Grand Floridian to Art of Animation...will I be disappointed?

[Hopingforpixiedust]

Hi!

So in this will be our 4th Disney trip. We’ve only stayed at GF or Beach Club. My husband can’t come with to this next trip so it will just be me and DDs ages 9 and 7. We can save tons of money if we stay at AoA vs a deluxe, but just wondering if it will feel like a let down?? I figure with the money we save we can use Minnie Vans if buses are crowded. (This will be during the Christmas season). What are everyone’s thoughts?

 

[SamFaniam]

Hi!

So in this will be our 4th Disney trip. We’ve only stayed at GF or Beach Club. My husband can’t come with to this next trip so it will just be me and DDs ages 9 and 7. We can save tons of money if we stay at AoA vs a deluxe, but just wondering if it will feel like a let down?? I figure with the money we save we can use Minnie Vans if buses are crowded. (This will be during the Christmas season). What are everyone’s thoughts?

The value resorts are great and have fun decor. It's easy to get a quick meal on your way to and from the parks. We have not stayed at AoA, but love Pop Century across the lake and find the beds comfortable.

 

[Hopefully]

Yes. I would be VERY disappointed. Just not having a balcony to relax on after the girls are asleep is enough for me. How about looking at Wilderness Lodge? It is the cheapest of the Deluxe. The girls might love the bunk bed rooms there and everyone would have their own bed

 

[Lalabubbles]

We stay mostly deluxe and have done the values for a night here and there. We would not want to stay there for the whole trip though. We have stayed AOA and All Star Music both for single nights. If we could only afford to stay at a value then we would but if we can afford moderate or deluxe then that’s where we are staying. Our daughter who is now 12 is also not a huge fan of the values either. Although I will say the new Pop rooms look really nice!!

 

[Hopingforpixiedust]

I should add that it’s a 3 night trip and our main goal is to see everything Christmasy because we’ve never gone at Christmas time! Probably one day at Epcot, one at MVMCP. Haven’t figured out the rest yet!

 

[Minnie1222]

What about the new tower at Coronado Springs? That's one Moderate I would love to try.
The rates at the monorail resorts are unfortunately very high during Christmas season.
GF is so pretty during that time though.

 

[stephk1981]

Everyone has a different travel style, and thoughts on if a deluxe is worth it...or is a value ' okay'. I haven't stayed at a value since pre kids. We have visited a friend staying at AOA. Their toddler liked the pool. We only stay deluxe now, I would stay moderate, I would not stay value. So for me, yes I'd be disappointed.....that doesn't mean you or your children will be though! Have you thought about a moderate resort? Your kids might like the pool better than AOA as the moderates have pool slides like the deluxe they are used to. Either way, it's Disney....go into it with an open mind, you will have a great time at any resort. Safe travels, have a happy holiday trip!

 

[aleh021]

Hi!

So in this will be our 4th Disney trip. We’ve only stayed at GF or Beach Club. My husband can’t come with to this next trip so it will just be me and DDs ages 9 and 7. We can save tons of money if we stay at AoA vs a deluxe, but just wondering if it will feel like a let down?? I figure with the money we save we can use Minnie Vans if buses are crowded. (This will be during the Christmas season). What are everyone’s thoughts?

I would say take a look at staying in the Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs.

It looks like it has deluxe touches at a moderate price. Also - INDOOR HALLWAYS. Not sure how important this is to some but to me this is what distinguishes value vs deluxe.

Plus it will have a newness to it and the rooms really do like pretty!

 

[Disneypro1]

The values are perfectly fine. Unless someone is a complete hotel snob. Not you. Lol. They will be perfectly happy in them.
All Disney resorts are just great imho.

POFQ. Is Disney’s best I’d say.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Not sure, never stayed a value but I do think it will be a very different vibe.

