Resorts...what would you do

[alicia080979]

We are going in a few weeks and DH and I are taking our moms. My mom comes with us often but MIL has never been to Disney and really hasn't been on a week vacation ever. Since DH and I are footing most of the bill (my mom is paying her part of the trip) we have gone back and forth about where to stay. We started at CSR in one room for all 4 of us. Then decided let's just stay at AKL bc his mom will never have a chance to experience anything like that. Then we took a tour of AOA in Sept. and figured the extra space would be really nice with 2 bathrooms and separate sleeping areas.

We would have just stayed off site but since it is his moms one and probably only trip we wanted to stay on property. Now I am wondering if we should switch back to AKL bc the price is the same at AOA. We will just be all stuck in one room for a week. What would you do??

 

[goofy4tink]

I love AKL..it's one of my favorite resorts. BUT....if you stay there, the two moms are going to be sharing a bed, right? I would just stay at AoA..then they can each have their own bed, and you have the two bathrooms..and you and dh have some privacy.

 

[Sue M]

Well, the extra room would be nice at AoA but the 2 moms would have pull outs in the living room, how would that work? And will they share a bed at AKL?

What about booking 2 rooms at a moderate, POR is our fav, or 2 rooms at a value ? That may be cheaper then the family suites.

 

[alicia080979]

I love AKL..it's one of my favorite resorts. BUT....if you stay there, the two moms are going to be sharing a bed, right? I would just stay at AoA..then they can each have their own bed, and you have the two bathrooms..and you and dh have some privacy.

Thanks...that is what I keep telling myself. I just love AKL and knowing we could be staying there is driving me crazy, lol. I know MIL will be impressed with any of because she never goes anywhere so I'm sure she will love AOA just as much. We will definitely be taking her over to all of the deluxes to see all the Christmas decorations anyways. *Sigh* I am going to miss AKL!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

You know in your situation I would really consider renting DVC points - staying at AKL (AKV) in a two bedroom sounds ideal really - and for say 220-250 points you might could do that - at $10/point may actually be the answer! I wouldn't give up on AKL just yet - might be an option worth exploring. I don't know if they would be able to do that in just a few weeks though - time may be an issue with DVC rentals - but I would at least inquire. Davids DVC rentals gets good reviews on the boards - may be worth looking into! Otherwise I would go for the more space AoA or even 2 rooms at a value - you can always go visit AKL - have a meal and enjoy the animals no matter where you are staying!!

 

[HM]

I'm not sure how spry these Moms are, but would a bunk bed room at AKL work for your group? No Moms sharing beds that way, but you are down to one bathroom (which is workable with four adults).

Or a Junior Suite at WL?

 

[Mariep26]

I would stick with AoA.. 2 bathrooms and everyone gets their own bed.

 

[goofy4tink]

You know in your situation I would really consider renting DVC points - staying at AKL (AKV) in a two bedroom sounds ideal really - and for say 220-250 points you might could do that - at $10/point may actually be the answer for you! I wouldn't give up on AKL just yet - might be an option worth exploring. I don't know if they would be able to do that for you in just a few weeks though - time may be an issue with DVC rentals - but I would at least inquire. Davids DVC rentals gets good reviews on the boards - may be worth looking into for you! Otherwise I do think space will be the best for you AoA or even 2 rooms at a value - you can always go visit AKL - have a meal and enjoy the animals no matter where you are staying!!

That would have been my suggestion as well, but they are going in a month or so. There is probably nothing available at this time for DVC. But, it would have been a great idea!!!

 

[Mariep26]

Well, the extra room would be nice at AoA but the 2 moms would have pull outs in the living room, how would that work? And will they share a bed at AKL?

What about booking 2 rooms at a moderate, POR is our fav, or 2 rooms at a value ? That may be cheaper then the family suites.

Granted there are not totally separate rooms but I think there is a enough separation between the Murphy bed in the dining room and the pull out in the living room that it allows for a bit more personal space.

 

[goofy4tink]

Granted there are not totally separate rooms but I think there is a enough separation between the Murphy bed in the dining room and the pull out in the living room that it allows for a bit more personal space.

Have to agree. Besides, if they booked two rooms, the two moms are still going to be sharing a bathroom and be in beds about 18'' apart. If the price is the same, then sure, book two rooms. The privacy is going to be the same.

 

[MUFFYCAT]

What about booking 2 rooms at a moderate, POR is our fav, or 2 rooms at a value ? That may be cheaper then the family suites.

I like this idea the best. They'll each have their own bed and you'll have some space instead of all four in one room. POR is really nice, they will love the grounds.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay...I just ran some numbers for a stay from the last weekend in Nov for a week, to Dec 1. I got...
AoA...family suite...$1822
AoA...regular room.....$861
POFQ...regular room....$1428
AKL..regular room (pool view)...$2526
AKL..regular room (savannah view)...$2900

So, it boils down to what kind of experience you want. And whether or not the moms are okay sharing a bed. If they are, then go with POFQ..nice, small resort.
If they don't want to share, then go with either 2 AoA regular rooms, or 1 family suite at AoA.

