Art of Animation or Coronado Springs?

[loeber]

I've been planning our family's upcoming WDW vacation, and we've narrowed down our resort choices to two: Art of Animation and Coronado Springs. I realize one is more of a value resort vs. moderate, but what do you guys think? I value your opinions. Pros/cons to each?!

 

[mevelandry]

When are you going? Coronado Springs has started refurbishments (the rooms are currently ... Bleh...) so it might have an effect on your stay.

Truth is, I've been staying at all the moderates within the last three years and IMO, the best are the Port Orleans (absolutely gorgeous and charming and I loved the Aligator Bayou rooms) and CBR is freshly refurbished (loooooved the rooms) if you like the "exotic" feeling.

 

[MrsDuck]

If you have kids, AoA is much more fun, IMO.

 

[Duke&Tree]

I've stayed at both. I LOVE CSR! AoA is so very, very fun and Disney-themed. If you are going with kids, I'd suggest AoA for the theme/Disney-ness. CSR is very, very spread out. If you get a room far away from the lobby-area, it's quite a trek. Really good pool though, and I enjoy the Pepper Market. AoAs food court is good, too (The Mara?)

Have fun!

 

[mrsmomo]

Need more details lol. Are you looking at a suite at AOA? CSR is so far my dh and dd's favorite resort we have stayed at pop por and csr so far...

 

[CoP I Love You]

I've stayed at both.
personally I absolutely hated Coronado springs.
the theming was beautiful but I've never had a worse experience at a Disney resort.
check in took an hour, KTTWC did not have tickets loaded onto it as it should have, 5 AK buses came and not one erpcot bus came for 1hr, not enough room on the bus even though we always went to the first bus stop, extremely rude CM's at both the pepper market and maya grill, our luggage was misplaced and when we called to find out where it was we were told it was our fault for not putting the yellow ME tags on even though we did and then "magically" they were found.
I would never stay there again.

AoA is "OKAY" in my opinion.
the theming as amazing and its like you've just walked into someo f your favorite Disney movies.
the attention to detail really makes it special.
I will say that I was not a fan of the food court. it had a slight "wet dog" smell, and it was extremely loud which I feel is a combination of having no carpet, people moving their chairs, and having real silverware and plastic dishes.
and the food options are not for people that have a simple taste like myself.
if you stay in a suite the buses are not too far of a walk but if you stay in the standard little mermaid rooms you can honestly walk around the hour glass lake, through the 50's section of pop century and to the buses there faster than walking to the front of AoA.

out of those two resorts I would definitely opt for AoA but if I may suggest something else I would recommend pop century or port Orleans riverside or French quarter.

 

[mevelandry]

I must say that our last experience in CSR in November was not good either. Staff was not helpful (worst in all 7 resorts we stayed at)

The rooms are aging (and they are not aging well).

They started refurbishment closing some buildings... It was DEAD.

 

[vettegirl]

Love CSR have stayed multiple times and would go with it over a value resort.

 

[tnd]

How big is your family? I think an AOA suite is the best deal on the property. We have stayed there twice (family of 4 - though next time we go, we'll be up to 5). My husband and I absolutely love having a separate bedroom. The privacy is really nice, as is a second bathroom. Also, we can put our napping kids in the bedroom during a midday break and the non-nappers can hang out in the living room. I also think the resort is really cute and the food court is pretty good.

 

[loeber]

When are you going? Coronado Springs has started refurbishments (the rooms are currently ... Bleh...) so it might have an effect on your stay. Truth is, I've been staying at all the moderates within the last three years and IMO, the best are the Port Orleans (absolutely gorgeous and charming and I loved the Aligator Bayou rooms) and CBR is freshly refurbished (loooooved the rooms) if you like the "exotic" feeling.

We are not going until September 2015...did the refurbishments just start? Possibly completed by the time we go?

I appreciate the info about Port Orleans...Riverside was our third choice. I heard they have congested bus-loading areas, though. Is that true?

 

[loeber]

Need more details lol. Are you looking at a suite at AOA? CSR is so far my dh and dd's favorite resort we have stayed at pop por and csr so far...

No, I don't think any of us will go the suite route...we are going to have three separate rooms most likely... Four in one, two in one, and two in one. But you could convince me that suites are the way to go, haha. I guess we thought we could spent a little more and stay at CSR instead of a suite at AoA.

 

[loeber]

How big is your family? I think an AOA suite is the best deal on the property. We have stayed there twice (family of 4 - though next time we go, we'll be up to 5). My husband and I absolutely love having a separate bedroom. The privacy is really nice, as is a second bathroom. Also, we can put our napping kids in the bedroom during a midday break and the non-nappers can hang out in the living room. I also think the resort is really cute and the food court is pretty good.

There are eight of us total. We were planning on two adults in one room, two adults in a second room, and two adults & two kids in a third room. I'm wondering if my brother and his family would consider a suite. They seemed fine with being in the same room as the kids, though. We thought it might be worth it to splurge a little and stay at a moderate resort instead of AoA but still not sure if it's worth it.

 

[Babsy]

If you are looking at an AoA suite vs a CSR room, then I would book the suite. If you are looking at an AoA room, then I would look at a moderate resort (CSR if refurb is finished, POR or CBR if not)

Sleeping space and comfort come first when booking a resort for us. So we always look first for the bed arrangement that we want/need to be comfortable. After that, we book luxury first, then moderate, then value based on the budget for that trip. Once we have determined category, we decide on the theme that we want this time around.

We have stayed at them all and enjoyed aspects of every resort. They all have different strengths and weaknesses. Every resort has its guests that love it or are so so about staying there.

Good luck choosing!