Art of Animation Cars Suite or Animal Kingdom Std Room

deannaf87

DIS Veteran
Joined
Sep 9, 2012
Messages
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So basically which one of these rooms would you pick? Our trip is tentatively for November 13-November 20, 2015 right now.

It will just be me, my husband, my daughter will be 8, and son will be almost 4.

I feel like a suite isn't really necessary for 4 people, but the Cars suites look so cool. My husband really likes the idea of a master bedroom too ;)

The pros for AoA for me would be ...

1)My kids will only be young once. I think they would love AoA
2)Heard good things about the food court.
3)Bigger fridge and microwave.

Cons...

1)I feel like the decor would ware on me after a few days, but that isn't really a big deal. I would survive.
2)I don't know how I feel about spending that amount of money on a value, even if it is a suite.
3)Uncertainty of if a military discount will apply to AoA, although I guess that could apply to any resort. I'll be making a reservation as soon as 2015 booking opens, so I'll have to call back once (if) military salute is renewed for Oct 2015-Sept 16.

On the Animal Kingdom Lodge side of things

Pros

1)Deluxe obviously
2)My kids would love the animals. Although they might not enjoy it as much as AoA.
3)If military salute is renewed we'd get 40% compared to 30% at AoA.
4)Food options in the resort.
5)Availability of Simba's Cubhouse should we want a night out as adults. I know there is always in room sitting, but I think I'd feel less guilty if they got to go somewhere and hang out with other kids as opposed to sitting in the room with a sitter while mommy and daddy go out.

Cons

1)Obviously smaller accommodations than an AoA suite.
2)View of "rooftop or parking lot" :snooty:


Things to consider...

We'll most likely be renting a car for the length of our stay since we'll be doing 2 days at Universal and we just find it easier, so bus transportation isn't that big of deal.

The cost difference is basically null when you take the military discount into consideration. Of course this is based on rates for the same week in 2014, so who knows what it'll translate into in 2015.

A third party candidate could possibly be The Wilderness Lodge. I briefly looked at the Beach Club and really liked it, but the lack of quick service was bothersome to me for some reason.


Ok phew, I think that covers all relevant information. All input is appreciated! :cool1:
 
my choice would be akl no question. I have a now 5 year old who has stayed at most of the deluxe resorts and he enjoys them. never stayed at AOA but I can promise you my son would always choose akl over any of values. He's also very into the animal kingdom right now so he'd love it.
 
my choice would be akl no question. I have a now 5 year old who has stayed at most of the deluxe resorts and he enjoys them. never stayed at AOA but I can promise you my son would always choose akl over any of values. He's also very into the animal kingdom right now so he'd love it.

Yeah, when you really sit back and think about it seems like a no brainer huh? Deluxe or value? hmmmm tough one :lmao:
 
If I really wanted to be economical, we'd go with Shades of Green. With the discount they usually offer in the fall we could probably get a room in the $70-$80/night range.

We really loved staying there last time, but that was before FP+

I think the 30 days between disney resort guest being able to schedule FP+ and offsite guests being able to would kill me. I want my 60 days, haha.
 

If you can then chose AK. I priced out for both and AoA came in at under $1,000 less and I didn't personally think that was much of difference considering the package I was booking. We are staying at AoA for one night on this upcoming trip and I am taking the kids to see AK for the next one. However, I did tell them if they really like AoA accommodations then we would go back. But I agree... I feel as if that savings can't be justified when it's a 'value' opposed to a Deluxe. Just my opinion:confused: As for WL, your dates may fall in the pool rehab:eek:
 
If you can then chose AK. I priced out for both and AoA came in at under $1,000 less and I didn't personally think that was much of difference considering the package I was booking. We are staying at AoA for one night on this upcoming trip and I am taking the kids to see AK for the next one. However, I did tell them if they really like AoA accommodations then we would go back. But I agree... I feel as if that savings can't be justified when it's a 'value' opposed to a Deluxe. Just my opinion:confused: As for WL, your dates may fall in the pool rehab:eek:

Yeah calculating prices based on 2014 the difference between AoA suite and Std room at AKL would literally be less than $10 a night. I mean I'm sure that could change when next year's prices come out, but I can't imagine it'd be substantial.

