AoA or OKW?

[biggity]

Hi folks,

Travelling to WDW Oct 5-13 as ringleader of the following
3 Adults (Me, Wife, Grandma)
3 Kidlets (7,4,1)

I'm torn between staying at the AoA (Family Suite) and OKW (1-Bedroom Villa).

Context:
1. Our previous stays have been at Deluxe Resorts (Poly 00, WL 08, AKL 11).
2. We'll have a rental car either way.

What do you fine folks recommend? Specifically interested in opinions from folks who've actually stayed with family at both resorts (if any exist!)

THANK YOU!

 

[Tink415]

I haven't stayed at AoA yet, but I'd probably choose AoA if you didn't plan to cook (using a stove) meals in the room. AoA looks fun, like being in a cartoon Neither AoA or OKW 1 BR is going to give all the adults a regular bed. OKW, IMO the pool area is just ok, whereas AoA pools look really cute for little kids.

We've owned DVC at OKW for many years, and while I enjoy staying there, I really only prefer it when we get a 2 BR for a group of 5 or 6 and the living room is left for night owls or early birds. If I'm getting a 1 BR I usually choose someplace else.

Have fun!

 

[Karabee]

I haven't stayed at AOA yet but did walk through it. That's not saying much but I can say those might be two of the most opposite resorts OKW is a favorite of mine since it has such a peaceful and relaxing feel. AOA would be nice to have a suite but even just walking around felt very, very crowded. I'm not sure after the Deluxe you've stayed in I could switch to AOA but that's just me!

 

[jhryb]

They really are opposites. One is quite and sophisticated the other is fun and disney disney disney. If Grandma can handle the busier atmosphere then I think that your kids may prefer AoA. I am sure that your kids would also enjoy OKW especially if they are already spending a lot of time at the parks. I would personally choose OKW but it depends on how much say I am giving to my kids.

 

[amym2]

AoA suites are 565sq ft vs 942sq ft in a 1bdrm at OKW, so I'd probably go with OKW for the space. Bed options might give the advantage to AoA since it has the pull down table bed, which I would think would be more comfortable than the sleeper chair at OKW for grandma. You could put grandma on the couch at OKW and bring an air mattress for one of the kids.

We haven't stayed at AoA, but we stayed at OKW last October and loved it. Our kids (11 and 9) would love to stay there again. The poolside activities were really fun. And since you'll have a car, you'll be able to park right outside your room at OKW, which is really handy.

 

[kaytieeldr]

The one-bedroom villas at OKW have a maximum capacity of four (plus one child under three...). This party of six (five+infant) would need a two-bedroom unit.

AoA appears to be the better option.

 

[dp911]

The one-bedroom villas at OKW have a maximum capacity of four (plus one child under three...). This party of six (five+infant) would need a two-bedroom unit.

AoA appears to be the better option.

No okw is 5 plus one under 3. They have a sleeper chair plus sofabed like BLT and kidani

 

[nolanboys]

I have never stayed at AOA but have stayed at OKW 3 times. My vote is for OKW. The master bedroom is huge. There is plenty of room for an air matress and a pack and play. We have done this before. You could also put two kids on the sofa bed and have grandma on the sleeper chair. I have heard they are very comfortable. Besides having a full kitchen which is great for even just breakfast, you also get a washer and dryer as well as a huge covered balcony. We have stayed at All Stars, POR, POFQ, AKV, BWV, BCV, WLV, SSR as well. We ar going next spring break and when I asked where the kids wanted to stay, they all unanimously said OKW.

 

[spiceycat]

with OKW you get a king bed, queen sleeper sofa and chair bed

with AOA you get a queen bed, murphy bed (invoabed). double sleeper sofa.

in aoa it seems like 3 separate areas.

at OKW it 2 - master bedroom and the living room.

at aoa you get 2 separate bathrooms

at OKW you get one bathroom - now it is the master bathroom - so it has a separate shower and whirlpool tub.

aoa has a kitchenette - just microwave, small freeze

okw has a complete kitchen with everything - except the food.
OKW also has a washer/dryer - really a laundry room.

now love Pop so probably would love AOA - but OKW is a condo, AOA is just a bigger room.

you get a nice big balcony with OKW - nothing with AOA

the refrigerator has an ice maker at OKW.

the big problem with OKW is who gets the king bed - you and your spouse or Grandma -

the one who doesn't get the king bed will sleep with the kids in the living area.

