ASM Family Suites or Art of Animation?

[jenniferyawn]

Hi! We are planning a trip (fingers crossed that nothing else in our house breaks down) for this October. It'll be me, DH, DS (16), DD (14), and DS (almost 2). I know I want a family suite. We have stayed at POFQ for years and haven't had a family suite before. AoA costst $416 more than ASM. Is the difference worth it? It does look nicely decorate and all but what about the room size, amenities, etc. Is there a difference? Thanks for any help!

 

[maxiesmom]

I like the layout of the All Star Family Suites better, because the kitchenette is off in its own nook. In the AoA suites it is right next to one of the fold out beds. To me, it isn't worth the extra $400 to stay at AoA over the Music resort. That $400 can go towards an awful lot of things while on a Disney trip.

 

[jenniferyawn]

That is very good to know! Thank you!

 

[LegalEze]

AoA is newer, and, IMO, nicer .... I'd pay the extra, but that's just me.

 

[lustergirl]

I think the Suites at AS Music are just fine. The ones at AOA are overpriced. If I was to pay that type of price I would stay deluxe.

Just sayin..............

 

[FantasiaMagic]

i am staying at AoA Nemo suite with my 5 friends for Spring break. I have some first timers and girls that haven't been to the world in years. I felt AoA is a great resort with such a beautiful and fun theme for anyone going. The pools are really nice, the food court is good, and the atmosphere is magical.

Personally, I think the price difference is worth it, but it's all in perspective. If you plan to use resort amenities, I would suggest AoA, if not, then either would work!

Best of Luck!

 

[maxiesmom]

Personally, I think the price difference is worth it, but it's all in perspective. If you plan to use resort amenities, I would suggest AoA, if not, then either would work!

Best of Luck!

Can I ask, why they should pick AoA based on resort amenities? I thought they were the same as what is offered at the All Stars--food court, pool with a little water spray but no slide. Movies by the pool at night. Am I missing something?

 

[jon18uk]

Can I ask, why they should pick AoA based on resort amenities? I thought they were the same as what is offered at the All Stars--food court, pool with a little water spray but no slide. Movies by the pool at night. Am I missing something?

AoA pools are more themed (underwater speakers too) and have some water splash areas for small kids. Movies pool is shaped but not that themed and no splash area.

 

[pookadoo77]

We are debating the same thing for a June trip. It would be around 300.00 more for a 5 night at AoA. AoA is prettier and more to see but anyone staying at a disney resort can visit it. Music has the kitchen nook as Maxiesmom said and you dont have to put up a bed to get to the dining table. Seems larger to me and I like the bed options better at Music so I think we are going there. Check out this great link for music info...(hope I do this right)

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1072409
or
"New Family Suites at All Star Music FAQ thread Update Page 11 New photos I took Sept." (thread name)

can't wait to see what others have to say...

 

[jenniferyawn]

Thank y'all so much for your answers! It does seem to be a plus that the bed and dining table are separate! It's great to be able to hear different opinions and get new ideas from those ego have stayed there!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We've stayed in both.

We liked the AsMu Family Suite room better (except the couch that folded out into a bed was very uncomfortable so my DD didn't bother unfolding it. She just slept on the couch after the first night rather than opening it up).
My husband spends alot of time in the room and he really liked the desk in AsMu suite. We didn't care about the pool - none of us are big swimmers.

AoA the family suites were ok, liked the decor - didn't like how the kitchen was basically in the living room.
No desk for my husband to use with his laptop. My DD slept on the table pull down bed and said it was really comfy but it was wakened up alot by people in the hallway at night and in the early morning.
The grounds at AoA were great but we didn't spend time in the pool. Hated the food court - very slow service. After the 2nd time, I just gave up trying to eat there.

The more I think about it, the more I liked AsMu Family Suites better.

 

[Biggie Smalls]

Just a note that all of the AoA suites are built in different styles, our fold out bed was across the room from our kitchen nook with the couch nearby (so if you are planning on using it as a bed that might be an issue). But the theming of the whole resort is pretty amazing, and I loved having Cars outside on the walk way for DS3 and the zero entry pool. If you are strapped for the cash def use it for something else but I would not have changed my room choice now that we are just back from vacation

 

[HopperFan]

Art of Animation suites are 45 sq ft bigger than the Music Suites. In my opinion there is no comparing the two. The AoA resort is much nicer than the AllStar resort, the suites are off interior hallways built to be suites with a good layout while the ASMU were created out of combining two rooms. The AoA has a sofabed in the living space and murphy bed in the dining area while the ASMU have a sofa bed, a fold out chair and fold out ottoman all in the living space. The bathrooms in the AoA are large and beautifully detailed, the 2nd bath has the vanity outside the rest of the bathroom. The AoA has a table and chair that seats four not the tiny round table that is barely large enough for two and the living space is very roomy. It's also a great space to do some work as I often do, and the table at ASMU is not really large enough for my laptop and monitor let alone a pad of paper.

 

[goofyintoronto]

AoA is newer, and, IMO, nicer .... I'd pay the extra, but that's just me.

