Help me think! AoA: Two rooms vs Family Suite

[Karebear]

I would go with the suite so that you don't need to worry about not getting connecting rooms. I would put the 3 kids in the living room area and bring an air mattress for the 7 year old. I have a son and a daughter (and while DD and I can share a bed, DS and my husband refuse to) and have often brought an air mattress on vacation so that we could get more sleeping surfaces. I bought a twin size one at Target that inflates with batteries and is really light weight which is nice as we usually fly when we take it.

 

[saraheliz]

Thanks so much for all of the input! We have booked a family suite at AoA, I'll let the kiddos know that we can bring an air mattress if they're desperate not to sleep together. Now to tell them! They were so funny the other night "I know, if we can't go to California, we should go back to Disney World!" "Well, all options are on the table" "WHAT?!? You're considering it????"

 

[Disturbia]

We (family of 5) are big AOA suite fans and chose AOA Nemo over AKL for the transportation to Epcot/HS despite the kids being big animal fans. We’ve had a few bad experiences with rooms assignments, housekeeping and waiting for over 40 mins+ for transportation other than AK.

If Tron is a priority, you can stay at Boulder ridge villas deluxe suite for slightly more than a suite at AOA right now. Deluxe hours get you a second pass for Tron on Wed (MK) and GOtG on Wed (Epcot) on top of the VQ during regular hours. Not sure when you’re going but Halloween parties would be easier to access with the boat. Our teen loves riding horses (younger kids love the pony rides) at Fort Wilderness next door. The only disadvantage is sleeping surfaces and lack of usb ports (bring plugs/extensions).

We do love the Skyliner, food court offerings (menu changed back to include old favorites like naan and tandoori chicken) and the Nemo pool and playground. The fridge is spacious and can hold several half gallons of milk (and a gallon per info below) - available at landscape of flavors at a reasonable price (we need vegan ripple milk and regular and order breakfast from garden grocers). There is no freezer section any longer (some rooms were still being updated in 2021 and the update included freezer removal).

https://plandisney.disney.go.com/qu...idge-suites-art-animation-hold-gallon-491157/

 

[saraheliz]

We (family of 5) are big AOA suite fans and chose AOA Nemo over AKL for the transportation to Epcot/HS despite the kids being big animal fans. We’ve had a few bad experiences with rooms assignments, housekeeping and waiting for over 40 mins+ for transportation other than AK.

If Tron is a priority, you can stay at Boulder ridge villas deluxe suite for slightly more than a suite at AOA right now. Deluxe hours get you a second pass for Tron on Wed (MK) and GOtG on Wed (Epcot) on top of the VQ during regular hours. Not sure when you’re going but Halloween parties would be easier to access with the boat. Our teen loves riding horses (younger kids love the pony rides) at Fort Wilderness next door. The only disadvantage is sleeping surfaces and lack of usb ports (bring plugs/extensions).

We do love the Skyliner, food court offerings (menu changed back to include old favorites like naan and tandoori chicken) and the Nemo pool and playground. The fridge is spacious and can hold several half gallons of milk (and a gallon per info below) - available at landscape of flavors at a reasonable price (we need vegan ripple milk and regular and order breakfast from garden grocers). There is no freezer section any longer (some rooms were still being updated in 2021 and the update included freezer removal).

https://plandisney.disney.go.com/qu...idge-suites-art-animation-hold-gallon-491157/

Thanks for all of your thoughts! We really aren't interested in any scenarios where we have to either sleep in one room or share one bathroom so AoA it is as this is much more of a *budget* trip than last year's stay at AKV. We didn't mind the busses last year (we actually had 10 days of great bus experiences) but are super looking forward to the skyliner after riding it once last summer! We told the kids this week and they are VERY excited and immediately started playing their favorite dinner game "Name your X favorite ride at your X favorite park" (ie Name your 3rd favorite ride at your 2nd favorite park...and on and on). Now onto concrete planning!

 

[Disturbia]

Thanks for all of your thoughts! We really aren't interested in any scenarios where we have to either sleep in one room or share one bathroom so AoA it is as this is much more of a *budget* trip than last year's stay at AKV. We didn't mind the busses last year (we actually had 10 days of great bus experiences) but are super looking forward to the skyliner after riding it once last summer! We told the kids this week and they are VERY excited and immediately started playing their favorite dinner game "Name your X favorite ride at your X favorite park" (ie Name your 3rd favorite ride at your 2nd favorite park...and on and on). Now onto concrete planning!

You’ll have a great stay at AOA suites. If you buy the MNSSHP tickets (starts Aug 11) you also get the 6 pm Tron VQ even as a value resort guest.

