I need some help... AOA suite or POR

[Jaime4004]

My kids are the exact same ages! I've never stayed in either, but we have POR booked for August. For $1000 I'd definitely do POR. We've stayed in CBR without a problem and i'll keep staying in the mods until we outgrow the small pull down mattress!

 

[MumziMom]

Not to complicate things further, but have you considered renting DVC points for a room that could accommodate your group? (Some, not all, of the DVC studios accommodate 5 adults - the pull down bed is fairly new to some of the Deluxe villas.)

I checked multiple scenarios for the same one night in October - if you could rent points, using one of the online brokers (you tell them what you want and they arrange everything for you - there are calculators posted online so you can see the cost), a studio at a Boardwalk Villa is $150 for a night to rent points versus $219 + 12.5% tax = $246.37 a night for a room at POR through Disney. The Boardwalk studios are almost 100 sf larger, and the new pull down bed is longer than at POR. Wilderness Lodge Studio Villa or a Beach Club studio Villa is a bit more at $225 a night to rent points. All a lot less than $384 a night in the Finding Nemo Suites. If you rent points you won't have the extra bathroom, but you will have more room during the day (fold up couch/murphy bed), a microwave and fridge. Make sure you confirm with everyone that the villa you choose sleeps 5 - Disney has just redone some of the deluxe villas, and previously the studios slept 4, but there is not info out there that the pull down murphy bed allows sleeping of 5.

AoA Nemo Suite: 520 sf $432 a night (including tax) $2,274.76 for 11th-16th
POR through Disney: 314 sf $246.37 a night (including tax) (I didn't see any rooms available for the full duration of your trip at French Quarter.)
Boardwalk Villa Studio: 412 sf $150 a night $870 for 11th - 16th
Wilderness Lodge Studio:356 sf $150 a night $1,155 for 11th - 16th
Beach Club Villa Studio: 381 sf $225 a night $1,155 for 11th - 16th

1 bed stand. view AKL Jambo House: 710 sf $375 a night $1,965
1 bed stand. view AKL Kidani: 807 sf $375 a night $1,965

From what I can figure out online, a one bedroom at Jambo House has one bathroom (but the fabulous lobby); a one bedroom at Kidani has two bathrooms (and a better pool/water play area.)

A one bedroom at Kidani would give you all you wanted, almost 300 sf more, animal views from many areas (not your room) and would cost you about $310 less.

(One big "watch out" - if you rent points, you cannot change the reservation.)

 

[roux_crew]

Not to complicate things further, but have you considered renting DVC points for a room that could accommodate your group? (Some, not all, of the DVC studios accommodate 5 adults - the pull down bed is fairly new to some of the Deluxe villas.)

I checked multiple scenarios for the same one night in October - if you could rent points, using one of the online brokers (you tell them what you want and they arrange everything for you - there are calculators posted online so you can see the cost), a studio at a Boardwalk Villa is $150 for a night to rent points versus $219 + 12.5% tax = $246.37 a night for a room at POR through Disney. The Boardwalk studios are almost 100 sf larger, and the new pull down bed is longer than at POR. Wilderness Lodge Studio Villa or a Beach Club studio Villa is a bit more at $225 a night to rent points. All a lot less than $384 a night in the Finding Nemo Suites. If you rent points you won't have the extra bathroom, but you will have more room during the day (fold up couch/murphy bed), a microwave and fridge. Make sure you confirm with everyone that the villa you choose sleeps 5 - Disney has just redone some of the deluxe villas, and previously the studios slept 4, but there is not info out there that the pull down murphy bed allows sleeping of 5.

AoA Nemo Suite: 520 sf $432 a night (including tax) $2,274.76 for 11th-16th
POR through Disney: 314 sf $246.37 a night (including tax) (I didn't see any rooms available for the full duration of your trip at French Quarter.)
Boardwalk Villa Studio: 412 sf $150 a night $870 for 11th - 16th
Wilderness Lodge Studio:356 sf $150 a night $1,155 for 11th - 16th
Beach Club Villa Studio: 381 sf $225 a night $1,155 for 11th - 16th

1 bed stand. view AKL Jambo House: 710 sf $375 a night $1,965
1 bed stand. view AKL Kidani: 807 sf $375 a night $1,965

From what I can figure out online, a one bedroom at Jambo House has one bathroom (but the fabulous lobby); a one bedroom at Kidani has two bathrooms (and a better pool/water play area.)

A one bedroom at Kidani would give you all you wanted, almost 300 sf more, animal views from many areas (not your room) and would cost you about $310 less.

(One big "watch out" - if you rent points, you cannot change the reservation.)

I've definitely looked into renting DVC points. I'm very concerned about doing that though because I do know that my youngest will have state testing sometime in October....not sure exact dates yet. I don't want to book and end up needing to change it.

I'm also concerned because my parents and brothers are also going. We are all booked at AOA. My parents and older brother would also save money by switching to POR but my little brother would have to pay more. The idea was that we were all going to be at the same resort.

