Thinking of switching from FW Cabin to AOA Standard....help!

[Beachmom0317]

hi everyone!

So we last stayed in a FW cabin and loved it- so long as we rented a golf cart ($250 expense for this upcoming trip). We are visiting Disney again this Dec. and I am just going over our budget and we are a little short and our trip is a little over 3 months away. Instead of scrambling over the next few months I decided to check other resorts briefly- and see AOA standard is avail....would say us $1200 when you factor in not having to rent a golf cart.

We loved FW cabin standalone feature and the boat to MK. But we are also renting a car so AOA isn't horrible since we'll be driving everywhere anyways. We aren't huge foodies- I think we'll be fine with a food court and snacks in our room. I really don't want to cut any character meals and I'm afraid we may have to if we stay at FW. It'd be nice to go AOA and not worry about finances or cutting meals/park purchases. Our kids are 2 and 4 and obsessed with Nemo, fish in general and The Lion King. They also love Lightning Mcqueen so I think the theming would be great. I am just nervous about losing the standalone feature of the cabin. It's so quiet! But our kids are early risers and will likely pass out easily at night due to exhaustion. IDK any thoughts? The good news is no matter what we'll be at Disney right?!

 

[iheartglaciers]

FW cabin and the golf cart sounds super fun. I've never stayed there, but have stayed at WL and the boat to MK is nice (especially if you want to go back from MK during the day and return later), and the whole FW/WL area is really relaxing. One factor to think about is how much time your family will spend hanging out at the resort v. the parks. That could be a argument for FW. But $1200 is a lot of money to save.

If it were me, I'd probably opt to save the $1200 and stay at AoA. That way you don't have to worry about finances and have as many special meals as you want. The theming at AoA is fun, and you can also walk to Pop as well.

 

[Beachmom0317]

FW cabin and the golf cart sounds super fun. I've never stayed there, but have stayed at WL and the boat to MK is nice (especially if you want to go back from MK during the day and return later), and the whole FW/WL area is really relaxing. One factor to think about is how much time your family will spend hanging out at the resort v. the parks. That could be a argument for FW. But $1200 is a lot of money to save.

If it were me, I'd probably opt to save the $1200 and stay at AoA. That way you don't have to worry about finances and have as many special meals as you want. The theming at AoA is fun, and you can also walk to Pop as well.

It was fun! We were planning on spending down time 3 out of the 4 afternoons/evenings we’re there hanging around the FW area. They have the chip n dale sing along I wanted to check out. But I suppose I could rearrange our schedule and look for activities to do at other resorts/Disney Springs- or maybe we still spend an evening hanging at FW.

 

[Monykalyn]

That is a significant chunk of change to save...and yet you give up a ton of space to move to AoA. Plus the boat ride back to cabins at end of an MK day vs trucking to a bus (or monorail then tram to car) is just so nice...

The sing along is fun! Bring your stuff to make s'mores too-even my older kids liked it! But you could still do that without having to stay there, you know you'll just have to adjust how you get there which can be a bit of a pain. And the security at FW this past summer was tighter-they weren't really allowing much traffic in who weren't guests or had ADR's.

Ugh- I am all for saving money but I really really liked the cabins!

 

[Beachmom0317]

That is a significant chunk of change to save...and yet you give up a ton of space to move to AoA. Plus the boat ride back to cabins at end of an MK day vs trucking to a bus (or monorail then tram to car) is just so nice...

The sing along is fun! Bring your stuff to make s'mores too-even my older kids liked it! But you could still do that without having to stay there, you know you'll just have to adjust how you get there which can be a bit of a pain. And the security at FW this past summer was tighter-they weren't really allowing much traffic in who weren't guests or had ADR's.

Ugh- I am all for saving money but I really really liked the cabins!

Okay good to know about FW security! I suppose we could always book an ADR at Trail’s End for dinner and then do the s’mores afterwards. Even though we’d be adding a dinner meal to our budget (Trails End) we’d still be saving so much in the long run! We could always explore going back to the parks for a little while in the evening after a break. I just didn’t have that as part of my plan because why would you if you are staying at FW with all those activities going on lol!

