Help Choosing Quieter Resort - POP, AoA, or a Moderate?

[ashleywho09]

Hi everyone! My DH, DS(2), my mom, and myself will be taking our first family Disney trip next January (first time DH & I have gone together and first time for DS). I am about to go crazy figuring out which resort might work best for us! We will either do AoA suite or rent 2 rooms at other resorts. Can you guys give me some advice? It would be so appreciated!! Here are my biggest concerns:
***We'd prefer a quieter resort. While DS would probably love to see the construction at some resorts, I worry about the noise during the day (we will likely need to come back to room midday for nap).
**Transportation. I know to expect to spend a fair amount of time for transportation between resort and parks. However, is there a resort that tends to have quicker transportation (especially to Magic)?
**Pool will not be a concern for us this time, but I am interested in a resort playground for DS to have some quieter play time during our less-busy days.
**Are the beds at a Moderate more comfortable (aside from the size difference)?
Thank you guys so much for any feedback!

 

[ashleywho09]

Oh, and please list which Moderate you'd suggest if you think it's better (for our situation) than Pop or AoA! TIA!

 

[Pennstate6411]

What is your budget if you don't mind me asking?

Port Orleans is a very nice resort both riverside and FQ. Both would be relatively quiet but only buses to and from the parks. Unless you are looking for monorail resort ( all $$$$) you will be with the buses the whole time. The discussion on bus ride duration has been had multiple times on these boards and you will get varying responses as far as trip times.

I don't know how quiet POP or AoA would really be- they are very kid friendly but that means a lot of kids running around and having a good time at Disney. Also, they are both motel like and because of this there is more noise than you would like probably.

If you can only go up to moderate I would say POR is your best bet for quiet.

My personal suggestion is if you can get the right discounts you can stay at some deluxe resorts for what moderates are costing these days.

A wonderful resort that is quiet and off the beaten path a bit is Animal Kingdom Lodge. We have stayed prior and are going again in November with our 2.5 yo DD. People complain about the bus ride to MK but the last time we were there I didn't seem to notice it being a significant issue. Most people have timed it out to be anywhere from 15-20 minutes on avg to MK gates to AKL.

 

[mousefan73]

It seems to be that they will start soon the construction of the skyline thing soon at the Pop and AoA areas. The Gongdola comes rights between the two on the hourglass lake.. so if construction noise is your concern then keep that in mind... Though I would recommend AoA simply for the suites... you can let DS sleep and you 3 stay up in the next rooms.... for me the option of being able to put my kid down and still stay up is a winner. unless you get two rooms... that are joined you can also go next door... but those aren't guarenteed. AoA also has a zero entry pool and a great splash area.. so ignore my comment on the skyline construction! I cant see that being a big deal like CBR right now... most comments are people concerned that bridge will be closed... but the rest of the resort should be "quiet"

Mods we love PoR... that place is tranquil and quiet... but two rooms is about an AoA... toss up check prices...

 

[PlainJane]

Moderates are generally quiet if there are no tour groups staying there.

The only value I have stayed at is ASMusic. I enjoyed my stay, but there were as expected at least one large group of teens. They were pretty well behaved, but not exactly the best atmosphere if you want to relax by the pool. I didn't hear any excess noise in our room. The food court was not at all overrun. The bus was very crowded one day on the way to DtD (as it was known then). I don't really remember what the beds were like.

I've stayed at two moderates: CSR and POFQ. Both were quiet. You may experience construction at CSR with the new projects starting.

 

[ashleywho09]

What is your budget if you don't mind me asking?

Port Orleans is a very nice resort both riverside and FQ. Both would be relatively quiet but only buses to and from the parks. Unless you are looking for monorail resort ( all $$$$) you will be with the buses the whole time. The discussion on bus ride duration has been had multiple times on these boards and you will get varying responses as far as trip times.

I don't know how quiet POP or AoA would really be- they are very kid friendly but that means a lot of kids running around and having a good time at Disney. Also, they are both motel like and because of this there is more noise than you would like probably.

If you can only go up to moderate I would say POR is your best bet for quiet.

