Family of 5 - AoA Nemo Suite or Beach Club?

[Lilylogan]

Which would you pick for 2 adults, 3 kids- 10, 6, 3. DH and I have stayed at both when our oldest was a toddler.

They are not much different in price - I love the deluxe hotels so it pains me to spend $$$ at a value resort even if it's a suite.

I say Beach Club because of the pool, interior corridors, walk to 2 parks, easy to get on the skyliner bc our kids love that and will want to ride it even if we don't "need" to.

DH says Nemo suite because of 2 bathrooms/extra space, short walk to skyliner and food court...

Are there any other pros/cons I'm not thinking of? We are looking at early dec 2021....

 

[RanDIZ]

BC hands down. Best pool on property and walking distance to EP and HS. No need to rely on skyliner. The fact you need to disembark at CBR then get in line again is a PIA!

 

[sbrown29]

Definitely Beach Club- our stay at AoA was not all that great, but we LOVED BC

 

[Marthasor]

Another vote for BC. They don't even compare. BC has all the bells and whistles plus the proximity to two parks. AoA is the noisiest, most uncomfortable hotel I've ever stayed in.

 

[starry_solo]

BC....although later in the year, not sure how much pool time you would use.

 

[Julie Amber]

Beach Club. I love Epcot and you can't beat being right outside International Gateway entrance. And the pool is phenomenal. Tons of shopping and food options around the Boardwalk area. Love it!

 

[WorldOfPooh]

Which would you pick for 2 adults, 3 kids- 10, 6, 3. DH and I have stayed at both when our oldest was a toddler.

They are not much different in price - I love the deluxe hotels so it pains me to spend $$$ at a value resort even if it's a suite.

I say Beach Club because of the pool, interior corridors, walk to 2 parks, easy to get on the skyliner bc our kids love that and will want to ride it even if we don't "need" to.

DH says Nemo suite because of 2 bathrooms/extra space, short walk to skyliner and food court...

Are there any other pros/cons I'm not thinking of? We are looking at early dec 2021....

Beach Club. Awesome. Best location on the Boardwalk area because you can walk to Epcot and Skyway to DHS. Beaches and Cream! Pizza Window!

 

[cutigerlady]

We love the Epcot area resorts, but if I had 3 little ones those ages, I would pick AOA suite for the extra space. My younger son still begs to stay here (we did stay here once when he was 4). With the Skyliner, it is much easier to get to Epcot and HS from AOA. I do think the food court at AOA is more kid friendly (they are redoing BC QS, but it’s small). I think SAB is challenging with little kids because you have to walk out of the fenced in area for the water slide and it’s hard to keep an eye on little ones that want to be in different areas. The pool at AOA is really nice! Also my kids loved going to the quiet pool and having it practically to themselves!

If you really want to stay deluxe, we like the Contemporary because the rooms are bigger and my kids loved watching the monorail go through the building.

 

[cgattis]

I love the Beach Club for the proximity to the parks, but those rooms are tiny for 5 people, even if some of them are tiny people Love the space at AOA, and especially two bathrooms for five people! Also, all the suites have interior hallways; it’s only the Mermaid rooms that don’t. And I also enjoy the pools more than SAB. We found it very crowded (but that was June) and hard to keep an eye on the kids. At AOA, you’d have both Nemo (huge and so much to do) and Cars (super small and easy to watch kids, plus cones to break the wind if it’s cool) to visit.

 

[happymommy]

For me, I’d appreciate the extra bathroom, kitchenette, privacy of the bedroom area, and food court with young kids. It would be more challenging to watch the kids at Stormalong Bay, and the weather can be iffy anyway. I’d go with the AOA suite.

 

[nursejackie]

We've stayed in both (Cars suite and 2 brm villa with rented DVC points). Beach Club wins hands down. Stormalong Bay, the walk to two parks, easy access to other dining options around the Boardwalk as well as World Showcase and just the general ambience of a deluxe resorts wins every time for us. AoA is a one and done for us. However, I would only stay if I was comfortable with the extra spend, and if that'll grate on you, then maybe it's not worth it.

 

[brockash]

Which would you pick for 2 adults, 3 kids- 10, 6, 3. DH and I have stayed at both when our oldest was a toddler.

They are not much different in price - I love the deluxe hotels so it pains me to spend $$$ at a value resort even if it's a suite.

I say Beach Club because of the pool, interior corridors, walk to 2 parks, easy to get on the skyliner bc our kids love that and will want to ride it even if we don't "need" to.

DH says Nemo suite because of 2 bathrooms/extra space, short walk to skyliner and food court...

Are there any other pros/cons I'm not thinking of? We are looking at early dec 2021....

Not even a question...Beach Club.

 

[disny_luvr]

Definitely Beach Club!

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

Beach Club. Or honestly, with kids that age, a studio at the Poly. I found it easy to watch my little ones at that pool, and you can't beat monorail access to MK and Epcot with kids that little (guessing you might rent or bring a double stroller for your two youngest). Plus Ohana has a character breakfast and all the food options at their QS were a hit with my kids.

 

[bluezy]

For me, I’d appreciate the extra bathroom, kitchenette, privacy of the bedroom area, and food court with young kids. It would be more challenging to watch the kids at Stormalong Bay, and the weather can be iffy anyway. I’d go with the AOA suite.

I completely agree. We've always chosen a suite at AoA over other options in the same price range that sleep 5 or 6 people because that's the one that gives us 2 bathrooms (that's almost a necessity when traveling with teens/tweens), a small kitchen with microwave (great for us because we often eat breakfast in the room), and a private bedroom (do I even need to explain that one??? ). And our kids much prefer the variety and options available at the food court at AoA as opposed to any of the deluxe resorts we've eaten at (though I know that even pre-Covid they had simplified the menu offerings at AoA). We don't spend all that much time in the pool so that's not a deciding factor for us. And even though our kids are all teens/adults now, they still love the theming at AoA because it just "feels" like Disney and is totally immersive.

 

[Ross Kratter]

Beach Club without a shadow of a doubt, especially if the difference in price is negligible.

 

[Upatnoon]

The location of the Beach Club is better, the pool is better -- however, your vacation may be more enjoyable with the extra space of AoA.

If your eating habits favor having a food court, you won't find that at the Beach Club. This can add to stress for some families.

Do you all do well in the same room? For some families, no problem. For others, it can be a cascade of sleepless nights and the cranky storm that follows.

The length of the trip would also be a factor. A longer trip would make me favor more space.