I must be feeling really carefree this morning because now I'm looking at the Poly. It looks like most of the renos would be done by then and I love being right by the monorail. It would be a price hike for sure, but I've got over a year to save.

I swear I change my mind daily.
 
AKL. And I'm a big fan of the values but AoA was such a disappointment in many ways--once was enough for me.
 
I'm military too so I know where you are coming from with the discounts. I'm going for 16 nights/17 days in September. I am taking my boyfriend and told him that with my discount we could stay at any hotels. He gets to choose the first 8 nights and I will choose the last hotel for 8 nights.

With that being said, he loves the movie CARS and our first "real" date he took me to California and we went to CARSLAND at Disneyland. (Truelove I tel you!). So we will be staying at AOA in a Cars Suite for 8 days, and i fell for it for the size alone. (I am coming fresh from my deployment on my R&R at 7 months in.) my choice is Beach Club and I'm even doing a deluxe club level room, yeah i'm kicking myself for it (not thinking club level will be worth it), but its the one time I will do it. I couldn't get the room for the last night so we booked the honeymoon suite at Wilderness lodge for the very last night.

I wasn't sure if Disney would pick the discounts up again next year with everything winding down and entitlements going away on 1 June. But with everything new going on I think you are safe to plan the discounts.

With that said, is it more important for the kids to see live animals everyday or for you and your husband to have some alone time, a door to close for said alone time and most importantly TWO bathrooms?

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!
 
Standard AKL over AoA suite for sure. Remember to ask if there are any complimentary Savannah View upgrades available at check in. You just might get lucky and it can't hurt to ask.

Are you still considering the Poly? Poly Club Level is magical all be it expensive. And it does seam lots of that construction could be over by your November 2015 stay. But the AKL is magical also, and less expensive than the Poly. So, if you are trying to stay within your original budget, I'd favor Standard AKL.
 
I'm military too so I know where you are coming from with the discounts. I'm going for 16 nights/17 days in September. I am taking my boyfriend and told him that with my discount we could stay at any hotels. He gets to choose the first 8 nights and I will choose the last hotel for 8 nights.

With that being said, he loves the movie CARS and our first "real" date he took me to California and we went to CARSLAND at Disneyland. (Truelove I tel you!). So we will be staying at AOA in a Cars Suite for 8 days, and i fell for it for the size alone. (I am coming fresh from my deployment on my R&R at 7 months in.) my choice is Beach Club and I'm even doing a deluxe club level room, yeah i'm kicking myself for it (not thinking club level will be worth it), but its the one time I will do it. I couldn't get the room for the last night so we booked the honeymoon suite at Wilderness lodge for the very last night.

I wasn't sure if Disney would pick the discounts up again next year with everything winding down and entitlements going away on 1 June. But with everything new going on I think you are safe to plan the discounts.

With that said, is it more important for the kids to see live animals everyday or for you and your husband to have some alone time, a door to close for said alone time and most importantly TWO bathrooms?

Good luck and enjoy your vacation!

I reaaaallly hope they pick up the discounts again. I think our dates will be in 2 renewals from now, though so who knows. If they don't we'll probably go with Shades of Green or a standard value room.

After calculating deluxe resort prices at 40% off I don't think I could pay full price, lol.

Standard AKL over AoA suite for sure. Remember to ask if there are any complimentary Savannah View upgrades available at check in. You just might get lucky and it can't hurt to ask.

Are you still considering the Poly? Poly Club Level is magical all be it expensive. And it does seam lots of that construction could be over by your November 2015 stay. But the AKL is magical also, and less expensive than the Poly. So, if you are trying to stay within your original budget, I'd favor Standard AKL.

