rethinking AOA suite for two night stay when only doing MK

[princessap]

We are doing a quick two night stay in March and was all set to book AOA suite tomorrow when deals are released but now I am reconsidering when others have mentioned on here that it is far from MK and that is the only park we are doing.

We will have our own car but I am wondering how long the drive will be?? We have BBB booked for 850am before park opening at 9am that day...what time would we need to leave??

There are five of us, DH, 3DDs (one only 8 months at time of trip)....is AOA suite still best option for us??

Was considering AKL but want to wait and do a one bedroom villa there in September for a week instead.
Contemplated studio at BLT as they are inexpensive with discount coming out but thinking we will be cramped and the theming isnt really kid friendly like AOA (DDs are 4, 5 and 8 months)

Decisions, decisions!!!

 

[robinb]

We are doing a quick two night stay in March and was all set to book AOA suite tomorrow when deals are released but now I am reconsidering when others have mentioned on here that it is far from MK and that is the only park we are doing.

We will have our own car but I am wondering how long the drive will be?? We have BBB booked for 850am before park opening at 9am that day...what time would we need to leave??

I never drive to the MK since I hate the Ticket and Transportation Center since you have to drive to the MK, park, take the tram and then still take the monorail or boat after that. All that makes me crazy and I would take the bus instead. I stayed at Pop Century and I recall that the ride to be about 15 minutes. I would get out for the bus by 8:00 and you should be able to make it to your BBB appointment in time.

There are five of us, DH, 3DDs (one only 8 months at time of trip)....is AOA suite still best option for us??

Was considering AKL but want to wait and do a one bedroom villa there in September for a week instead.
Contemplated studio at BLT as they are inexpensive with discount coming out but thinking we will be cramped and the theming isnt really kid friendly like AOA (DDs are 4, 5 and 8 months)

Decisions, decisions!!!

I do think you will be cramped in a BLT studio. They are very small and there is very little room for the pack and play for your youngest. IIRC, people end up putting it in the little hallway near the galley kitchen. I think you would have more space in a regular Contemporary room. Have you considered the Wilderness Lodge or the DVC villas there? If you're not in a MK resort, you have the very same transportation issue so you may as well stick with Art of Animation as it will appeal to your kids.

 

[princessap]

Good point about distance. I was considering POR and CBR but none of them will get me closer to MK....would love CR if it was more appealing to my kids.

 

[cel_disney]

I think you should REALLY consider CR...I am pretty sure that your kids would be equally excited about a monorail in the hotel, the view from the windows is great - either of the lake or the park or both - and being able to walk there/back and to be able to watch the water parade were both huge for my 2 and 6 year olds!!

We were at BLT last week (DVC) and they had a great time! I dont think they missed any of the things that they would have had at AoA given what they DID have (monorail, water/boats/ducks in the lake, water parade, fireworks viewing, fire for s'more making, a short commute to/from MK that did not involve any lines!) My kids also took part in poolside activities at BLT (they have similar ones at CR) and in some of the community hall activities (coloring, making a mickey tie-dye shirt etc)...they were great!

 

[robinb]

Now that cel disney mentions it ... there is also a community hall at BLT on the first floor that your kids would enjoy. They can make crafts there for a nominal charge.

I found a nice photo of a BLT studio:

There is very little room when the couch is opened up, but that's just at bedtime anyway. I'm starting to think that you would be OK there, especially if you're just there for 2 nights. We were there for a week with 2 adults and a middle schooler and were fine with the fold out couch.

 

[princessap]

I think you should REALLY consider CR...I am pretty sure that your kids would be equally excited about a monorail in the hotel, the view from the windows is great - either of the lake or the park or both - and being able to walk there/back and to be able to watch the water parade were both huge for my 2 and 6 year olds!!

We were at BLT last week (DVC) and they had a great time! I dont think they missed any of the things that they would have had at AoA given what they DID have (monorail, water/boats/ducks in the lake, water parade, fireworks viewing, fire for s'more making, a short commute to/from MK that did not involve any lines!) My kids also took part in poolside activities at BLT (they have similar ones at CR) and in some of the community hall activities (coloring, making a mickey tie-dye shirt etc)...they were great!

Were you in a one bedroom??

 

[cel_disney]

We were in a 1 bedroom (a room with a washer/dryer and separate sleeping space is why we bought DVC at BLT! ha!) but I dont think that the resort amenities change for that!

We have previously stayed with kids at POFQ and visited POP...I think you are underestimating the excitement kids will have from being on vacation if you are ruling out CR because it doesnt have cartoon/colorful stuff everywhere!! It has a castle view and a monorail!!! (note - my kids had WAAY more fun watching the monorail from our room, the walkways, and dinner at Chef Mickeys than actually going ON it..)

