Where to Stay?

[MamaD]

Evening, everyone.

I'm in the (very) early planning stages of a trip out to WDW, probably November of 2020. The main players at the moment will be myself, my son (10 by the time we go), my older sister, and my dad. We're discussing which resort we want to stay in, and I think we've got it narrowed down to two options, but narrowing it further is a little hard.

First option is a suite at Art of Animation. Pros with this one - we've stayed here before, we all enjoyed it, so we know we love the resort. Great location, lovely decorations, good food court. We would also be able to take advantage of the options only available to people staying in the "bubble", like the dining plans and the FastPass reservation times. Cons are that I don't personally believe it's enough room - my dad would be taking the "main" bed, and I just have no interest in sleeping in the same bed as my sister OR my son. I like a little bit of room and I hate being touched while I'm trying to sleep - my son is a mover and my sister is pooh sized, there's no way I wouldn't be touched sharing a bed with either of them. I've done it before, but it's definitely not my idea of an even halfway decent sleep, not for a week.

Second option is two rooms at the Shades of Green. Pros are that there's plenty of room for everyone, at prices either equal to or even better than the suite price at AoA. We've never been there, so all the excitement of somewhere new to try out. Super close to the Polynesian and the feeling of -almost- being at a monorail resort. Cons would be that the dining plans are not an option (we know it doesn't really save money, but we like having that price rolled in with the rooms, it feels nice not paying OOP for most of the meals), and FastPass would need to be done much closer to the time of actually arriving, so all the risks inheirent with that.

So what would you do?

 

[STJ]

Have you considered connecting rooms instead? You still get the benefits of staying in the Disney bubble, but you get 4 beds so no one has to share. While SOG can be a good deal, we opted not to stay there for exactly the reasons you stated. If you get the dining plan, which I assume you would based on your comment, you won't have the need for the tiny kitchen. I'm not sure what this would do for price, although you have plenty of time to snag a good deal. The fps area also a big deal to me since we don't go every year and I want to get in as much as possible, including the new stuff.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I will second STJ's suggestion to consider two rooms at a value. They will probably price out less than the AoA suite and you will get 4 beds instead of 3 and everyone will get their own bed. You could stick with AoA and simply get two LM rooms or consider another value. I would look at Pop, personally. You will get 4 queens instead of doubles and you are still in the bubble. You can request connecting, though it's not guaranteed.

 

[MamaD]

Actually, that's a good point. Connecting rooms would definitely be great. Are the beds at Pop bigger than the single rooms at AoA? I didn't realize that. And yes, if we end up staying on official property, we'd already decided to get the quick service dining plan. I'll bring up the idea of double rooms at either Pop or AoA. I'm trying to keep lower prices in mind because Dad offered to pay for the rooms for the stay if my sister and I pay for tickets to Universal for a day. More planning!

Thank you for the replies!

 

[dansdad]

Actually, that's a good point. Connecting rooms would definitely be great. Are the beds at Pop bigger than the single rooms at AoA?

Yes. Pop has 2 queens and the AoA Little Mermaid rooms have 2 doubles .

 

[MamaD]

Yes. Pop has 2 queens and the AoA Little Mermaid rooms have 2 doubles .

That's good to know. I'd thought AoA's non-suite rooms were built the same as Pop's rooms, they sure look the same! It wouldn't have even occurred to me to check that the bed sizes were the same or not.

 

[dansdad]

That's good to know. I'd thought AoA's non-suite rooms were built the same as Pop's rooms, they sure look the same! It wouldn't have even occurred to me to check that the bed sizes were the same or not.

Pop used to have doubles too. Pop recently completed a room refurb that included switching the beds from doubles to queens.

 

[ama123]

I would go with SOG, unless the dining plan or magical express are top priority for you. SOG location cannot be beat with the exception of the monorail resorts, and you do get the benefit of booking fast passes at 60 days. 10 min walk to the Poly. The rooms are very large. It is a beautiful relaxing resort. We prefer not to have the dining plan and spend less without it, but of course that isn't the same for everybody. If you are eligible to stay at SOG it is a really great option.

 

[karly05]

I really know nothing about SOG, but I would look at two rooms at Pop. As noted above, newly renovated with queen beds, plus you're a quick walk across the bridge to AOA if you want to eat there or just visit. Plus Pop/AOA will have the Skyliner gondolas by then!