Caribbean Beach or A of A?

[PoohBearFamily]

Hi! My family of six (3 small children, 1 infant) is planning our first trip to Disneyworld in 2022. Our travel agent gave us three options for our family size within budget and I was wondering what you all thought?

1) Caribbean Beach with 5th sleeper

2) Art of Animation: Cars or Lion King family suite (we'd probably choose Cars since the kids love those movies)

3) Double Tree at Disney Springs suite (Disney "partner" hotel)

What would you all choose?

We'd love to stay on site but want the nicest experience possible since it'll be our first stay and we're planning on at least 6-7 nights. Thanks!

 

[WEDWDW]

AoA hands down.

TWO Bathrooms-PRICELESS.

CARS is AMAZING-especially at night.

 

[JFDIS]

I would go for the suite at AoA. You will have way more room than CBR. You will still have Skyliner access as well.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

AoA hands down.

TWO Bathrooms-PRICELESS.

CARS is AMAZING-especially at night.

Two bathrooms? Ahh! Didn't know that. And how is Cars at night?

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I would go for the suite at AoA. You will have way more room than CBR. You will still have Skyliner access as well.

Thanks for the tip! Where does the Skyliner go? Is that an alternative to the bus?

 

[Tom_E_D]

Hi! My family of six (3 small children, 1 infant) is planning our first trip to Disneyworld in 2022. Our travel agent gave us three options for our family size within budget and I was wondering what you all thought?

1) Caribbean Beach with 5th sleeper

2) Art of Animation: Cars or Lion King family suite (we'd probably choose Cars since the kids love those movies)

3) Double Tree at Disney Springs suite (Disney "partner" hotel)

What would you all choose?

We'd love to stay on site but want the nicest experience possible since it'll be our first stay and we're planning on at least 6-7 nights. Thanks!

Thanks for the tip! Where does the Skyliner go? Is that an alternative to the bus?

The bus system for the Doubletree is non-Disney. You should look into how often it runs if you're planning to take its buses to the parks. Even pre-Covid, the buses didn't run as often as Disney buses. Of course, we're all hoping the Covid-related changes will be gone by 2022, but it should be looked into before booking there (or at least before your booking there becomes non-refundable).

The Skyliner is a gondola system that runs from certain Disney resort hotels to Epcot and to Hollywood Studios. Both Caribbean Beach and Art of Animation are on the Skyliner. When traveling from AoA, you have to switch lines at Caribbean Beach. It's an alternative to the buses.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

The bus system for the Doubletree is non-Disney. You should look into how often it runs if you're planning to take its buses to the parks. Even pre-Covid, the buses didn't run as often as Disney buses. Of course, we're all hoping the Covid-related changes will be gone by 2022, but it should be looked into before booking there (or at least before your booking there becomes non-refundable).

The Skyliner is a gondola system that runs from certain Disney resort hotels to Epcot and to Hollywood Studios. Both Caribbean Beach and Art of Animation are on the Skyliner. When traveling from AoA, you have to switch lines at Caribbean Beach. It's an alternative to the buses.

Oh ok that sounds really nice. Maybe staying at A of A will be the best fit for us. Thanks for the explanation

 

[Stacybaeasm]

The Cars Suites are LOVELY!! I got upgraded to one on my trip last Feb. right before the world shut down. One master suite with bath and then, in the living area, a pull out sofa bed, a murphy bed that turns into a table, and another bath. Lots of space for your family and 2 bathrooms is priceless!

 

[LeeLee'sMom]

AoA 100%. The separate bed room and 2 bathrooms are great. The theming is so DISNEY it's awesome especially for younger kids. Heck I am an adult and love the Disney vibe. One of the pools play music underwater, so cute. Plus you can explore the whole AoA to see all of the great theming, the resort is sooooo stinking cute. The skyliner is fantastic also.

 

[Kerr84]

I love Caribbean Beach, but with 6, I would definitely choose Art of Animation. You will have so much more room and two bathrooms.

 

[saraheliz]

AoA. I stayed there with my girls when they were 8 and 10 and they LOVED it- and we weren't even in a suite. With that many little kids having two separate spaces and two bathrooms is a huge plus...theming is fabulous, pools are awesome, and food court is really good.

 

[PoohBearFamily]

AoA 100%. The separate bed room and 2 bathrooms are great. The theming is so DISNEY it's awesome especially for younger kids. Heck I am an adult and love the Disney vibe. One of the pools play music underwater, so cute. Plus you can explore the whole AoA to see all of the great theming, the resort is sooooo stinking cute. The skyliner is fantastic also.

That is too cool! We're definitely leaning A of A now. The Skyliner photos look so magical! Thank you for the advice!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

The Cars Suites are LOVELY!! I got upgraded to one on my trip last Feb. right before the world shut down. One master suite with bath and then, in the living area, a pull out sofa bed, a murphy bed that turns into a table, and another bath. Lots of space for your family and 2 bathrooms is priceless!

I love the idea of two bathrooms! Thanks!!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

I love Caribbean Beach, but with 6, I would definitely choose Art of Animation. You will have so much more room and two bathrooms.

Thanks!! Looking at A of A now!

 

[PoohBearFamily]

AoA. I stayed there with my girls when they were 8 and 10 and they LOVED it- and we weren't even in a suite. With that many little kids having two separate spaces and two bathrooms is a huge plus...theming is fabulous, pools are awesome, and food court is really good.

Aww sounds so fun, we're excited! I'm glad to hear the food is good!

 

[Little E]

Absolutely AoA. We had a good experience at CB, but totally loved our Cars suite. Two full bathrooms, plus a kitchenette and three separate sleep areas and sleep surfaces were awesome. You will have a separate bedroom, so if your infant naps or goes to bed early, you can put the little one in a pack n play in the bedroom and shut the door while the rest of your family can hang out in the family room area. Plus, the Cars pool area is fabulous! My boys said it felt like we walked right into the Cars movie. The food court is terrific and with both the bus system and access to the Skyliner, I think AoA is a perfect choice! Have a magical trip!!

 

[WEDWDW]

And how is Cars at night?

FABULOUS!

The neon Cozy Cone sign comes on,the Streetlights come on and the Headlights and Taillights of the Cars in CARS come on.

(In the picture,they haven't turned on the Headlights of the Cars yet.)

 

[Dancing Accountant]

Great theming.. Great food...Lots for the kids including three pools. Some of the best CMs on property. AOA all the way As the kids will feel they are in the Disney Movies they know so well. And do not forget to check out the signed sketches in the lobby.

 

[chasgeese]

Your family would be incredibly cramped in just one room at CBR and getting two rooms could lead to the adults having to split up since connecting rooms aren’t guaranteed. The family suites at AoA kind of give you the best of both worlds with the space to spread out but allowing the adults to have their own room with the baby and the older kids taking the sofa bed and pull down Murphy bed in the living room.

The only other option that would work as well for you is renting points for a villa, but a 1BR villa typically doesn’t have as many sleeping surfaces and a 2BR will be more expensive than AoA, even with rented points. That’s before you consider all the risks that come with renting points.