POR or AoA for one night?

[ToyStory3]

We are going to WDW for one night before a cruise. We'll get there on Thursday afternoon. We want to swim and eat something quick and casual at the resort. Then, we'll be in the park all day Friday. And, off to the port Friday night to meet up with our extended family. We've never stayed at AoA or POR and we'd like to try both someday. We can get a Lion King suite at AoA or a River View room at POR. We'll only really be spending one evening at the resort. We are a family of 4 so we can easily fit in either room.

Would love to hear thoughts on which you would recommend or which you prefer. I know it's subjective - that's fine. I like hearing other's opinions.

Thanks!

 

[SweetSerenity]

I've never stayed at AoA, but POR is one of my favorite resorts. I'm not sure how old your kids are, but I think it has a nice pool area with a fun spot for kids. The resort is beautiful, and if you're interested in Disney Springs you can take a nice boat ride over there. The food court is pretty diverse. We enjoyed the create your own pasta station. There are also carriage rides available. If you have small kids they may enjoy the large icons at AoA more, but if it were me I'd go with POR.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I vastly prefer POR. The resort is beautiful, the rooms and beds are comfortable and the pools are nice. Honestly, if you want to stay at both eventually, I might pick the one that's more expensive for one night. That might sound counterintuitive, but, if it turns out you don't like it, you've only invested one night's cost on the resort and not an entire vacation, if that makes sense?

 

[Bostonbeans99]

How old are your children?

 

[ToyStory3]

How old are your children?

They are 10 and 14. Thanks!

 

[Rebecca Pocahontas]

POR has a nicer pool than AoA because of the slide, and you can walk over to POFQ and use that pool too. If you are looking for a slightly more relaxing stay, I would stay at POR because no matter how many times I've stayed there is has a relaxing empty feel. AoA is just a little bit more congested, not in a bad way, just the building are a lot closer to one another, while POR is more spread out. All the trees and water make POR feel more open than just the buildings and decorations of AoA.

 

[Bostonbeans99]

I was afraid you were going to say that lol. Because my first thought was under 10 definitely AoA....if over 10 they would enjoy POR.

You are right in the ages of either resort they will love. So maybe that is a good thing

If they like to swim and are really into the characters of Disney movies I would say AoA.

AoA has some FANTASTIC photo moments and the pool is wonderful!
(You can hear the characters talk underwater while you swim)

POR is beautiful also...so you can't really go wrong. My kids are older 18,19 and 22 but they love the carriage rides at POR and the food.

Landscape of Flavors at AoA is one of the largest food courts....so I guess think of swimming ,food, photo ops, what means more to your family and if all else fails flip a coin.

 

[ToyStory3]

Thanks for everyone's input! We first booked AoA, but then changed it to POR. It just seems more our pace and we like the relaxed atmosphere. Hopefully we can try out AoA before too long, too! Thanks again!

 

[lorileahb]

We love POR!!! Excellent choice.