 

[disneyAndi14]

I have stayed at both and yes I think you will be disappointed. It is hectic at the values. If you are in a LM room it is a long walk to the main building. We have stayed at GF 2x and will be staying there this summer. I will stay 1 night at a value before our deluxe stay but that is all for me.

I want to be totally honest with you that’s why I say it would be a disappointment in my opinion, however, budget wise there is nothing wrong with a value. I have an older daughter and we prefer the GF!

 

[toodycat]

I would say take a look at staying in the Gran Destino Tower at Coronado Springs.

It looks like it has deluxe touches at a moderate price. Also - INDOOR HALLWAYS. Not sure how important this is to some but to me this is what distinguishes value vs deluxe.

Plus it will have a newness to it and the rooms really do like pretty!

My thoughts exactly. I would stay Mod or Value more often if they had indoor hallways.

 

[goofy kc]

That’s a tough transition - being able to see fireworks, castle, ride monorail, are things u take for granted until they’re gone. If you have to, then go for it, if there is another option take it.

Not a hotel snob. Disney is exhausting and I like a quiet comfortable place to relax after a full day.

 

[karasmom]

If you want to save some money - how about the Wilderness Lodge? Beautiful for Christmas season and you will save quiet a bit in compactor the GF however - you aren’t cramped up in a small, dark room.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Yes, you will be disappointed. We tried AoA the year it opened having stayed almost exclusively at deluxes during many previous trips. It was super cute when we walked in, but it turned out to be incredibly noisy and very uncomfortable. The food court was also incredibly chaotic. After the second night, I wanted to leave SO badly, but at that point all that was left were deluxe rooms at rack rate and I was there alone with DS (who was 5 at the time) during a tropical storm. Never again. I don't even look to see how much money we'd save if we stayed at a value instead. I just know we won't enjoy it, so I spring for deluxe resorts or Swan/Dolphin. I would suggest pricing out some mods (you would get quieter rooms, queen beds and upgraded amenities), Swan/Dolphin (you would lose DME and 180+10 ADR's, but the rooms are incredibly comfortable and you will be super close to EP and DHS) and WL and AKL (which typically price out less than the other deluxes). CR, garden wing sometimes prices out well as do many of the DVC studios.

 

[FSU Girl]

I’d recommend Wilderness Lodge. It’ll be your cheapest option for deluxe and the hotel is gorgeous when decorated for Christmas. I am not a fan of the values and won’t stay in them again. Art of Animation is very expensive for being classified as a value I think Wilderness Lodge would be a better value.

 

[sab53085]

I would probably rather stay at a Disney Springs hotel (maybe Doubletree Suites) with a balcony and just Uber/Lyft to the parks.

 

[Diane♥Disney]

We stayed there last summer, I was a little nervous staying at a value for the first time since my more recent stays have been at deluxe resorts. I was pleasantly surprised. It really didn't feel like a value. We all loved the resort. We were in the Cars section and usually had the pool to ourselves. It was quiet. The food court was very good. Loved having two bathrooms and a separate sleeping area. My only complaint was the bed was a little hard and I missed having a hot tub. I would definitely stay there again.

 

[Hopingforpixiedust]

Thanks for all of your suggestions!

 

[pixiedustedme]

Hi!

So in this will be our 4th Disney trip. We’ve only stayed at GF or Beach Club. My husband can’t come with to this next trip so it will just be me and DDs ages 9 and 7. We can save tons of money if we stay at AoA vs a deluxe, but just wondering if it will feel like a let down?? I figure with the money we save we can use Minnie Vans if buses are crowded. (This will be during the Christmas season). What are everyone’s thoughts?

We usually stay at deluxe resorts. The only exceptions were the times we camped at Fort Wilderness and when we stayed at Pop Century. Fort Wilderness was lovely for camping, but I did not like staying at Pop. The room was a motel room. Not pleasant at all. I only wanted to be there when sleeping. No way would I think Minnie Van transport was more important than staying in a nice hotel.