I just returned from 4 days in a LM room. Overall, I had a great stay, even if one afternoon and evening was very rainy, then the last 2 days were cold (for Florida, anyway). No Christmas decorations yet at AOA, though the area for the Christmas tree in the lobby was roped off. I echo what KingLlama wrote - Be prepared to stand on the buses! The parks weren't that crowded, but I stood on almost every bus from AOA. Granted, I did give up my seat twice for kids to sit down. But the buses were packed. I don't remember them being that packed when we stayed there in November 2012. I'll write a trip report with more details, but here are some of my AOA impressions: [*]The Drop Off pool bar is the best! Ask for Dustin, he will take good care of you! [*]The AOA overall theming is absolutely amazing. The Cars section is the best, I think, but they are all beautifully done. I noticed that each section even plays music that relates to that movie's storyline! Incredible. [*]The walk to my Building 9 room did seem long at the end of a park day, though it really only took me about 5 minutes. [*]The room soundproofing, at least for the LM rooms, is atrocious. I was awakened twice at 5:30 AM by kids next door, and I could hear a couple arguing on the other side one evening. When people walked by my door, it sounded like they were going to come into my room. Even with earplugs in, I could hear the pizza golf cart making rounds through midnight. [*]Online check-in is nice as far as someone greeted me by name when I walked in the door, and I only had to show photo ID. My room wasn't ready, which was fine. But when I received the text that it was ready, I didn't get either of my requests - lake view (which I didn't really need), and I'd requested top floor - I got the first floor, which I really didn't want. I didn't try to change it because my luggage had already been delivered to the room. [*]I had a big issue with the luggage service - since my room wasn't ready when I arrived, I checked my carry-on bag with luggage service. They told me my bag would be delivered to my room as soon as my room was ready. I received a text that it was ready around 1:45 PM. I had packed my bathing suit in my carry-on so I could swim before my DME luggage arrived. When I returned from the park around 4:00 PM and went to my room, my DME suitcase was there, but no carry-on. I called and the luggage service manager said it should have been delivered already and he would have to follow up. Oh, and I stupidly put my cell phone charger in my carry-on, so now my cell was dead with no way to charge it. After 30 minutes, I asked a luggage guy passing my room, and he radioed in to ask the status - the manager said they were working on it, and it would take some time. I think they misplaced it and didn't want to tell me that. So I missed out on prime swimming weather. I went to the pool bar instead. At 6:00 PM, I went back to my room, and the bag was finally there. [*]The Ink & Paint Shop is one of the best all-around variety shops in all the resorts, and I looked in several deluxe resort shops this trip. [*]Landscape of Flavors opens at 7:00 AM and closes at 11:00 PM. If you're trying to do EMH or a park that opens at 8:00 AM, it's not easy in that time frame. Same if you stay late at a park - all 3 nights, I made it back to AOA after LoF had closed. I wish their hours were 6a-12a, I think people would definitey use it. Other resorts' food courts have those hours. Also, the later you go to LoF for breakfast, the busier it is. One morning, I was there at 7:15 AM, and it wasn't bad at all. The next morning at 8:30 AM, it was crazy busy. The last morning at 9:15 AM, it was crazy busy! [*]No coffee maker in the LM rooms - boo. But the showerhead was AMAZING. It felt so good after being wet from the rain one day, then being cold all day the next day. If I go again solo, I won't stay at AOA. If I go with friends or family, I'd consider an AOA suite.
thanks to everyone who gave great info about this resort! It was very much appreciated!!
