All Star Resorts or Art of Animation??? - The DIS Discussion Forums

Happy Hannah · 02-09-2013, 04:37 PM

Just wondering what people would choose?? Be interesting to see the outcome, we are really torn.........
Thanks!

lstylr · 02-09-2013, 04:43 PM

Art of Animation.. a bit more expensive but the "new-ness" of it and the Nemo pool make it worth it imo

blessedby3 · 02-09-2013, 04:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy Hannah

Just wondering what people would choose?? Be interesting to see the outcome, we are really torn.........
Thanks!

I would not be torn at all! AOA is quite the awesome looking resort! All Stars look, bleh now compared to AOA!

cfw213 · 02-09-2013, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blessedby3

I would not be torn at all! AOA is quite the awesome looking resort! All Stars look, bleh now compared to AOA!

Ditto! I love Pop, so for me it was whether or not I wanted to spend the extra few bucks for AoA. But compared the the All Stars, no question I would go with AOA. We stayed there in September and it was awesome. The pool was fantastic!

MistressMerryweather · 02-09-2013, 04:57 PM

If you haven't been to AOA, I wouldn't hesitate. It's new and the pools are lovely. Now that we have tried it though, we will go back to all stars and pop.

DaveinFallsChurch · 02-09-2013, 06:44 PM

AoA by a mile compared to the All Stars. It will cost more especially for the suites but we thought it was worth it.

lucas · 02-09-2013, 09:41 PM

AOA. Newer, better location, food court, and bus set-up.

Mousemom · 02-10-2013, 11:45 AM

When we were at WDW last September we walked over to AofA and took the tour of the rooms and resort. It was awesome! We loved the look and really want to stay here. We booked a room but switched to Pop because if they offer a discount we will be able to add it. AofA is so new that they are not offering any kind of discounts right now. If free dining opens and we do that then we will switch to AofA since we have to pay rack rate to get free dining anyway. Keep in mind that this resort is mostly family suites and that the standard rooms are farthest from the main pool, food court, and front desk. It is still only a few minute walk and I know that we would not mind this short walk but some may think it is too far from everthing. We ate dinner and breakfast at AofA while visiting Pop last September. Food was unique and good. They don't use paper or plastic. Greener than all other resorts. Pool areas are so colorful and when at the main pool they play music under the water so you can hear it. Every area has such wonderful icons and theming. You can walk over to Pop to eat, or take a lazy walk along the lake. Staying here just to experience a new resort might be fun.

JennyDrake · 02-10-2013, 12:31 PM

Opposite opinion here. AoA is beautiful and has INCREDIBLE theming. With that said, I won't be back anytime soon.

We were in LM rooms and while I am a runner and don't mind walking, it was a HIKE to the main building. A senior with us (mobility impaired) using an ECV and we found it faster to load her up and drive a car.

The food court is BEDLAM, loud, not very clean at peak times and it took a long time to get food. I also bristled at having to bus my own table, sort of the silverware from plates and try to scrap trash into WAY too small openings.

Room noise was a factor--could have just been where/when we stayed--I am a sound sleeper, yet most nights I was aware of babies crying, children talking, etc.

I was at AoA late September and booked back for Dec. but I changed Dec. to Pop and in May I will again be at Movies.....

Mousemom · 02-10-2013, 01:27 PM

It is good to hear this form someone who actually stayed at AofA. Makes me want to re-think staying here. Will have to visit again next month when we are at Pop. Thanks JennDrake for your sharing your experience.

Tialeigh · 02-10-2013, 06:25 PM

I stayed at the Art of Animation last August and I never had a problem with any noise. The food court was busy at times, but that's just when you plan to eat at less busy times. The Lion King and Finding Nemo suites aren't too far from the main building so if you mind walking, those would be the best ones to stay at.

DaveinFallsChurch · 02-10-2013, 07:33 PM

We stayed at the Finding Nemo Suite (we were a party of 5) and loved the resort. We didn't have any problems with the food court. Pretty comparable in terms of crowds to the other All Stars we have stayed at in the past. Yes, you do have to clear your table a la Panera style since they serve food on real plates and silverware.

Little Mermaid is definitely a hike and so are a couple of buildings for the Lion King and Cars Section. Which is one of the reasons we went with the Finding Nemo Suite - the two buildings are located right next to Animation Hall and the main pool. Didn't seem to notice any noise problems for our suite.

I think when you're making comparisons it makes a difference as to whether you're a family of 4 or less, or a family of 5-6. For families of 5 to 6 people, I think it's a great option for the price. The suites have two full bathrooms. Plenty of space in the living room and bedroom. And you won't be assigned to LM which is way out there.

Happy Hannah · 02-11-2013, 06:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveinFallsChurch

We stayed at the Finding Nemo Suite (we were a party of 5) and loved the resort. We didn't have any problems with the food court. Pretty comparable in terms of crowds to the other All Stars we have stayed at in the past. Yes, you do have to clear your table a la Panera style since they serve food on real plates and silverware.

Little Mermaid is definitely a hike and so are a couple of buildings for the Lion King and Cars Section. Which is one of the reasons we went with the Finding Nemo Suite - the two buildings are located right next to Animation Hall and the main pool. Didn't seem to notice any noise problems for our suite.

I think when you're making comparisons it makes a difference as to whether you're a family of 4 or less, or a family of 5-6. For families of 5 to 6 people, I think it's a great option for the price. The suites have two full bathrooms. Plenty of space in the living room and bedroom. And you won't be assigned to LM which is way out there.