My personal suggestion is if you can get the right discounts you can stay at some deluxe resorts for what moderates are costing these days.

A wonderful resort that is quiet and off the beaten path a bit is Animal Kingdom Lodge. We have stayed prior and are going again in November with our 2.5 yo DD. People complain about the bus ride to MK but the last time we were there I didn't seem to notice it being a significant issue. Most people have timed it out to be anywhere from 15-20 minutes on avg to MK gates to AKL.

Our budget would likely be limited to moderates (unless a deal comes up for higher--though I'm not sure how likely that is for a January trip). I would *love* a monorail resort (Poly is my dream resort), but that's not in the cards for this trip.

 

[lady_hlh]

What about a garden wing room at the Contemporary, they are very large rooms and they all have a daybed for your 2 year old to sleep on. Also you can walk to MK from the resort, I wish we had stayed at CR when our DD was still in a stroller so we could have just walked back and forth with her for naps.

 

[donac]

If you are talking about moderates I would stay at Port Orleans French Quarter. It is probably the smallest resort in Disney. It is just buses to the parks but FQ is the first stop and you can always get a seat. Since the resort is small you n ever have far to travel to get to your room. You could ask for a room near the bus stop and you would only have a 2 minute walk to it.

 

[bookgirl]

AoA and PoP are the noisiest resorts I've ever stayed at. POFQ was one of the quietest. Also if you want to stay Value the back buildings at AS Music are usually pretty quiet as well or they have the Family Suites like AoA and the back side of those buildings (not facing the pool) are quiet and one of them Calypso 10, I think faces the playground.

FTR: I've stayed at all three levels and the beds have been fine at every level.

 

[Babsy]

POFQ is quiet, small, good single bus stop, nice pool and splash area for a 2 YO and comfortable rooms/beds.

Another option would be cabins at FW. The campgrounds have lots of activities/things to do and you get a full kitchen as well as a deck and grill. If your Mom would be OK on the pull down in the living room, you would have the queen bed in the bedroom for you and DH and the bottom bunk with side rails for DS (or get a pack n play). One down side is only one bathroom, though.

AoA isn't quiet, but the theming is awesome!!!

Enjoy wherever you stay!

 

[maxiesmom]

I think POFQ fits your family. It is compact, and I have found it to be very quiet.

 

[marcyleecorgan]

Another vote for POFQ here...

 

[Hopefully]

I agree. AoA and POP are NOISY. I would choose POFQ.

 

[Nwhite_2015]

I agree. AoA and POP are NOISY. I would choose POFQ.

I agree! AoA, while adorable, also had a strong chlorine smell anytime I got near the pools. Even the walkway to the food area had a strong smell. POFQ is quiet and very relaxing.

 

[firstwdw]

Another vote for POFQ.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

I agree with the others. AoA was the loudest resort we've ever stayed in and I will never be back. POR and POFQ are absolutely lovely. If you can push your budget a little, WL is gorgeous and will price out less than a monorail resort. WL has a boat that goes directly to MK. If your mom would be willing to sleep on a pull-out queen, you could also consider a 1-bedroom villa at Copper Creek or Boulder Ridge at WL which would be cheaper than two rooms at WL. The 1-bedroom would also offer you a full kitchen and washer/dryer.

 

[karly05]

POFQ all the way. FWIW, they have a really cute splash/water area for kids. Same thing others have said, small and (in my experience) quiet. POFQ is my favorite resort.

I stayed at POP this February and going back next Feb, but I would tell you that is not where you want to be. Room renovation construction will still be going on, as well as Gondola construction on the lake - and the tour groups will be there. If you are looking for quiet in January, POP is not the place.

