Melodic rock I think is a looser term than AOR and I'd agree with your examples. I'm not a big AOR fan (too many keyboards and it all sounds a bit too polished for me) but more a MR fan. I felt that we were getting a bit off topic with the likes of Circle 2 Circle and Allen Lande but they are certainly melodic, but probably melodic Metal.
Anyway, today's playlist for me has been Stryper's To Hell With The Devil, In God We Trust and Against The Law. I'm not a Christian at all but there is some melodic rock perfection in there. Pretty VH in places.
Also been playing Magnum's Wings Of Heaven

and Leverage's Tides

If you like The Magnificent album (and it's grown on me alot) this will blow you away.
In a more AOR vein is Prime Suspect's ST from 2010. Daniel Liverani is a talented guy.