Help me feel better about the choice...AoA

[waynesgirl]

Just booked the AoA- Cars Suite for Nov. 28th- Dec. 2nd.

It's DS's bday- he'll be 7. He actually chose this 1st but he also wants the BC because it is there at EP. It's just 2As and 2Cs this time but I know that he will love it regardless. I will love having the separate area and the big Nemo pool to occupy everyone else's time so I can sit on the beach chair. Ahhhh!

However, I love being able to walk to EP, which is DS's fave. DD doesn't care- she's just happy to be there.

It's not a matter of $ (well, yeah it is but I save to afford it so I can stay at either) but more of a matter of convenience and preference.

I like the EP resorts because there are 3 parks within 15 to 25 minutes, either walking, boat, or monorail. (I hate taking the bus- I really do- especially when there are ADRs involved. If it has an engine or a computer, it generally breaks when I am around it.)

It is also a matter of the food options- my DH and I (who are paying the bills) tend to like the CS at EP along with the choice of adult beverages.

BUUUUUUT- the AoA is new! It is our goal to stay at all the WDW resorts, without repeating. If I stay at BC, then no more EP hotels until we are done with the others. I might not get another chance to enjoy a newly-built property again for a great deal that I got.

What to do? Anybody? *crickets*

 

[Sue M]

I feel your pain!!! We love BC too, and given the choice we'd pick BC over Value. Esp since the AoA suites are prob close to a BC room rate! But-

Easy WDW has a review of AoA, and the food choices at the food court look amazing. Tandori Station, Surf & Turf Burger, etc.

But really how much are you eating at the resort cs? For us, not much. We're at a park for lunch 99% of the time, and at either Epcot or a resort TS for dinner.

The AoA suites do look cute, and pool looks really nice. Music underwater!

And a bonus for values, the bus stop is undercover. I think I would hate waiting for a bus in Aug broiling under the hot sun, or pouring rain. So nice they made them under cover.

A friend of mine just stayed there, her son is a CM, and she was down visiting him. She said she loved it, and she's stayed at every WDW resort, and CL level too.

 

[Marthasor]

Yes, tough decision. We stayed at AoA in the Nemo Suites a few weeks ago and I am just like you. I really enjoy deluxe resorts and love the EP resorts for all of the reasons you mentioned.

AoA was new and cute, but I would not go back. I got over new and cute about 2 nights into the trip. Again, for all of the reasons you mentioned. My son is 4 and when we would go back to the resort, I felt very stuck. There was pool, food court, arcade, gift shop, walking around resort. Next night, same thing. Plus the walls were very thin and people were walking/running down the halls talking and screeching until quite late in the evening. Never again.

The EP and MK resorts offer so much more to do. Even POR and POFQ offer the boat ride to DTD.

I understand you want to stay at all of the resorts - I do, too! If you are staying at least 5 nights, you might want to consider a split stay - 2 nights at AoA and the rest at BC. At least you will have been there, done that and then you can vacation they way it sounds like you want to at an EP resort.

If you can't do a split, stay at BC and go visit AoA. It's totally worth the visit - the theming is amazing and you could eat lunch in the food court and check that off your list. It is an amazingly designed resort, I just never, ever want to sleep (or not sleep) there again!

 

[KELLY]

I would be switching to BC. My kids love pop but I'm sure once they see the pool at CSR they will be more than thrilled. I have no desire to stay at AOA the suites are more than the cost for us to stay at a deluxe. I would pick a deluxe before AOA if given the choice.