AOA or Poly? Opinions please!

[JoyAhead]

i know they are two different ends of the spectrum, but we are looking at AOA or Poly for our upcoming vacation (first timers). We are currently booked at AOA, but may switch. Our thoughts are:
AOA LM: This trip is really all about our 5 year old daughter. She LOVES little mermaid, all things Disney, and we will rarely be in the room. We likely won't use the pool in late November. So save some $, come back again sooner. We will have a car and won't be using the food court most likely. Dedicated bus system if we do want to bus.

OR Poly: bigger beds, nicer on site dining, and with 4 of our 6 park days being at MK/EP the monorail is a big draw. In reality we probably won't be back for a few years.

Opinions? We've never been to Disney or stayed at either hotel. I have no idea how hard it is to drive/bus/monorail. I know I'll get mixed reviews, but just reading others experiences will help a lot!

 

[mjdis17]

I haven't actually stayed at either hotel BUT I have gone to AoA to look around before and take pictures of the theming. The little mermaid rooms are soooo far from the lobby/busses that it completely turned me off from ever staying there. I think that's definitely something to consider. However, I think that the savings as compared to the Poly, and since you can park your car close to the mermaid rooms, will probably make AoA worth it. When you're talking a couple hundred dollar savings as compared to the Poly, I would definitely be willing to make that walk to the mermaid rooms.

 

[barbliny]

Have you considered splitting the stay? AOA in the beginning, ending with Poly? Little Mermaid theme to start and more convenience and perks at the end?

I have been to neither - but, coincidentally have a split stay booked for June (AOA is more to save money than the theme for us though) Poly has always been a wishlist resort for us, and we balanced out the cost by saving at the beginning of the trip.

We have done many split stays and actually enjoy them.

 

[Tonberry]

I think the biggest draw for the Poly (besides larger rooms) are the pools and the transportation. Seeing as you won't be swimming, won't be spending much time in your room, and will have your own car, that kind of cuts the Poly down.

I would keep AoA, especially since your daughter loves the Little Mermaid. And if you go back in a couple of years, she might not feel the same way.
A stay at the Poly would cost a lot more. And since you won't be in your room that much, it seems like waste of money to me.

 

[caliope]

We love the Poly and so does DS. We were there in early December (as well as January 21016) and we went swimming every day, taking full advantage of the pools and splash pad. The access to MK is great and made for zero transit headaches. The whole trip was just easy, which is what we wanted. All of our future vacation will most likely be at a monorail or Epcot resort because of that level of convenience.

We've not stayed at AOA so I can't comment on that resort specifically. But, for DS's first onsite stay at age 2.5, we chose POR for the cost savings. We also had a car that trip and it was handy that the parking lots were relatively close to the rooms. From the looks of the posted resort map, AOA would be the same in that regard. The money we saved, with DS at an age where he didn't know any different, was a nice plus. However, transit to and from the parks took time that we felt krept into our enjoyment. For work reasons, we can never go for a long stay, so for us, maximizing our "relaxation" time is important.

So while I know I would pick Poly for my family and our circumstances, for a first visit with no other frame of reference for comparison, I'm sure your DD and you can have an amazing vacation at AOA. In my mind, it basically comes down to more money or more convenience.

 

[Disneylover99]

I've stayed in a LM room and at the Poly. I'd choose the Poly. Since you have a car, you could always visit the AofA.

 

[pennylane16]

As someone who has stayed at AoA our past 2 trips and has a trip booked at the Poly for August, I vote AoA for your situation. We went when my kids were 2&7 (LM room), then 4&9 (LK suite). We loved it. The busses were fine, but you said you'd have a car so that's even easier probably. Yes, it's quite a walk from the LM rooms to say, the lobby, BUT it didn't really bother us. And we fit 5 people in the LM room (DD was 2 so she didn't count towards the room), but with only 3 of you, I think you'll find the rooms just fine. Like a PP said, maybe your daughter won't be as into LM next time you go, so if you think she'd love the themeing of AoA (my kids loved it), I say go for AoA and save a good chunk of money.

 

[Marthasor]

I've stayed at both. AoA is so uncomfortable and loud. Literally the worst bedding I've slept on in my life. Yes, it's cute, but the novelty wears off when you can't get a good night sleep. I would book the Poly or, split the difference and book a royal room at POR. The rooms are more comfortable and you'll have many princess details in the room including fireworks in the headboards.