I probably would too! AoA has an amazing theme compared to Music.

I dont understand the need to have the kitchen in a separate area? There's a counter with a sink and a microwave. Thats it. Its not as if you have a stove top cooking range. I dont think its a big deal. I love the layout at AoA. Its newer and nicer. The pool is amazing! Totally worth the $400 IMO.

BTW I agree with Hopperfan above about AoA having interior hallways. Thats a plus.

 

[maxiesmom]

Art of Animation suites are 45 sq ft bigger than the Music Suites. In my opinion there is no comparing the two. The AoA resort is much nicer than the AllStar resort, the suites are off interior hallways built to be suites with a good layout while the ASMU were created out of combining two rooms. The AoA has a sofabed in the living space and murphy bed in the dining area while the ASMU have a sofa bed, a fold out chair and fold out ottoman all in the living space. The bathrooms in the AoA are large and beautifully detailed, the 2nd bath has the vanity outside the rest of the bathroom. The AoA has a table and chair that seats four not the tiny round table that is barely large enough for two and the living space roomy. It's also a great space to do some work as I often do, and the table at ASMU is not really large enough for my laptop and monitor let alone a pad of paper.

The problem is, if you have someone using that table as a sleep space, you are constantly having to move your computer. And end up with no place for it at night. The table in the ASMu suite is always there and available.

I also think that with the additional space at AoA they should have found some space for the kitchenette, instead of slapping it right next to one of the sleeping areas. To me, that part was not well thought out at all, it is almost as if the went whoops, we forgot the kitchenette, where can we shove it in.

I agree there is no comparing the two. To me, the ASMu suites have a nicer layout. And are not overbearingly cartooned. Imho, the AoA suites were designed with too heavy of a hand. I love Disney, but those rooms and suites are overdone. And do not have a good layout.

 

[goofyintoronto]

Here are the floor plans for each. Everyone has different likes/dislikes, neither is right or wrong. All depends on your preference. (ignore the other suites in the pic, i couldnt remove it).


http://**************.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Some-Larger-Family-Disney-World-Floor-Pans-from-youfirstvisit.net_.jpg

 

[HopperFan]

The problem is, if you have someone using that table as a sleep space, you are constantly having to move your computer. And end up with no place for it at night. The table in the ASMu suite is always there and available.

I also think that with the additional space at AoA they should have found some space for the kitchenette, instead of slapping it right next to one of the sleeping areas. To me, that part was not well thought out at all, it is almost as if the went whoops, we forgot the kitchenette, where can we shove it in.

I agree there is no comparing the two. To me, the ASMu suites have a nicer layout. And are not overbearingly cartooned. Imho, the AoA suites were designed with too heavy of a hand. I love Disney, but those rooms and suites are overdone. And do not have a good layout.

I never leave my computer etc out when I am not using them. I pack my computer in a bag and put in a closet or drawer, my monitor goes in another bag in to the closet space. This keeps them out of view when we are not in the room. Even if I had no computer, I would prefer the bigger dining table space for us to sit together ran than in shifts around the tiny table.

Since I'm not cooking the kitchenette location isn't a make or break for me. Is it optimal in AoA? - no, but the extra space dedicated to the ASMU suites kitchenette is a waste of space. Having to have the dedicated alcove plus hallway is a huge waste, which is what they tried to avoid at AoA.

I agree with themes. AoA is highly Disney themed and ASMU is one of the least Disney themed resorts. If you wish to tone down the AoA suite theme then a good pick is Cars. The suites are well done.

And if I had younger children sleeping in the living room by the front door, I would prefer the interior halls. If I had older children or adults that would not be as big an issue. And maybe an adult or older group may prefer the low theme at ASMU.

I honestly don't think you can compare the quality of the two suites nor the resorts themselves. They really should be two different categories. The decision really gets down to (1) finances (2) quality of the resorts (3) layout preference (4) theme.

 

[LegalEze]

I honestly don't think you can compare the quality of the two suites nor the resorts themselves. They really should be two different categories. The decision really gets down to (1) finances (2) quality of the resorts (3) layout preference (4) theme.

You can't compare - I agree wholeheartedly. I haven't stayed in an All Star resort in many years ... and I wouldn't anymore. The only "value" we do is the suite at AoA. The two do not come close to being on par with one another. I wish they'd add a 2 bath suite to POR. I would be all over that in a heartbeat! We love that resort, moreso than any of the deluxes.

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for the pics goofyintoronto! Am I the only one who finds it odd that the cabins are smaller than the AoA suites?

I have a question for everyone--would you put a 20 year old on either of the fold outs at AoA?

 

[Madame]

Thanks for the pics goofyintoronto! Am I the only one who finds it odd that the cabins are smaller than the AoA suites? I have a question for everyone--would you put a 20 year old on either of the fold outs at AoA?

My mil slept on the fold out couch with DD, but she's barely 5'4". I slept with one of our boys on the table-bed several times (they wouldn't settle down - exactly why they have separate beds at home lol!). I'm 5'9" & had no problems. I would have preferred the Queen, but found it pretty comfortable.