Help! AoA Cars or AKL?

[kittercats85]

Hi! My family (me, husband and a 4 year old boy) will be visiting this summer and I am hoping for some more opinions from experienced visitors! We will be staying for 6 nights and have 2 park days. We are planning to also do Sea World for one day. Before Disney, we are doing 3 nights at Royal Pacific Resort at Universal.

We were originally booked for LM room at AoA (I thought my son would prefer the theming at AoA vs moderates). I was going to try and upgrade to Cars on arrival and hope something would be available. With the Disney+ promotion, I decided to bite the bullet and upgrade now. But I also see that we could go to AKL (standard view) and it would be about $315 cheaper for the trip. We're torn on what to do. We probably wouldn't be able to take advantage of extra hours because of my sons age. Something is just nagging at me paying more than a Deluxe for a Value lol

What would you do? I've only stayed moderate before.. and it was like 20 years ago last I was there... I have no idea what to do!!!

We like AoA for cute theming and the fact that there is a seperate room areas we could go into. The kitchenette is a nice bonus. But I worry maybe AoA could be even too overstimulating for my sensory kiddo.
AKL would be cool to have animals to see (we aren't doing AK), and I think he would really like the pool and waterslide. We can still visit AoA to look around. But do we sacrifice the space?

Is there a tub at AKL or is it only walk in? Is the pool area generally a little calmer than AoA?

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your thoughts!

 

[TheSouthernBelle]

So, costs aside and just based on your son's age, I would say you can't go wrong with either. Which parks are you visiting? The skyliner at AofA is a nice perk but if you're only visiting MK, it's not helpful.

We love AKL. The pool there also has a slide which could be of benefit. The only real negatives for your party at AKL is location (bus ride to go to all parks) and room size/# bathrooms. We had a tub in our Savannah view two queen room at AKL, it was not a walk in.

Having the suite at AofA could be good if your son still naps so you have a separate space for him while you're still awake. However, for three people, it's a lot of space that might not really be needed. The kitchenette is nice to have but it's still not a full kitchen so not super helpful given if you really need a microwave at AKL, you can request one.

Now factoring in cost, $315 is nothing to scoff at but for me, it's a no brainer, I'm going deluxe where it makes sense. I've never stayed in the AofA suites but having extra space is nice but if it's not really needed, may be an extra cost that can be avoided. I think AKL is a more calm resort overall than all the values and if it were my choice, I'd pick AKL.

Do keep in mind if you decide to stay at AoA and move back to the LM rooms and forego the upgrade, they're really far from the main lobby and the skyliner station.

 

[720L]

I agree with everything the southern Belle said. I'd pick AKL. It's gorgeous,relaxing, the pool & slide are great for your son's age. The only reason I would maybe choose AOA is if your son still naps & you want to go back to room for that ,(which I don't recommend it takes too long back & forth).

 

[Peaseblossom36]

I would definitely pick AKL. Having a balcony will give you somewhere to sit also during naps. It sounds like you’re planning to have some resort time? Having the animal viewing areas would be a lot of fun for that.

I upgraded from a LM room to POFQ but priced AKL too, if my kiddo was older I would have done it but she’s only 1 so want to wait until it’s something she’ll remember.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

How do you sleep? My wife cannot sleep when she shares a room with the kids. My snoring doesn't bother her, but every sniffle and turn from one of the kids sleeping in the same room keeps her awake. So we've always prioritized larger accommodations, whether that was multiple rooms, family suites, FW cabins, or DVC villas. If you're okay sleeping in the same room, Animal Kingdom Lodge is orders of magnitude nicer than AoA, and I love both.

 

[kittercats85]

We are planning on going to EPCOT and MK for our park days.

My son does not nap (I MISS THOSE!) lol We rented a stroller so I'm hoping if he's tired he might pass out in that. He's totally on track to being an open to closer someday lol I'm glad to hear that people have had rooms as AKL with tubs. I don't know if he'll be up for showers, as of now he's only had baths. We sleep ok in the same room with him.

Thank you for the responses so far (keep them coming! Sooo helpful!!)

 

[karen4546]

AKL would be my choice. IDK if you have ever stayed there, but the resort is amazing!

We have never stayed at AoA, so I can not tell you any pros or cons.

 

[SG131]

I actually would prefer art of animation. Due to flights we just did one night at AOA cars then 4 at a saratoga studio. I wish we could've stayed in the cars suite, the extra space was so nice. It was also great to have the table to eat and and the food court at art of animation was good. Everyone slept better the night we were in separate spaces.

 

[Marthasor]

Hi! My family (me, husband and a 4 year old boy) will be visiting this summer and I am hoping for some more opinions from experienced visitors! We will be staying for 6 nights and have 2 park days. We are planning to also do Sea World for one day. Before Disney, we are doing 3 nights at Royal Pacific Resort at Universal.

We were originally booked for LM room at AoA (I thought my son would prefer the theming at AoA vs moderates). I was going to try and upgrade to Cars on arrival and hope something would be available. With the Disney+ promotion, I decided to bite the bullet and upgrade now. But I also see that we could go to AKL (standard view) and it would be about $315 cheaper for the trip. We're torn on what to do. We probably wouldn't be able to take advantage of extra hours because of my sons age. Something is just nagging at me paying more than a Deluxe for a Value lol

What would you do? I've only stayed moderate before.. and it was like 20 years ago last I was there... I have no idea what to do!!!

We like AoA for cute theming and the fact that there is a seperate room areas we could go into. The kitchenette is a nice bonus. But I worry maybe AoA could be even too overstimulating for my sensory kiddo.
AKL would be cool to have animals to see (we aren't doing AK), and I think he would really like the pool and waterslide. We can still visit AoA to look around. But do we sacrifice the space?

Is there a tub at AKL or is it only walk in? Is the pool area generally a little calmer than AoA?

Thanks for reading and I look forward to your thoughts!

I would definitely do AKL especially if your child has sensory issues. We stayed at AoA when my DS was 5 and it was way too much for him, plus the bedding there is very uncomfortable, IMHO, and the walls are very thin. AKL is much calmer and the amenities at the resort are much nicer than AoA.

 

[kittercats85]

Thank you for your thoughts and input everyone! We decided to do the upgrade to AKL and I’m excited about it

 

[DebLovesPooh]

Awesome choice! I also vote for AKL because you can use the Kidani pool, which has a splash area I think your son would love.