So torn... two rooms at Pop or family suite at Art of Animation?

[mykidsrock76]

Opinions/advice needed. Planning a trip in March 2021. Family of 4, including two teens (16 and 18). We’ve been a couple times before, staying at Pop, POR and the Poly when they were younger (and smaller). We do not all do well in one room, as we’ve learned from several sleepless nights when traveling. Trying to be cost effective and looking at a family suite at AoA or booking two rooms at Pop. Looked at the Little Mermaid rooms at AoA but just cannot get excited about them. My kids were 2 and 3 when we stayed at Pop before, so they have no memory of it and it would be like their first time there, so the repeat resort isn’t a factor for them. Wondering what the suites are like or if it’s easier to just do two rooms?

Thanks!

 

[Dug720]

If you 100% want to be together, do the suite.

If you are ok with requesting connecting rooms and knowing you might not get them (especially given that one of the kids is 18), you can go for Pop.

 

[StageTek]

Opinions/advice needed. <> We do not all do well in one room, as we’ve learned from several sleepless nights when traveling.

My opinion is to get two rooms at POP. Maybe even try one of the AllStars. The suites are nice but you're still on top of each other. You do not all do well in one room so trying to do well in one room at AoA seems like a good way to crate an uncomfortable vacation. The kids can have some time away from you. And you can have some alone time with your spouse. More expensive, but overall it makes a better vacation.

 

[Bjkandma]

Two rooms at POP. You would have four actual beds and two bathrooms. AOA suites have sleeping "arrangements" for up to six people. THe suites have only one "real" bed. The other sleeping arrangements are sleeper soda and chair.

The two rooms would also allow some "space" for each individual t o have some space.

 

[Heather07438]

I'd lean toward the 2 studios over the family suite.
2 studios at POP in March 2020 ran $400-$500, the suites at AoA $500-$600 (couldn't find 2021 pricing).

At POP ^ you can separate into quieter sleeping arrangements, everybody can have their own nice comfy bed, plus you're still able to open up floor space by putting the murphy bed up.


One pro to the suites is having a table (eta- and kitchenette) to share meals but really, how much would you use it? I think families with younger children are a better fit in the suites.

 

[mykidsrock76]

Thank you. I like the idea of four beds. Likely my daughter (18) and I will share a room since she doesn’t particularly enjoy sharing with her brother (16). Adjoining rooms would be nice but not having them isn’t a deal breaker. And two rooms at Pop are actually significantly less than a family suite at AoA.

Is it difficult to link both reservations in MDE to manager park reservations, dining, etc?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Two rooms at POP. You would have four actual beds and two bathrooms. AOA suites have sleeping "arrangements" for up to six people. THe suites have only one "real" bed. The other sleeping arrangements are sleeper soda and chair.

The two rooms would also allow some "space" for each individual t o have some space.

Isn't the Murphy (table) her in the AoA suites the same as the Murphy (table) here at Pop?

Adjoining rooms would be nice

Connecting.
Adjoining rooms are next to or near each other.
All connecting rooms adjoin.
Not all adjoining rooms connect.

 

[mykidsrock76]

Isn't the Murphy (table) her in the AoA suites the same as the Murphy (table) here at Pop?

Connecting.
Adjoining rooms are next to or near each other.
All connecting rooms adjoin.
Not all adjoining rooms connect.

Adjoining was the word I was looking for. We do not need connecting rooms since I’ll be with our daughter and my husband will be with our son. I’d be happy if the rooms were next to or near each other but if not that’s okay too.

 

[fla4fun]

I would ask what it is about sharing a hotel room that causes the problem. If you just need totally separate space, I would go with Pop. If it’s that the kids don’t want to share a bed, then it depends on whether one person doesn’t mind a sofa bed. I have slept on the Murphy bed and regular bed in both resorts, and I think Pop is more comfortable. I am not a sofa bed person myself. The mattresses are softer at Pop than AoA, so if you like a really firm mattress you might prefer AoA. Even on a solo trip in the suite, I used the kitchenette a lot, and depending on whether things are fully operational by spring, you may find a dining table comes in handy for bringing meals back from the food court and rewarding if necessary. Both choices have two full bathrooms.

I don’t think you can make a horrible choice with either resort. It just depends on what configuration will work best for what your family needs. I have stayed at both and enjoyed both. I would stay in the suites more often if they weren’t so expensive. I really love the Cars section themeing.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Adjoining was the word I was looking for. We do not need connecting rooms since I’ll be with our daughter and my husband will be with our son. I’d be happy if the rooms were next to or near each other but if not that’s okay too.