 

[krum]

They will charge you for parking at AoA but not at FW, so consider that when factoring the cost of the golf cart.

 

[Boysmom1626]

If you’re feeling like the budget will be tight, I’d definitely make the switch. $1200 is a lot of money to save! It can really take the fun out of a vacation if you feel like you are watching every penny you spend the entire time. AoA is a super fun resort and the theming is amazing.

 

[Beachmom0317]

They will charge you for parking at AoA but not at FW, so consider that when factoring the cost of the golf cart.

Unfortunately even though we are in a cabin with a designated parking space we still have to pay for parking at FW! Boooo

 

[Beachmom0317]

Also maybe a mod can move this from the restaurant to the resort board? Sorry! Should’ve finished my coffee before I posted haha

 

[familyman123]

Hmm. I’ve stayed at the cabins with four gurls and loved it for the reasons you stated. I’ve never stayed at the AoA and would love to try it. I would say switch

That said, maybe a split stay? Start at AoA and do EP, AK, and HS; then move to fort wilderness and do downtime and MK?

 

[earfulofmagic]

I'd save the significant amount of money and erase any worry of going over budget, so I could actually enjoy the trip! When you mentioned your kids are 2 and 4 and love all the characters featured around AOA, that too tipped me in the direction of AOA... plus, you're going to rent a car and drive the family to/from parks, so transportation is not a huge concern it seems.

pp who suggested a split stay is a great compromise too, I would look into that as well.

The good news is no matter what we'll be at Disney right?!

Exactly right, no matter which you pick.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Definitely AoA.

Going on vacation with a strict budget is no fun. Save yourself the grief and move resorts.

Have fun !

 

[North of Mouse]

They will charge you for parking at AoA but not at FW, so consider that when factoring the cost of the golf cart.

Unfortunately, charges at FW Cabins also!!

 

[dachsie]

If you’re feeling like the budget will be tight, I’d definitely make the switch. $1200 is a lot of money to save! It can really take the fun out of a vacation if you feel like you are watching every penny you spend the entire time. AoA is a super fun resort and the theming is amazing.

This! You want your time at Disney to be stress-free not stress-inducing and worrying about money will do that to you every time. There will be plenty of activities at AoA and like others have said, you can boat over to FW to do the campfire one nite. You will have a great time!

 

[Beachmom0317]

Okay so update everyone!

We officially changed to AoA Little Mermaid standard room. Saved $1,000 on the room and no golf cart rental for FW ($250). I hardly feel like we’re settling for a lesser fun option since I actually think my kids will love AoA even more than FW! DH and I just want to do whatever makes the kids giddy.

DH and I are planning an adults only trip December 2019 at WL, so I didn’t want to come back with debt since we want to save for 2019 vacation. With the new AoA cost we have everything saved already for this trip and can keep our 3 character meals and make some park purchases.

Thanks everyone! Can’t wait!

 

[iheartglaciers]

Okay so update everyone!

We officially changed to AoA Little Mermaid standard room. Saved $1,000 on the room and no golf cart rental for FW ($250). I hardly feel like we’re settling for a lesser fun option since I actually think my kids will love AoA even more than FW! DH and I just want to do whatever makes the kids giddy.

DH and I are planning an adults only trip December 2019 at WL, so I didn’t want to come back with debt since we want to save for 2019 vacation. With the new AoA cost we have everything saved already for this trip and can keep our 3 character meals and make some park purchases.

Thanks everyone! Can’t wait!

That sounds like a great plan!! And even better that you keep your character meals while saving money for your next trip. WL at Christmas is magical

 

[ShannonMB]

I think the move was a great idea. At your girls' ages they will love that resort! It's always fun to try out a new place, especially if it will give you some wiggle room in your plans! DD (a teenager) and I stayed there on our last trip (we usually stay at one of the moderates) and loved it. The theming is really so well done. We thought the food court had some awesome stuff, she especially loved the gelato and had it almost every day. I hope you have a wonderful trip!!