Sell me on a suite!!!

[chrystalc77]

We aren't going back until November 2014 which gives me plenty of time to save and plan. We are determined to stay at AOA and after much debate have decided to spring for a suite even though it costs a lot more than a LM room. We are a family of 4.... Myself, DH, and 2 DS ages will be 13 and 8 when we travel. We are staying 9 days so we feel that the extra $$$ we pay for the suite will be worth it to have the extra room and save us a lot of walking if we booked a LM room. My question is which suite is your favorite??? I thought the boys were hooked on Cars until we started looking at pictures of Nemo and Lion King. They all look really cool!!! I know that Nemo looks to be the most popular and they sell out quickly. I just want to be 100% sure which suite we want when booking for November 2014 opens up!!! So sell me your favorite suite, which building, and why you loved it so. Opinions on a LM room if you love it are welcome as well since we are seriously undecided at this point!!

 

[chrystalc77]

Anybody???

 

[jimandami]

We stayed in Lion King and enjoyed it, but I would choose Cars next time. That whole area is just fantastically themed and you have the small pool, which is super cute. Plus, it's very close to Animation Hall. We shied away from Nemo just because it's near the Big Blue pool and we were worried about noise.

 

[micmacmissy]

Hmm, well, we only stayed in a suite once- Grand Floridian 2 bdrm suite. Back then it was $1,500/nt, now it's closer to $2,300.

And I wouldn't sell you on it- way overpriced, although the concierge service and food was very convenient, especially with the kids. It would be worth it if it were the kind of vacation where you spent a good deal of time at the resort, but with Disney, that just isn't the case.

Now we stay at Shades of Green for around $120/nt, tax free...for about 10% of the price of the suite!

 

[katrina1122]

I'd looking into renting points for DVC. You might find something nicer for less than AOA suite depending on when you are going.

 

[jimandami]

I was under the impression the OP had determined they were definitely staying at AoA and she wanted advice on which family suite to choose?

 

[chrystalc77]

I was under the impression the OP had determined they were definitely staying at AoA and she wanted advice on which family suite to choose?

That's what I was getting at. I appreciate any input though.

 

[pigletto]

My kids are the same age apart and if I wasn't trying to stay within a certain budget I would do it. To give them space from eachother would be worth it. I would love dh and I to have our own room and each child to have their own bed. The theming is wonderful, the pools look awesome and I've heard great things about the food court. I think if you want to spend the extra it's a great choice.

Personally we would pick Lion King or Cars. Most likely Lion King. I would go with whatever theme seems most "disney" to your family. We like Cars but we LOVE The Lion King. And it's really not a big deal to walk a little further to use the pool IMO.

 

[jimandami]

Forgot to add earlier, we enjoyed LK and it is very close to everything as well. The one big negative for me was the nightly movies were right outside our room and it was LOUD. Kept me awake a time or two (yes, I go to bed early!)

 

[homedad]

Although we have never stayed AoA, after our first visit with kids at the WL for a week I decided 4 people in one room for a week is not a vacation. We then joined DVC and have our own room and I think its worth every penny and I consider it a true vacation.

 

[Suzanne74]

Honestly, with kids that old, I would get 2 connecting value rooms. Everyone gets a bed and 2 bathrooms total. Plus it is cheaper and not changing beds/tables etc...

 

[melissa78]

Loved the Lion King suite. We had 2 adults, 11 yr, 9 yr, & 6 yr. Never felt cramped! Loved having 2 bathrooms. I believe we stayed in building 10 but could be wrong. Know it was rm 606. Was convenient to Animation Hall. All the beds were comfortable. Would definitely stay there again! Have no complaints!

 

[Southern Bell]

I have had a hard time deciding which resort to the point that it is rediculous!

So... here is my story!

Well, I can't afford to stay at the Grand Floridian!

So...I first made resevations at Fort Wilderness(which I love) but I don't want to do LOL!

I made reservations for Movies Although we have never stayed at movies, we have stayed at All Stars 2 times and everyone really wanted something new & different!

