Booked at POR but reconsidering AOA

[Jayhawk75]

Our family of 5 stayed at AOA in a Cars suite last spring and enjoyed our experience there. Having two bathrooms and space for luggage was huge.

We are returning home unexpectedly again in 52 days and we booked a POR preferred room to experience a new resort and a moderate feel.

However, the closer we get I'm starting to be concerned about the cramped quarters at POR and with us staying 8 nights I don't want us to be miserable and ready to choke each other. Hubby snores and I am realizing as the only female in the family I won't have much option but to dress in the bathroom area that has a curtain and drying my hair at night or early morning will wake the kids.

Tell me why I shouldn't move to AOA? Is the water slide my 12yo saw enough to make it worth staying at POR? We won't be using the TS restaurant there, and may use the food court once or twice... we may go to Disney Springs just once.

Money is not the issue with a change. I'm just hesitating to give up the experience at another resort and trying to determine if it's enough to offset the lack of space.

 

[roller99]

For 8 nights I would go for the space of AoA. As you said, having two bathrooms is huge, especially with 5 people.

 

[cheapster316]

We just did AOA for the third time. We did 2 nights at Nemo , 4 nights on Disney Dream and 2 nights at POFQ.
My kids are 8 and 10.
Everyone agreed we would do AOA again next time. We did enjoy the boat to Disney Springs, Boatwrights was our best meal, the queen beds and ceiling fans. Customer service at POFQ was amazing. However we like the 2 showers and 2 rooms of the suites.
The kids enjoyed the slide but rather have the big blue pool, statues, ds kept asking where the statues were. Dh definitely did not like the beds creaky and uncomfortable. The bathroom light was horrible(dim and fan stayed on the whole time) it was an older shower and there was only room for the toilet and tub. At AOA the whole shower bathroom was much more luxurious and bigger.
I think I have you the opposite of what you asked for.

 

[happymommy]

I can't do 4 in a room personally, so 5 in a room with someone who snores would never, ever happen for me.

I'd go back to AOA if you can change it, for sure!

 

[maxiesmom]

If money is not an issue how about upgrading to a DVC unit?

 

[Klinger13]

I love POR but we had 2 adults and 1 child in a POR preferred and felt a little cramped with luggage and such. 8 nights with 5 people would be way too much cramped time for me so even having never stayed in an AOA suite, I firmly vote for AOA.

 

[Jayhawk75]

If money is not an issue how about upgrading to a DVC unit?

We didn't do DVC because of the timing - we didn't fund our trip that far out and we travel in 50 days. We may consider if there's a next time!!

 

[Jayhawk75]

We just did AOA for the third time. We did 2 nights at Nemo , 4 nights on Disney Dream and 2 nights at POFQ.
My kids are 8 and 10.
Everyone agreed we would do AOA again next time. We did enjoy the boat to Disney Springs, Boatwrights was our best meal, the queen beds and ceiling fans. Customer service at POFQ was amazing. However we like the 2 showers and 2 rooms of the suites.
The kids enjoyed the slide but rather have the big blue pool, statues, ds kept asking where the statues were. Dh definitely did not like the beds creaky and uncomfortable. The bathroom light was horrible(dim and fan stayed on the whole time) it was an older shower and there was only room for the toilet and tub. At AOA the whole shower bathroom was much more luxurious and bigger.
I think I have you the opposite of what you asked for.

Your thoughts have helped me a lot. I talked to my 12yo and asked him if he felt like the water slide at the pool was a deal breaker and he was leaning towards more space. We thought the queen bed in our Cars suite was firm but we slept ok. I agree with you about the bathroom in the bedroom at AOA, for a value it felt very luxurious. Thanks for your feedback!

 

[Jayhawk75]

I love POR but we had 2 adults and 1 child in a POR preferred and felt a little cramped with luggage and such. 8 nights with 5 people would be way too much cramped time for me so even having never stayed in an AOA suite, I firmly vote for AOA.

Thanks for sharing - this is helpful!

 

[MrsIncredible1974]

We've done a 14 night stay in a standard room at POR as a family of 4 - 2 adults, one 8 yo, one 6yo.
We genuinely spent so little time in the room that we didn't feel on top of each other. yes, we had to ensure that we kept what space we had tidy but we really just view our accommodation as somewhere to sleep and wash. If we're having a resort day, we're at the pool or out exploring.
All of that said, 5 would have been a stretch too far for 14 nights and the bathroom rota would take as much advance planning as our ADRs!

 

[HopperFan]

Our family of 5 stayed at AOA in a Cars suite last spring and enjoyed our experience there. Having two bathrooms and space for luggage was huge.......

However, the closer we get I'm starting to be concerned about the cramped quarters at POR and with us staying 8 nights I don't want us to be miserable and ready to choke each other. Hubby snores and I am realizing as the only female in the family.....

Tell me why I shouldn't move to AOA? Is the water slide my 12yo saw enough to make it worth staying at POR? We won't be using the TS restaurant there, and may use the food court once or twice... we may go to Disney Springs just once.

Money is not the issue with a change.

If your only reason is the water slide for a 12 year old RUN don't walk to AoA. The slide is no big deal. My kid loved when they were around 5-9 but after that it was a once and done kind of thing. Get your space, your bathroom etc at AoA. If you want a different experience book Nemo or Lion King.

Invoke your Princess status!

 

[Jayhawk75]

If your only reason is the water slide for a 12 year old RUN don't walk to AoA. The slide is no big deal. My kid loved when they were around 5-9 but after that it was a once and done kind of thing. Get your space, your bathroom etc at AoA. If you want a different experience book Nemo or Lion King.

Invoke your Princess status!

This literally is the reply that's going to make me switch. Thanks for the emphasis in your post!