 

[PAGA2003]

We stayed at AoA for our first trip specifically because we knew our son (he was four at the time) would love the theming. We had a very short 4 night park intensive trip and it was perfect for us. We also drove to all of the parks and it worked out great for us. That said we only did one day at Magic Kingdom, one at Animal Kingdom and one at Hollywood studios. In your situation of doing so many Magic Kingdom/Epcot days I do think Poly might be best as long as cost isn't an issue. When we do another family trip I'm sure we'll do majority MK/Epcot as well and I'm really leaning towards the Poly for convenience. That is if we can get an agreeable discounted rate

 

[chiisai]

I would pick poly! But you can't go wrong with either for your first visit.

In fact: http://**************.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/where-to-stay/

 

[stormer]

We love both, but I would stay at AoA. You can always stay at the Poly as she gets bigger. At this age, she will love AOA more. Once, you stay at the Poly you will probably not want to go back to AoA so I would do that first and save Poly for another time.

 

[Babsy]

AoA has a great theme with over the top details everywhere. Great photo ops and a good food court. The pools are very nice. However, it is a value resort.

I would choose the Poly, hands down. It will make life so much easier for you, especially when you plan so many days at the MK. Easier to get to the MK and easier to return to the resort. SO much more comfortable rooms/beds. Able to see the Castle from your resort. No comparison when it comes to transportation to the MK, IMO.

If you do stay at AoA: A car to the MK is not as convenient as using the bus, IMO. You park at the parking lot and then have to take a tram to TTC where you next take the monorail or ferry to the MK. The buses bring you to the MK so you bypass the TTC.

Any other theme park it is better to use the car.

The Poly is relaxing and convenient. It is/was our first choice as a resort with small children.

Whichever you choose, have an awesome trip!

 

[JoyAhead]

Everyone makes a really good point! I do agree that by the time we go again our daughter probably won't care anything about staying in a fun room. For that reason I'm leaning towards AOA LM while it's special and magical for her. Since we won't have the baby with us, I'm sure any sort of travel will feel easier than we are used to!! Decisions decisions!

 

[cruiser21]

Is that even a question deluxe vs value. Poly of course

 

[Cumbley]

It's a tricky one! Weve never stayed at the Poly but have visited and eaten there. We're staying at AoA next week (so excited!!!). We have stayed deluxe in Contemporary and Moderate in CBR. It came down to cost for us - we were last at WDW in August and we travel from the UK. Compromising on the hotel has meant we can squeeze in an extra trip! That said when we joke about winning the lottery and upgrading the hotel - my DD wont hear of it! She has been desperate to stay at AoA since it opened. She also loves The Little Mermaid and cant wait to stay there - shes 14!!

 

[goofyintoronto]

For sheer convenience of having the monorail, i'd pick Poly.

 

[Little E]

Here is my two cents...we have stayed at both the Poly in a standard room and at AoA in a Cars suite (I have boys who were way into Cars!). Both resorts are amazing, for different reasons. We loved the Poly for the monorail and closeness to MK and Epcot, and my boys loved the pool. We found our room to be quite roomy and lovely. However, we loved the AoA too! We loved their food court more than the QS restaurant at the Poly, and while we loved both pools, we found the Cars quiet pool to be awesome! It was less crowded and it felt like you were walking right into the Cars film! The theming at AoA was something our kids (11 & 14 at the time) appreciated more than the Poly (they were 9 & 12 when we stayed at the Poly).

While you can't go wrong at either resort, I recommend AoA for this trip...I think your little one will love the theming of the AoA, and you can also walk over the bridge to Pop to experience their fun food court too. Save the Poly for your next trip...

Have a magical time!!!

 

[hmcater]

I have not stayed at AOA, but if the difference in cost isn't a factor, I would go Poly all the way. We are a family of 6 and we LOVE the Poly. It's such a great family hotel and you really just cannot beat the convenience of the monorail, especially if most of your days are going to be at MK. The beach area is also wonderful for viewing the fireworks at MK if you don't want to fight with the crowds in the park. The Poly is the first onsite resort we stayed at and we are hooked, it's our second home!