Poly studio or AoA suite?

[cmsnyder77]

It will be myself, DH and DDs (17 and 8). We are staying next June for 9 nights. I assumed that AoA would be best so we could have separate sleeping areas and two full baths. But ..... The poly is my absolute fav and I would love to stay there as I am celebrating my (40th!) birthday. So I read about the studios with the split bath. That may be doable. I'm just wondering how crazy we will drive each other being in one room for that many days. Has anyone that has stayed in both have any insight?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If your priority is having separate sleeping areas, AOA will be a better option.

If you want a near-park resort with ore amenities, to spend less time in the room overall, Poly works. Storage space is definitely at a premium in the studio rooms, though, so that may be a concern.

 

[maxiesmom]

How well will you all sleep in the same room? As much as I love the Poly, I would probably lean towards AoA and the separate sleeping areas. Unless you can say for sure you all won't make each other crazy with that much togetherness.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When we were at the Poly, we were in the room for breakfast and morning prep, and to sleep.

Otherwise, we were at the pool, pretty much. Got a cabana several times.

So it also depends how much time you spend IN the room, and if sleeping in a single room will be an issue.

 

[AliceIn]

I love the deluxe resorts, and the Poly is wonderful. The Poly studio has two bathrooms, but you'll be sharing a sleeping area. From what I've read, with the sofa bed and murphy beds in use, the room is very cramped. The Poly is much more convenient in getting to the MK and Epcot. Your 17 year old might appreciate being able to go over to MK or Epcot on her own using the monorail rather than the buses. Our 15 year old loved having more freedom this year.

We loved our stay at the AoA in a family suite. As far as space, and a very comfortable room, the AoA family suites beats any of the deluxes hands down. You give up convenience, waterslide at the pool, and a sit down restaurant at the resort. We actually really loved the Big Blue pool at the AoA, and had a wonderful time there. We had rented a car, so we didn't deal with buses.

Neither choice is a bad one - have a great time!

 

[cmsnyder77]

Ugh. I just can't decide! I may just have to do a split stay.

 

[kelmcg]

Following..... We leave in 11 days and are staying at AoA. We would love to stay at Poly (we actually looked into it for this trip) but the extra space at AoA and a 2nd full bath were what we were excited about. We usually stay at moderate resorts or AKL, so this will be new for us! Our boys are 14 & 16, so the thought of a bathroom to myself on vacation is very exciting!! DH will be kicked over to the boys bathroom!!

 

[cmsnyder77]

Following..... We leave in 11 days and are staying at AoA. We would love to stay at Poly (we actually looked into it for this trip) but the extra space at AoA and a 2nd full bath were what we were excited about. We usually stay at moderate resorts or AKL, so this will be new for us! Our boys are 14 & 16, so the thought of a bathroom to myself on vacation is very exciting!! DH will be kicked over to the boys bathroom!!

We've stayed at AoA two times and love the space and bathrooms. It's just been my dream to stay at Poly for an entire trip (only stayed here once for two nights). The Poly standard room itself is very spacious, but I think the trip will go more smoothly if we all have more space to ourselves. Plus we are renting a car so transportation isn't a huge concern.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

I would either lean towards a spilt stay or have you priced up renting a DVC Poly 2 rooms for price ? Maybe get 2 Studios.

 

[summerw]

Those happen to be the only two places I've stayed. In your situation, I would think it depends on how your 17 year old feels. I would have wanted a little space in the room at that age. It will definitely be a little crowded with the sleeper in use in the studio. However, the poly has AoA beat in so many ways. Even though the volcano pool gets crowded, I never felt it was as crazy as the AoA pool with kids everywhere screaming. And the poly has so many places that are nice to just sit and relax , probably on a device for dd17. Lol. If space in the room is the priority, AoA. If relaxation and space outside the room matters, the poly. Although the theming is amazing at AoA, nothing beats seeing the castle from your resort.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

FWIW, we did both a standard room and a studio during our stay. While the studio has the extra shower (not an extra loo), we ultimately preferred the standard room for its storage and space. With the sofa bed rolled out, the studio felt tighter, especially with luggage involved.

 

[cmsnyder77]

Those happen to be the only two places I've stayed. In your situation, I would think it depends on how your 17 year old feels. I would have wanted a little space in the room at that age. It will definitely be a little crowded with the sleeper in use in the studio. However, the poly has AoA beat in so many ways. Even though the volcano pool gets crowded, I never felt it was as crazy as the AoA pool with kids everywhere screaming. And the poly has so many places that are nice to just sit and relax , probably on a device for dd17. Lol. If space in the room is the priority, AoA. If relaxation and space outside the room matters, the poly. Although the theming is amazing at AoA, nothing beats seeing the castle from your resort.

Great points! My 17 yr old has been begging to stay at the Poly. I guess if she gets tired of being with us she can go hang out elsewhere .

 

[happymommy]

By the time my kids were heading to middle school, one room just wasn't comfortable any longer! I would go for space so we could actually get a decent nights' sleep.