We stayed at Pop Century in 2011 and loved it! Saw AOA beng built then and said when we returned to Disney we would have to stay in the cars suites for my grandson!

So now... For sure we are staying in Cars Suites at AOA first and foremost because our grandson loves the Disney Cars and we want to take him there no matter what! LOL!

I here that AOA gives you a great
For what it is costing I hope so!

Its a new resort! Very Disney Themed resort! I think it would be great for kids of all ages & Adults who love to feel like they are still in Disney after the parks!

Then....
Not having to worry about a room request of two connecting rooms!
We like the idea of having a dining area & living room during the day! Have read that the beds are comfortable & housekeeping will put up the beds if you want them, to!

Then...
Having a Microwave, coffee maker, fridge with small freezer to freeze our water, sink, and they supply your plates, cups, silverware!

Then,,,,
I like the idea of two resorts /2 food courts, zero entry pool plus 2 other pools, own bus service, pretty view of the lake, movies shown in Lion King area, making the resort have 4 different areas to do things, not counting a great game room, gift shop, hopefully a good food court cooking up good food!

SO...now we are all doing the happy dance!

No matter if its camping at Fort Wilderness or staying at the Grand Floridian, I think the key is to do something that excites your family, that you can afford and still be able to eat and see the theme parks!

Have a magical vacation!

 

[AliceIn]

We loved the Cars suite. That section of the resort is absolutely amazing at night time. I think Nemo would be a bit loud due to being right on top of the pool, same thing with some of the Lion King buildings because they show the movies there in the evening. Cars gives you two pools close by, plus easy access to the main building for the food court and buses.

All the sections are nice - Cars is just my personal favorite. I think the suites are much nicer than two value rooms. The layout of the suite makes maximum use of the space, unlike a value room. The suites are actually larger than two value rooms together. The suites are 565 sq feet, two value rooms are 540. You get no guarantee of the two value rooms being connecting or even next to each other.

 

[CNYDisneyFan]

I stayed at the Art of Animation last fall and stayed in a Lion King suite. I didn't mind the walk to Animation Hall and the theme was awesome.

 

[MinnieLovesMickey12]

I have never stayed in a suite at AoA. But we have stayed twice in a suite at ASMu. The big selling point of the suite for us was the kitchenette, the 2 bathrooms and having a separate bedroom from where the kids slept. The kids sleep with the TV on and DH and I need it to be very dark and very quiet to be able to sleep peacefully. So having the separate bedroom was imperative.

All the suites st ASMu are right by the food court so considered preferred.

I am not sure what part of the resort the different themed suites are at AoA but I would pick the ones that are closest to the food court.

I don't worry about noise from the main big pool because all of the loud outdoor activities take place before 6 pm and we are usually gone all day and don't come back until after our evening ADR so we never had any issues of noise from the pool. We never heard anything except the doors slamming around us.

 

[chrystalc77]

We loved the Cars suite. That section of the resort is absolutely amazing at night time. I think Nemo would be a bit loud due to being right on top of the pool, same thing with some of the Lion King buildings because they show the movies there in the evening. Cars gives you two pools close by, plus easy access to the main building for the food court and buses.

All the sections are nice - Cars is just my personal favorite. I think the suites are much nicer than two value rooms. The layout of the suite makes maximum use of the space, unlike a value room. The suites are actually larger than two value rooms together. The suites are 565 sq feet, two value rooms are 540. You get no guarantee of the two value rooms being connecting or even next to each other.

I'm not interested in two separate rooms.....my kids will be 13 and 8 and I don't want all of us to be in separate rooms for 8 nights which is why we want a suite. And we have decided on Cars and are super excited!!! My question for you (having previously stayed there) is what building/view do you suggest?

 

[AliceIn]

I'm not interested in two separate rooms.....my kids will be 13 and 8 and I don't want all of us to be in separate rooms for 8 nights which is why we want a suite. And we have decided on Cars and are super excited!!! My question for you (having previously stayed there) is what building/view do you suggest?

I requested building 3, lake view. It was great!