The price difference for a deluxe BRV suite (we have a 3 year old so can still sleep in the same room) vs AOA Nemo was about $80 total ($13 a night for a 6 night stay)

The 2 bathrooms are a must with teens.

We were considering moving to AOA suites and will reconsider once deluxe extended evening hours are posted (we are doing the MNSSHP on 10/31 and it’s offered 3 times that week, so EETPH benefits loose value).

 

[saraheliz]

You’ll have a great stay at AOA suites. If you buy the MNSSHP tickets (starts Aug 11) you also get the 6 pm Tron VQ even as a value resort guest.

The price difference for a deluxe suite (we have a 3 year old so can still sleep in the same room) vs AOA Nemo was about $400.

Yes! We are currently debating MNSSHP our last night. I've never really been interested in the Halloween party (not a big Halloween fan) but I do love staying late in MK our last night...and I can justify the cost a little bit more if I don't have to add a park ticket or Genie + for that day. So many decisions to be made!

 

[bluezy]

Yes! We are currently debating MNSSHP our last night. I've never really been interested in the Halloween party (not a big Halloween fan) but I do love staying late in MK our last night...and I can justify the cost a little bit more if I don't have to add a park ticket or Genie + for that day. So many decisions to be made!

But getting party tickets will cost more than adding another day to your tickets (assuming you have park tickets for several days already), buying Genie+, and paying for an ILL or 2 that day. Now, it doesn't give you the ability to be in the park late that day, but it's definitely cheaper than a party ticket. But I do understand loving MK late at night. I miss those EMH nights at MK when we'd stay in the park until 2:00 a.m. And I'm still a little bitter that we had tickets to the Villains after hours party in June of 2020 and didn't get to go on that trip.

 

[grapefruitjellybean]

I have not read any of the replies but I had a similar situation. We did a split, stayed at Riverside in 2 rooms, then moved to the family suite.
We were myself, partner, my sister, 5year old and 7 year old.
Hands down the AOA suite was the best option. We were there during a hurricane and I was so glad we had the space and microwave. We were stuck indoors for a day and a half.
My partner and I had the bedroom. My sister slept on the pull down table bed and the kids took turns sleeping with auntie or alone on the pullout. Everyone was satisfied and well rested on all the sleeping options.
I preferred the suite over two rooms because it felt like a small apartment vs 2 small bedrooms. The walking back and forth between rooms was annoying. My sister and I share clothes and beauty things so we were constantly figuring out who had the blow dryer and who had the Charlotte Tilbury Highlighter, etc etc.
I hope that helps and I hope you have a great time.

 

[saraheliz]

But getting party tickets will cost more than adding another day to your tickets (assuming you have park tickets for several days already), buying Genie+, and paying for an ILL or 2 that day. Now, it doesn't give you the ability to be in the park late that day, but it's definitely cheaper than a party ticket. But I do understand loving MK late at night. I miss those EMH nights at MK when we'd stay in the park until 2:00 a.m. And I'm still a little bitter that we had tickets to the Villains after hours party in June of 2020 and didn't get to go on that trip.

Yes, I know it won't cover the cost of the tickets! But between the extra park day and not paying for Genie+ it puts a $200 dent into it, so easier to rationalize in my mind! When we stayed deluxe last summer my two older girls (15 and 13) did MK from early hours to extended evening hours- I believe it was 8am to midnight. They were troopers! DH and I took the 6 year old back for an afternoon break but even he was still going strong. Something about nighttime at MK gives us all a second (or third, fourth, fifth) wind!

 

[maxiesmom]

If you are doing a more budget trip, the family suites at the all star music will save you quite a chunk over the aoa suites. Around $200 a night.

 

[FSU Girl]

Just so you know having a two year old on the reservation would not guarantee you not getting a king. They don’t count against room occupancy. I’ve booked a room that has a max of 2 people and one king bed with my two year old on the reservation

 

[saraheliz]

If you are doing a more budget trip, the family suites at the all star music will save you quite a chunk over the aoa suites. Around $200 a night.

Only one bathroom though, so that's a no go. I have two teenage girls, one of whom has the thickest head of hair I've ever seen and Disney in August means lots of showering...

 

[tjmw2727]

Only one bathroom though, so that's a no go. I have two teenage girls, one of whom has the thickest head of hair I've ever seen and Disney in August means lots of showering...

All-star music suites definitely have two bathrooms and a much better kitchen set up than AOA (imho!) also have the two murphy beds vs the sofa and murphy at AOA. If not for the Skyliner we would opt for ASM suites every time, but we spend most of our evenings at Epcot or Studios and it's just so easy to get back to AOA.