 

[married2mm]

[QUOTE

So, it boils down to what kind of experience you want. And whether or not the moms are okay sharing a bed. If they are, then go with POFQ..nice, small resort.
If they don't want to share, then go with either 2 AoA regular rooms, or 1 family suite at AoA.[/QUOTE]

i agree

i know everyone is different but much as i love my mom-
i would not want to share a room with her nor would she want to share a bed with my mil either!

going on vacation together is lovely-all sharing a room, beds and bathrooms is most certainly not

 

[alicia080979]

Thanks for all the input. Once we decided to take my MIL on a trip a few months ago the first thing I did was check DVC points but there was nothing available at AKL. Once we decided on AKL or AOA with the extra cost I suggested that we get 2 rooms but my mom wasn't comfortable with that bc she doesn't really know MIL. I could tell she was afraid we would just leave her with her all the time by herself, lol.

I am the official Disney planner so I think I just drive myself crazy trying to make sure A) everyone is comfortable and B) his mom has this great trip but everytime I ask for suggestions everyone says, whatever you think. I think I just need to stop worrying about it and we will just take her to go get some zebra domes and show her around AKL to see the animals and Christmas decorations. Normally I like planning our trips but MIL lives 9 hours away, we haven't seen her in 3 years, and she never goes anywhere so I feel all this extra pressure to make it this trip as perfect as I can for her.

I am also worried about AOA feeling to childish. It is beautiful and looks like a lot of fun but we don't have kids so I also worry about that aspect too. It is just 7 days and she is getting a free vacation so she will love it no matter what right??? hehe

 

[Marthasor]

I, too, vote for two rooms at a mod. You will end up with four real beds, not pull-outs or pull-downs, and a bit more privacy. We stayed at AoA in June and the walls were thin and it was quite loud. I did not get a good night sleep the whole time we were there. AoA is also very kid-oriented. I think the theming at the mods is a little more sophisticated for an adults-only trip.

 

[alicia080979]

[QUOTE


i know everyone is different but much as i love my mom-
i would not want to share a room with her nor would she want to share a bed with my mil either!

going on vacation together is lovely-all sharing a room, beds and bathrooms is most certainly not

I agree with you! I think I made the right decision going with the family suite...I just needed to second guess myself (for the millionth time, lol). With a family suite we are all together but everyone has their own sleeping space and we have 2 bathrooms so we can all get ready. Now I just need to stop thinking about it and start focusing on what we are doing. I'm sure I have a ton of ADRs I could/should be obsessing over

 

[Mariep26]

I, too, vote for two rooms at a mod. You will end up with four real beds, not pull-outs or pull-downs, and a bit more privacy. We stayed at AoA in June and the walls were thin and it was quite loud. I did not get a good night sleep the whole time we were there. AoA is also very kid-oriented. I think the theming at the mods is a little more sophisticated for an adults-only trip.

The only way I would do two rooms is if you stayed with your mom and YH stayed with his mom. I wouldn't want to stick my mom in a room with my MIL especially since it seems she doesn't know her very well. I agree that the moderate theme sounds like it would be better for you than AoA but I can't see how the room sharing thing would work out. That would concern me,

 

[Mariep26]

I agree with you! I think I made the right decision going with the family suite...I just needed to second guess myself (for the millionth time, lol). With a family suite we are all together but everyone has their own sleeping space and we have 2 bathrooms so we can all get ready. Now I just need to stop thinking about it and start focusing on what we are doing. I'm sure I have a ton of ADRs I could/should be obsessing over

I think you made the right choice too. The theme may not be ideal but they have nice grounds to explore at AoA and you will have plenty of time in the parks and at ADRs. Enjoy!!

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

That sounds like a good choice - you will have space and that is great! If it goes well may be you can rent DVC points for another trip - LOL - - anyway - hope you all have a really great time. You can book some really nice adult dinners and visit all the resorts you want to visit for meals and AKL for animal viewing. I went with my mom (70 something) - we had dinner at Sanaa with a window view and watched the animals all during dinner - the reservation was at 6pm which coincided with the animal's dinner time so it was a real treat!

 

[goofy4tink]

I think you'll be fine with a family suite at AoA!! That way, the moms can get to know each other a little better, with both of you around. And yes, some may find the theming a bit 'young' but I'm really looking forward to my stay there in early Dec..and I'm 63!!!! Can't wait.
Have a ball...and try not to worry too much about everyone being happy 100% of the time. Being the planner is a hard job. So, just plan some stuff and let other stuff just 'happen'!!!