When I did some calculations again last night the exact savings after adding the dining plan would be $717 total. I'm very torn! Extra money or extra space????

 

[MumziMom]

I've definitely looked into renting DVC points. I'm very concerned about doing that though because I do know that my youngest will have state testing sometime in October....not sure exact dates yet. I don't want to book and end up needing to change it.

I'm also concerned because my parents and brothers are also going. We are all booked at AOA. My parents and older brother would also save money by switching to POR but my little brother would have to pay more. The idea was that we were all going to be at the same resort.

When I did some calculations again last night the exact savings after adding the dining plan would be $717 total. I'm very torn! Extra money or extra space????

Yes, I can understand why you don't want to get locked into a DVC with unsure dates. You might want to ask the principal at your youngest's school. He/she should know when the testing dates will be by now. That is crazy early for state assessments.

If you are all renting at the same resort, and find out the dates of the testing, and would be willing to rent points, it might be more cost effective for you all to share/split a 2 bedroom villa (sleeps 9). That is what we rented through a broker for this summer. We will not do the dining plan, but will eat out a few times at nice places, and have breakfast/lunch back at the villa. Or even a Grand Villa at Old Key West (sleeps 12). I have no idea how many of you will be together (maybe your brothers have families too), but $3,930 for all of you to split a Grand Villa OKW would be less than the $1,325.26 per room at POR for 3 rooms, and a big savings over 4 rooms (I couldn't find a room at POF). Maybe you could kick in a bit more to help your younger brother out? They have 4 bathrooms. OKW is not my first choice of resorts, but it might be a good compromise of $ versus room/bathrooms. They have 2,202 square feet, over double the size of three rooms together.

 

[rosiebean]

Not to hijack, but I am trying to find the best solutions for 3 adults, and do you think POR is suitable for that? It looks like it has two regular beds and a fold-down thing. Is that big enough for an adult? Thanks.

To the OP, POR is a bit nicer than AoA and for the $1000 savings, yeah, I'd probably go for it.

We were a group of women staying at POR, aunt and nieces (so, family rather than friends). We were also in a RR, so we didn't have the fold down bed (which is child sized). Two of us simply shared a queen. It wasn't a big deal for us. We were much more concerned about where we were staying than who would have to share a bed (probably because someone has always had to share a queen or king during our Disney trips...things might be different if we had to share a double).

The need for each adult to have their own bed has never been an issue with my travel partners (who are almost always extended family). As stated above, that's probably because we share queens or kings, which gives us plenty of space. We are much more aware of the potential issues surrounding three adults sharing a single bathroom as well as storage space in closet areas/dresser drawers (and we plan around those needs first and foremost).

POR worked for us because the room had enough storage area for us and enough space for three adults to move around comfortably. It also had plenty of outside attractions (grounds, pool, shop) to keep us occupied around the resort so that we were not stuck in the room all together all the time. And, if one of us had decided we needed their own bed rather than share, there was enough room for a single blow up mattress.

 

[kwdw]

For me - with three kids - I'd do AoA. I think the space, two bathrooms, two rooms, the kitchenette, and honestly - better bed options when talking about three kids - I think the $700 difference is money well spent. Plus - I think they will love the theming of the resort and the room. You might look at going for a resort room discount instead of free dining to do the math for staying there, also. We might do one character breakfast if we stay at AoA - but otherwise - we eat in the room and that saves us a chuck of money. We also buy lunch or dinner items for any day we are planning to be at the resort.

I also do love POFQ - (never stayed POR) - but with five in a room - I'd be at AoA if it was in my budget at all. I think the features of the family suites there just really improve the resort room experience in a way that adds value to the experience of the trip.

 

[lorileahb]

POR - especially with the savings! A second bathroom is nice, but we don't really spend much time in the room anyway. It is a great resort for so many reasons. I think the pull-down is larger than just over crib size. A full grown man or tall woman, probably not, but an 11-13 year old that hasn't hit a major growth spurt will be fine. I'm 5'5" and fairly small, and I actually curled up on it for a nap comfortably.

 

[BrianL]

We were a group of women staying at POR, aunt and nieces (so, family rather than friends). We were also in a RR, so we didn't have the fold down bed (which is child sized). Two of us simply shared a queen. It wasn't a big deal for us. We were much more concerned about where we were staying than who would have to share a bed (probably because someone has always had to share a queen or king during our Disney trips...things might be different if we had to share a double).

The need for each adult to have their own bed has never been an issue with my travel partners (who are almost always extended family). As stated above, that's probably because we share queens or kings, which gives us plenty of space. We are much more aware of the potential issues surrounding three adults sharing a single bathroom as well as storage space in closet areas/dresser drawers (and we plan around those needs first and foremost).

POR worked for us because the room had enough storage area for us and enough space for three adults to move around comfortably. It also had plenty of outside attractions (grounds, pool, shop) to keep us occupied around the resort so that we were not stuck in the room all together all the time. And, if one of us had decided we needed their own bed rather than share, there was enough room for a single blow up mattress.

