GatorChris
Not of This World
- Joined
- Feb 18, 2014
- Messages
- 3,238
Just got back from a fun trip to WDW. Part of it was conferenced-based, so we were in a townhouse near the OC convention center. We were planning on doing the whole trip from there because Disney hotel prices are always way too expensive. But...they had a deal for the month of July on three different resorts: AoA, POR, and I can't remember the other. The first three nights of our trip were in July, so I took the plunge and got a suite at AoA in the Cars section for only $225/night (pretax). That's a steal at Disney!
We really loved the outside area. It felt like Cars Land at Disneyland. The room itself was cool with 100% Cars vibes. Plus the rooms had doors opening to the inside, which you only find in deluxe accommodations at Disney. Having two bathrooms in the suite was EPIC! Game changer, really. I wish the Murphy bed was a queen instead of a double, but my daughters managed for the three nights. Anything more than that might've been bad. The pool was incredibly themed, though I'm not a fan of heated pool water - I mean, what's the point in FL??? I want something cool and refreshing when it's been a heat index of 115 all day. But still, it was a beautiful pool - no slide.
We also really like the Gondolas. I was scared from all the talk that it often took 20-30 minutes to board each morning. But we shot for rope drop each morning and never waited more than 5 minutes. The ride back from Epcot after Luminous took about 25 minutes to get through - that was steamy and made us all a little grumpy. Not sure about coming back from DHS as we watched the second show of F!. The transfer to go to Epcot or DHS at the Caribbean Beach resort was added pain. And when the gondolas are going the same direction last the wind, they can get warm. But it seemed a lot easier than buses. The day we went to MK, we literally walked up as a bus pulled up and we got right on. That was nice, but I know we got lucky.
I think the only downside was the lack of carpet in the suite. Not sure if that's just a Cars Suite thing. I like carpet vs a flood covered in dust, sand, debris, and humidity. Plus I was able to hear when babies were crying at night, probably because there was no carpet in the room or halls to help absorb the sounds.
I'd stay there again for a few day. It's hard when my kids are so big, though, to stay much longer. Any questions, just ask!
We really loved the outside area. It felt like Cars Land at Disneyland. The room itself was cool with 100% Cars vibes. Plus the rooms had doors opening to the inside, which you only find in deluxe accommodations at Disney. Having two bathrooms in the suite was EPIC! Game changer, really. I wish the Murphy bed was a queen instead of a double, but my daughters managed for the three nights. Anything more than that might've been bad. The pool was incredibly themed, though I'm not a fan of heated pool water - I mean, what's the point in FL??? I want something cool and refreshing when it's been a heat index of 115 all day. But still, it was a beautiful pool - no slide.
We also really like the Gondolas. I was scared from all the talk that it often took 20-30 minutes to board each morning. But we shot for rope drop each morning and never waited more than 5 minutes. The ride back from Epcot after Luminous took about 25 minutes to get through - that was steamy and made us all a little grumpy. Not sure about coming back from DHS as we watched the second show of F!. The transfer to go to Epcot or DHS at the Caribbean Beach resort was added pain. And when the gondolas are going the same direction last the wind, they can get warm. But it seemed a lot easier than buses. The day we went to MK, we literally walked up as a bus pulled up and we got right on. That was nice, but I know we got lucky.
I think the only downside was the lack of carpet in the suite. Not sure if that's just a Cars Suite thing. I like carpet vs a flood covered in dust, sand, debris, and humidity. Plus I was able to hear when babies were crying at night, probably because there was no carpet in the room or halls to help absorb the sounds.
I'd stay there again for a few day. It's hard when my kids are so big, though, to stay much longer. Any questions, just ask!
