Deluxe lover digs AoA!

[Aurora0427]

We are currently at Art of Animation for a one night stay. We booked a Finding Nemo suite- today we move to the Grand Floridian for the remainder of our trip. As someone who has never stayed value, and refers to herself as a deluxe snob, I have to say we LOVE AoA. The suite is so big, it's wonderful having separate sleeping areas, microwave, a sit down table to eat at, and the best part- TWO BATHROOMS!!! They did a really nice job decorating the suite and the ultra modern bathrooms are nicely done. I love having a tub and a stand up shower. Our 4.5 year old daughter loves it. She said last night she's excited about going back to the GF today, but said next time we should stay at AoA the entire trip! We thought the lobby was gorgeous and the CM's were so polite and helpful. The gift shop has tons of great merchandise and the food court looks awesome- we are going for breakfast this morning. I do think the beds are more comfortable at the deluxe resorts and I miss having a balcony, but we'd stay here again in a heartbeat, especially since next trip we'll have another kiddo. However, I think the busses everywhere would get old, so if we come back I think we'll rent a car and drive to the parks with the exception of Magic Kingdom. This resort doesn't really feel like a value resort.

 

[trishadono]

We are currently at Art of Animation for a one night stay. We booked a Finding Nemo suite- today we move to the Grand Floridian for the remainder of our trip. As someone who has never stayed value, and refers to herself as a deluxe snob, I have to say we LOVE AoA. The suite is so big, it's wonderful having separate sleeping areas, microwave, a sit down table to eat at, and the best part- TWO BATHROOMS!!! They did a really nice job decorating the suite and the ultra modern bathrooms are nicely done. I love having a tub and a stand up shower. Our 4.5 year old daughter loves it. She said last night she's excited about going back to the GF today, but said next time we should stay at AoA the entire trip! We thought the lobby was gorgeous and the CM's were so polite and helpful. The gift shop has tons of great merchandise and the food court looks awesome- we are going for breakfast this morning. I do think the beds are more comfortable at the deluxe resorts and I miss having a balcony, but we'd stay here again in a heartbeat, especially since next trip we'll have another kiddo. However, I think the busses everywhere would get old, so if we come back I think we'll rent a car and drive to the parks with the exception of Magic Kingdom. This resort doesn't really feel like a value resort.

I have my first AoA trip coming soon in January. We love deluxe as well so it's nice to hear good things. Thanks for posting.

 

[stormer]

That is good to hear. We normally stay at DVC resorts, but don't have any points for our February stay. We booked a week in a Cars suite. We are looking forward to it.

 

[JJsmama]

Thnaks for the review. I would like to try it. The extra space sounds nice.

 

[quandrea]

This is great news. We are dvc and haven't stayed anywhere else for eight years. We planned a last minute trip to Disney to see the Christmas lights one last time. I've been second guessing art of animation since I booked. The price sure is right but I worry about the comfort of the bed configuration. Your post reassured me. Thanks!

 

[Aurora0427]

Ok, I'm laying in bed resting up before the Halloween party in our room at the GF. I will say that the beds at the GF are definitely more comfortable than the beds at AoA. The GF also just has this magical elegance. But I still like AoA and would consider staying there again in a suite. The Finding Nemo suites have an excellent location. AoA was not the huge disappointment we were expecting, and if you have kids, they'll love it! Although our daughter did exclaim as we arrived at the GF "Ahh it's good to be back!" LOL LOL

 

[FantasiaMagic]

We are currently at Art of Animation for a one night stay. We booked a Finding Nemo suite- today we move to the Grand Floridian for the remainder of our trip. As someone who has never stayed value, and refers to herself as a deluxe snob, I have to say we LOVE AoA. The suite is so big, it's wonderful having separate sleeping areas, microwave, a sit down table to eat at, and the best part- TWO BATHROOMS!!! They did a really nice job decorating the suite and the ultra modern bathrooms are nicely done. I love having a tub and a stand up shower. Our 4.5 year old daughter loves it. She said last night she's excited about going back to the GF today, but said next time we should stay at AoA the entire trip! We thought the lobby was gorgeous and the CM's were so polite and helpful. The gift shop has tons of great merchandise and the food court looks awesome- we are going for breakfast this morning. I do think the beds are more comfortable at the deluxe resorts and I miss having a balcony, but we'd stay here again in a heartbeat, especially since next trip we'll have another kiddo. However, I think the busses everywhere would get old, so if we come back I think we'll rent a car and drive to the parks with the exception of Magic Kingdom. This resort doesn't really feel like a value resort.

Hi! The exact same thing happened to me! I had always stayed in deluxes, but this past spring I stayed at AoA in a Finding Nemo suite with my friends. I absolutely LOVED it, as did they. Everything you talked about above is exactly the same thing I felt. It is just such a Disney resort! I would love to stay there agin, and try another suite type! So happy you are having a nice time! Enjoy the rest of your trip!!!