Well, while sharing a bed isn't 100% of the table, it is myself and two other guys going, so I mean, I'd prefer not to. Also, I am aware of the bathroom issues too though they both insist it's not a big deal. I know we don't plan to spend a lot of time in the room at all. We will be out doing stuff as much as possible, and only using the room to sleep and shower. Still, it's close quarters for a week. Thanks for the advice.

 

[MagicalMawMaw]

I been looking at these for a upcoming trip in dec 2018. I love POR & the lower price is appealing. However, the thought of seperate rooms & 2 bathrooms is having a major pull when I think of our grandparents trip with grandkiddos of ages 15,13 & 11. 2 bathrooms is a pretty big plus & would be a huge timesaver getting ready in the mornings & making bedtime smoother. Glad I've got some time before I have to make a decision.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Not to complicate things further, but have you considered renting DVC points for a room that could accommodate your group? (Some, not all, of the DVC studios accommodate 5 adults - the pull down bed is fairly new to some of the Deluxe villas.)

I checked multiple scenarios for the same one night in October - if you could rent points, using one of the online brokers (you tell them what you want and they arrange everything for you - there are calculators posted online so you can see the cost), a studio at a Boardwalk Villa is $150 for a night to rent points versus $219 + 12.5% tax = $246.37 a night for a room at POR through Disney. The Boardwalk studios are almost 100 sf larger, and the new pull down bed is longer than at POR. Wilderness Lodge Studio Villa or a Beach Club studio Villa is a bit more at $225 a night to rent points. All a lot less than $384 a night in the Finding Nemo Suites. If you rent points you won't have the extra bathroom, but you will have more room during the day (fold up couch/murphy bed), a microwave and fridge. Make sure you confirm with everyone that the villa you choose sleeps 5 - Disney has just redone some of the deluxe villas, and previously the studios slept 4, but there is not info out there that the pull down murphy bed allows sleeping of 5.

AoA Nemo Suite: 520 sf $432 a night (including tax) $2,274.76 for 11th-16th
POR through Disney: 314 sf $246.37 a night (including tax) (I didn't see any rooms available for the full duration of your trip at French Quarter.)
Boardwalk Villa Studio: 412 sf $150 a night $870 for 11th - 16th
Wilderness Lodge Studio:356 sf $150 a night $1,155 for 11th - 16th
Beach Club Villa Studio: 381 sf $225 a night $1,155 for 11th - 16th

1 bed stand. view AKL Jambo House: 710 sf $375 a night $1,965
1 bed stand. view AKL Kidani: 807 sf $375 a night $1,965

From what I can figure out online, a one bedroom at Jambo House has one bathroom (but the fabulous lobby); a one bedroom at Kidani has two bathrooms (and a better pool/water play area.)

A one bedroom at Kidani would give you all you wanted, almost 300 sf more, animal views from many areas (not your room) and would cost you about $310 less.

(One big "watch out" - if you rent points, you cannot change the reservation.)

That rate for BWV must be a standard studio. Those can be difficult to book at 11 months. I own at BWV. I just checked and there are no standard view studios in October at all and only 3 nights in the entire month that the higher price Garden View studios are available.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

POR - did it with 5 people for years and no problem! POR is our favorite moderate! Save your money and enjoy all that POR has to offer!

 

[rosiebean]

Well, while sharing a bed isn't 100% of the table, it is myself and two other guys going, so I mean, I'd prefer not to. Also, I am aware of the bathroom issues too though they both insist it's not a big deal. I know we don't plan to spend a lot of time in the room at all. We will be out doing stuff as much as possible, and only using the room to sleep and shower. Still, it's close quarters for a week. Thanks for the advice.

Ah, that scenario is very different! I admit, I keep thinking about my own experiences (which are females sharing), so a slightly different take on that . Those who know more about POR can weigh in on using a single air mattress as well...our RR seemed to have enough room in certain areas, but I'm not sure if my ability to judge spatial areas is that great.

Honestly, the best resort rooms for three sharing (who don't want to share a bed) are the monorail loop and Boardwalk area resorts. Huge rooms, and daybeds were comfy for those of us who have slept on them (all admittedly under 6 ft...I don't know if my husband would fit well). If you can swing them budget wise, they're great. Otherwise, a good discount at a value can get you two rooms for a little more than one mod.

Good luck!

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would never pay deluxe prices for a value resort so it would be POR all the way.

 

[PrincessArlena'sDad]

If you plan on staying a significant amout of time in the actual room, go with AOA.

If the room is nothing more than a place to sleep, bathe, and change, then paying for extra room is a waste of money.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you plan on staying a significant amout of time in the actual room, go with AOA.

If the room is nothing more than a place to sleep, bathe, and change, then paying for extra room is a waste of money.

But it is not just extra room. It is another sleeping space, another bathroom, another tv and a kitchenette.

 

[Dakota731]

We stayed at both with our family of six and I loved having the extra bathroom and private bedroom of a suite. We weren't at the hotel enough to care about anything else.