Unsure about AoA

[lindsayjs]

I keep trying to be happy with my reservation and I'm just not thrilled. We're a family of 5; 2 adults, one 5 year old and 2 teens. For my older kids and myself it's our first trip back in 7 years. This will be my husband and 5 year olds first visit ever. It will likely be awhile before we can do something like this again so I really want it to be great. We currently have an AoA LK suite booked.
Originally I had planned on POR but they had no military discount availability. PORFQ is my favorite resort, small, quiet just gorgeous. But since we have 5 POR was the natural progression. Sure we could pay rack rate but that seemed silly at the time.
My TA suggested an AoA suite with discount it's about 35 more per night than POR at rack rate. But more space, 2 bathrooms etc. So, i booked it. I think the theming is cute but overwhelming. We've stayed at Pop and I'm not a huge fan of the bright, in your face everywhere style.
So, I keep checking back for discount availability every week or so at other places. I stopped asking my TA to check I think she was getting annoyed with me. I figure if I get a lead I can ask her to change my reservation.
After all that backstory:
Should I just suck it up and make the best of what I have?
Try for a split stay so Im not trapped if I hate it?
Realize AoA is great and I'm going to be impressed when I get there?
Keep calling back until the bitter end trying to get a deal elsewhere?
Other suggestions?

 

[westie55]

AoA will be similar to Pop but with more space if you are staying in a LK suite vs. a Pop standard room. If you disliked the bright, in your face theming at Pop, you probably won't be a fan of the theming at AoA, although I think it's terrific. It's a matter of taste. I think if you are going into the vacation expecting the worst, I'd change your reservation before it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. A Disney vacation costs too much money to not be excited about, IMO. Since you've stayed at both Pop and POFQ, you have a good idea of what you'll be getting. I would pick what you and your family are excited about, but I will say that I love AoA and have stayed at all levels of Disney resorts.

 

[lampshadehead]

With that many people, especially two teens and a husband, I would stay at AOA. The two bathrooms is such a plus , as well as the privacy of a bedroom with a door. And the microwave is convenient also.

 

[LisaCM614]

I keep trying to be happy with my reservation and I'm just not thrilled. We're a family of 5; 2 adults, one 5 year old and 2 teens. For my older kids and myself it's our first trip back in 7 years. This will be my husband and 5 year olds first visit ever. It will likely be awhile before we can do something like this again so I really want it to be great. We currently have an AoA LK suite booked.
Originally I had planned on POR but they had no military discount availability. PORFQ is my favorite resort, small, quiet just gorgeous. But since we have 5 POR was the natural progression. Sure we could pay rack rate but that seemed silly at the time.
My TA suggested an AoA suite with discount it's about 35 more per night than POR at rack rate. But more space, 2 bathrooms etc. So, i booked it. I think the theming is cute but overwhelming. We've stayed at Pop and I'm not a huge fan of the bright, in your face everywhere style.
So, I keep checking back for discount availability every week or so at other places. I stopped asking my TA to check I think she was getting annoyed with me. I figure if I get a lead I can ask her to change my reservation.
After all that backstory:
Should I just suck it up and make the best of what I have?
Try for a split stay so Im not trapped if I hate it?
Realize AoA is great and I'm going to be impressed when I get there?
Keep calling back until the bitter end trying to get a deal elsewhere?
Other suggestions?

We had one trip where we stayed AOA LK suite. I was unhappy from the moment I booked it but we were travelling with others and we wanted to be at the same resort.
We loved it. Your 5 year old will love it. It is so immersively Disney. The theming is incredible. But when you are in the room you won't feel like it is so bright. The LK room was not to my taste, you'll never see those colors in my house but I was really fine. The resort landscaping is wonderful, it is so fun to walk around the different sections.
You will love having 2 bathrooms with 2 teens. You will love having a door to close between the two rooms - we had the best sleep at Disney in that room. It was the quietest of any resort we have stayed in.
The Big Blue pool is so fun. The kids spent so much time underwater listening to music.
Landscape of Flavors is a great food court - really good food.
Just trying to help you feel better, but if you just can't - then you might need to spend the extra money at POR. I would not do a split stay for your husband's sake. Split stays are great for a second or third visit, it can be too much for someone where everything is already so new. But maybe he is super flexible and will be ok with the 'lost' day when you check out and in to a new resort.

