AoA or Pop...Who's Stayed at Both???

[vicky33006]

So when I was booking my trip today with Disney, the CM pointed out that I could stay at AoA for only about $30 to $40 more for our whole trip. That seems like a great deal! We would be in a LM room.

I'm hesitant for a few reasons though:

1. I stayed at POP about ten years ago, and loved it! I admit that I haven't stayed anywhere else on Disney property though. It's my little guy's first trip and also my sister's.

2. DS is...a boy. I'm not sure about the LM room, but then again...I looked at pics and it looks soooo cute! My little guy will be so excited he won't care at all, but it's still a thought.

3. Is AoA going to be insane? The week that we're going is predicted to be very high crowd levels anyway (Spring Break), so I figure AoA is going to be absolutely booked. Will it be way too crazy? Or no crazier then any other resort?

Honestly, I'm leaning toward switching to AoA, but I'm just hoping to hear from anyone who has stayed at both.

Thanks!

 

[vicky33006]

Anyone? Maybe just someone who has stayed at AoA and can give opinions? I would appreciate it!

 

[firstwdw]

I am trying to make the same decision. I also have a son. How old is your child? I would think the pools and other areas of the new resort would be cool. I just concerned about little mermaid with a boy and the long walk from the lm rooms to food court and bus stop.

 

[vicky33006]

I am trying to make the same decision. I also have a son. How old is your child? I would think the pools and other areas of the new resort would be cool. I just concerned about little mermaid with a boy and the long walk from the lm rooms to food court and bus stop.

He is six..we will be celebrating his 7th birthday while we are there. I looked at the pics, and they are beautiful! I think he would be fine with the LM rooms. They don't look super overly girly to me. I also am concerned with the walk, but I asked the CM about this yesterday and she told me it's similar to many of the rooms in POP as far as distance. I just keep going back and forth because I really did like POP a lot.

How old is your son?

 

[AndreaDM]

Since the LM rooms don't open until Sept. 15, no one has stayed in that section yet. There have been DISsers who have stayed in the suites at AoA, but that's not a good apples to apples comparison to POP.

 

[firstwdw]

Mine is six now but when we'd go he'd be seven or closer to eight. He did like the little mermaid movie though. And loves Nemo and cars! I am also struggling because he is obsessed with toy story and while the all star movie resort pics online looks really cute, pop gets the higher ratings! I am stuck!!!

 

[minniebeth]

We have stayed at Pop Century quite a few times and love it! We recently stayed at AoA in a suite and are booked for a LM room in Sept.

It's true that because your DS is young, he will be thrilled with whatever you choose and have a great time!

Of course the LM section is still under construction and we were not able to walk over there, but honestly, they do look pretty far from Animation Hall and the main pool. Of course LM will have it's own pool but the Big Blue is so cool. The distance may not be a problem depending on how much walking back and forth you plan on doing. For bus stops or pool it may be fine, but to walk back and forth for drinks, etc. it doesn't look all that close.
Some of the Pop Century rooms may be just as far from Classic Hall, but we always request the 50s section to be an easier walk back and forth.

The only other point I would make about AoA is that the food court at Pop Century is just a little more traditional with kids' favorites such as chicken tenders, ice cream, snacks, etc. We loved the food court at AoA but said if we were staying awhile longer, we would probably be heading over to Pop since we love their food court.

BUT AoA IS amazing and your little one will love going through the different themed sections and the pools. If you stay at Pop you can still try the AoA foodcourt and walk around the themed areas. The only difference is you wouldn't be able to use the pools.

I think you would be equally happy at either resort, the only disadvantage is the distance of the LM rooms but I'd say the price difference would be worth it for the new rooms and resort ammentities AoA. You really have the best of both worlds with Pop next door. I would go for AoA and try something new!

As far as the crowds during spring break goes, all resorts will be busy so I don't think that will make a difference in choosing. Both resorts have their own buses and have them running very often at peak times.

Good luck deciding!