 

[partypa]

I took the Bus from AoA this morning, to the MK, the ride itself was about 12 minutes. Waited only 5 minutes for the MK bus to pull up. IMHO, using the car would indeed take longer
The Suites are well done, the kids will Love it

 

[tennessee]

Just got back from aoa, stayed at little mermaid. Each time we went to mk it took 10 to 12 mins. Bus service was great and they were pretty busy. would rather took the bus than drive a car.

 

[cel_disney]

Just got back from aoa, stayed at little mermaid. Each time we went to mk it took 10 to 12 mins. Bus service was great and they were pretty busy. would rather took the bus than drive a car.

Wanted to completely ditto this as well!! NO WAY will you want to take a car to/from Pop to MK! The bus is NOT that bad and it will NOT be noticably faster in any way to drive to TTC and get transport from there!

 

[princessap]

My concern with using the bus is getting there early for our BBB appointment....what time do buses start?
and at the end of the day after wishes how packed will it be? and we will have bags and strollers which will need to be folded up, what if girls are asleep??

 

[robinb]

My concern with using the bus is getting there early for our BBB appointment....what time do buses start?
and at the end of the day after wishes how packed will it be? and we will have bags and strollers which will need to be folded up, what if girls are asleep??

I don't remember exactly when the buses start, but they are running at least an hour before park opening which is early enough for you to get to your BBB appt. As for the ride home ... yes the buses will be crowded but so will the monorail and boat and you will have to take the girls out of their strollers and fold them for the tram ride.

 

[dansdad]

my concern with using the bus is getting there early for our bbb appointment....what time do buses start?

6:30am

 

[princessap]

You guys are awesome! thanks

To be at mK for 830am what time should we leave??

are u dropped off right at mk gate? have never stayed onsite before

 

[princessap]

I don't remember exactly when the buses start, but they are running at least an hour before park opening which is early enough for you to get to your BBB appt. As for the ride home ... yes the buses will be crowded but so will the monorail and boat and you will have to take the girls out of their strollers and fold them for the tram ride.

I am just wondering if it would be easier to just take them from stroller into the van (we dont take the tram, we walk to our van normally).

 

[dansdad]

You guys are awesome! thanks

To be at mK for 830am what time should we leave??

are u dropped off right at mk gate? have never stayed onsite before

You are dropped off just to the right of the Main Gate.

If you want to be at the Main Gate at 8:30, I would be at the bus stop by 7:15-7:30.

If your BBB appointment is at 8:30, I would be at the bus stop by 7-7:15.

 

[robinb]

You are dropped off just to the right of the Main Gate.

If you want to be at the Main Gate at 8:30, I would be at the bus stop by 7:15-7:30.

If your BBB appointment is at 8:30, I would be at the bus stop by 7-7:15.

Her appointment is at 8:50. I think getting to the bus stop a 75 minutes before is overkill. She should be fine if she's there by 8:00 and she'll catch the next bus which will be no more than 20 minutes after the hour, a 15 minute ride and she's there by 8:35. It will take less than 15 minutes to walk to the gate, go through and get to the castle. If she's super nervous, she could be at the bus stop by 7:45.

 

[cel_disney]

I agree on the bus departure time of just before 8.


To answer a previous question about the tram..you can walk the stroller to the parking lot instead of taking the tram....by the end of the night we are usually very tired and pushing the loaded stroller is often dreadful (stroller plus kids is almost 130lbs for us), but if the kids are awake, I usually hope on the tram with them and let dad walk with an empty stroller to the car! This usually works out for us since they would get woken up to get in seatbelts anyway...ironically - we do this more at other parks as we walk from BLT/CR or bus to MK only!!!

When you get to the main entrance and go thru bag check, you will probably want to get to the left hand side and look for reservation check in...someone will have to confirm your name to let you into the park early. You should be there by 8:30 giving you plenty of time to deal with the rope drop crowd...

There are dining reservations earlier than your BBB appt so don't worry about the resort busses if you stay at AoA!

 

[~Tonga Wingo~]

I always drive and prefer to do so. I like to know that we can leave when we want and go somewhere else quickly. I don't have to worry about catching the bus, whether I need to get off at a resort and connect to another bus etc.

 

[robinb]

I always drive and prefer to do so. I like to know that we can leave when we want and go somewhere else quickly. I don't have to worry about catching the bus, whether I need to get off at a resort and connect to another bus etc.

Why would you ever have to connect to another bus? Do you know how the WDW bus system works? FTR, I always have a car and I always take the bus to the MK for the reasons I stated upthread.