 

[lindsayjs]

We had one trip where we stayed AOA LK suite. I was unhappy from the moment I booked it but we were travelling with others and we wanted to be at the same resort.
We loved it. Your 5 year old will love it. It is so immersively Disney. The theming is incredible. But when you are in the room you won't feel like it is so bright. The LK room was not to my taste, you'll never see those colors in my house but I was really fine. The resort landscaping is wonderful, it is so fun to walk around the different sections.
You will love having 2 bathrooms with 2 teens. You will love having a door to close between the two rooms - we had the best sleep at Disney in that room. It was the quietest of any resort we have stayed in.
The Big Blue pool is so fun. The kids spent so much time underwater listening to music.
Landscape of Flavors is a great food court - really good food.
Just trying to help you feel better, but if you just can't - then you might need to spend the extra money at POR. I would not do a split stay for your husband's sake. Split stays are great for a second or third visit, it can be too much for someone where everything is already so new. But maybe he is super flexible and will be ok with the 'lost' day when you check out and in to a new resort.

Hearing from someone else won over by AoA really helps! I know my little one will be thrilled he loves all things fish and ocean, so the pool will be huge hit with him.
I think I've been getting way too hung up on perfecting everything! Disney requires flexibility, I know. I think I just have a hard time deciding where to bend.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

If you disliked Pop, you won't like AoA, IMHO. Yes, the suite is bigger than a standard room, but it's still in-your-face and it's still a value resort. We tried it the first year it opened thinking it would be the deluxe of the values (that's really how they marketed it, IMHO) and after one night there I wanted to leave. Yes, DS (5 at the time) loved the theming at first, but that wears off pretty fast. He was in WDW, after all, and was getting that theming all day long. AoA is loud, the food court is a chaotic nightmare and the buses weren't great. Personally, I would see if you could get a discount on a deluxe that sleeps 5 (CR, BWI, BC, YC, Poly or GF) or save the $35 and pay rack for a resort you know you will like.

 

[TDluvsDaisy]

Think about what is more important to you. If space is important, you'll be very happy with AOA. If theming is more important, you'll want to move. My family and I prefer Beach Club but had to settle on a night at AOA during the hurricane last October. I was very happy with the extra space and we loved Landscape of Flavors. I would totally stay at AOA again. The 2 bathrooms and kitchenette outweighed the over the top theming for me. Way outweighed.

Whichever resort you end up with, go in with a smile and positive attitude and you'll still have a great time. Good luck with your choice.

 

[LisaCM614]

Hearing from someone else won over by AoA really helps! I know my little one will be thrilled he loves all things fish and ocean, so the pool will be huge hit with him.
I think I've been getting way too hung up on perfecting everything! Disney requires flexibility, I know. I think I just have a hard time deciding where to bend.

Understand that perspective totally. Sometimes budget is the most important thing. Sometimes location is. You have to know what is the most important thing for your family for this trip. And if it is location and budget, maybe there is another place you can save on to make the cost difference not so large.

 

[Ksims616]

Before we owned DVC, our blended family of 6 stayed at AoA. We loved the space it provided us. Two full baths to get ready in the morning, little seating area...Here's a thought: if bright over the top theme isn't your thing, see if you can switch to a Cars theme suite. It's still hugely themed, but the colors are a bit subdued. The Cars quiet pool was our favorite!

Truth be told: I love our DVC but I miss my Cars suite something fierce!

 

[grumpy28]

I think I would just book what I wanted. If you have to be convinced something is great, its probably not for you.

 

[rosiebean]

Sometimes budget is the most important thing. Sometimes location is. You have to know what is the most important thing for your family for this trip.

This is what you need to decide. Budget (along with extra space) vs theme/location.

I know for me, resort theme and location are a huge part of my trip. I'd pay more to stay at a resort I know I'd love vs. one I know I'd not like very much...and would also pay less to stay at a moderate I love vs. a deluxe I'm just 'meh' about.

So you just have to figure out what's most important to you and your family. If it might be a while before you can do a trip like this again, it's worth it (IMO) to go with what you know will make you happy if it's an affordable option.

 

[dancin Disney style]

The theme in the LK section is much more subtle. It's a lot of greenery and less of the large icons. Every time we have been over there and walk around I think that I would not want to stay there because I kind of like the in your face style of POP and the All Stars. Aside from that I think that the added space of having a suite will make your stay much nicer for the family.

 

[maxiesmom]

I agree that you need to decide what is most important, space or theme. Or you could even do 2 rooms at any value resort for around the same cost as a suite at AoA, and it may be even cheaper. Or a Family Suite at the All Star Music, where the decor is not quite as in your face. That would be considerably cheaper than a suite at AoA.

