Is AoA suite really worth it?

[surlecn]

Is the AoA suite really worth it? We will be taking our sons, 4 & 7, to Disney for the first time for Spring Break next year. We will be staying 7 nights. Originally we were going to do the LM rooms at AoA, but after reading reviews and talking to people, I figured it would be too far away and too small for us. So I was thinking a suite would be better since there is a little bit more room and they appear to be closer to everything than the LM. Plus we will actually spend a few days enjoying the resort and on park days we plan to return for naps. But the price difference is $1700!! I know with that much of a price difference we can go to a Mod, but I really want them to enjoy the theme of AoA. I am at a total loss and I need help!!!

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

Having stayed there, I say no. If you can fit in 1 room and don't HAVE to pay for a room that sleeps 6, then don't. I also wouldn't pay extra (over other value resorts) to stay in a LM room. The location is pretty terrible. What about staying at Pop and walking over to AoA to enjoy the theming? The only thing you wouldn't be able to do is swim there.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

How are you defining "it?"

Suites are a LOT more space than Little Mermaid rooms. But you're still at a Value resort, which is to say the pools don't have waterslides.

To be honest, you'd pay less to upgrade to Caribbean Beach Resort, which has a pirate-themed waterslide, and a pirate-themed children's water-play area -- both of which are upgrades on the pools at AOA.

It comes down to if having a shorter walk and more space are "worth it" to you to stay at AOA, or what amenities you prioritize. I think boys that age would like the pirate themes at CBR just as much as an Animation theme.

 

[rwdavis2]

Do the kids really care about the resort theming that much?

 

[surlecn]

Having stayed there, I say no. If you can fit in 1 room and don't HAVE to pay for a room that sleeps 6, then don't. I also wouldn't pay extra (over other value resorts) to stay in a LM room. The location is pretty terrible. What about staying at Pop and walking over to AoA to enjoy the theming? The only thing you wouldn't be able to do is swim there.

I thought about that, but are the rooms small?

 

[surlecn]

How are you defining "it?"

Suites are a LOT more space than Little Mermaid rooms. But you're still at a Value resort, which is to say the pools don't have waterslides.

To be honest, you'd pay less to upgrade to Caribbean Beach Resort, which has a pirate-themed waterslide, and a pirate-themed children's water-play area -- both of which are upgrades on the pools at AOA.

It comes down to if having a shorter walk and more space are "worth it" to you to stay at AOA, or what amenities you prioritize. I think boys that age would like the pirate themes at CBR just as much as an Animation theme.

Are the rooms small? Would it be comfortable for two active boys?

 

[surlecn]

Do the kids really care about the resort theming that much?

Probably not, I just want to make sure their first trip is memorable.

 

[dansdad]

I thought about that, but are the rooms small?

They're much smaller than the Family Suites. But we've had 2 adults and 2 kids in a room at a value (they're all the same size) for 8, 9 and 10 nights with no problems at all.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Little Mermaid rooms are pretty small, yes. The suites are a lot larger.

That's why I'm saying doing a Mod might be the better middle ground. AOA pricing for suites is based on being able to sleep 6.

 

[MomTo3PrincessesInNJ]

I thought about that, but are the rooms small?

Compared to a suite? Yes. They are plenty big for 2A & 2C, though.

 

[dansdad]

Probably not, I just want to make sure their first trip is memorable.

Oh it will be no matter where you stay.

 

[amandals2007]

i stayed there in the lion king suites in october with 4 adults. it was very nice. i was there for a work conference it was my father and i and two co workers. my father and i stayed in the actual bedroom, the other two women stayed in the main area in the couch bed and pull down bed from the wall. it was perfect for us. it was expensive though. it really depends on your family. for me when i go with my parents its three adults in a room and sometimes its tight trying to move around when getting ready but we dont spend ample time in the room. we dont really relax in there we relax by the pool or the lobby or something. we want to enjoy disney and not a hotel room. now if spending time in the room is important to you then it might be worth it to you

 

[surlecn]

Everyone thank you so much for your input. You have truly given me somethings to think about. Because the additional costs for the suite was not sitting well with me at all. I want them to have a great first trip, but I don't want to regret spending so much money!

 

[amandals2007]

Everyone thank you so much for your input. You have truly given me somethings to think about. Because the additional costs for the suite was not sitting well with me at all. I want them to have a great first trip, but I don't want to regret spending so much money!

they will love the trip no matter what. disney is going to blow their minds. a little tightness in the room wont be a problem. if anything it keeps you close together the whole trip enjoying wonderful family time. take it from me a 27 year old who remembers all the wonderful memories my parents provided me with, not the cheap hotel rooms and cheap meals we ate to save money and afford disney. i wouldnt change a thing about our trips and im positive your kids will think the same.

 

[minnie mum]

It's true that the kids probably won't care. Unless of course their parents end up grumpy because of the cramped quarters and having to share a double bed for a week. But the added expense of a family suite doesn't make sense for us either, since we aren't a family of 6. It might have worked if we were trying to save money by eating a lot of our meals in the room. The kitchenette could have been a bonus there. But for us, the mods give us the space, amenities and bed sizes without the expense of the suites.

 

[Hopefully]

I agree with @minnie mum. They will be blown away where ever. But a double bed is unacceptable to me.
Moderate rooms are bigger and have queen beds. In my opinion this is the perfect choice.

 

[DisneyPiPhi]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but there are family suites at All-Star Music that are typically a little less than the AOA suites, I believe. If you like the theming of that resort, you might check the price on those rooms.

 

[tseitel]

The kids water area at Caribbean Beach is awesome !!!

 

[AliceIn]

I agree with @minnie mum. They will be blown away where ever. But a double bed is unacceptable to me.
Moderate rooms are bigger and have queen beds. In my opinion this is the perfect choice.

The AoA Family suites have a separate room with a queen bed and an en suite bathroom for mom and dad. We stayed in one and loved having our own room with a door we could close. Kids had their own sleep area, TV and bathroom. It was a very nice stay for us!

We usually stay deluxe, and I absolutely adored the Cars suite. The Big Blue Pool is pretty amazing, too!

 

[DJFan88]

Just one more vote for a Moderate resort. We started going when my boys a little older than yours. They are now teens. We have done 3 out of 4 moderates, a couple twice. It has always been perfect. Not only do they love the main pools, but they loved having the quiet pools, as well. I liked the Cars theming idea but didn't actually want to stay at a value after knowing how great the moderates were, so we just popped over for lunch in the food court one day to check it out.
I think the Caribbean Beach Resort, as others have said, would be a perfect choice for your boys ages, and first time. It was my boys first and they loved it. If you don't have to have a pirate themed room, I would book preferred for pool proximity, as pirate rooms are farther from main pool.