Taking two first timers...which resort?

[luvthemouse71]

I will be taking my niece to WDW in February. It will be her first trip- she'll be seven. We will also have my mom with us and my sister( the other aunt). Thinking of AoA family suite..the LM rooms are cute but they are the farthest away from the main building, and my mom will be 69 When we go. I can also get a standard room at AKL for about $100 more. Are the suites overkill for 4 people? Any other suggestions? Thanks..

 

[Barbara76]

I will be taking my niece to WDW in February. It will be her first trip- she'll be seven. We will also have my mom with us and my sister( the other aunt). Thinking of AoA family suite..the LM rooms are cute but they are the farthest away from the main building, and my mom will be 69 When we go. I can also get a standard room at AKL for about $100 more. Are the suites overkill for 4 people? Any other suggestions? Thanks..

$100 more total, or $100 more a day? If it is total I would go with AKL

 

[nursejackie]

We stayed at AoA and it was very, very busy and such a large resort without any internal transport. It only has quick service food option. We had a cars suite, which was amazing but the bus queues were long, and when we waited for the Magical Express we couldn't even get on the first one that came there were so many people waiting. I can't comment on AKL but we have booked for December. I would recommend OKW for peace and quiet, a great pool, and a short boat ride to Disney Springs, and great internal resort transport, it also has table and quick service options. The rooms are some of the biggest on Disney property. We stay every year now, it really does feel like home.

 

[trishadono]

I will be taking my niece to WDW in February. It will be her first trip- she'll be seven. We will also have my mom with us and my sister( the other aunt). Thinking of AoA family suite..the LM rooms are cute but they are the farthest away from the main building, and my mom will be 69 When we go. I can also get a standard room at AKL for about $100 more. Are the suites overkill for 4 people? Any other suggestions? Thanks..

I had stayed at every resort except ssr and aoa when I had a similar situation last January. Me dd20 and 2 friends. One girl was her first wdw visit. I choose aoa nemo suite.

They LOVED it! The girls loved the murphy bed so much. There is a night light in there and nemo.

For bathroom space it was good too. DD and I stayed in the queen room and that shower is nice and big. Lots of drawer space too. The extra bath in the other room is nice because there are 2 doors. One can be in the shower/toilet room with the door shut and the other can be getting dressed privately because sink area had a pocket door separating from the kitchen area.

We almost did 2 at POP or one deluxe. For this trip it was the best. My dd didn't want to not be with her friends at night when we got back. They stayed up chatting and I had my privacy. I loved sharing the moments with the girls which was possible because we were together.

4 females in one bath at a deluxe would NOT have worked for this group, lol.

This year only one girl going so I am trying for CR or Poly studio/dvc. I think the separate toilet at cr would be helpful and the poly studio has 2 shower and 2 sink areas.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Although the space is nice, AoA rooms are quite uncomfortable IMHO. The walls are thin and the bedding is scratchy. It was incredibly loud when we stayed there and I really didn't like only having one, really busy food court.

If AKL is your only other option, I would do it. The room will be smaller and you will only have one bath, but you'll have a balcony and fantastic amenities.

I would also suggest pricing out a CR garden wing room, if available. They usually price out a little higher than AKL and WL, but you will have an even bigger room, great amenities and the monorail (plus walking to MK).

 

[bek]

Your niece at 7 years is the perfect age for AoA. My grandkids loved the pool and the murphy bed and all the garish decor. It's also nice to have 2 rooms, so someone can nap while others socialize. 2 bathrooms are also great. The downsides as mentioned are the buses can be crowded and there's only a food court. Request close to lobby as some of the suites can still be a hike.

Since you mentioned your mom and the LM distance, I'd also consider the "smaller" resorts. I'm 60+ with a bum knee. POFQ is one of my new favorites since all the rooms are reasonably close to food and transport. There's a new water play area for your niece and a water taxi to Disney Springs for lots of dining options as food at POFQ is pretty limited. WL (under construction at the moment) is also more compact than AKL. My grandkids loved it because there's all sorts of things to explore. I also love AKL -- lots of food I like, I love the animals but it can be a hike to the lobby and transport if you're way out on the wings, so definitely request close to lobby. There are lots of places all around the lodge to sit and watch animals. So nap-oriented folks can be in the room and socializing can take place elsewhere.

I'd pick AKL if the adults want more quiet and a bit of a break from the noise/congestion of the parks. AoA is great if you want a really kid and park-focused trip.

 

[GrumpyBelle]

AKL is the most unique IMO and will make the biggest impression on the first timers. Also a great resort for spending some time away from the park.

 

[Kevin355]

We stayed at AoA and it was very, very busy and such a large resort without any internal transport. It only has quick service food option. We had a cars suite, which was amazing but the bus queues were long, and when we waited for the Magical Express we couldn't even get on the first one that came there were so many people waiting. I can't comment on AKL but we have booked for December. I would recommend OKW for peace and quiet, a great pool, and a short boat ride to Disney Springs, and great internal resort transport, it also has table and quick service options. The rooms are some of the biggest on Disney property. We stay every year now, it really does feel like home.

Although the space is nice, AoA rooms are quite uncomfortable IMHO. The walls are thin and the bedding is scratchy. It was incredibly loud when we stayed there and I really didn't like only having one, really busy food court.

If AKL is your only other option, I would do it. The room will be smaller and you will only have one bath, but you'll have a balcony and fantastic amenities.

I would also suggest pricing out a CR garden wing room, if available. They usually price out a little higher than AKL and WL, but you will have an even bigger room, great amenities and the monorail (plus walking to MK).

