Help me choose! WL or AoA suite

[Mmmitrani]

Could they be more different choices?? We're planning a trip within the next year or so, and I would love some opinions on these choices.

Background: We're myself, DH, DS (5) and DD (2-3 depending on when we go). We just got back from a trip last month and stayed at AoA in a cars suite with just myself and kids, my mom and sister. We LOVED it! Loved the layout, loved the theming, loved the transportation. Hated the food court. We've done Pop together as a family for two previous trips, and just absolutely cannot ever do that again as a young family. The rooms were just too small with the kids and we really didn't like the food court.

My DH and I have always wanted to stay at WL. It's about the same price as a AoA suite. We're really attracted to the better food options at WL. I would love staying closer to the MK because we spend a lot of time there with the little ones. A resort day at WL sounds amazing to me! The standard hotel layout and lack of kid theming are reasons why we would consider redoing an AoA stay.

We take breaks every day, and had amazing transportation (luck?) with AoA this past trip so that was not an issue. But because we do take breaks, we spend a lot of time in the room. The layout of having a separate bedroom so we don't have to sleep when the kids sleep was amazing. But! The food court...bleh. And I know we would LOVE the theming at WL, but I'm not sure if we should just wait until the kids are older?

I really appreciate any insight! Thanks!!

 

[cincygirl]

Wilderness Lodge. On our last trip, we spent 1 night at AOA and the remainder of our trip at Wilderness. The level of service at Wilderness was so much better. Our twins (2 at the time) loved sitting on the balcony to watch the Electric Light Parade and playing on the water playground at WL. The boat ride to the Magic Kingdom was also a favorite.

 

[ESO]

I've never stayed at AoA, but my kids (2 and 3 at the time) L-O-V-E-D WL. We had a bunk bed room, which worked out really well. Nothing but good things to say about the rooms, dining, pool, service. We'd definitely stay there again.

 

[westie55]

I have stayed at both WL and AoA, one time each. They are both great in their own way. For small kids and Disney character lovers, I think there is no resort better themed than AoA. It is over the top whimsical Disney, which I think is a great thing. I can understand how others might consider it "too much." The grounds of AoA are really something. WL is pretty, but it doesn't have the same "attraction" feel that AoA has. You actually feel like you're inside a movie walking around the grounds of AoA. Having said that, the bedding at WL is superior. The room is more plush. The lobby is more impressive. There are more on-site dining options, and it is nice being on the lake. While I enjoyed my stay at WL and would certainly go back, I will probably return to AoA a second time while my kids are still small and are still in awe of all AoA offers before I would go back for a second stay at WL. However, I love trying different Disney resorts and since you haven't been to WL, I definitely think it's worth a try, unless you would be miserable in a standard hotel room without separate sleeping spaces for your family. They are both great resorts!

 

[mickeynut1]

Have never stayed at AoA, but we love the WL. The grounds are beautiful, Roaring Forks is great (IMO), pool is nice, and it's convenient to MK as well as to the monorail resorts for a variety of great dining options. With that said, my choice would be WL without hesitation.

 

[Mmmitrani]

I've never stayed at AoA, but my kids (2 and 3 at the time) L-O-V-E-D WL. We had a bunk bed room, which worked out really well. Nothing but good things to say about the rooms, dining, pool, service. We'd definitely stay there again.

I forgot about the bunk bed option! That would be fun

 

[Mmmitrani]

I have stayed at both WL and AoA, one time each. They are both great in their own way. For small kids and Disney character lovers, I think there is no resort better themed than AoA. It is over the top whimsical Disney, which I think is a great thing. I can understand how others might consider it "too much." The grounds of AoA are really something. WL is pretty, but it doesn't have the same "attraction" feel that AoA has. You actually feel like you're inside a movie walking around the grounds of AoA. Having said that, the bedding at WL is superior. The room is more plush. The lobby is more impressive. There are more on-site dining options, and it is nice being on the lake. While I enjoyed my stay at WL and would certainly go back, I will probably return to AoA a second time while my kids are still small and are still in awe of all AoA offers before I would go back for a second stay at WL. However, I love trying different Disney resorts and since you haven't been to WL, I definitely think it's worth a try, unless you would be miserable in a standard hotel room without separate sleeping spaces for your family. They are both great resorts!

Thanks so much for your input! You make such a good point about the attraction feel that AoA has with little ones. So many things to think about! We'll have fun either way I know though

 

[roller99]

I would stay at AoA this time since your kids are still small, and do Wilderness Lodge for a later trip when they're older. We stayed at AoA last time and visited WL. DH and I loved WL, if I can ever get him to go on a solo trip without kids that's where we would stay.\

ETA: We loved AoA too, and we also loved the food court.