 

[quandrea]

Ok, I'm laying in bed resting up before the Halloween party in our room at the GF. I will say that the beds at the GF are definitely more comfortable than the beds at AoA. The GF also just has this magical elegance. But I still like AoA and would consider staying there again in a suite. The Finding Nemo suites have an excellent location. AoA was not the huge disappointment we were expecting, and if you have kids, they'll love it! Although our daughter did exclaim as we arrived at the GF "Ahh it's good to be back!" LOL LOL

So hear is my question. I can stay at the gf or the poly or wl but we will all be in one room and won't have the kitchenette--just a fridge. Would you switch or stay put? What do you do when your daughter goes to bed? We always have a bedroom to hang out in.

Edited to add. The poly now has a studio which would have a kitchenette.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I think you would think differently if you stayed for more than one night. I also stay mostly in deluxes and we stayed in AoA the first year it opened. First night was fine, kind of cute, the theming was novel. By second night, I couldn't wait to get out of there. The food court was a chaotic nightmare, couldn't stand the buses and the beds were horribly uncomfortable. I'm glad you enjoyed it for one night. We will never go back!!

 

[tcherjen]

We really have enjoyed our stays there too. We have stayed in both the LK and Nemo. We really liked the LK suite a lot!!!

 

[quandrea]

I think you would think differently if you stayed for more than one night. I also stay mostly in deluxes and we stayed in AoA the first year it opened. First night was fine, kind of cute, the theming was novel. By second night, I couldn't wait to get out of there. The food court was a chaotic nightmare, couldn't stand the buses and the beds were horribly uncomfortable. I'm glad you enjoyed it for one night. We will never go back!!

This is my concern. The deluxes are so tranquil. I'm hoping that because we plan on eating breakfast and some lunches in our suite and the rest of our meals elsewhere that we will avoid the chaos.

 

[KonaKaiTom]

This is good to hear we are doing a similar split stay in February but going from the GF to the AOA -- 3 nights at each. Can't wait to experience it!

Tom

 

[nemofans]

I was wondering the same thing. We always stay deluxe, AKL being our fav. Decided this next trip to save a little money & try AoA. We are thinking LK suite. I am not crazy about the loud decor, but I know my boys will like it. I'm hoping we won't be disappointed. Most likely we will eat breakfast in our room each day & lunch in the parks. Dinner would be either at parks as well, AoA, or other resorts. So not too concerned about the food court. For us it's space, comfort, & transportation that matters.

 

[Aurora0427]

I was wondering the same thing. We always stay deluxe, AKL being our fav. Decided this next trip to save a little money & try AoA. We are thinking LK suite. I am not crazy about the loud decor, but I know my boys will like it. I'm hoping we won't be disappointed. Most likely we will eat breakfast in our room each day & lunch in the parks. Dinner would be either at parks as well, AoA, or other resorts. So not too concerned about the food court. For us it's space, comfort, & transportation that matters.

The transportation is not great- you have to take a bus everywhere. We only stayed two nights- one in the beginning and one in the end, and there were so many long waits for buses. But if you're used to staying at AKL, I'd imagine it's similar. We are used to monorail resorts or the Epcot resorts. If we ever go back, we'll rent a car.

 

[AngiTN]

Funny to read this. I have AoA booked next month. We picked the suite because we are bringing adult DD with us and thought we'd want the bedroom and 2nd bath. But we are used to Deluxe and I keep looking to switch, telling myself we'd be ok in a regular room. It's only a 5 night stay. Right now I found a TPV room at GF. But I just can't take the plunge to switch. For one, unlike others here I don't love the monorail. It screws up almost every time I get on it. We typically have better luck with buses but I keep wondering when that luck will run out. I wish I knew what to pick with hesitation

 

[Aurora0427]

Funny to read this. I have AoA booked next month. We picked the suite because we are bringing adult DD with us and thought we'd want the bedroom and 2nd bath. But we are used to Deluxe and I keep looking to switch, telling myself we'd be ok in a regular room. It's only a 5 night stay. Right now I found a TPV room at GF. But I just can't take the plunge to switch. For one, unlike others here I don't love the monorail. It screws up almost every time I get on it. We typically have better luck with buses but I keep wondering when that luck will run out. I wish I knew what to pick with hesitation

The GF is our favorite resort. My 4.5 year old and I were talking about our AoA/ GF split stay this morning. She picked GF as her fave!

I will say that having two bathrooms and sleeping areas was nice, but those beds aren't comfortable. Plus you're going in December..... I couldn't turn down GF in December. Plus TPV? Looking at the castle all lit up at night from your room. Oh girl. Take the plunge!

FWIW, we found boat service to be great at the GF and we were lucky... No monorail issues!

 

[AngiTN]

Oh, I know. We did TPV at CR last May and loved it! But that bed room is tough to give up. DH wants it more than me. And the second bathroom. Is the sink area at GF separate from the tub? We did hate they are combined at CR

 

[Aurora0427]

Oh, I know. We did TPV at CR last May and loved it! But that bed room is tough to give up. DH wants it more than me. And the second bathroom. Is the sink area at GF separate from the tub? We did hate they are combined at CR

Yes- it's separate. Double sink/ vanity area are totally separate from toilet and tub.

The castle will be all sparkly if that helps! Seriously though, our stay at the GF last December was our best trip ever. That resort is just made for Christmas.

 

[AngiTN]

Talked to DH again and he will not give up the 1 bedroom. I don't blame him really. Now I'm looking at a 1 bedroom at BWV. There are none at GFV, of course