 

[bobbie68]

Hi I have not stayed at AOA but have stayed at POR/POFQ and enjoy those resorts very much. I totally understand how you feel about theme I feel the same way. In addition I am a pool snob and am fussy about that. However, when we go on vacation budget is important but so is being happy. I now have two teens that we take and I will tell you I do everything I can to find a middle ground between theme and space. It really makes a difference having that extra space for the teens as well as a second bathroom. I think considering a split stay could work. We do that very often and it meets both criteria for me. I have also done two rooms before at places where they have a connecting room category. Good luck

 

[lindsayjs]

At this point I'm thinking AoA will be our default. I'm going to focus on the positive and the aspects my kids will love. The availability of a discount for our dates is slim and mostly values.
I think everyone who have sung the praises of 2 bathrooms are definitely right. I spoke with a cast member yesterday that recommended checking for openings closer to the 45 day cut off if I still want to change then. So as it stands we're team AoA unless we can get 2 rooms at POFQ discounted. That will be our only exception.
I definitely appreciate everyone's input! This thread has really helped me prioritize. While theming and staying within my budget window are concerns of mine; I think convenience and space are the priority winners.

 

[MsOnceUponATime]

Years ago I stayed at AOA Little Nemo suites - it was the best thing for us in regards to having teenagers traveling with us. From the separate bathroom to the separate sleeping space -- it really is as good as it gets if you're not in a 1 bedroom suite. My youngest daughter still talks about going back and staying there - as she loved the drop down bed-- and she was 6. We had some memorable moments there -- including the giant seagulls!! "Mine, mine, mine" !!
You won't regret the AOA suites!!

 

[wagner1225]

You will like it, we are going back to AOA this year , we have been at many Hotels at Disney over the years (40+) and yes, as some have said the theming is over the top, but thats whats great, we were adults and it was great seeing all the kids smile , vacations are to get away from the everyday drudge , last year it was Nemo and this year its Cars, other than WL and AKL its one our favorites, enjoy and have fun...

 

[quandrea]

If you disliked Pop, you won't like AoA, IMHO. Yes, the suite is bigger than a standard room, but it's still in-your-face and it's still a value resort. We tried it the first year it opened thinking it would be the deluxe of the values (that's really how they marketed it, IMHO) and after one night there I wanted to leave. Yes, DS (5 at the time) loved the theming at first, but that wears off pretty fast. He was in WDW, after all, and was getting that theming all day long. AoA is loud, the food court is a chaotic nightmare and the buses weren't great. Personally, I would see if you could get a discount on a deluxe that sleeps 5 (CR, BWI, BC, YC, Poly or GF) or save the $35 and pay rack for a resort you know you will like.

Spot on. It's not for us for these reasons.

 

[paradesintherain]

Admittedly I'm a big Lion King fan, but I LOVED the Lion King suites. They are bright, but it's bright for a theme most will actually enjoy. Who really cares about monuments from the 60s? (Ok, some people probably do).

Having 2 bathrooms is great, and I was obsessed with the shower in the suite. It was like showering in a sunrise, so lovely. And the grounds at AoA are really lovely, the Lion King section was especially lush and pretty. We had good experiences with the buses and the food court! I think if you go into it with an open mind you'll probably enjoy it.

For some perspective, I originally booked at AoA but now we're switched to POFQ and I'm kind of sad about it, despite how much I love the theme at POFQ and how much I loved staying at POR.

 

[bluezy]

I was very worried about the "in your face" decor at AoA the first time we stayed there. Our kids (tweens and teens at the time) really wanted to stay there so we decided to give it a try figuring we don't spend that much time in the room or at the resort anyway. Plus, staying in a suite guaranteed that we'd all be under "one roof" rather than having to worry that we wouldn't get connecting rooms. We stayed in a LK suite and when we first opened the door to our suite I thought, "Oh my. It's going to be a long week living in this chaotically decorated room." But once we actually moved in and had our stuff throughout the room, it wasn't bad at all. In fact, after a day or so, I didn't even really notice the things I thought were chaotic when we walked in the door. And I agree with the PP who said the shower in the LK master bathroom is lovely. I would love for my shower at home to be like that! We really fell in love with the resort on that trip -- something I never thought would happen. Honestly, I thought it would be a once-and-done stay for us on the day we arrived. We've now stayed there a total of 3 times (twice in LK, once in Nemo) and will probably stay there at least one more time (until we're down to only 1 or 2 kids traveling with us and can get a standard room). We've always had great bus service and while the food court can get noisy and busy, we've never had trouble finding a table and we like that they use real plates and silverware. We also like having Pop Century just a close walk away -- it provides another food court close by and it also gives you the option of taking a bus from a park back to Pop Century if the AoA bus lines look too long. If you do end up staying at AoA, be sure to take a walk around the resort at night -- it's absolutely gorgeous when it's all lit up. The Cars Section at night is especially immersive. We like to take the bus back to Pop Century at least one night when we're leaving the parks just to make the walk across the bridge from Pop and see AoA all lit up.

One little tip -- if none of your kids want to share a bed, the couch cushions will make a perfect bed for your 5 year old. Just ask for extra sheets and blankets from mousekeeping. Wrap the cushions in a sheet and you've got a nice little bed.