 

[vicky33006]

Since the LM rooms don't open until Sept. 15, no one has stayed in that section yet. There have been DISsers who have stayed in the suites at AoA, but that's not a good apples to apples comparison to POP.

I totally see what you're saying...it's just that I have to make a decision soon! LM rooms will surely be all booked up during our trip, so I'm just trying to do my best to figure out what would be good for our family.

 

[vicky33006]

Mine is six now but when we'd go he'd be seven or closer to eight. He did like the little mermaid movie though. And loves Nemo and cars! I am also struggling because he is obsessed with toy story and while the all star movie resort pics online looks really cute, pop gets the higher ratings! I am stuck!!!

When we were first planning, I was stuck on ASMo, but then I read all about the buses there. From what I read, the All Stars all share buses, and the Movies one is the last one picked up. I didn't want to risk having an even more difficult time with buses than I already anticipate, so we decided on POP instead. BTW, POP is great. We had a blast there! That's why I'm having such a hard time with this decision.

 

[vicky33006]

We have stayed at Pop Century quite a few times and love it! We recently stayed at AoA in a suite and are booked for a LM room in Sept.

It's true that because your DS is young, he will be thrilled with whatever you choose and have a great time!

Of course the LM section is still under construction and we were not able to walk over there, but honestly, they do look pretty far from Animation Hall and the main pool. Of course LM will have it's own pool but the Big Blue is so cool. The distance may not be a problem depending on how much walking back and forth you plan on doing. For bus stops or pool it may be fine, but to walk back and forth for drinks, etc. it doesn't look all that close.
Some of the Pop Century rooms may be just as far from Classic Hall, but we always request the 50s section to be an easier walk back and forth.

The only other point I would make about AoA is that the food court at Pop Century is just a little more traditional with kids' favorites such as chicken tenders, ice cream, snacks, etc. We loved the food court at AoA but said if we were staying awhile longer, we would probably be heading over to Pop since we love their food court.

BUT AoA IS amazing and your little one will love going through the different themed sections and the pools. If you stay at Pop you can still try the AoA foodcourt and walk around the themed areas. The only difference is you wouldn't be able to use the pools.

I think you would be equally happy at either resort, the only disadvantage is the distance of the LM rooms but I'd say the price difference would be worth it for the new rooms and resort ammentities AoA. You really have the best of both worlds with Pop next door. I would go for AoA and try something new!

As far as the crowds during spring break goes, all resorts will be busy so I don't think that will make a difference in choosing. Both resorts have their own buses and have them running very often at peak times.

Good luck deciding!

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!

I do have concerns about the distance, although the CM told me depending on where you are in POP, it can be roughly about the same. We don't mind some serious walking, but I'm just thinking of the odd times we need to run to the food court for something small or simple. I would hate for that to be a crazy trek!

I agree DS will love whatever we do. This is his first trip to Disney, so I'm positive he will actually love a LM room. Because it's his first trip though, that's one more draw for me for AoA. It's just more "Disney" than POP.

The food court is a big deal for us though. Those kid friendly foods are important to us, because my sister is extremely picky. She actually eats more like a kid, while DS can be more adventurous...so this is something for me to really consider! Thanks again!

 

[Beida]

Ive been struggling with this too. We have stayed at Pop twice and we always said thats the only place we would stay. what can i say, its perfect for us. My son is 4 and we will be going in may. My fear is that since we are a family of 3 that we will feel congested with the big family groups. You know? and it also makes Pop sound better because maybe it'll be less people staying there. For now ill stay watching and waiting

 

[Singinglizzie]

While you "mull" it over, book the LM room first. There's far less LM inventory than rooms at POP. If you change your mind, you most likely will be able to switch over to POP. Just hate for you get excited once you make your decision and find the LM are all gone. Personally I'd go with new every time!

 

[minniebeth]

This is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you!

I do have concerns about the distance, although the CM told me depending on where you are in POP, it can be roughly about the same. We don't mind some serious walking, but I'm just thinking of the odd times we need to run to the food court for something small or simple. I would hate for that to be a crazy trek!

