AOA or OKW

[wallawallakids]

Which would you choose? We have never stayed at either and are currently booked at AOA for 6 nights. I got offered to rent points at OKW for a 2 bedroom villa for $700 more total than I am paying at AOA Nemo suite for the 6 nights. (This rate is with the new discount too).

Some background, there are 6 of us. Hubby, our 4 kids, and me. I have some concerns about both resorts and I am having a hard time choosing. We have never stayed at a Deluxe or a Value before. Our only other trip was to POFQ. I am having a difficult time comparing AOA to POFQ. I am assuming they are fairly similar in attributes but not sure?

AoA Pros: Cheaper
One bus stop
Over the top character for kids

Cons: Smaller/ kids will share beds
Value vs Deluxe (not really sure how much this differs)


Okw pros: Much larger
Everyone can have their own bed
Deluxe resort (nicer pools etc)

Cons: Multiple bus stops
$700 more
Not as kid friendly of a theme


Am I missing anything big here? Anyone stay at either and have a recommendation as to which would be a better choice? Neither one is super close to any of the parks, right? And we are going in January, so not even sure if we will be swimming or using the pools at all.

Thank you!!!

 

[mmoore9621]

we've stayed at both....between the two AOA has our vote. The 2 bedroom at OKW is great but to us that was the only thing good about it. We aren't in the room much so we don't use the ammenities in it much except the washer and dryer. You have to take internal bus service to get anywhere on OKW property, the bus service to the parks is so slow and awful and the staff was not nearly as nice and accommodating as at other properties. Our kids even stated they had rather stay elsewhere

The AOA was fantastic for the kids and they loved the pools there. It has an awesome food court and the staff was outstanding. For it to be such a big resort the bus service was incredible and timely. They were quick to add additional buses at key times. The only drawback is that it is spread out quite a bit and after a long day at the park the walk to the room can be rough

hope this helps

 

[wallawallakids]

Thank you so much mmore9621. That helps a ton. Sounds like we might be better off sticking with what I have then, esp. considering it is less money anyway. Thank you so much!

 

[Deb & Bill]

At OKW, you have a full sized washer and dryer. You also have a full sized kitchen so you could save money on food. Short boat ride away from Disney Springs. Buses are really very good at OKW, no big long lines when you wait for a bus. Great large porch with a table that seats four.

You just have to decide if the cost is worth it.

 

[loves to dive]

Never stayed at AoA but did walk over from PoP and have stayed at OKW. What I would do, and this is just me and my circumstances. First I would decide if the additional $700 was going to cause any undue stress, i.e. can I afford it without it stretching my every day finances. If it wouldn't cause undue pain to my personal finances I would go with OKW. My reasons would be: Even though you would be getting a suite at AoA it's not more than two rooms and I don't know if they just have a little kichenette or just a microwave. OKW is an older DVC so the rooms are big, you are going to have two full bedrooms, a full kitchen and I'm assuming a little living room. Now I don't cook or do laundry on vacation but I'm thinking with 4 kids that would come in handy. OKW is a big resort, that is true. According to where you are you can be the last bus stop of many but while I was there buses were never standing room only full like at other resorts. AoA while newer and cute theaming for the kids is a value resort with all that comes with it. Think motel as compared to a villa. One con to OKW, there is only one restaurant on site and a little pool QS type walk up area at one of the quiet pools and a little walk up QS area at the main building. I'm talking tiny with not a lot of options, but again, you would have a kitchen so probably wouldn't need it anyway.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Agree. If you were expecting a full food court at OKW, think again. It's DVC's original timeshare resort. It was expected that guests would eat in their villas, maybe the table service restaurant or pick up a snack at the pool. That's what you get.

 

[stormer]

We have never stayed at AoA. The pros for me at OKW are the kitchen and the washer and dryer. I love being able to pack less, especially for the kids, and wash their clothes as needed. We also get groceries and have a quick breakfast in the room each morning so the full kitchen is a big plus for us.

 

[VFG]

I had this same debate this past summer. For us, the price was the same for both resorts. We picked OKW and loved it! The rooms are huge. It was nice having a comfortable living room with seating for everyone. I love going home with clean clothes too.

 

[raddisneyfan]

First I would decide if the additional $700 was going to cause any undue stress, i.e. can I afford it without it stretching my every day finances.

I couldn't agree with this more. There is nothing worse than regretting spending the extra. Coming back home and thinking that this is going to take forever to pay off or I can't afford to do this or that now because of the extra $700. This is your vacation; it should be all good. Transportation has never been an issue for me when going to the parks, but then I'm never in a hurry. I don't have children to transport with strollers, extra bags, etc. Also, transportation in and around will depend on a lot of things--when you go, what time of day, etc. I wouldn't include transportation in my decision. I'd go purely by the resort. I haven't stayed at either--staying at OKW in December--but that's not to say I wouldn't stay at any WDW resort if I had to watch the budget. $700 is a lot of money. Can you afford it: Plain and simple. Whatever decision you make though--you're going to Disney--hurray!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tiffany2009]

I have stayed at both and would pick OKW (we have three kids) as long as you were okay with paying extra. You will get two queen size beds for the kids plus a pull out couch and a pull out chair. That way each kid could have their own bed if they want. I loved the kitchen, washer/dryer, huge balcony, kitchen, King bed and separate Jacuzzi tub. The pool has a slide too. And you have boat service to Disney Springs. We liked AOA for the theming, food court, arcade and bus service. We had a Nemo suite and it was great. But I prefer a more relaxing vibe after being in the theme parks and OKW has that.

