Please help! AofA or Boardwalk Inn

[luvs2cruise]

We are a family of 5 (me, dh, ds20, dd17 & dd14) going to WDW for Christmas. We are booked at AofA in the family suite but I am having second thoughts. We have only been to WDW once before (7 years ago) and we stayed off property.

I love the feel of the Boardwalk and the location but I'm concerned about the room being large enough for all five of us and the fact that we would only have one bathroom.

I have read about AofA being so far away but never staying on property, I have no clue.

THe BWI would be $1,000 more than AofA. Any thoughts, suggestions?

 

[raven69david]

The BWI hotel is awesome and would be a much nicer place to stay than AoA. If you can swing the extra grand, go for BWI. However BWI has a room size of 380 sq. ft. while an AoA suite is 520 sq. ft. If room size is an issue, save the grand, get more space and have additional $ to spend on whatever.

 

[luvs2cruise]

Thanks for your reply. My main concern is the sleeping situation. Will the sofa/trundle be large enought to accommodate ds? He is 5' 11".

 

[LisaCM614]

It is a queen size sleeper and the table bed is full size. I think he would fit on either of those. The trundle at BWI is meant for 5 feet and under. Although I have heard of taller folks sleeping there.

 

[raven69david]

Thanks for your reply. My main concern is the sleeping situation. Will the sofa/trundle be large enought to accommodate ds? He is 5' 11".

Yes it will. I'm 5'10" and I fit in the murphy bed easily with room to spare. There are no trundle beds in the rooms.

 

[luvs2cruise]

Thank you. GLad to hear the sleeper and murphy beds will accommodate my son!! Thinking seriously about switiching my res to BWI. My heart is really leaning towards staying there.

 

[macjodi]

If you do need space because you are planning to be in the room quite a bit (which I hope you don't), then AofA. But you can't beat the BWI for the bustle and entertainment in the evenings, the dining choices, the proximity to Epcot and HWS. Not sure what you would do in the evenings, but we love to stroll the Boardwalk and grab refreshments and watch the entertainers. If you are using the room just for the sleeping in the evening, but want a little more of that magic, BW is the way to go.
By the way, are you renewing your vows at DW?

 

[luvs2cruise]

If you do need space because you are planning to be in the room quite a bit (which I hope you don't), then AofA. But you can't beat the BWI for the bustle and entertainment in the evenings, the dining choices, the proximity to Epcot and HWS. Not sure what you would do in the evenings, but we love to stroll the Boardwalk and grab refreshments and watch the entertainers. If you are using the room just for the sleeping in the evening, but want a little more of that magic, BW is the way to go.
By the way, are you renewing your vows at DW?

We do not plan on being in our rooms much. I think the Boardwalk will be great entertainment for the kids. They are old enough to want to go exploring in the evening.

Yes, we are renewing our vows at DW in Oct 2013!!!

 

[java]

Ok we've stayed both. Family of 6! 2 teens. ( we stayed concierge so we could sle 6)

This past year the difference was closer to $2000 so we tried AOA. It was fun and the room was cute. Loved that pool. But I have 2 littles. With a group of only teens I say hands down boardwalk. I am assuming you factored in the cost of the extra adult(for the 20 year old)

Being able to walk to Epcot and HS is a wonderful thing.

Wherever you stay have a wondful time.

 

[Disneyhenry]

IDK, with me and that many people, 2 bathrooms are a must, AoA gets my vote

 

[Marthasor]

Given the ages of your children, I vote BWI HANDS DOWN. There is nothing, I repeat, nothing for them to do at AoA. They can go to the pool and the arcade and that is IT! At BWI, they can hang out on the Boardwalk, walk to EP, walk or take the boat to DHS, the list goes on and on.

 

[JJsmama]

When I travel with my three boys, the issue of one bathroom is of much more concern than the sleeping space. My oldest is also very tall already and the day beds at CR have always been fine for him. So, I would consider how much time everyone takes in the bathroom (especially in the morning.) If that won't be an issue, then do the BWI.

If you think two bathrooms would be needed and you don't like Art of Animation (I am not a fan of the values at all, but haven't stayed at AofA) then you could get two rooms at a Moderate for possibly less than the one at BWI. If you chose Port Orleans, the river boat to Downtown Disney is a nice way to spend an evening.

 

[luvs2cruise]

Thanks for all the replies. Having only one bathroom does concern me a bit. The girls usually shower at night so that will help. I like that Boardwalk has so much to offer as far as places to go and things to see/do for the kids. Still torn. Decisions, decisions.

Thanks again everyone!

 

[pharmjenn]

Have you considered renting points and staying over on the Villa side? You can get a 2bd, sleeps 8 and everyone could have their own bed/room. Plus 2 full bathrooms and a kitchen

 

[luvs2cruise]

Have you considered renting points and staying over on the Villa side? You can get a 2bd, sleeps 8 and everyone could have their own bed/room. Plus 2 full bathrooms and a kitchen

This is a great idea and I have briefly thought of it. The whole process is a bit intimidating to me, though. I am going to look at his site today.

How exactly does it work? I put down a deposit in hopes that something is available and then I pay in full if it is? I kind of assumed that everything would be booked this late in the game.

 

[pharmjenn]

This is a great idea and I have briefly thought of it. The whole process is a bit intimidating to me, though. I am going to look at his site today.

How exactly does it work? I put down a deposit in hopes that something is available and then I pay in full if it is? I kind of assumed that everything would be booked this late in the game.

Oh, gosh, sorry. I was reading your ticker and thinking next year. At this point, 4months away I doubt anything is available

 

[Buzz822]

I would go with the BWI. I have a family of 5 and we absolutely love it there! There is so much to do with the kids in both day and night. We find there is plenty of space for everyone! We also love the convenience of walking to Epcot and DHS.

 

[LisaCM614]

We were at BWI in April and we loved it. Love the location the theming everything . My kids are a bit younger though and privacy is starting to be an issue. Two bathrooms at AoA in October will be really helpful. Now if you stay at BWI and stay Concierge you will have that rest room too.

 

[mariamouse]

Personally, I would opt for BWI.

Resort theme and location beat out room space for me every time.

 

[ke3d98]

Boardwalk is way more magical then AoA. Plus you get many more ammenities