 

[Marionnette]

Hi everyone! My DH, DS(2), my mom, and myself will be taking our first family Disney trip next January (first time DH & I have gone together and first time for DS). I am about to go crazy figuring out which resort might work best for us! We will either do AoA suite or rent 2 rooms at other resorts. Can you guys give me some advice? It would be so appreciated!! Here are my biggest concerns:
***We'd prefer a quieter resort. While DS would probably love to see the construction at some resorts, I worry about the noise during the day (we will likely need to come back to room midday for nap).
**Transportation. I know to expect to spend a fair amount of time for transportation between resort and parks. However, is there a resort that tends to have quicker transportation (especially to Magic)?
**Pool will not be a concern for us this time, but I am interested in a resort playground for DS to have some quieter play time during our less-busy days.
**Are the beds at a Moderate more comfortable (aside from the size difference)?
Thank you guys so much for any feedback!

South American tour groups tend to visit in January since that is their summer. They tend to stay at the Value Resorts and can be rather loud with their constant chanting and will overrun food courts when they arrive as a large group. I would avoid the Value Resorts for that very reason, although AoA tends to attract fewer of those groups because of the suites, which they aren't prone to booking.

POFQ would be my choice of Moderate Resort simply because of its size. Fewer people = quieter resort. Transportation is good but it will mean taking a bus everywhere (and folding up your son's stroller with each ride). That would be the case at pretty much all but the MK and Epcot resorts. There is no TS at POFQ but it has a good food court and you can stroll over to POR if you want a sit-down meal.

 

[loves to dive]

I'd do POR, the values tend to be a bit busy, thus there is a noise level going on. As far as transportation, nothing is close to MK except the monorail resorts and WL, which you have indicated are out. There really isn't one resort with better bus service than another, you will hear all sorts of opinions on that but I've stayed at just about every resort on property with the exception of ASMu, ASa, AoA, POFQ, WL and SS. I've had good and bad bus service at every single resort. Yes, there are some that only have one bus stop but those can be crowded and tend to be the value resorts. There are real lines at the value resorts so no pushing and shoving to get on the bus but those bus stops are not covered. The moderates with the exception of POFQ which sometimes shares with POR all have multiple stops, they don't have lines but they are covered. Because those resorts are bigger, the multiple stops are nice because there isn't a location that is not close to a bus stop. Other than that, there is no difference in the bus service, it can be hit and miss like every mass transit system can be.

Another option is to look into Swan/Dolphin. They can be around the price of a moderate if you catch them at the right time. You will need to factor in their resort fee and if you are driving the parking fee, which sometimes can put them over a moderate. The advantage is they are within walking distance of two parks, only share buses with each other and have most of the Disney perks. You do not get MBs when you stay there, just an old fashioned card room key and you don't get ME if you are flying and you can't charge back to the room from the parks. You do get Disney's internal transportation, you can ship your packages back to the resort.

 

[Minnesota!]

Hi everyone! My DH, DS(2), my mom, and myself will be taking our first family Disney trip next January (first time DH & I have gone together and first time for DS). I am about to go crazy figuring out which resort might work best for us! We will either do AoA suite or rent 2 rooms at other resorts. Can you guys give me some advice? It would be so appreciated!! Here are my biggest concerns:

***We'd prefer a quieter resort. While DS would probably love to see the construction at some resorts, I worry about the noise during the day (we will likely need to come back to room midday for nap).

**Transportation. I know to expect to spend a fair amount of time for transportation between resort and parks. However, is there a resort that tends to have quicker transportation (especially to Magic)?

**Pool will not be a concern for us this time, but I am interested in a resort playground for DS to have some quieter play time during our less-busy days.

**Are the beds at a Moderate more comfortable (aside from the size difference)?

Thank you guys so much for any feedback!

Hi! As far as quiet – a moderate will definitely be more quiet – it is more spread out, so that helps. Our most peaceful stays have been at moderates (most recently, POR).

That being said, we are value-lovers, and the noise at the resorts has never been an issue, even mid-day…everyone is able to nap. Even in pool-side rooms, we never had an issue. The bussing seems to be better at values, too. The only downside is the uncovered bus lines at Pop/All Stars which can be brutal in the August sun.

The beds have never been an issue for us, but I know Pop just went to 2 queens vs the fulls they/other values had.

Overall, I would recommend a value, especially if you are doing long park days. A bed, a shower, and some good food is all I need to make my vacation complete. All of which is offered at Pop.