I agree DS will love whatever we do. This is his first trip to Disney, so I'm positive he will actually love a LM room. Because it's his first trip though, that's one more draw for me for AoA. It's just more "Disney" than POP.

The food court is a big deal for us though. Those kid friendly foods are important to us, because my sister is extremely picky. She actually eats more like a kid, while DS can be more adventurous...so this is something for me to really consider! Thanks again!

Hoped that helped a little...
Well, think about how much are you really going to eat at your resort...
we didn't do any parks other than a water park, so we ate mostly at AoA.
But if you are busy at parks, you probably won't eat at the resort for alll your meals. There's still pizza, mac and cheese, make your own pasta and salad that you can keep simple, burgers, fries (seasoned so yum), smoothies, yogurt, fruit, desserts and treats and probably even more to find. It's very doable. You can always walk over to Pop if you really don't find what appeals to you. My older DD loveeeees the chicken strips, which AoA didn't have, so that's why she thought it fell short, but everything we ate and tried, was very good! They are doing market research with computers right in Landscapes of Flavors after your meals if you are willing to give feelback, so they are looking to see what people's inputs are. Maybe they'll add chicken strips.

 

[CuracaoGirl]

I had the same dilemma.
Our reservation was at POP, then I switched to AoA but last week I switched back to POP.
The distance to the LM rooms and the food my picky daughter won't eat just didn't feel right to me.
We will definitely be walking over to check it out, but we'll be happier at POP.
Hope you will be able to make your decision very soon.
Either way I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time!!!

 

[raven69david]

I've done both and love that the rooms are inside of a building like rooms at a deluxe resort. Both are great resorts but I would select AoA over POP.

 

[raven69david]

When we were first planning, I was stuck on ASMo, but then I read all about the buses there. From what I read, the All Stars all share buses, and the Movies one is the last one picked up.

This is incorrect. They do not share buses and each resort(ASMu, ASSp, ASMo) has its own buses.

 

[vicky33006]

This is incorrect. They do not share buses and each resort(ASMu, ASSp, ASMo) has its own buses.

Really? Wow...A few people had told me that! I will make sure not to tell anyone that in the future. Thanks!

 

[vicky33006]

While you "mull" it over, book the LM room first. There's far less LM inventory than rooms at POP. If you change your mind, you most likely will be able to switch over to POP. Just hate for you get excited once you make your decision and find the LM are all gone. Personally I'd go with new every time!

This is a great suggestion that I think I am going to take. I'm going to book AoA tomorrow I think, and then if I decide against it...no problem. I'm really leaning toward AoA though. Thanks!

 

[vicky33006]

Hoped that helped a little...
Well, think about how much are you really going to eat at your resort...
we didn't do any parks other than a water park, so we ate mostly at AoA.
But if you are busy at parks, you probably won't eat at the resort for alll your meals. There's still pizza, mac and cheese, make your own pasta and salad that you can keep simple, burgers, fries (seasoned so yum), smoothies, yogurt, fruit, desserts and treats and probably even more to find. It's very doable. You can always walk over to Pop if you really don't find what appeals to you. My older DD loveeeees the chicken strips, which AoA didn't have, so that's why she thought it fell short, but everything we ate and tried, was very good! They are doing market research with computers right in Landscapes of Flavors after your meals if you are willing to give feelback, so they are looking to see what people's inputs are. Maybe they'll add chicken strips.

What???? No chicken strips???!!!! Kidding. Lol, but I agree with your DD. Chicken strips are a must. I looked at the menu though, and I think we can manage for the amount of times we will actually eat there. We are planning on touring the parks every day and I actually am not sure we will eat in the resort much at all. So, we are leaning toward AoA. Thanks so much for all your help!

 

[TyTysMommy]

This is incorrect. They do not share buses and each resort(ASMu, ASSp, ASMo) has its own buses.

I have been there when the 3 All Stars shared buses and I have been there when they have all had their own bus. I think it just depends on crowd levels. I've even seen them change it up in the same week. So, to answer the original poster's concerns, sometimes they share and sometimes they don't.