 

[DeanDoug]

I think you've answered our own question- WL. You don't like the food court at AoA and that's not going to change. WL will have more amenities and is convenient to MK... there are also children's activities. Another added bonus is that you can see the Electrical Water Pageant which is a hokey treat. Enjoy.

 

[kwdw]

I'm curious why you didn't like the food court at AoA - it's my favorite one and while I admit we haven't used it much - it was never crowded when we were there.

Even as just a couple - we like having the two rooms at AoA. One can get up earlier or go to bed late and let the other one sleep. Two bathrooms means we could both be getting ready at the same time. We used the kitchenette a ton as we tend to buy groceries.

It does have a trek to the AoA bus stop from MK, though. That sucks. While the buses run regularly, that walk is a killer. I do have to admit - the boat to WL is nice.....

 

[mslhb]

WL! It is our overall favorite resort and I think it has a ton of appeal for young kids. The pool and splash pad area is great. Whispering Canyon Cafe is also fun for kids and my DD has always loved playing with the Lincoln logs. The room will be smaller but we love having a balcony to hang out on after we put our DD to bed.

 

[Capang]

Never stayed at AoA but we love WL. Very easy location for getting back and forth to MK, which is where we spent most of our time with a small child. Very easy for midday breaks. Loved getting to FW to take DD horseback riding and contemporary for dining. Awesome place!

 

[Mmmitrani]

I'm curious why you didn't like the food court at AoA - it's my favorite one and while I admit we haven't used it much - it was never crowded when we were there.

Even as just a couple - we like having the two rooms at AoA. One can get up earlier or go to bed late and let the other one sleep. Two bathrooms means we could both be getting ready at the same time. We used the kitchenette a ton as we tend to buy groceries.

It does have a trek to the AoA bus stop from MK, though. That sucks. While the buses run regularly, that walk is a killer. I do have to admit - the boat to WL is nice.....

Oh heavens that trek to the bus stop from MK So far away!!! I wanted to love the food court at AoA, but we tried it 4 times on two different trips and everything was either just edible or actually gross. I love the idea of the more exotic offerings they have and really wish we would have had better meals. We've only had a handful of gross meals while at disney world, and more than once it's been at AoA. Maybe we just had really bad luck?? But I agree, that floor plan and two bathrooms was so nice!

 

[Mmmitrani]

WL! It is our overall favorite resort and I think it has a ton of appeal for young kids. The pool and splash pad area is great. Whispering Canyon Cafe is also fun for kids and my DD has always loved playing with the Lincoln logs. The room will be smaller but we love having a balcony to hang out on after we put our DD to bed.

Hanging out on the balcony sounds wonderful! That could give us the extra space away I'm wanting for sure.

Never stayed at AoA but we love WL. Very easy location for getting back and forth to MK, which is where we spent most of our time with a small child. Very easy for midday breaks. Loved getting to FW to take DD horseback riding and contemporary for dining. Awesome place!

FW sounds like a blast! I've always wanted to explore there as an adult, I remember loving it as a kid. I love how easy it would be to access different things from WL like MK, FW and the contemporary. Thanks for the input!!

 

[DISfam2401]

I'd go with WL. Our first trip with the kids, we stayed in a Cars suite at AOA and the following year, went with a bunkbed room at WL. We also agreed, the food court at AOA was awful. It was always super crowded and just really poor quality. We did, however, like the theming for the kids and having a separate room.

We loved wilderness lodge. It was beautiful, the pool was awesome and the food was definitely a step up. Even the counter service was a lot better, although less choices. We also loved being able to hop on the boat to MK (you don't have to fold up your stroller on the big boats so no need to wake sleeping kids at the end of the night.) The room, however, was smaller and definitely felt more crowded. I feel like we just had "stuff" all over. As far as having the kids nap during the day, you could always go out on the balcony or one of you could sit with the kids while the other went down to the beautiful lobby. At AOA, there's not really a common space I'd like to hang out in, but at WL, you caw a bunch of people in the lobby just hanging out or reading.

 

[goofyintoronto]

This is a tough one! your kids are small, so im more inclined to say AoA because its such a fun resort...plus the kids have been there already so you know they love it. Plus, the extra bedroom is a nice perk for the adults. The zero entry pool at AoA is nice too...does WL have that?

On the other hand, WL would put you in closer proximity to MK, (fun boat ride), which is awesome for their age. Plus the dining options are better there...like Artist Point, omg! Amazing restaurant, one of my best meals. Plus you have Roaring Fork and Whispering Canyon. Overall the resort is fancier and you'd have a balcony. The bunk beds would be fun.

Its a toss up. I like trying new things so i'd prboably pick WL, esp since theyre both similarly priced.