beds.. Now if your kids are smaller then the suite really makes no difference as small light people dont notice comfort as much.. Just one is alone on the single pull out. If you have teenagers .. I would hestiate on 3 pullouts.

AOA we stayed and loved it. I liked the bathrooms and felt there was tons of space.. layout IMO better. one queen and the murhpy bed is quite comforable.. my mom actually didnt mind the pull out too.

now if that is 1000 more worth it... that is another discussion... I would lean more either 2 room ASMU or AOA..

Kids will be 9, 9, and 6 (Oct 2018... yes, we plan ahead! lol) so I think the beds would be okay.

 

[Jaimie1911]

I really don't know if it's worth the extra $1,000. I doubt it. But for me, I just didn't like the look of the ASMu suites. My kids LOVED the Nemo suite at AOA. The food court is one of the best. The Nemo pool and splash area was awesome! We were Pop fans but our family outgrew the rooms there. So it was nice being able to visit there as well as use their busses from time to time. But I can certainly understand wanting to save that much money!

 

[mimi0884]

We LOVED AoA! But that's kinda been my argument- we're not in our room *that* much. We really liked the suite though because we could put the kids to bed and go in our room and prep for the next day (empty backpack, reload backpack, shower... without disrupting the kids). We go for 10 days so it's a long time to sleep all crowded together, with snorers and kid who talks in his sleep! Guess I'll just have to look at some of the room pictures/layouts and crunch some more numbers!

 

[mimi0884]

There is a big difference between AoA and ASMu, and their suites.

I suggest you study them both to see which resort works for you.

What things do you find to be a big difference? I'm reading through the write ups about both and they seem pretty similar on paper.

And by the way- I love your quote "no wrong way to do Disney..." So true! Everyone does it a little different. We stayed off property our first two times, when our twins were little, and it was the best situation for us. This last trip was our first on property and it was AMAZING but that's because the kids were older.

 

[Princess Stitch]

We stayed at the asmu suites last year and loved them. While they certainly weren't as modern looking, there's no way I would pay an extra $1000 for a themed shower curtain. All of the suites at music are in the preferred section, so you'll always be close to the food court and busses.

I will mention since you talked about using your bedroom after the kids were sleeping, that while there's 2 full bathrooms at music, neither of them is an ensuite. You need to exit the bedroom to use one of the bathrooms.

 

[mimi0884]

We stayed at the asmu suites last year and loved them. While they certainly weren't as modern looking, there's no way I would pay an extra $1000 for a themed shower curtain. All of the suites at music are in the preferred section, so you'll always be close to the food court and busses.

I will mention since you talked about using your bedroom after the kids were sleeping, that while there's 2 full bathrooms at music, neither of them is an ensuite. You need to exit the bedroom to use one of the bathrooms.

Good to know! I'm trying to find pictures of the suites but the thread in disboards weren't showing the pictures/layout

 

[HopperFan]

What things do you find to be a big difference? I'm reading through the write ups about both and they seem pretty similar on paper.

And by the way- I love your quote "no wrong way to do Disney..." So true! Everyone does it a little different. We stayed off property our first two times, when our twins were little, and it was the best situation for us. This last trip was our first on property and it was AMAZING but that's because the kids were older.

ASMu is an older resort where they took existing rooms, put two together to create a suite. The suite itself is cut up funny (no bath in bedroom, both off living space), small bedroom and secondary sleeping surfaces are all right together - and all fold outs. The have not been renovated in a very long time. ASMu is the worse footprint of the values but the suites are at the front so that is good. If you have stayed at AoA you will see that the amenities at ASMu are even't in the same ballpark. The theme there is more miss than hit.

AOA suites are larger with better design, at least one secondary sleeping surface is bedding (murphy), much nicer bathrooms, table for 4 instead of 2 if using for the group, interior hallways and the resort itself is more a Value Plus with pools as nice as moderates minus the slide/hot tub. Food court is above and beyond, one of the better ones on property. Never shared busing. And it's newer.

Again, it depends on your group, will you have resort time, which layout of the suite works better etc.

From **************

Go here and they do a comparison of the two suites
http://**************.net/2012/06/24/review-the-family-suites-disneys-art-animation-resort-p3/

And they offer photo tours of the suites at both.


http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Family-Suite-Floor-Plan-Disneys-All-Star-Music-Resort-from-**************.net_-890x1024.jpg

http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Family-Suite-Floor-Plan-Disneys-Art-of-Animation-Resort-from-**************.net_1.jpg