 

[raven69david]

Definitely AoA. We've done both and AoA has a much nicer "feel" to it, especially since it's brand new and I get that "old rundown" feeling when at OKW. Just my opinion, but that's the feeling I got while doing a split stay at OKW/AoA last year. I'd rather do AoA anytime than have to go back to OKW.

 

[biggity]

Nolanboys: Did the single bathroom cause any issues?

 

[madelyn]

Nolanboys: Did the single bathroom cause any issues?

Not Nolanboys but will answer about the bathroom. I have stayed at OKW I think 3 times. Once in a studio for part of my honeymoon and twice in a 1 bedroom. If you were going w/ just your immediate family (without grandma) I would say to go for the OKW 1 bedroom. I have been in the OKW 1 bedroom w/ my immediate family plus my adult brother and sister. OKW has 2 bathroom areas but only 1 toilet. If it was just your immediate family I would say people showering could leave the door unlocked and the kiddos could use the toilet in an emergency if someone were showering. An adult could wait but maybe not kids of your age. We had an incident where my adult sister was showering, she locked the bathroom door and one of my kids woke up, had to pee, couldn't wait and I think had to pee in the bathtub! The space was wonderful and if you don't have morning showering adults then this may not be an issue. We have friends (first time to WDW w/ their kids) and they selected an AoA suite. I thought it was crazy high for a "value resort". Was tempted to steer them towards a villa or deluxe resort but kept my mouth shut. But in your case, I would say the extra bath would be worth it at AoA. Are there openings at Kidani for the same price? There are actually 2 full bathrooms there. If you do decide on OKW, make sure you pick a unit with bathroom access through the laundry room. This will prevent someone needing the bathroom to go through the bedroom to get to the bathroom. This would be a request and not something guaranteed. Another thing to mention is that my kids have seen photos of AoA (they are now 14, 11 and 6) and they want to stay there. This is after staying at mostly villas (OKW, Saratoga, BLT AKLV and BWV) and Coronado Springs.

 

[biggity]

Thanks madelyn, and thanks to all. I appreciate your perspectives very much. We're presently leaning towards a split-stay at AoA and OKW precisely because all evidence suggests that they're essentially diametrical opposites, experience-wise, and I get the feeling that two "mini-stays", one at each, would be quite nice. We'll probably stay the first 1/2 of the trip at AoA, and the 2nd half at OKW. I figure that any feeling of being "fried" or "squished" at AoA will be remedied quite nicely by the supposed serenity at OKW. Anyone violently agree (or disagree?) Thanks!

 

[madelyn]

A split-stay might be a good compromise! Looks like you are staying 8 nights? Was going to say personally I would not do a split stay for less than 3 nights at each resort. I lived through a split stay BWV/BLT with only 2 nights at each and it was not relaxing at all. Before we found our way around a resort, it was time to pack up and go to the next place! Guess I would edit to say I would not do a split stay of less than 3 nights at 1 resort if I were traveling w/ kids. W/out kids it is much easier to pack up and move.

Thanks madelyn, and thanks to all. I appreciate your perspectives very much. We're presently leaning towards a split-stay at AoA and OKW precisely because all evidence suggests that they're essentially diametrical opposites, experience-wise, and I get the feeling that two "mini-stays", one at each, would be quite nice. We'll probably stay the first 1/2 of the trip at AoA, and the 2nd half at OKW. I figure that any feeling of being "fried" or "squished" at AoA will be remedied quite nicely by the supposed serenity at OKW. Anyone violently agree (or disagree?) Thanks!

 

[nolanboys]

Nolanboys: Did the single bathroom cause any issues?

Sorry - haven't checked back.When we stayed, we had 8 in a 2 bdrm twice. I think you will be fine with 1 bathroom. Will add that the tub there is massive and a great place to bathe the kids. To give you an idea on the size of the living room, DH's sister and family stayed at OKW as well. We had dinner together twice in our villa with 11 all together. We also enjoyed a fun night playing games. We always do split stays, so I think your idea sounds great. Ending up at OKW would be nice because you could take advantage of the washer/dryer, pack less and come home with clean clothes. I know some people hate doing laundry on trips, but I love coming home and just putting everything away. We did a cruise last year, and I hated catching up on all the laundry. It made the let down of coming back from vacation even worse. Then again, I fully admit I have laundry issues. I'm obsessive about getting it done. Maybe that's because if I let it go for a day or two, we have an insane amount!