It will be fun no matter your choice though! Good luck.

 

[Disneyhenry]

I have not stayed at AoA but I have stayed at OKW, there is no food court, I loved the size of the room and we rented a car so didn't use the bus. OKW is nice but the cast members were not friendly and it has a Florida feeling it does have a WDW feeling in my opinion. You didn't say the ages of the kids, younger ones it maybe better at AoA if they are older then OKW.
It is so hard to choose a resort at WDW they all have great things to offer - have fun!

 

[wallawallakids]

Thank you so much for all your help. I thought a LOT about all this and ended up going a completely different route thanks to your help! I am still doing one night at AOA, but I was able to book the first 5 nights at AKL in a 2 bedroom villa on points and it was only $600 more then staying at AOA for the entire time. I think this is a better compromise then OKW. I might be wrong, but I feel like my kids will love the animals and although it is far from the parks, I think the space, kitchen, and laundry will more then make up for it. Plus we can eat breakfast in the room every day and make a few lunches which will help offset the extra $600.

Thank you again for all your opinions and help!!! It really helped me to decide on which place to choose.

 

[Wood Nymph]

Thank you so much for all your help. I thought a LOT about all this and ended up going a completely different route thanks to your help! I am still doing one night at AOA, but I was able to book the first 5 nights at AKL in a 2 bedroom villa on points and it was only $600 more then staying at AOA for the entire time. I think this is a better compromise then OKW. I might be wrong, but I feel like my kids will love the animals and although it is far from the parks, I think the space, kitchen, and laundry will more then make up for it. Plus we can eat breakfast in the room every day and make a few lunches which will help offset the extra $600.

Thank you again for all your opinions and help!!! It really helped me to decide on which place to choose.

We stayed in a 2 BR at OKW and loved the villa, but not the buses with multiple bus stops. I think AKV is a great choice. And you'll save a lot of money by being able to have breakfast in the room.

 

[ZoZo]

OKW. I stayed in a LK suite at AoA and think it would be really cramped with six people.

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

HANDS DOWN.... OKW!!! We LOVE LOVE LOVE OKW!! and a 2-bedroom?!? wayyyyy more space!! OKW has the largest villas of the DVC resorts... and large balconies... the full size kitchen is AWESOME plus a full size washer and dryer. seriously, go for OKW... you won't regret it. our kids loved OKW so much that 2 of the kids chose staying at the resort and going to the pool/community center over DHS for the hyperspace hoopla during star wars weekends. GREAT pool, GREAT community center, GREAT villas... just can't go wrong!

 

[DCLbrideSept2009]

ok I didn't see the AKV post but that's great too.. we've stayed at a 2-bedroom AKV and a 1-bedroom OKW and they're both awesome

 

[Reighngold]

I have to say I am so psyched for you, in my mind you made the best possible decision there! I've stayed at all three and AKL is our favorite of all the Deluxe Villa resorts, we are actually staying there over the holiday! You're going to love the animals and the pool is spectacular. Overall the theming at AKL is so fantastic, for all ages. While OKW doesn't have quick service (unless you count the pool takeaway and it's not very good) AKL has fantastic quick service with really unique offerings. One word of advice, don't buy your breakfast essentials at the resort, last time I was there a dozen eggs was like 10 bucks (I may be exaggerating, but not by much) Enjoy your vacation!!

 

[wallawallakids]

Thank you so much! Now I am even more excited about AKL! Sounds like it was a good choice. Kids are just so happy about the animals anyway, so it was easy to win them over from AOA to that. Thank you again for all your help!

 

[ladyelizabeth]

We love AoA. The theme is top-notch, the CM are excited and happy to work there, the bus service is great (one-stop, doesn't share with other resorts), etc. The suites come with a kitchenette (small fridge, microwave, sink, space to store food items) and many folks have breakfast items delivered to their rooms either from Garden Grocer, Amazon Pantry. Or they just head to a supermarket near by. The suites at AoA do have two full bathrooms - which I always thought was a big plus! Take a look at some YouTube videos of rooms and reviews. I know the DisUnplugged has reviewed both of these hotels.

I can be tempted to pay more for the "deluxe" tag, but then I always consider would we be happier spending that extra money on experiences, like a nice sit-down meal, souvenirs, tours, an extra day at the parks, a fireworks dessert party. Think of what makes a vacation for you.

Something I would consider if spending extra money to stay at a villa, is would we use the amenities and more specifically, by spending the extra money, would I use the kitchen to prepare meals so we can offset the cost of the room. In the end - it's up to you! I know some folks have mentioned the washer/dryer that comes in the villas (and that's an awesome amenity - we loved having that when we stayed at SSR) - also remember that there are laundry facilities at all resorts. Granted they are self-serviced and shared facilities. But now with LaundryView, it makes it even easier to manage and see when washers and dryers are available (http://www.laundryview.com/disneyworld/)!

Enjoy your trip!