AoA Suite vs. 2 rooms at Pop for family of 5

[magicmountainmama]

I'm having the hardest time deciding on a resort for an upcoming trip & I would love to get some perspective from others.

We're a family of 5 -- 3 kids who will be 6, 12, & 16. We really want to stay in a Cars suite at Art of Animation, but I keep coming back to 2 rooms at Pop because we'll have 4 beds rather than the 2 beds plus a sofa bed at AoA.

We've never stayed at AoA, my oldest is a Cars fan & he really wants to stay there. And my middle son is way into drawing & I know he'd love all the art. I know we can walk over & look around, but it's not really the same, ya know? Plus the Big Blue Pool!

But Pop would give us 4 beds, which is kind of a big deal. Plus we'd save about $372, which honestly isn't as big of a draw as the beds.

I know at Pop we wouldn't be guaranteed connecting rooms, but I think I'd be okay with taking that risk.

But, really, we want to stay at AoA! Help me decide?

 

[Lumpy1106]

Loved AoA - kids were 4 (almost 5), 13 and 15 when we stayed there in a 1 br suite (Lion King). The second bathroom was key. We were a little disappointed in the Big Blue Pool. It was crowded, we couldn't find a deck chair, it has no slide. Everything else about AoA we loved, including, believe it or not, the buses.

Boy, you save $372 and get two rooms? That would be hard to pass up. Are the kids self-motivated enough that they'll get moving on their own? Just thinking it might be heard to motivate in the morning if you are in separate rooms that are any distance apart.

 

[jaceraden]

POP and AOA are connected so the answer is obvious to me. Save the money and stay at POP. You will be more comfortable and you can still enjoy so much of the theming. Unless you are planning to spend most of your time at the Resort rather than the parks, I personally can't see sacrificing that much money difference for the little gain of actually staying at AOA versus going to visit and walk around. YMMV but you did ask for opinions. We toured AOA when we stayed at POP (kids were 1, 4, 6 I think) and the kids thought AOA was great when we visited but they didn't ask to stay there and were very happy with POP.

Are you going at a time that the Big Blue Pool will be open? I don't follow the refurb schedule too closely but I feel like it's getting some work done in the near future...

 

[magicmountainmama]

That would be hard to pass up. Are the kids self-motivated enough that they'll get moving on their own? Just thinking it might be heard to motivate in the morning if you are in separate rooms that are any distance apart.

Yes, that's true. DH is not quite as rope-drop committed as I am, so if he's in the room with the older 2 boys, and we're not connected, that might be an issue.

 

[magicmountainmama]

POP and AOA are connected so the answer is obvious to me. Save the money and stay at POP. You will be more comfortable and you can still enjoy so much of the theming. Unless you are planning to spend most of your time at the Resort rather than the parks, I personally can't see sacrificing that much money difference for the little gain of actually staying at AOA versus going to visit and walk around. YMMV but you did ask for opinions. We toured AOA when we stayed at POP (kids were 1, 4, 6 I think) and the kids thought AOA was great when we visited but they didn't ask to stay there and were very happy with POP.

Are you going at a time that the Big Blue Pool will be open? I don't follow the refurb schedule too closely but I feel like it's getting some work done in the near future...

I know, it's so silly to be this torn about it since they're basically the same resort! And I know we'll be very happy at Pop. You're right, we're going for the parks, not the resort especially.

I think we'll probably end up booking Pop, it just makes more sense all the way around. Thanks for your help!

 

[figmentfinesse]

The Cars section is pretty spectacular. If your kids are ok with how the beds can be split up, that would be ok I think!

 

[Disneypro1]

We love POP there is a nice bridge to AofA. Either one is great. Maybe pick the best priced option.

 

[LaDonna]

I have thought about this scenario as well, our fifth person will be over 2years old next year so these are my future options...... as much as I want to stay in a suite the extra bed just getting 2 regular rooms at a value not to mention saving money too I will always go with the two rooms

 

[Donzie]

I have dealt with this scenario several times (albeit different ages). And have done the following. Trip 1 was Pop, Trip 2 was AoA, trip 3 back to Pop. (Now I like the cabins at FW and rooms at POR but that's a whole other thread).

Trip 1 - to Pop was all about saving a few dollars and going for the parks and character meals. We had 4 adults and 2 kids. We got 2 adjoining rooms at Pop and it all worked out. The 4 beds were appreciated. The per night room charge was even under $100 prior to refurbished rooms and the Skyliner. Buses were good and the food court was seemingly always crowded. I really looked forward to character and sit down meals in the parks and other resorts. Pools were basic. The giant plastic theming objects and paint scheme leave a bit to be desired and I definitely feel like I am in a glorified motel. But the rooms are clean and staff courteous.

Trip 2 - I had to try AoA. I also wanted a Cars room but got Lion King as they overbooked those rooms. I didn't pay extra for the Cars suite (I just requested it) so I got bumped. But they did offer to move us for the last 2 nights of a 6 night stay. We declined as I just didn't want to pack everything up once we got settled and everyone seemed to enjoy the Lion King room. We had 5 people. 3 adults and 2 kids. AoA was only opened for 4 months or so and it was really nice. We loved the theming, pools and indoor halls. 2 Bathrooms and new beds were very nice and comfortable. The Splash pad, main pool were appreciated but we also enjoyed the small cars pool and cone cabanas. The food court and main resort building were slightly nicer mostly due to being new. I said hey, let do it once and I don't feel I have to pay what they charge now to ever stay there again but I am glad we did it and we all enjoyed the resort theming and landscaping.

Trip 3 - back to PoP with 6 in 2 rooms. 3 adults and 3 kids. We also got adjoining rooms again thankfully. We knew what to expect and made the best of it. But I felt it was just another stay in a motel. Sleep and get out asap to get to the parks. For me I will never stay there again as I just need a resort with more green space, trees and amenities (I am getting soft in my old age, lol). Cost has risen due to refurbished rooms and the Skyliner. However, I think it is a great Disney deal and the most desirable economy resort and serves a purpose for those looking for those things.

Either way you will have a great time. Just decide if it's a we need to do it atleast once AoA; or we'll save $ Pop. You are right that you can visit the other resort and even eat in their food courts so you have perspective on both if you never make it back to them.

 

[Donzie]

I forgot to add the way we do Disney. Usually a 6 night 7 day stay with 4 park days. This allows for some down time for the Resort activities, other resort meals and Disney Springs. So the resort scenery, atmosphere and activities are more important to me than those who sleep and head to a park every single day with no down days.

 

[dmband]

We have done two rooms many times and outside of possible money saved and more room, it really comes down to this imo...
are you willing to split up and still enjoy the trip?
by split up I mean You could get connect/close rooms and it is not a huge deal but on the other hand you could be spread far apart.
in out experience we have been spread apart about 90% of the time. The worst of course is CBR because it is so big.

 

[Malestrom Troll]

We had this dilemma for our Sept trip this year. We decided to do connecting rooms at Pop. The size and extra cost of the 1bdr is what drove us to Pop.

 

[magicmountainmama]

We have done two rooms many times and outside of possible money saved and more room, it really comes down to this imo...
are you willing to split up and still enjoy the trip?
by split up I mean You could get connect/close rooms and it is not a huge deal but on the other hand you could be spread far apart.
in out experience we have been spread apart about 90% of the time. The worst of course is CBR because it is so big.

And this, I think, is the deciding factor for us. Talked it over some more with DH & he said that he's not interested if there's a chance that we won't have connecting rooms.

Thank you all for your input!!!