Hi looking for any advice, suggestions and pros and cons for our upcoming trip. The 2 times we stayed on property we stayed at POR and Saratoga Springs. We enjoyed both resorts!! We are planning a trip this fall and as our family has grown we need more space than POR and since we have more flights, tickets, dining, etc we need our dollar to go further than SS. Right now we are looking at one week in October, for 2 adults and 4 children (11, 8, 5 and 5). Will you discuss pros, cons, tips, suggestions, etc for AoA family suites, All Star Music family suites and the Ft Wilderness Cabins. If you have stayed at multiples in my request which is your favorite and why. If not any information as to what you liked or didn't at one of the resorts will help. Thanks in Advance!!
I can give advice on the Cabins. The layout there is a double bed and two bunk beds (but there are always two bunk beds, aren't there?) in the bedroom. In the living room, is a Murphy bed. So, for your family, I think you would have the two adults in the bedroom with the double bed, the two five years olds in the bunks. Then the 11 and 8 year olds in the living room. From what I remember, there is a couch that could also be slept on but once the Murphy bed is pulled out, it will be a tight fit for the sofa sleeper to get out. But I don't know the sexes of your children so don't know how that would work. Also, there is just one bathroom but we used the kitchen sink for contacts and brushing teeth - some people might have a problem with that. We loved the cabins for the room (we had five people - four adults and one child) and the quietness. We dealt with the bathroom issue as I noted. I dunno, not sure the cabins would be the best choice for you with four kids. Don't like to say that because of our wonderful experience but I have to be honest for your group.
We stayed at AoA with 2 adults and 3 kids. The arrangements were wonderful...as long as the kids were getting along enough to sleep 2 to a bed. When they weren't, we used the cushions from the pull-out to make a third bed on the floor. What I loved about the family suites at AoA was that once the kids were in bed, I could relax and unwind with the TV on or on the computer. Since it was separate from the kids, they could get to sleep without my light bothering them. The layout is Q-size bed (I think) in the master, pull-out sofa and fold-down table/bed thing. Would sleep six easily. Plus, the second bathroom made it way easier for us to get to the parks sooner after we got up.
We stayed at the cabins with 4 adults and 1 child. I think it would be fun for your kids ages. Lots of activities and a boat to MK. The only downside is the internal bus to get around the resort as its so large. However they run all the time and we never waited more than a few minutes for one. There is a sit down restaurant, quick service counters, mickeys backyard BBQ and hoop de do. I would think you could put all 4 kids in the bedroom (if 2 don't mind sharing the double bed) and you and DH could take the pull down bed in the living room. Another nice thing is a full kitchen - oh and the deck! Another downside is only 1 bathroom though. However it never caused us a problem.
We stayed at the cabins with our 3 kids. We put the kids in the bedroom and DH & I slept on the murphy bed. We had spent a week at POR and moved to the cabins for the last few nights. It was great to sleep in a different room than our kids. I know this is the resorts board, but have you considered off-site in a condo? That will be the best on your wallet.
