Art Of Animation Family Suite Or ?

[sagosto]

We are 2 adults, a 3 year old, and a 5-6 month old and leaning towards Art Of Animation Family Suite as it has a separate bedroom for the baby to sleep while my daughter plays. Aside from the All Stars Music Family Suite, are there any other options that provide a separate area for the kids? When we were 3, we put the pack-n-play in the bathroom at Caribbean Beach and was able to close the sliding door and it worked out nice. The bigger deluxe rooms (e.g. Contemporary/Poly) might allow us to do that but not sure how that would work with 2 kids. The monorail access is nice but that would help us for MK only. Any recommendations?

 

[Kaytie]

Fort Wilderness Cabins.

 

[sagosto]

Thanks but definitely not our bag...

 

[Hopefully]

The only other option then would be very expensive Deluxe "suites" or 1 BR DVC Villas. You could try to rent points for the Villa, but there are conditions and restrictions on the rental. The most important may be that you can not cancel or change your dates for a refund. It is a contractual arrangement between you and the owner/broker. Also to insure the best availability you really need to commit 11 months in advance.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If budget allows, I would recommend a 1-bedroom villa at one of the deluxe villa resorts (aka DVC). You can book these directly through WDW like you would any other resort room. Though it's cheaper to book them by renting points, we always book direct through WDW for the more flexible cancellation terms and daily housekeeping.

Just editing to add: If you want to be close to MK, consider a 1-bedroom at BLT, Boulder Ridge or Copper Creek (WL villas). BLT gives you the monorail and walking to MK. The WL villas gives you boat access to MK. VGF gives you monorail access to, but they are almost impossible to book. If you want to be close to DHS/EP (our favorite to stroll little kids!), look at BWV and BCV. If you want to be close to AK, look at AKV (Jambo or Kidani, Jambo is our favorite). If budget is an issue, OKW and SSR will most likely price out cheapest. We love the 1-bedrooms as you also get a full kitchen and washer/dryer. Like you, I'm not a fan of the cabins and would not want to deal with golf carts and internal bus service with small children. Deluxe villas also give you the deluxe resort amenities, but more space than a standard room!

 

[mmfox316]

The cabins aren't as bad as you might thing. I am a noncamper due to forced camping in cold upstate NY in May in my youth. It was cold it was rainy and I hated it. It scared me for life. However, the cabins were nice. I don't like how HUGE that resort is that it needs internal buses but that is me. One extra expense there is you might want to rent a golf cart from Disney. But maybe not with a very small child. The cabins do allow for ordering from a grocery delivery since the fridge is basically full size. We ate all but one breakfast it cabin.

 

[mmfox316]

I should have said that AoA is my favorite resort and I would vote for it. But for you the cabins might make sense.

 

[sagosto]

Thanks for the help. Anything camping related is a non-started from the both of us. We are city folks.

For late April, AOA Family Suite is $413 but the 1 BR Suite at Bay Lake is over double. My wife is pushing for AoA Family Suite and that's fine with me. There doesn't seem to be too many options where we can put the baby in a separate area. This will work but for a few bucks more, I can have the monorail access at Contemporary. The kids will be older next year and this won't be a concern as we could just do a standard room at a Deluxe. Given the 1 bus stop at AoA, is the bus transportation faster? Caribbean Beach and it's 7 stops is horrible.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Thanks for the help. Anything camping related is a non-started from the both of us. We are city folks.

For late April, AOA Family Suite is $413 but the 1 BR Suite at Bay Lake is over double. My wife is pushing for AoA Family Suite and that's fine with me. There doesn't seem to be too many options where we can put the baby in a separate area. This will work but for a few bucks more, I can have the monorail access at Contemporary. The kids will be older next year and this won't be a concern as we could just do a standard room at a Deluxe. Given the 1 bus stop at AoA, is the bus transportation faster? Caribbean Beach and it's 7 stops is horrible.

If you can afford it, I highly suggest you book BLT. Don't be fooled by the word "suite". You will be going from a mod (CBR) to a big room at a value. We stayed at AoA the first year it opened. It was so loud I could barely sleep (walls are paper thin). The bedding is the most uncomfortable bedding I've ever slept on. Food court chaotic and super long lines for buses. AoA is also not geographically close to MK (about 8 miles away).

Yes, I would splurge a little to make your vacation more comfortable and relaxing. Especially with children as young as yours, traveling can be challenging (I'm assuming you may have 2 strollers, diapers bags plus two children to wrangle onto the bus?). The more convenience you can muster for yourself, the better off everyone is, IMHO. BLT will offer you the ability to walk to MK, monorail to EP and only use the bus for DHS and AK. You will also get a king bed, separate living room, balcony, full kitchen and washer/dryer (which I love! and could come in handy with the little ones). Yes, it costs more, but I see it as a little investment to make sure mommy and daddy get a little bit of a break and a vacation too.

