Art of Animation vs. Ft. Wilderness with Little Kids

[Tom P.]

Hi folks,

Got a difficult decision to make, and one which I think seems a very odd conundrum: do we pay *more* for a value resort or less for a moderate?

Here's the scoop: we are going to Disney World this fall. We have a large family and all the kids are small. Specifically, ages 8, 6, 5, 3, and 1 when we go. So we need something like a suite, villa, or cabin to accommodate us.

We'd booked a family suite at Art of Animation. When free dining came out, though, we were able to score a cabin at Fort Wilderness with free dining, but couldn't get one at AoA. We switched, because it was like a thousand dollar savings over the course of a 9-night stay. But now we're not so sure we're making the right call.

We've made two family trips before, and both times stayed at Port Orleans Riverside. It was nice. No question the grounds are beautiful. But while we were satisfied with it, we didn't feel that the theming was really that appealing for small children. Hence why we decided to "downgrade" to a value and do AoA, which looks awesome for kids. Great theming, tons of activities, the pools, the arcade, etc. all just look great. But then free dining came out, we switched.

But now we're kinda feeling the same way about FW. Yeah, it looks like an awesome resort. And the cabins are nice and spacious. But it still feels like it's just not going to be nearly as appealing to little kids as AoA, and also the transportation situation at FW makes me think we may be in for a lot of headaches herding that many small children from Point A to Point B.

So what do you all think? Am I out of my mind for considering spending a grand more to go "down" to a value resort? Or is AoA really going to be so magical for the little ones that it's worth it?

Thanks,
Tom

 

[sxeensweet]

I second for AOA. Ft. Wilderness is exactly that you are in the woods in a cabin. You have to use the internal bus system or rented golf carts to get to anything like the quick service restaurant , bus stop for parks etc, and so on. No major theming that those little kiddos will enjoy like at AOA. Also in the cabins there is only one bathroom and it's pretty small. At AOA in the suites you have 2 full bathrooms and more space in them. AOA has the Murphy bed where dining is and a sleeper sofa in the living room, and full bathroom when you walk in with tub/shower combo. Master bedroom has its bed and full bathroom with large shower. AOA overall seems like a better fit for your family IMO.

 

[sxeensweet]

Here is the floor plan of a cabin at Ft. Wilderness. They are only 504 sq ft.

 

[sxeensweet]

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I'd say the cabin and it's not particularly close. I stayed at Art of Animation when only Nemo and Cars were open and it was okay then, but the common areas have taken a beating since. Especially with free dine. For a party that size, free dine is a HUGE perk, especially of the alternative is paying rack rate at DAAR.

EDIT: To be clear, are you saying it's cheaper BECAUSE you get free dining, or it literally will cost less PLUS you get free dine on top of it?

 

[sxeensweet]

I'd say the cabin and it's not particularly close. I stayed at Art of Animation when only Nemo and Cars were open and it was okay then, but the common areas have taken a beating since. Especially with free dine. For a party that size, free dine is a HUGE perk, especially of the alternative is paying rack rate at DAAR.

I agree with free dining But usually without free dining you can usually get a room discount of some sort most times of year. We never paid full rack rate on any trip by choosing a room discount that was offered instead of free dining. So maybe there is a room discount available for them at AOA or one will come out soon/closer to the trip.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I agree with free dining But usually without free dining you can usually get a room discount of some sort most times of year. We never paid full rack rate on any trip by choosing a room discount that was offered instead of free dining.

That would be my assumption as well. But it doesn't seem like that's what the OP is describing. DAAR is often an exception to that kind of offer (as are the cabins for that matter).

 

[sxeensweet]

That would be my assumption as well. But it doesn't seem like that's what the OP is describing. DAAR is often an exception to that kind of offer (as are the cabins for that matter).

True. If money is not a huge concern I would go for the suites though at AOA for space, and more convinience, and theming.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

True. If money is not a huge concern I would go for the suites though at AOA for space, and more convinience, and theming.