I will never stay at AoA again. Having stayed at CBR and debating about 2 rooms at CBR or suites at AoA, I decided to read this board and go with AoA. It is a busy resort with no quiet pools and one transportation center. Since the resort is geared to younger families, and this is probably something I should have thought of...the amount of strollers on the buses made it crowded worse than I remember at CBR. And the Big Blue Pool is nice, but there was no place for us to just get a little quiet swimming.

AoA is not a bad resort in all, but the food court is packed and the bus situation is worse than CBR.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Not an easy decision, that's for sure. I showed my mom AoA and the first thing out of her mouth was that the colors are so loud! I know my niece would love it but then again, she'll be thrilled just to be at WDW, I think the parks will make more of an impression to be honest. Right now, I'm leaning towards AKL or POFQ. Too bad WL is undergoing refurb...that would have been a great choice.

 

[bek]

Check out the Wilderness Lodge resort thread. If you go to the last few pages, there are photos and reports from recent stays at the Lodge. It seems since the trees are gone, folks are getting fireworks views! Plus there's a good chance with the construction, that WL will have discounts when they release. My DIL and I stayed at GF when it was under construction because we got a great discount. The construction did not bother us at all. I just made sure I requested to be away from the construction.

A couple of more points to ponder -- AKL has interior hallways and POFQ has exterior. February weather in Florida is all over the map from freezing to gorgeous. The AKL lobby is beautiful to hang out in, POFQ not so much. Double-check the bus situation at AKL -- when I stayed there, it always shared with Kidani and picked up first at Kidani. It's a long ride to MK and standing may not be good for your mom. POFQ picks up first when it shares with POR, so always first choice of bus seats plus it's a quick ride to MK, EP, DS. At AKL the Grandkids loved the night viewing of animals. WL has a gorgeous lobby (WL & AKL were designed by the same architect), interior hallways, boat and bus service to MK.

Also double-check menus at each resort and see what food your group likes. My DIL has a fish allergy, so we've eliminated POFQ for our February trip since lots of the New Orleans inspired food at POFQ/POR (all amenities are shared with both resorts) has fish in it. AKL is African/Asian inspired and WL is American -- ribs, chicken, etc.

AKL would be my first choice if you're going to be spending time at the resort especially if you have a Savannah view room. If your trip is park-focused, then POFQ is centrally located and is a pleasant resort although it doesn't come close to the beauty of AKL or WL. POFQ's food court is being renovated right now but should be open by February. I'd also consider WL if it's a park focused trip especially if you're focused on MK. It's either a quick bus ride or a pretty boat ride to MK. The reports in the WL resort thread are saying the construction is not that bothersome but you should look at the photos and decide for yourself.

 

[luvthemouse71]

Ok, off to the WL thread I'll go..I have stayed there before and it's a favorite. Maybe the construction isn't too distracting, I hope not.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I priced out WL and AKL for our dates...Holy moly, the prices went up! We may have to do a moderate. So, POFQ is in the running, how about CBR, any thoughts on that one?

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I priced out WL and AKL for our dates...Holy moly, the prices went up! We may have to do a moderate. So, POFQ is in the running, how about CBR, any thoughts on that one?

I would do a moderate. I've stayed at CBR and loved it both times. We stayed in Aruba and had a quick walk to OPR. The kids loved the pool. The buses were great for both trips. I would like to try POFQ also. I know most will say POFQ since it's a smaller resort but I've never stayed there.

 

[luvthemouse71]

I booked today-ended up going with POFQ. CBR looks nice and I may try that on a trip with just my sister and I. I want my mom to enjoy this trip too, so I think the relative quietness and small size of POFQ will do the trick. Thanks for your help, everyone!

 

[Kevin355]

I priced out WL and AKL for our dates...Holy moly, the prices went up! We may have to do a moderate. So, POFQ is in the running, how about CBR, any thoughts on that one?

We love CBR, but I see you booked POFQ. You will enjoy it from everything I have read.

 

[terri33inne]

I know my niece would love it but then again, she'll be thrilled just to be at WDW, I think the parks will make more of an impression to be honest.

This is soooo true! My daughter is all about the pool & snacks at the resorts. We've stayed all 3 levels, and she's loved pools at every resort. Enjoy. Have discounts come out for Feb yet? If you don't get one for POFQ, I would say a POR royal room... (book pool view to minimize walking), at 7 she will love it.

 

[jscottnc]

I recommend AoA. Reason: two full bathrooms. We stayed in the Lion King Suites.

 

[tgarre06]

I will be taking my niece to WDW in February. It will be her first trip- she'll be seven. We will also have my mom with us and my sister( the other aunt). Thinking of AoA family suite..the LM rooms are cute but they are the farthest away from the main building, and my mom will be 69 When we go. I can also get a standard room at AKL for about $100 more. Are the suites overkill for 4 people? Any other suggestions? Thanks..

I love your avatar!!!

 

[kwdw]

I totally would have recommended AoA with your crowd. The two rooms with two bathrooms would have given you more space, more privacy, and made it much easier to get out in the morning. Plus, three sleeping spaces. I've been there with my niece and SIL and it really gives us time to be separated from each other and the two bathrooms just helps us immensely. We have NOT found it loud, and it you book a Cars suite, you have easy access to a quiet pool and the main pool. They also bring in long buses to that resort, so we rarely had to wait long for a bus since so many people can get on. Interestingly, CBR is my least favorite resort because it's so big the food court can be too far away and we could never get seats at the main pool it was so crowded. y Code

 

[mickeymom22]

I am going to suggest another resort...Port Orleans Riverside Royal room. While I love POFQ, I also loved all the details in the POR Royal room. I think everyone would love it. We were in room #9090 in Oak Manor. It was just a short walk over the bridge and we were at the main building. Your mom would feel like royalty!

Happy Planning!