AoA v. POFQ

[nursejackie]

We stayed at AoA for one night in a cars suite and we said 'never again'. The bus queues were terrible, the food court was packed, it was just too busy for us. The parks are crazy enough so we like a little more peace and quiet once back at our resort. I haven't stayed at POFQ but POR is on our radar in the next few years.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'll say I've had the A/C senor problem at several resorts over the last few years. I know you live in NYC with only a fan but really the 100 in NYC for one or two days is very different then the high temperatures in FL especially with the elevated humidity. That said I don't remember it being a problem when we stayed in a Little Mermaid Room and my family said nothing about it in their Cars suite. Now AKL on the other hand it was awful. We woke up in a sweat several times during our summer trip and it was annoying as all get out. Of course as soon as you wake up and move the sensor kicks the A/C on but then you have to fight yourself back to sleep.

If you don't like the theming of PORFQ I'm not sure why it is on the list. The theme really isn't that in your face. If you don't go into the quick service location or pool it is just some plantation style homes. The quick service location has (had?) remakes of parade floats and mardi gras stuff but I don't really hang out there enough to make it a make or break decision. The big thing that draws me to PORFQ every time is that it is smaller, is the 1st of the bus stops when they combine the buses, and is mostly quiet.

 

[loves to dive]

It sounds like you've made up your mind but I'll add my 2 cents. I would not stay at AoA unless it was in a suite, it is priced just about a moderate or deluxe and underneath it all, it's still a value resort. If you want to see the theming or walk around the grounds, stay at Pop, the walk over there is not bad and the price is a lot more reasonable for a value resort. I may be wrong but I think you can share the pool too, I'm not sure about that one. As far as walks, I don't think any of the resorts have that horrible of walks, but that might just be a matter of stamina and style of vacationing.

 

[goofyintoronto]

I should mention that i've never had a problem with the A/C at any of the value or moderate resorts i've stayed at.

 

[Mattimation]

It sounds like you've made up your mind but I'll add my 2 cents. I would not stay at AoA unless it was in a suite, it is priced just about a moderate or deluxe and underneath it all, it's still a value resort. If you want to see the theming or walk around the grounds, stay at Pop, the walk over there is not bad and the price is a lot more reasonable for a value resort. I may be wrong but I think you can share the pool too, I'm not sure about that one. As far as walks, I don't think any of the resorts have that horrible of walks, but that might just be a matter of stamina and style of vacationing.

This is exactly what I intend to do the next time I go value resort. The theming and statues of AoA are amazing, but our room was garish and the customer service was a bit less than magical. When the bumped us into Cars, they gave my friend and I a suite with just one real bed - when we called they said sorry about the confusion and that the couch pulled out into a mattress (there was also a child-sized Murphy bed that neither of us would have fit in comfortably). No offer to fix the mistake, just that one of us could sleep on the couch. Like @nursejackie said, this was a "never again" trip for me too.

Now that I've aired my grievances though, we stayed there about a year after it opened, so the OP may have a very different experience than what I had, but I think AoA is hit-or-miss enough to be avoided. It could be a great stay in a Little Mermaid room, but it could also very easily not be.

 

[Marthasor]

This is exactly what I intend to do the next time I go value resort. The theming and statues of AoA are amazing, but our room was garish and the customer service was a bit less than magical. When the bumped us into Cars, they gave my friend and I a suite with just one real bed - when we called they said sorry about the confusion and that the couch pulled out into a mattress (there was also a child-sized Murphy bed that neither of us would have fit in comfortably). No offer to fix the mistake, just that one of us could sleep on the couch. Like @nursejackie said, this was a "never again" trip for me too.

Now that I've aired my grievances though, we stayed there about a year after it opened, so the OP may have a very different experience than what I had, but I think AoA is hit-or-miss enough to be avoided. It could be a great stay in a Little Mermaid room, but it could also very easily not be.

I agree. AoA has a "wow" factor when you walk into the lobby and around the grounds. But then you actually have to sleep there. I have never experienced so much noise at a WDW resort or more uncomfortable bedding. I literally got, maybe, a few hours of sleep each night and I was a wreck touring the parks during the day (and I had to take care of a 5 year old as well). It was a never-again experience for me as well.

 

[Jaimie1911]

It seems like your mind is pretty set against POFQ, I'm wondering why you are comparing it if you dislike the theme do much? I have to say POFQ is by far my favorite resort I've stayed in so far.

Have you considered POR or CSR?

 

[Disneylover99]

It sounds like you've made up your mind but I'll add my 2 cents. I would not stay at AoA unless it was in a suite, it is priced just about a moderate or deluxe and underneath it all, it's still a value resort. If you want to see the theming or walk around the grounds, stay at Pop, the walk over there is not bad and the price is a lot more reasonable for a value resort. I may be wrong but I think you can share the pool too, I'm not sure about that one. As far as walks, I don't think any of the resorts have that horrible of walks, but that might just be a matter of stamina and style of vacationing.

Unfortunately, no sharing of pools between Pop and AofA. I always find the main pool at AofA packed. I much prefer the Hippy Dippy pool at Pop. I would also recommend Pop over AofA in terms of standard rooms.

 

[ncc1701]

If you go with POFQ you are allowed to use POR's pools. As for the slide the only adults I have every seen using are those going down with children.
The remodel of the foodcourt at POFQ got rid of the large Mardi Gras float masks

 

[Dug720]

Unfortunately, no sharing of pools between Pop and AofA. I always find the main pool at AofA packed. I much prefer the Hippy Dippy pool at Pop. I would also recommend Pop over AofA in terms of standard rooms.

Pop is going to be undergoing refurbishment too starting in February. I'm escaping construction at CBR by moving resorts.

Thanks to everyone who responded.

As to why POFQ was on the list, I was looking at options in my price range. I have stayed at CSR and it is not for me. I have stayed in the Mansions at POR and felt like I was in my grandmother's stuffy house, so just no. And the Bayou section just looks junky to me.

As to the walking thing, all I meant was that people who don't walk a lot (to the store, to entertainment, etc.) generally have a very different idea of what "far" is. I did too before I sold my car and moved to NYC. So it was not meant to be insulting - it is a legit difference in how people perceive things.

I have decided to go with AoA and have the time of my life!

 

[Disneylover99]

As to the walking thing, all I meant was that people who don't walk a lot (to the store, to entertainment, etc.) generally have a very different idea of what "far" is. I did too before I sold my car and moved to NYC. So it was not meant to be insulting - it is a legit difference in how people perceive things.

I agree that people can have different perceptions of what "far" is based on experiences.

You've made it clear that you walk far daily. But you're assuming that the people who responded to you, don't.

Too be honest, it is a bit insulting.

 

[bubblebrown]

I just stayed in a AoA little mermaid room last week, which was my first time staying on property. The theming was super cute and the outside décor/grounds were gorgeous. Walking from that section was no problem at all (clocked it at about 7 minutes to Landscape of flavors), plus it's a fun walk with lots of theming in between. A variety of pools to choose from if you want to change it up. We had no problem with our air, was actually a bit chilly for me, but is January The transportation worked out great as well. Enjoy your trip!