Great! Too many people confuse the two terms!

 

[Disneyfan754321]

We prefer two rooms, if they are on the same resv. They put them together usually

 

[mykidsrock76]

I would ask what it is about sharing a hotel room that causes the problem. If you just need totally separate space, I would go with Pop. If it’s that the kids don’t want to share a bed, then it depends on whether one person doesn’t mind a sofa bed. I have slept on the Murphy bed and regular bed in both resorts, and I think Pop is more comfortable. I am not a sofa bed person myself. The mattresses are softer at Pop than AoA, so if you like a really firm mattress you might prefer AoA. Even on a solo trip in the suite, I used the kitchenette a lot, and depending on whether things are fully operational by spring, you may find a dining table comes in handy for bringing meals back from the food court and rewarding if necessary. Both choices have two full bathrooms.

I don’t think you can make a horrible choice with either resort. It just depends on what configuration will work best for what your family needs. I have stayed at both and enjoyed both. I would stay in the suites more often if they weren’t so expensive. I really love the Cars section themeing.

Oh the kids refuse to share a bed. So I sleep with her and my husband with our son. And both of them are wiggle worms. My son and I have odd sleep schedules, waking several times throughout the night. And the hubby is a snorer. There have been nights we’ve traveled and gone to breakfast at 3am because we’re all wide awake. I think all four of us in one room would equate to a very grumpy week.

 

[fla4fun]

Oh the kids refuse to share a bed. So I sleep with her and my husband with our son. And both of them are wiggle worms. My son and I have odd sleep schedules, waking several times throughout the night. And the hubby is a snorer. There have been nights we’ve traveled and gone to breakfast at 3am because we’re all wide awake. I think all four of us in one room would equate to a very grumpy week.

In that case, I would definitely vote for Pop. Everyone can have a separate bed for a good night’s sleep and you would have two totally separate spaces. At AoA the suite bedroom is separate, but the living room and dining room all flow together with no doors between.

 

[BellaBaby]

It's been a few years since we stayed at AoA but I remember the beds not being super comfortable. Even the bed in the bedroom portion I think was a double? They may have changed this since then. The Murphy bed was a twin I believe and the sofa bed was as most are, not very comfy. It's fine for younger kids but most teens like something more comfortable. We just stayed at Pop 7/20-7/24. And 2/1-2/5 before that for the first time. We went back because the beds were very comfortable (and the skyliner). The Murphy there is a queen and my DH and DS14 slept on it. DH had no complaints and believe me, he would've said if it wasn't comfortable. That being said, I get the need for more space with older teens. I would possibly go the 2 room route at Pop if we stay in the future. The room is very small. When I went in Feb., it was just me and the 2 teens. July we added in DH and we were ready to leave after the 4 nights. The shower is also very good at Pop, I don't remember AoA's. So my vote would definitely be for 2 rooms at Pop.

 

[mykidsrock76]

Thank you all! Need to call and make the change to two rooms at Pop. We are currently booked in a GDT room at CSR because they’re so nice but really do not want a miserable week due to lack of sleep. And unfortunately two tower rooms are not in the budget. We enjoyed Pop last time we were there and I’m sure we’ll have a great time!

 

[lvt]

We have done 2 rooms at Pop for many years. 2 grown sons still like WDW. I get the 2 rooms and ask for connecting (door can open between the 2 rooms. It is nice if you have to have a 2nd bathroom in a hurry too. We have done this 4 times. Lovely to have 4 queen beds and 2 small frigs.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I would add in that AOA is one of the resorts with no planned reopen date. So depending on how long they keep it closed, your booking might be irrelevant.

 

[StageTek]

Oh the kids refuse to share a bed. So I sleep with her and my husband with our son. And both of them are wiggle worms. My son and I have odd sleep schedules, waking several times throughout the night. And the hubby is a snorer. There have been nights we’ve traveled and gone to breakfast at 3am because we’re all wide awake. I think all four of us in one room would equate to a very grumpy week.

Seems like a no-brainer to me!

 

[Dug720]

I would add in that AOA is one of the resorts with no planned reopen date. So depending on how long they keep it closed, your booking might be irrelevant.

I thought AoA was changed to Nov 1.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I thought AoA was changed to Nov 1.

You're right. Stuff keeps changing and my brain is mush.