 

[maxiesmom]

Only one bathroom though, so that's a no go. I have two teenage girls, one of whom has the thickest head of hair I've ever seen and Disney in August means lots of showering...

Nope. Two bathrooms!

 

[saraheliz]

All-star music suites definitely have two bathrooms and a much better kitchen set up than AOA (imho!) also have the two murphy beds vs the sofa and murphy at AOA. If not for the Skyliner we would opt for ASM suites every time, but we spend most of our evenings at Epcot or Studios and it's just so easy to get back to AOA.

I swear I looked and only saw one!! Hhhmmmm. Thanks for the info!

 

[NoahsMommy3]

I'm a little late coming to the party here but I do have a question about the air mattresses. We are a group of 5 (65, 45, 40, 17 & 8). My daughter (the 8 year old) has major anxiety when it comes to sleeping so I'll bring her an air mattress even though I know she will end up in bed with my husband & I at some point each night which means I'll end up on the air mattress more than likely. Is the bedroom large enough for a twin or full size air mattress? Just trying to plan ahead for our November trip. We've previously stayed at POP and Boardwalk as a party of 4, All Star Movies as a party of 3, POP as a party of 2, and Swolphin as a solo work trip. We're excited to stay at AOA this time!

 

[Disturbia]

I'm a little late coming to the party here but I do have a question about the air mattresses. We are a group of 5 (65, 45, 40, 17 & 8). My daughter (the 8 year old) has major anxiety when it comes to sleeping so I'll bring her an air mattress even though I know she will end up in bed with my husband & I at some point each night which means I'll end up on the air mattress more than likely. Is the bedroom large enough for a twin or full size air mattress? Just trying to plan ahead for our November trip. We've previously stayed at POP and Boardwalk as a party of 4, All Star Movies as a party of 3, POP as a party of 2, and Swolphin as a solo work trip. We're excited to stay at AOA this time!

You have 3 beds. I bought (but did not take) a Shrunks mattress but we had no room in our 3 bags for 5 people (need hands for stroller, carry on bags). Our 15 and 7 year old end up sleeping on the convertible dining pull down bed. They sleep just fine. If you are driving I suppose you can take it. There might be room in the big bedroom once you close the door, but make sure it’s nothing bigger than a twin.

I give our 7 year old calm magnesium kids gummies (he stopped grinding teeth and bitting nails). Try epsom salt baths/epsom salt foot gel. He has white marks in his nails so I added iron gummies and will be giving choline (for focus/brain, he is allergic to milk, eggs, cashews, kiwi and sesame).

I take a sponge and some dish soap and a microwaveable plate & cup - they give plastic cups, spoons forks and plates (I forgot if the microwave one can be removed and wash her). I pack a loofah and lotion as well.

Security checks do occur usually when you’re out but occasionally during nap time btw

 

[bluezy]

I'm a little late coming to the party here but I do have a question about the air mattresses. We are a group of 5 (65, 45, 40, 17 & 8). My daughter (the 8 year old) has major anxiety when it comes to sleeping so I'll bring her an air mattress even though I know she will end up in bed with my husband & I at some point each night which means I'll end up on the air mattress more than likely. Is the bedroom large enough for a twin or full size air mattress? Just trying to plan ahead for our November trip. We've previously stayed at POP and Boardwalk as a party of 4, All Star Movies as a party of 3, POP as a party of 2, and Swolphin as a solo work trip. We're excited to stay at AOA this time!

We've never used an air mattress in the bedroom at AoA but I did drag the air mattress in there one trip just to see if it fit. It did fit between the bathroom and that side of the bed. It was a little tight for being able to get in and out of the bed on that side and also for getting into the bathroom -- I think I remember you would have to step over the corner of the air mattress to get in the bathroom. I also remember that we weren't able to open the bedroom door very far. We were not able to move the queen bed in that room at that time. I've seen people say they have been able to move the bed, though. So, at worst, you can make a twin size mattress fit in the bedroom but it will be tight. At best, you'll be able to slide the bed over and make more room for the mattress. I know I took pictures of the air mattress in that room but I can't seem to find them.

Another option is to take the the seat cushions from the sofa in the living room; wrap them in a sheet (call housekeeping for extra sheets/blankets/pillow), and use that as the mattress for the floor. My daughter prefers that to an air mattress and has slept on that set up (in the living room, though) several times since she was about 7 years old. It takes up far less space than a twin size air mattress. I think you can also get smaller air mattresses -- maybe the size of a crib) -- that depending on the dimensions and your daughter's height, might work better than a twin.