We will be a party of 3 so a suite will be a little out of our price range

DD is 12 who really wants to stay at AoA but is sensible enough to understand if its going to be a problem........

02-09-2013, 04:37 PM	#1
Happy Hannah Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 19	All Star Resorts or Art of Animation??? Just wondering what people would choose?? Be interesting to see the outcome, we are really torn......... Thanks!

02-09-2013, 04:43 PM	#2
lstylr °O° Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 101	Art of Animation.. a bit more expensive but the "new-ness" of it and the Nemo pool make it worth it imo __________________ Grand Floridian \| Contemporary \| Coronado Springs \| Caribbean Beach \| Port Orleans: French Quarter Art of Animation \| Pop Century \| All-Star Movies • Music • Sports \| Fort Wilderness Campground \| Swan

02-09-2013, 04:57 PM	#5
MistressMerryweather DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,838	If you haven't been to AOA, I wouldn't hesitate. It's new and the pools are lovely. Now that we have tried it though, we will go back to all stars and pop. __________________ Me ~ DH ~ Ds(9) ~ Dd(7) ~ Ds(4) ~ Dd(1) ...our Sept. 2010 DW souvenir ~ SURPRISE little one due Sept. '13

02-09-2013, 06:44 PM	#6
DaveinFallsChurch DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,938	AoA by a mile compared to the All Stars. It will cost more especially for the suites but we thought it was worth it. __________________ A Winter Escape to the Enchanted Forest - January 2013 Trip Report/PTR A Solo Trip to Disneyland 28 years in the Making! A Trip Report for October 16 and 17th, 2012 Our First Magical Poly Vacation! April 14-21, 2012 - Trip Report/ Live Report/ PTR

02-09-2013, 09:41 PM	#7
lucas DIS Veteran Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: South Florida Posts: 20,827	AOA. Newer, better location, food court, and bus set-up. __________________

Sponsored Links
The DIS Register to remove Join Date: 1997 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,000,000

02-10-2013, 11:45 AM	#8
Mousemom DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 774	When we were at WDW last September we walked over to AofA and took the tour of the rooms and resort. It was awesome! We loved the look and really want to stay here. We booked a room but switched to Pop because if they offer a discount we will be able to add it. AofA is so new that they are not offering any kind of discounts right now. If free dining opens and we do that then we will switch to AofA since we have to pay rack rate to get free dining anyway. Keep in mind that this resort is mostly family suites and that the standard rooms are farthest from the main pool, food court, and front desk. It is still only a few minute walk and I know that we would not mind this short walk but some may think it is too far from everthing. We ate dinner and breakfast at AofA while visiting Pop last September. Food was unique and good. They don't use paper or plastic. Greener than all other resorts. Pool areas are so colorful and when at the main pool they play music under the water so you can hear it. Every area has such wonderful icons and theming. You can walk over to Pop to eat, or take a lazy walk along the lake. Staying here just to experience a new resort might be fun.

02-10-2013, 12:31 PM	#9
JennyDrake Darkwing Duck's Biggest Fan Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Tennessee Posts: 2,196	Opposite opinion here. AoA is beautiful and has INCREDIBLE theming. With that said, I won't be back anytime soon. We were in LM rooms and while I am a runner and don't mind walking, it was a HIKE to the main building. A senior with us (mobility impaired) using an ECV and we found it faster to load her up and drive a car. The food court is BEDLAM, loud, not very clean at peak times and it took a long time to get food. I also bristled at having to bus my own table, sort of the silverware from plates and try to scrap trash into WAY too small openings. Room noise was a factor--could have just been where/when we stayed--I am a sound sleeper, yet most nights I was aware of babies crying, children talking, etc. I was at AoA late September and booked back for Dec. but I changed Dec. to Pop and in May I will again be at Movies..... __________________ Jenny Drake

02-10-2013, 01:27 PM	#10
Mousemom DIS Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Washington State Posts: 774	It is good to hear this form someone who actually stayed at AofA. Makes me want to re-think staying here. Will have to visit again next month when we are at Pop. Thanks JennDrake for your sharing your experience.

02-10-2013, 06:25 PM	#11
Tialeigh Earning My Ears Join Date: Feb 2013 Posts: 10	AoA I stayed at the Art of Animation last August and I never had a problem with any noise. The food court was busy at times, but that's just when you plan to eat at less busy times. The Lion King and Finding Nemo suites aren't too far from the main building so if you mind walking, those would be the best ones to stay at.

02-10-2013, 07:33 PM	#12
DaveinFallsChurch DIS Veteran Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 1,938	We stayed at the Finding Nemo Suite (we were a party of 5) and loved the resort. We didn't have any problems with the food court. Pretty comparable in terms of crowds to the other All Stars we have stayed at in the past. Yes, you do have to clear your table a la Panera style since they serve food on real plates and silverware. Little Mermaid is definitely a hike and so are a couple of buildings for the Lion King and Cars Section. Which is one of the reasons we went with the Finding Nemo Suite - the two buildings are located right next to Animation Hall and the main pool. Didn't seem to notice any noise problems for our suite. I think when you're making comparisons it makes a difference as to whether you're a family of 4 or less, or a family of 5-6. For families of 5 to 6 people, I think it's a great option for the price. The suites have two full bathrooms. Plenty of space in the living room and bedroom. And you won't be assigned to LM which is way out there. __________________ A Winter Escape to the Enchanted Forest - January 2013 Trip Report/PTR A Solo Trip to Disneyland 28 years in the Making! A Trip Report for October 16 and 17th, 2012 Our First Magical Poly Vacation! April 14-21, 2012 - Trip Report/ Live Report/ PTR

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: