WL vs AoA suites???

[sea3668rn]

After extensive research I think I have narrowed our resort choice down to either WL or a suite at AoA. Cost wise it is close enough that I can consider it a wash. Our kids will be 5 and almost 3 for our trip but aren't hugely into any of the characters at AoA (yet). They're traditionalists and mostly like Mickey at this point. I think WL looks amazing and I think I would love it, but I think a suite might be nice too. Which one would you pick- and why???

 

[mickeynut1]

After extensive research I think I have narrowed our resort choice down to either WL or a suite at AoA. Cost wise it is close enough that I can consider it a wash. Our kids will be 5 and almost 3 for our trip but aren't hugely into any of the characters at AoA (yet). They're traditionalists and mostly like Mickey at this point. I think WL looks amazing and I think I would love it, but I think a suite might be nice too. Which one would you pick- and why???

We've never stayed at AoA, but we love the WL and that would be my choice. The WL is a beautiful resort with a great pool, great CS option, is convenient to MK via boat (as well as to the CR/Poly/GF for a variety of dining options), and the bus transportation (in our experience) has always been great. I'm sure you'll have a great trip no matter which resort you choose, but the WL really is an amazing resort. Good luck.

 

[sweetnjmom]

After extensive research I think I have narrowed our resort choice down to either WL or a suite at AoA. Cost wise it is close enough that I can consider it a wash. Our kids will be 5 and almost 3 for our trip but aren't hugely into any of the characters at AoA (yet). They're traditionalists and mostly like Mickey at this point. I think WL looks amazing and I think I would love it, but I think a suite might be nice too. Which one would you pick- and why???

Here's my 2 cents. Decide on what's more important to you. Do you want the suite, with the more space for your family--a separate sleeping area for your children--or do you want a deluxe resort with more amenities that is closer to the Magic Kingdom?

If you choose WL, your children will have to share a bed (unless you get the bunk beds, and I don't know how much extra that costs) and you won't have any privacy. However, the resort looks amazing--I will be staying there with my DH and 4-year-old--and I love the proximity to MK and just the overall ambiance.

If you choose AofA, you'll have more room, separate sleeping quarters that is very appealing to me, though bus rides only to the parks. The theming is adorable, IMO. We briefly considered the Nemo suites at one point. (My son loves Pixar beyond belief).

So figure out what's more important to you. We're looking forward to our stay at Wilderness Lodge this Fall.

 

[MinnieTink]

100% for WL for me! It's one of our favorites and it IS amazing and beautiful, quieter and much more relaxing than AoA. We did not care for AoA at all but we were in a standard LM room, so the suites may have more appeal.

 

[Disneyhenry]

Both have good things to offer
WL - great location! Boat Ride to MK, great theming,
AoA - a separate room for napping, fridge, microwave

If you need the separate area for nap time, then AoA if you don't then I say WL, it has better transportation IMO

Have fun!

 

[RapunzelsGoodMom]

My kids are younger than yours but just my two cents. If your 3 yr old is still napping, WL all the way. So easy (and fun) to take the boat back in the afternoon. It would make my DD3 drowsy and she's be ready for a nap when we got back to the hotel.

You can get a little privacy during naps/bedtimes because the WL rooms all have balconies. I love sitting outside and reading my book (kindle) while she sleeps and having a glass of wine or something. So nice. The sounds of the crickets and wildlife was so peaceful, like being away from Disney. The pool was pretty good for her as well too.

But not super convenient to Downtown Disney without a car. The bus service from everywhere there seems to be spotty. But otherwise, pretty darn nice.

But I decided as well that we would wait for AOA until it was really something the kids wanted and that we would go for convenience (and what mommy wants) for now. If you do WL now, you will likely get to see both resorts. If you do AOA now, you may be repeating in future years. Just a thought!

Both look great - a wonderful decision to have to make!

 

[Running Babeck]

If you're going at a busy time I'd go with WL. If not, I might give AoA a try (the only reason I would hesitate is that with the ages of your kids you might find the location of WL to be much more convenient).

We just returned from a split stay (Poly, then to AoA-Nemo). AoA is an amazing resort. It was really crowded when we were there though or we would have enjoyed it more. I think they may have worked out some of the issues at the food court as that didn't feel as crowded as I thought it would. The food was very good. It was loud, but we had no trouble getting our food & finding a seat. There are some tables outside that we liked as it was so much quieter there. The bus service was good (even though we were spoiled with the monorail to 2 parks @ PR). The theming was above & beyond. The suite itself was completely amazing! My son wants his bed here to be replaced with the sofa sleeper he had there. We found all of the beds to be very comfortable.

 

[mum2four]

We stayed in an AOA suite for a week this past May. It was overall a nice stay, but our main reason for staying there was because we are a family of six. The theming was cute, transportation was excellent and the extra space and second bathroom were great. We were in a LK suite and it was very quiet inside our building, but, walking around outside it did seem pretty crowded throughout the rest of the resort. We also found the foodcourt set up a bit of a challenge to manage with small kids in tow.

This January, DH and I are trying WL for the first time. It's only the two of us going this time, so we can finally book a standard-sized room. I'm anxious to see how the atmosphere of the resort compares to our AOA stay. Personally, I prefer a little more upscale resort experience than what AOA provides.

Like I said, we are a family of six, which was our main reason for booking AOA. If our family could fit into a standard-sized room, I don't think we would stay at AOA given all the other options available at WDW.

Unless you really feel that you need the extra room in the suite, I would go with WL. Just my 2 cents.

 

[sea3668rn]

Thanks for the recs- I love that everybody is thinking WL would be nicer! I have to admit that I became kind of obsessed with it once I started researching resorts. I think the closer location will be great for our kids, and I actually think they'll like having a more relaxed environment than AoA. I was planning on using the balcony during naps, and they won't mind sharing a bed at all. Our trip is over a year away and I am so excited I don't know how I will last!

 

[AndreaA]

Last October we stayed at AoA Cars section for one weekend and then transferred to a deluxe club level room (so, bedroom and living room w/sofa bed) at Wilderness Lodge.

We FAAAAAAAR preferred the Lodge and are going back in a few weeks.

Atmosphere: SO much more relaxing. LOVE the theme, boys loved the theme as well. They did like getting pictures with the Cars at AoA, but if it was that important I'd just take a bus or even taxi there on our rest day.

Food: Much better restaurants, I hate QS and the AoA QS was particularly loud, crowded and chaotic, especially with two little ones. We went out to the tables outside one morning and the AC blast at the door was so strong that it blew over a cup of coffee on my tray, spilling it all over my shirt. Not fun.
Pool: This is personal preference I think, because the AoA main pool IS great and the little Cars pool was super convenient. However, we preferred the wading pool for our boys, the waterslide and bigger pool when they were more confident and the TWO hottubs.

Transportation: We loved taking the ferry to MK and also took it to the Contemporary twice to eat at Chef Mickey's and California Grill. This year I have ADRs at the Grand Floridian as well as Contemporary and WL, and I'm planning on having us walk from GF to Poly for the fireworks one night. I can't imagine taking bus service from AoA to another resort just to eat.

Either way I'm sure you'll have a good time. The AoA suites are very nice (and having two bathrooms was great) but I wish they were in a smaller and more convenient resort.

 

[darkwing818]

100% for WL for me! It's one of our favorites and it IS amazing and beautiful, quieter and much more relaxing than AoA. We did not care for AoA at all but we were in a standard LM room, so the suites may have more appeal.

another vote for the WL....