I've stayed across the lake at Pop, and found the bus service for the most part very good.

I like the options at the food court as well!

I'd go with the AOA suite. That being said, the Poly has never held any appeal to me.

 

[mickey2minnie1]

As much as I would like my own room, it is a week or so vacation. There is nothing that would keep me from my hearts content. Go Poly! Your kids will prefer the pool and watching Wishes. It is magical, as you know. We are a family of 5 and with three teens. We make it work because to us the Poly is the best!

 

[TJA]

Great points! My 17 yr old has been begging to stay at the Poly. I guess if she gets tired of being with us she can go hang out elsewhere .

Right, your 17 year old can even hang out in a lounger on the gorgeous beach. I know everyone has different opinions, but to us Poly gives the overall better vacation. You'll have the views of the Castle from the volcano pool and beach -- it's quite amazing when Wishes starts and you can see the fireworks right from the pool. As far as the Poly Studio, we toured one a few months ago during our stay at Poly and while we loved the 2-shower idea, we did think the sleeping area was quite cramped -- were you planning to have your 8 year old in the pull-down bed? I have 2 girls, twins age 13, and the pull-down bed would've been too small/uncomfortable for either of them, so we would've had to sleep 2 in each bed; whereas in the Poly regular standard room, the sofa bed gives a full size 3rd bed in every room. As long as your family knows of this ahead of time, you'll be fine!

 

[cmsnyder77]

Right, your 17 year old can even hang out in a lounger on the gorgeous beach. I know everyone has different opinions, but to us Poly gives the overall better vacation. You'll have the views of the Castle from the volcano pool and beach -- it's quite amazing when Wishes starts and you can see the fireworks right from the pool. As far as the Poly Studio, we toured one a few months ago during our stay at Poly and while we loved the 2-shower idea, we did think the sleeping area was quite cramped -- were you planning to have your 8 year old in the pull-down bed? I have 2 girls, twins age 13, and the pull-down bed would've been too small/uncomfortable for either of them, so we would've had to sleep 2 in each bed; whereas in the Poly regular standard room, the sofa bed gives a full size 3rd bed in every room. As long as your family knows of this ahead of time, you'll be fine!

My 8 yr old will be in the pull down bed. I think she will be fine with it. I did think the standard room was a great size for us, but we only stayed 2 nights before. I was thinking that having a second sink and shower would help so much with this being a 9 night stay. I am afraid it would get too stressful trying to manage only one bathroom for that long.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The Polynesian studios do not have two full bathrooms. They have a bathroom with a sink, toilet and tub. Then there is another space with a shower and a sink. You still only get one toilet. With four people, that might be a problem. And there is not very much storage space if you are the type who likes to unpack and put the bags away. Only two small drawers under the bed. Nightstand drawers, drawers in the bathroom vanity. There is no storage in the murphy bed other than the murphy bed.

When they renovated these from the Polynesian hotel rooms, they took a lot of the space for the bathing area and the kitchenette. These used to be very large rooms with a smaller bathroom. Now they are about 1/3 bathroom and 2/3 living space. We stayed in Moorea on our first trip and the bathroom area was much smaller.

 

[Corbinator]

I love the deluxe resorts, and the Poly is wonderful. The Poly studio has two bathrooms, but you'll be sharing a sleeping area. From what I've read, with the sofa bed and murphy beds in use, the room is very cramped. The Poly is much more convenient in getting to the MK and Epcot. Your 17 year old might appreciate being able to go over to MK or Epcot on her own using the monorail rather than the buses. Our 15 year old loved having more freedom this year.

We loved our stay at the AoA in a family suite. As far as space, and a very comfortable room, the AoA family suites beats any of the deluxes hands down. You give up convenience, waterslide at the pool, and a sit down restaurant at the resort. We actually really loved the Big Blue pool at the AoA, and had a wonderful time there. We had rented a car, so we didn't deal with buses.

Neither choice is a bad one - have a great time!

Ditto all of this. We liked riding the monorail and exploring the deluxes one day but every night we loved sleeping in our own room at AoA even more. Yes we gave up a slide, jacuzzi, ts, being close to MK. We gained separating our children, having two nice bathrooms, and we could still walk to Pop. You will end up having a superb vacation either way. Just depends on your closeness and patience.

 

[nursejackie]

Ugh. I just can't decide! I may just have to do a split stay.

Good idea, we do that most years so we can experience more than one resort per trip. AoA is busy, noisy, with packed buses and long lines at the stops so not for us again. Having said that the cars suite was amazing and we are glad we did it but once was enough. Poly is on our list as we did Bay Lake and loved being at a monorail resort.

 

[kniquy]

I vote poly!! I think if u have always wanted to stay there and it is your 40th how better to celebrate than being able to watch fireworks from the poly beach. I also agree that your 17yo might want a little freedom and with the monorail right there she can have it and not get lost in the transportation system. A split could work, but adds to the craziness of the trip. If you are planning on being at the parks and out of the room a lot then sleeping in a studio shouldn't be an issue.