 

[ElsasFan]

We just stayed in an AOA Family Suite last week. We had only stayed at POR before, and I was concerned about whether we would be happy with a value. I didn't find any of the problems that DisneyWishes mentioned (lower quality bedding, food court chaos, etc.). Perhaps it has been upgraded since then. The one difference I did see was that the mattress was not as comfortable, but we were so tired after a day in the parks that we fell right asleep. I did request top floor and a quiet room when I did online check in. I would have no problem recommending it, and we are leaning heavily toward staying there again next year.

 

[sagosto]

If you can afford it, I highly suggest you book BLT. Don't be fooled by the word "suite". You will be going from a mod (CBR) to a big room at a value. We stayed at AoA the first year it opened. It was so loud I could barely sleep (walls are paper thin). The bedding is the most uncomfortable bedding I've ever slept on. Food court chaotic and super long lines for buses. AoA is also not geographically close to MK (about 8 miles away).

Yes, I would splurge a little to make your vacation more comfortable and relaxing. Especially with children as young as yours, traveling can be challenging (I'm assuming you may have 2 strollers, diapers bags plus two children to wrangle onto the bus?). The more convenience you can muster for yourself, the better off everyone is, IMHO. BLT will offer you the ability to walk to MK, monorail to EP and only use the bus for DHS and AK. You will also get a king bed, separate living room, balcony, full kitchen and washer/dryer (which I love! and could come in handy with the little ones). Yes, it costs more, but I see it as a little investment to make sure mommy and daddy get a little bit of a break and a vacation too.

I just can't justify 2X over a AoA Suite for the equiv. BLT. Contemporary is only $50 or so more per night. That's a better price comparison at least.

 

[YYC-Rob]

Book a room with a balcony then put the baby out on the balcony. I'm sure that's safe.

Otherwise I think your going to be wanting to stick with AoA if you want an affordable suite. My family and I just booked the Beach Club instead of AoA as we wanted the upgraded free dining plan and the price difference wasn't that much once the dining upgrade was added in. From there you can walk to Epcot easily and, if i'm not mistaken, ride the monorail to MK. You can also boat over too DHS. Are you wanting your baby to be in a separate room so that you do not wake them? If they absolutely wont sleep unless they are in a room by themselves than I think you should probably stick to a suite style room.

 

[sagosto]

Book a room with a balcony then put the baby out on the balcony. I'm sure that's safe.

Otherwise I think your going to be wanting to stick with AoA if you want an affordable suite. My family and I just booked the Beach Club instead of AoA as we wanted the upgraded free dining plan and the price difference wasn't that much once the dining upgrade was added in. From there you can walk to Epcot easily and, if i'm not mistaken, ride the monorail to MK. You can also boat over too DHS. Are you wanting your baby to be in a separate room so that you do not wake them? If they absolutely wont sleep unless they are in a room by themselves than I think you should probably stick to a suite style room.

Balcony idea is interesting. We get 40% via Cast Member so we do have options. I wonder if my rate will give me any discount on the dining plan -- I need to investigate that. 40% at 4XX a might is much better than a free dining plan. . For me, if I am going to pay the money, I'd rather do Contemporary/Poly for the monorail access.

We want our then 3.5 year old the ability to play without waking up the baby. She is 2.5 now and still naps but should be done by then. We went in Oct (she was just 2) and she napped in the bathroom via pack-n-play. Wife doesn't like that idea now but I think a 5-6 month old will nap anywhere...

 

[SwanVT2]

Balcony idea is interesting. We get 40% via Cast Member so we do have options. I wonder if my rate will give me any discount on the dining plan -- I need to investigate that. 40% at 4XX a might is much better than a free dining plan. . For me, if I am going to pay the money, I'd rather do Contemporary/Poly for the monorail access.

We want our then 3.5 year old the ability to play without waking up the baby. She is 2.5 now and still naps but should be done by then. We went in Oct (she was just 2) and she napped in the bathroom via pack-n-play. Wife doesn't like that idea now but I think a 5-6 month old will nap anywhere...

The BWV studio is very spacious. There is a lot of room in the entry way and to the right by the bathroom sinks. I think you could have the baby sleep in this area with the lights off and you daughter can play in the space by the couch or the balcony that is large too. Or, take your toddler outside with a blanket and some toys and enjoy the sunshine while the other adult stays back in the room with the napping baby.

 

[sagosto]

Balcony is a no-go as it is not temperature controlled. I think AoA Suite is the way to go until we do Polynesian next year.

 

[Wild4Walt]

What about getting connecting rooms at a Moderate Property?

 

[Aurora0427]

What about getting connecting rooms at a Moderate Property?

You are not guaranteed connecting rooms

 

[JerseyJanice]

If you aren't going to purchase the Disney dining plan and you don't mind not having the Magical Express, check out the suites at the Swan and Dolphin. There are a few options.

They don't publish the prices. You will need to call to find out how much for your dates. If you have a Costco membership, you should go through their travel agency.