I've really fallen in love with Poly and would adore club level there, but I don't know if I could ever justify the price to myself. Even regular level Poly just seems to be too much for our budget right now :(


I went to sleep thinking about the Wilderness Lodge last night. I need to figure out if the renos there will be done by Nov 2015. That really might be the perfect compromise for my need to be near MK at a decent price. My husband doesn't seem to like the theme there for some reason though. But of course I do hold ultimate Disney power since I'm the planner. :thumbsup2
 
Anyone know if the resorts will have Christmas decorations out the week before Thanksgiving? That might put another point into the Wilderness Lodge column.
 
So I'm showing my husband all these Poly pictures hoping he'll go "Oh yeah, we can stretch the budget for that, go for it" and he's like "I'd rather stay in a Cars suite at AoA". :headache:
 
So I'm showing my husband all these Poly pictures hoping he'll go "Oh yeah, we can stretch the budget for that, go for it" and he's like "I'd rather stay in a Cars suite at AoA". :headache:

We've stayed at all the resorts you have mentioned and AoA truly is a value resort. The space might seem appealing, but the room, beds, etc. were really uncomfortable.

AKL is gorgeous. The rooms are on the small side, though, as are the rooms at WL. You will get more space at Poly, GF, CR, BC/YC and BWI. There is a QS at BC and there is a great QS at BWI.

Can you get a military discount on a 1-bedroom villa? Maybe that would satisfy your preference for a deluxe and your DH's desire for a master bedroom? We've stayed in the villas at AKL and WL and they were fabulous!
 
We've stayed at all the resorts you have mentioned and AoA truly is a value resort. The space might seem appealing, but the room, beds, etc. were really uncomfortable.

AKL is gorgeous. The rooms are on the small side, though, as are the rooms at WL. You will get more space at Poly, GF, CR, BC/YC and BWI. There is a QS at BC and there is a great QS at BWI.

Can you get a military discount on a 1-bedroom villa? Maybe that would satisfy your preference for a deluxe and your DH's desire for a master bedroom? We've stayed in the villas at AKL and WL and they were fabulous!

The 1 bedroom value villas at AKL Jambo house are a pretty decent price. That would definitely satisfy everyone's wants.
 
So it just dawned on me that WDW is only 13 hours from my house. I have no idea why I was thinking it was like 21 hours.

I can totally drive that in one day and save $1000+ on flights and rental car. So many mor hotel possibilities are opening up, lol. :scratchin
 
I have stayed at both and would choose AKL over AoA hands down. AoA is just to big, noisy, and busy compared to AKL. I really felt like I was on vacation at AKL, at AoA I felt flustered and harried, not sure why, it was just the vibe there. I thought the food court was awful, so hectic, the food was always cold by the time you got to a table. Maya at AK was so good and just felt calmer. We were actually at AK in the summer and it felt calmer. We were at AoA in early November and it felt so crazy, the parks were awesome at that time but AoA was very busy, was the first year it opened so in all fairness that could have been why. The art is amazing at AoA! Enjoy where ever you stay.
 
I have stayed at both and really liked AoA. I especially love the fact that you have a bedroom with your own space and 2 bathrooms. Your kids could also have their own beds. I don't remember feeling like the beds were uncomfortable. I do think AK is beautiful but it's also big. I guess you are talking about staying at AKL. We were at Kidani in May and had to go to Jambo for quick service and our room was ALL the way down the hall. Folks with more AKL may feel different or tell me I'm wrong about it. ;-)

With all that said, if you can do Poly or WL I probably would do that since they are so close to MK. Less driving or bus time!

Have a great time.
 
Well today in the resort choice chronicle, I want to do AKL Club Level. Now that I realize I can drive, then frees up $1000 and AKL Club Level isn't that much more than AKL Savannah view, so why not right? We'd save the difference on the breakfast alone.

Now I just have to convince my husband that we don't reaaaaallly need that master bedroom.
 














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