One Time Visit - AOA LM vs Coronado?

[LJELFam]

We're West coasters and this will be a rare trip to DW for us instead of our normal DL. We're currently booked in a LM room at AOA, but I've had some concerns. We have a 6 year old daughter who would love it and a 8 year son who would not be thrilled in a LM room, but would probably love the resort as a whole. I'm not a huge fan of being stuck at the back of a resort or in a tiny room, but we don't need a suite so that's why we picked LM. AOA appears to have the most Disney feel of any resort so it seemed like an obvious choice!

However, with the new discounts today we can switch to CSR and actually save $50! We lose the Disney theme but the rooms look so much better from an adult perspective. Since this will be our only trip to Florida for awhile...would you suggest that we stay at the AOA and take it all in? Or move to CSR and hope the kids are just as happy? (They haven't seen pictures of either resort or anything.....the trip is a surprise.) Thanks for any help!

 

[ChasingLeslie]

I think a mod upgrade is almost always worth it. Plus I really enjoy CSR, so to me it's a no brainer.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

I've stayed at both. In fact, on one trip we stayed 3 nts. at Coronado and then went to LM for 4 nts. CSR was a lot better for our family. I really hated the long walk to the LM rooms, especially in the FL sun . I really love CSR and I was disappointed at AOA. The beds and rooms at AOA are so much smaller. You will have lots of Disney theming at the parks so enjoy a moderate. Your kids will love the slide at CSR.

 

[LJELFam]

Thank you! All I have to go on is what I read and AOA is so hyped up it made me scared to stay anywhere else that isn't a deluxe! My gut says to upgrade, but since we don't plan on returning anytime soon I want to make sure I wouldn't be shorting my kids of some amazing irreplaceable experience. I just needed to know that CSR wouldn't be horrible for an 8 and 6 year old

 

[ADisneyQueen]

The CMs have games for kids around the pool in the afternoons. There are also cartoons in the lobby when you check in. Our first time there my kids were almost 4 and 8 and they liked it.

 

[gzmtlock]

Pool at CSR is much better, kids will love it. And the upgrade to queen beds outweighs everything else for us - we would definitely choose CSR over AOA.

 

[Hopefully]

I too would definetly choose CSR over LM at AOA. I think worrying about the kids not liking CSR is over thinking things. Also Queen beds is worth it
Enjoy

 

[Disneylover99]

I'd also choose CSR.

 

[tcherjen]

I haven't ever stayed in CSR. I have stayed at AOA in the suite and we loved it! The resort and the theming are very cute. My youngest and teen loved the resort.

 

[kwdw]

CSR...... if your kids like to swim - it's a HUGE upgrade - the pool slide there is pretty darn nice.

Your kids aren't old enough and you don't go to WDW enough for them to really understand the hotel choices. Just pick for them. And gosh - the queen bed upgrade is pretty nice.

I love AoA - but I pick that resort for the family suites - not LM rooms. LM rooms, IMO, are just overpriced rooms at a value resort - might as well stay at an All-Star or Pop for less money. So - IMO - no point at staying at AoA unless doing a family suite.

CSR - the better pool with slide, coffeemaker, bed size upgrade - those are all nice pluses over a value for adults!

 

[buzznina]

We have stayed at CSR a lot and I think it is a hard decision. Adults will always take the bigger beds and rooms, CSR has a great pool slide but for the actual pool I would give the edge to AOA for it's theme and having a zero entry. Our DDs loved walking through the themed areas at AOA when we went to eat lunch and walk around there, CSR grounds are very nice but DW and I enjoyed it more then our DDs. The back of the LM buildings will be a 10 minute walk to the lobby and bus stop. At CSR, if you are given a room in the Ranchos section you will have about a 10 minute walk to the lobby, but be closer to the main pool and a bus stop. AOA is on our bucket list.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

The AofA is definitely better themed, no question, but upgrading to a moderate resort and saving money too, no brainer!! We loved AofA for the sheer fun Disney factor, but in this case I would definitely do CSR.

 

[HopperFan]

Wouldn't even blink, CSR!

You will have plenty of Disney in the parks, let the resort be more relaxing and upgraded. CSR actually has one of the BEST pool areas on property. The pyramid theme, slide, large hot tub, playground, arcade, quick service counter, mug refill station, bar .... all within feet of each other. Probably the most central location with excellent bus service.

 

[happymommy]

I have always gone with the resort that I want to stay at. My kids have enjoyed all of them! Do what you want and you'll have a better vacation.

Queen beds over double beds would make a difference to me for sure!

 

[LJELFam]

Thank you all so much for the insight! I think we are going to pull the trigger and switch to CSR. I admit that I love the idea of my kids being immersed in Disney, but they should get that feeling all day at the parks? So if the CSR pool has a "wow" factor for kids...then queen beds and more space sounds too good to pass up!

 

[happymommy]

I also would like the room to be a little subdued. After a busy day, it may be hard for me to settle little ones down in a LM room? Although, they do look cute (and the suites at AOA look wonderful just for the space, but same with them, don't think I could actually sleep in one). I think you made a good choice!

 

[Momof2girls1920]

We have been to Disney twice over the last four years. The first time we booked the LM room but then free dining was released and we would save money by staying at Port Orleans FQ. We thought about and figured our kids wouldn't care its Disney they have no idea anything else even exists (They were only 3 and 14 months at the time) This past summer we went again and decided to try the AOA LM because our daughters were now 3 and 5 and love Ariel. We stayed for a week and will never stay there again. My kids enjoyed the resort but no more than they did at FQ. My husband and I both thought it was very busy and loud compared to the POFQ. Since we only have the option of going at the during the summer, we always go at the end of August when crowds are lighter and because its usually very hot we always come back midday for a 2-3 hr break and to hand by the pool and relax. Then head back for dinner & more rides. Coming back to PQFQ always felt relaxing while coming back to AoA never did. The theming was great but my kids were over it after the first few days and would have had just as much fun at any other resort. If you are saving money by staying at a moderate, I would say absolutely switch especially if your kids have no idea that AoA even exists. We told my kids while there this was the only time we would be staying here

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Call and request the cabanas area at CSR. It's closer to the the food court than ranchos and much prettier.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

There's something to be said for the subtler theming that happens at Moderates and Deluxes, where it is less IN YO FACE Disney. The parks are all very overwhelming, so having some peacefulness at the resort can be quite soothing.

 

[LJELFam]

Thank you all! I went ahead and booked CSR. The more I read your feedback, the more I started to think that once the novelty wears off, we're still in a tiny room for 8 days. I completely understand the appeal of the AOA suites, but since we don't need one a moderate might actually suit our family much better. And the kids don't even know AOA even exists so I should be the only one who knows the difference! You have all been so helpful...Disneyworld is soooooo much different than planning Disneyland. I have so much to figure out!

PS - thanks for the Cabanas tip, I just looked them up They look like fun and I love the beachy feel!