Room for family of 6

[ATThomas]

My family of 6 - my husband, myself, and 4 kids 9 and under - will be traveling to WDW at the end of Jan 2017. We have a Nemo suite booked at AOA. Some of the posts I've read seem to indicate that AOA is "not that nice". What alternatives are available for a family of our size? Or am I reading too much into some of the comments?
Thanks!

 

[Deb & Bill]

AOA is really nice. It's not as nice as the Grand Floridian . But most aren't. It just takes depends on what you need and want.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

You are reading too much into the comments. For a family of 6, you have the option of 2 rooms that may not connect, a family suite at AOA or All Star Music, or a much more expensive 2BR villa.

 

[stephmarty]

If one of the kids is a toddler, age 2 or under, you can stay in a DVC studio villa. At least I know you can at the Polynesian. We are doing that this trip with rented DVC points. Last time, we had two connecting rooms at Pop Century which also worked out really well. Lots of space. We won't have as much space this time, but Poly does have the largest of the studio villas and we love the resort.

 

[Atilley]

We stayed at AOA two years ago with me Dh and 4 kids ages then 14,11,9 and 3. We all loved it. We had plenty of space for us. The kids loved the pool and atmosphere also. We had planned on staying there again this year but was able to get a fort wilderness cabin that included FD for cheaper and decided to go with the cabin since it also has a full kitchen.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

You could also fit in a Ft. W cabin and a 2-bedroom villa. How old are your children? If you have one under 3 years old, you can also fit into any room that sleeps 5 + 1 under 3 which includes most of the deluxe resorts (GF, Poly, CR, BWI, BC, YC). AoA is a value resort with one food court and buses to all parks. If you can fit into a deluxe room and have the budget for it, they are very nice.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

TBH, though, even though late January is the off-season, it's late in the game for a 2BR DVC villa. Too lazy to check, but maybe OKW would be available, or Saratoga. Wouldn't count on any near-park resorts.

 

[baler31]

I know Wilderness Lodge deluxe rooms have an occupancy of 6. I know some of the other deluxe rooms at GF, BC etc. have 2 queens and a sleeper sofa but not sure if they have the occupancy at 6 or 5. I still think the Family suite will offer more space or better layout for a larger family. We enjoy the deluxe rooms at GF and BWI but we are usually a 3 or at most 4 and that would be the most I would want in 1 room.

 

[Purplestorm]

We have enjoyed connecting rooms to save money (two rooms less than a deluxe option) and that way we also get a lot more space, extra bathroom, and TV. I would love a suits, but it has been out of our budget. The Nemo suite looks VERY neat!

 

[JanBlessed]

I'm pretty sure that all of the AOA suites have that extra bathroom, though. That would work for me ! With a family of six, I would want that extra bathroom. Also, if your kids will enjoy the theming -as mine did- then it's perfect! That is, unless you're looking for more luxury, then go with a Deluxe option.

 

[ATThomas]

Thanks for all the feedback. Our youngest will be 18 mos at the time of our trip, so we could fit into one of the standard rooms with an occupancy of 5, but we would like to give the baby a little space from her siblings so that she can get a little more sleep. We asked about 2 connecting rooms at CBR, but our travel agent said she thought we would enjoy the space at AOA more than the connecting rooms...

 

[dansdad]

Thanks for all the feedback. Our youngest will be 18 mos at the time of our trip, so we could fit into one of the standard rooms with an occupancy of 5, but we would like to give the baby a little space from her siblings so that she can get a little more sleep. We asked about 2 connecting rooms at CBR, but our travel agent said she thought we would enjoy the space at AOA more than the connecting rooms...

Also, connecting rooms at WDW are a request only. So it's possible if you booked 2 rooms that they would not be connecting or even near each other. The only way to guarantee you'd all be together is to book a Family Suite at AoA, a Family Suite at All Star Music, a Cabin at Ft. Wilderness, or a Junior Suite at Coronado Springs.

 

[Hopefully]

If one of the kids is a toddler, age 2 or under, you can stay in a DVC studio villa. At least I know you can at the Polynesian. We are doing that this trip with rented DVC points. Last time, we had two connecting rooms at Pop Century which also worked out really well. Lots of space. We won't have as much space this time, but Poly does have the largest of the studio villas and we love the resort.

What you are allowed to do and what you want to do are entirely different things. 6 in a studio Villa is way too tight for us.

We have enjoyed connecting rooms to save money (two rooms less than a deluxe option) and that way we also get a lot more space, extra bathroom, and TV. I would love a suits, but it has been out of our budget. The Nemo suite looks VERY neat!

As @dansdad stated, connecting rooms are a request only and NEVER GUARANTEED.
Good Luck

 

[maxiesmom]

Thanks for all the feedback. Our youngest will be 18 mos at the time of our trip, so we could fit into one of the standard rooms with an occupancy of 5, but we would like to give the baby a little space from her siblings so that she can get a little more sleep. We asked about 2 connecting rooms at CBR, but our travel agent said she thought we would enjoy the space at AOA more than the connecting rooms...

The only closed off space is in the bedroom. The rest of the suite is one large open space, well except for the bathrooms. Are you requesting a crib?

 

[Aurora0427]

My family of 6 - my husband, myself, and 4 kids 9 and under - will be traveling to WDW at the end of Jan 2017. We have a Nemo suite booked at AOA. Some of the posts I've read seem to indicate that AOA is "not that nice". What alternatives are available for a family of our size? Or am I reading too much into some of the comments?
Thanks!

We really liked the AoA Nemo suite. We usually stay deluxe at the GF- and we liked AoA. Is it as nice as a deluxe resort? No. But the suite is adorable, and we loved the extra room. The food court is great- yes it can get crowded, but we eat healthy, and we were really impressed with all the healthy food selections. The CM's went above and beyond- everyone was very nice and helpful. AoA has a great gift shop too.

My only complaint is transportation. The busses took so long, we ended up grabbing a cab a few times. We would definitely rent a car next time, but Disney bus issues are not solely issues at AoA.

 

[Jennasis]

If you went with a Poly studio, it has 2 bathrooms and is quite roomy. Also, the second bathroom is huge and could easily fit the pack-n-play in there so the 18 month old could technically have their own space/room you could close off while he/she naps.

 

[ATThomas]

Yes. We're requesting a crib for the baby. At the moment, it seems like AOA is our best bet. Thanks for the info about the Poly studio, though. It gives us something to consider. Thanks for all the info!

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you went with a Poly studio, it has 2 bathrooms and is quite roomy. Also, the second bathroom is huge and could easily fit the pack-n-play in there so the 18 month old could technically have their own space/room you could close off while he/she naps.

Not really two bathrooms. One room with tub/shower, toilet and sink. And a second space with a small sink and separate shower. Only one toilet.

You may get a pack and play and not a crib.

 

[Jennasis]

Not really two bathrooms. One room with tub/shower, toilet and sink. And a second space with a small sink and separate shower. Only one toilet.

You may get a pack and play and not a crib.

I don't understand your point? Are you nit-picking that I referred to both rooms as BATHROOMS since you don't consider a room without a toilet but still with bathing facilities to be a bathroom?

 

[Hopefully]

I don't understand your point? Are you nit-picking that I referred to both rooms as BATHROOMS since you don't consider a room without a toilet but still with bathing facilities to be a bathroom?

I definetly consider 2 bathrooms to have 2 toilets I believe saying the Poly studios to have 2 bathrooms totally misleading for the average reader