You're killing me haha. Fort Wilderness, though simple, is one of the best executed themes on property. Horses! Campfire! S'mores!

DAAR is plain box construction with figures glued on. More "decoration" than "theme."

 

[sxeensweet]

You're killing me haha. Fort Wilderness, though simple, is one of the best executed themes on property. Horses! Campfire! S'mores!

DAAR is plain box construction with figures glued on. More "decoration" than "theme."

I agree on that aspect, but think it would be more fun if the smallest kids were a little older. I don't have a problem with the cabins or Ft. Wilderness itself but it can be somewhat a pain to get around etc and I always appreciate more than one bathroom!!. Lol

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

Art of Animation

 

[kelknight84]

I have DD's 5 and 3 and they absolutely love the fort! It has a great pool with a big waterslide, large kid only area with water sprayers and slides, multiple playgrounds all over, pony/horse/wagon rides, view of the water parade and fireworks from the beach. But the BEST of all is the nightly campfire sing-a-long with Chip and Dale. It's FREE and you can interact with the characters and then they show a movie on a big outdoor screen. We've never had any trouble with the internal transportation. Most of the time we stay at the campground and never set foot in the parks since there is so much to do!

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

My daughter and I have stayed at AOA twice. It is a great resort for kids, the pools are great, we love the food court and it is very much Disney to me. However, I think the Fort Wilderness Cabins would be a lot of fun. If you like camping or want to experience the camping atmosphere and not just the Disney vibe that AOA provides then FW is great. It looks like FW has a lot for both kids and adults to do. It sounds like free dining is important to you and if that is true I would stick with FW. I am not sure if you could really go wrong either way. After all, you will be visiting Disney World!

 

[Tom P.]

A lot of great responses here. Thanks, everyone! I don't want to post fifty messages in a row, so let me try to address several in one post.

And outside of the fact you can "eventually" get a boat to MK, transportation at FW is a pain.

I've heard concerns about FW transportation from several people, but one thing that's always been cited as a positive is something like "but you can take a boat to Magic Kingdom!" I notice you say "eventually" get a boat. Can you elaborate on that a bit? Is it a pain to catch a boat over to MK?

EDIT: To be clear, are you saying it's cheaper BECAUSE you get free dining, or it literally will cost less PLUS you get free dine on top of it?

Cost is important to us, but it is not the sole determining factor. The Grand Floridian is out of our budget, but neither of the resorts we're discussing are going to make or break us financially. That said, we do want to get the best deal, but we also want the best experience, particularly for our kids.

Regarding the price comparison, I mean that when you take the entire package, with free dining applied, at FW and compare it to the entire package, without free dining, at AoA, the AoA package actually ends up being around $900 more than the FW package. That's final costs after all components are added in and all applicable discounts are applied. That *doesn't* include any extra costs we might incur at one resort or the other specifically, though, such as renting a golf cart at FW.

DAAR is plain box construction with figures glued on. More "decoration" than "theme."

I don't know that I agree with you on this one, just based on everything I've seen. For me, the theming is more than just the outside of the buildings. Yes, I know AoA is boxy, "motel-style" buildings painted in Disney themes. But the inside of the suites look amazingly well themed. So do the pools. Are you saying that you don't find the total package at AoA to be well themed?

It has a great pool with a big waterslide, large kid only area with water sprayers and slides, multiple playgrounds all over, pony/horse/wagon rides, view of the water parade and fireworks from the beach. But the BEST of all is the nightly campfire sing-a-long with Chip and Dale. It's FREE and you can interact with the characters and then they show a movie on a big outdoor screen. We've never had any trouble with the internal transportation. Most of the time we stay at the campground and never set foot in the parks since there is so much to do!

Can you elaborate on the transportation a bit? Did you use the Disney buses or have a car? Did you walk to the bus stations or rent a golf cart? Also, are the locations for all the nighttime outdoor activities such that two parents trying to wrangle five young children aren't going to cause a headache for everyone around them?

