Disney's Art of Animation Resort Info Thread! Mouseketeers welcome!

[jimandami]

Where were the buses horrible? From the parks to AoA or from AoA to the parks? Was it worse during AM EMH? Was it better first thing in the AM?

I just think bus service is such a random thing...if your timing is just a little off, you may experience much longer waits, KWIM? We were there 9/22-9/30 and did not experience long waits for bus service. They were pretty crowded, but what do you expect from such a large resort?

 

[Funfire240]

Where were the buses horrible? From the parks to AoA or from AoA to the parks? Was it worse during AM EMH? Was it better first thing in the AM?

We were there the 24th to 29th and didn't have much problem with the buses - I actually thought they were pretty good. The only times we experienced back up and delays were leaving MK at night after wishes - the 24th it took us about 5 buses before we got on and the 26th wasn't much better.

Even with getting to early pre-opening ressies we had good luck.

 

[LisaCM614]

We have had great service. Very little wait. Buses come quickly if you miss one just pulling away. But other folks here are not having such luck. Time to get ready for Kona lunch and MNSSHP

 

[stindall]

I just think bus service is such a random thing...if your timing is just a little off, you may experience much longer waits, KWIM? We were there 9/22-9/30 and did not experience long waits for bus service. They were pretty crowded, but what do you expect from such a large resort?

This is exactly true for all values! Sometimes they're great and sometimes they're not. They can't be perfect and there are numerous issues as to why there'd be issues. Disney tries it's best and it's a free service for you so there's not much room to complain.

 

[TammiDZ]

This is exactly true for all values! Sometimes they're great and sometimes they're not. They can't be perfect and there are numerous issues as to why there'd be issues. Disney tries it's best and it's a free service for you so there's not much room to complain.

Well said!

 

[EpcotBill]

This is exactly true for all values! Sometimes they're great and sometimes they're not. They can't be perfect and there are numerous issues as to why there'd be issues. Disney tries it's best and it's a free service for you so there's not much room to complain.

You don't pay extra for transportation per ride but it's not free. It's all built into the price of your room and park tickets.

ETA: It's not just the room and tickets. You're paying for transportation with every meal you buy at Disney, every Dole Whip, every souvenir, everything.

 

[minniebeth]

I was there a week ago and wanted to chime in about the buses-- I experienced great bus service. Going to the parks, I think part of it is just good timing. Coming back from the parks, especially the MK after Wishes, the lines were long but they had buses coming and loading one right after the other. I found they were much more efficient in this way than some of the mod and deluxe buses.
We were there this past summer with great bus service too but only 1/2 of the resort was open so there was not the demand that they have now.
I just wanted to share a positive experience with the buses and would not want people's opinions on choosing if AoA is the right resort for them on some negative bus experiences. There will be positive and negative experiences for every aspect of each resort.

 

[SRUAlmn]

Just a note about transportation....

It's not just AoA or Pop, it's most of the resorts. We normally stay deluxe and still have the same issues. If it's not standing in a HUGE line to get on a bus, it's riding the bus for 45 min-an hour while your bus stops at 5 different resorts BEFORE taking you to a park. It's just part of being at WDW, and you take the good with the bad. Sometimes you luck out, sometimes you don't

 

[kim3339]

Hi everyone! 2 quick questions for anyone~

I'ver heard they have caffine free diet coke in the food court, but do they sell the bottles in the shop for your room? Debating whether to order from Garden Grocer or just buy it in the shop.

Also, we're doing the Keys to the Kingdom tour in MK at 8 or 8:30 when we're there & the parks don't open until 9 and there's no MM that day. Are the buses running that early, or should we just taxi it over?

Thanks!

 

[stindall]

You don't pay extra for transportation per ride but it's not free. It's all built into the price of your room and park tickets.

ETA: It's not just the room and tickets. You're paying for transportation with every meal you buy at Disney, every Dole Whip, every souvenir, everything.

yes, I am aware of that. Nothing in life is free BUT you can also choose to rent a car or drive.

 

[KapBoy77]

yes, I am aware of that. Nothing in life is free BUT you can also choose to rent a car or drive.

That's one of my dilemma's... should I rent or just rely on the buses? Does anyone know how much renting a car would be for about a week?

 

[jennyjinx3]

Okay I think we have it narrowed to AOA for our November 2013 trip pre Deam cruise! Looking like we will be in a Lion King suite from Nov 16 - 21!! So excited! We contemplated POR, but are backing away from that thinking it will just be too cramped. Plus DH and I are excited about having a little bit of space to ourselves.

OT but on our last trip to the Poly in Sept, the buses were horrible there, we waited about an hour for an AK bus one day. So the bus issues are at all level of resorts I think, and as a PP stated it is probably about timing too.

 

[TJDisneymama]

Just a note about transportation....

It's not just AoA or Pop, it's most of the resorts. We normally stay deluxe and still have the same issues. If it's not standing in a HUGE line to get on a bus, it's riding the bus for 45 min-an hour while your bus stops at 5 different resorts BEFORE taking you to a park. It's just part of being at WDW, and you take the good with the bad. Sometimes you luck out, sometimes you don't

exactly, I think i've read more complaints about bus service at deluxes than I have about mods & values....

does anyone know if they have cots there? I'm bummed about the bed situation in the suites (spoiled by having 4 beds at ASMU) but it would be more tolerable if we could get a cot so we could all have our own bed.

 

[sixkristy6]

It looks like it is so hot there right now! I looked yesterday and it said highs of 85 or 86 for S,M, Tu next week with a 0% chance of rain! It was in the 40s this AM here.

I need to figure out what to wear on the way down there. It looks like once we get there, we'll be hopping in the pool! We get in at 10:40 and I hope that we get a room sooner than later.

 

[dnsmills]

It looks like it is so hot there right now! I looked yesterday and it said highs of 85 or 86 for S,M, Tu next week with a 0% chance of rain! It was in the 40s this AM here.

Sorry but I find this funny. I live in Dallas so 85 is a nice cool day to me. I'm used to 100+ days during the summer.

 

[mickeye]

Sorry but I find this funny. I live in Dallas so 85 is a nice cool day to me. I'm used to 100+ days during the summer.

We had a horrible summer, also. I can't believe how many pages I've missed on this thread nor how close my trip is getting. The weather is something I have to watch closly because we have never gone after Thanksgiving before and I guess we're going to have to pack a little of everything for the weather. I am, however, hoping for some good swimming weather.

 

[sixkristy6]

Sorry but I find this funny. I live in Dallas so 85 is a nice cool day to me. I'm used to 100+ days during the summer.

I think it's funny that when there is an inch of snow in the south that schools close and people run to the store for food (well according to my many friends who live in the south and post on FB).

We had a hot summer, all of my flowers died. We used our new pool a lot though.

 

[myneverland]

That's one of my dilemma's... should I rent or just rely on the buses? Does anyone know how much renting a car would be for about a week?

Depends on when you are renting. We rented a full size car for 8 days last week and the total cost with taxes and all was $160. Generally, I would expect around $200 unless you are going over a holiday.

 

[myneverland]

It looks like it is so hot there right now! I looked yesterday and it said highs of 85 or 86 for S,M, Tu next week with a 0% chance of rain! It was in the 40s this AM here.

I need to figure out what to wear on the way down there. It looks like once we get there, we'll be hopping in the pool! We get in at 10:40 and I hope that we get a room sooner than later.

It was hot and humid last week. Drink lots of water!!!

 

[sixkristy6]

It was hot and humid last week. Drink lots of water!!!

We will! Thanks!