If you like camping or want to experience the camping atmosphere and not just the Disney vibe that AOA provides then FW is great.

That's the thing. Our family goes more for the Disney vibe than the camping vibe, definitely. I'm sure the kids would have fun either way. As you say -- it's Disney World! But if the two were side-by-side at the exact same price, there's no question we'd pick the more "Disneyish" themed resort. But you're right. The free dining is important, and we want the best bang for our buck we can. But we also want the best possible experience. Cost is important, but not the only consideration.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Regarding the price comparison, I mean that when you take the entire package, with free dining applied, at FW and compare it to the entire package, without free dining, at AoA, the AoA package actually ends up being around $900 more than the FW package. That's final costs after all components are added in and all applicable discounts are applied. That *doesn't* include any extra costs we might incur at one resort or the other specifically, though, such as renting a golf cart at FW.

I guess what I'm asking is whether your AoA package includes a full price dining plan, or no dining plan at all.

 

[kelknight84]

Can you elaborate on the transportation a bit? Did you use the Disney buses or have a car? Did you walk to the bus stations or rent a golf cart? Also, are the locations for all the nighttime outdoor activities such that two parents trying to wrangle five young children aren't going to cause a headache for everyone around them?

We always use the Disney Bus and walked to the bus station. There are 2 buses on each route, yellow, orange, and purple. Both the orange and purple route go past the cabins, so the buses for them should be even faster. The MK boat should arrive every 15 mins or so, but just like other transportation it does get busy at peak times. There is also a MK bus near the boat dock too. All other parks buses load at the front. The Fort is full of large families since campsites can hold 8-10 and the cabins are are for larger groups too, so you won't bother anyone trying to wrangle your kids.

 

[Tom P.]

I guess what I'm asking is whether your AoA package includes a full price dining plan, or no dining plan at all.

The AoA package I am speaking of also includes a dining plan factored into the price.

 

[RememberWhen]

As a small child my family stayed at fort wilderness. We camped, and I've never stayed at aoa. Fort wilderness is great for little kids! The campfires are awesome. And the playgrounds are fun. It always feels more relaxed over there. And taking the boat to the magic kingdom is fantastic.
Plus you have a full kitchen at FW. Even with the dining plan it's nice to be able to make the kids Mac and cheese or some scrambled eggs.

 

[pixiesteno]

If you have a car you can drive right up to your cabin at FW, a huge bonus with little ones. At FW you will not have to share walls with other people, full size fridge and stove, dishwasher, deck, grill. The FW has a lot to offer a family.

 

[slappy magoo]

At AoA, there are lots of things to look at, not as much to do. At FW there are lots of things to look at AND lots of stuff to do. Whether that's a plus or not, I'd say, depends on how much time you expect to spend at your resort.

AoA suite, you'll have 2 bathrooms, that could be a major plus.
Fort Wilderness cabin, only 1 bathroom BUT a full kitchen. If you thought you might want to save time getting out by making some breakfasts in your room, THAT could be a major plus.

I never ate at FW's food court, but I found the court at AoA to be cacophonous. Plus at FW, you have two different snack areas, the sit-down buffet @ Trail's End, a character meal option with the BBQ...with that many young kids I don't imagine you'll want to do Hop-De-Do but it's convenient if you're staying there and get tix.

AoA, the pools are way more elaborately themed, but...you know...it's not like you'll be getting more wet or better wet than the pool and water play area at FW.

With kids that young, I imagine a: most theme park time will be at MK, and b: nap time is really important. Now I know that the boats TO MK in the morning, there might be a wait, but probably less of a wait if you're going back to FW in the afternoon for a nap. And then once they're all awake, less of a wait to go back to MK in the afternoon, but more of a wait if you stay at MK until closing (how likely would that be for your family?). For that reason alone, I'd lean more towards FW. There is a smaller pool in the section of FW where you find the cabins, so that might make it easy for you & your S.O. to switch off and take a pool break, either alone or with the older kids if they're not sleepy.