Just back from AoA...

[MelissathePooh]

We stayed in Cars 2708 for 3 nights. The Cars section is superb - theming and design are outstanding. The location was reasonable. The quiet pool was fine. People stake out the cones like crazy though - just a note. Our room was immaculate (as it should be given the age) and housekeeping was exellent.

I will say I didn't care for the lack of shelving in the main shower. It desparately needed an etra shelf or ledge of some sort. The beds were all very comfortable. Aside from the shower the room was great. We had 3 adults and 2 small kids. I don't know how comfortable it would be with more adults than that, but it worked fine for us.

Landscapes of Flavor. Okay - I am not one the needs a foodcourt and when I do like one I don't like it to be crazy. Admittedly we knew breakfast would be crazy, but it was NUTS. The foodservice CM's were less than friendly at 2 different stations. The use of real dishes and utensils (while I appreciate the committment to ecology) was just horrible. It made "clean up" just a nasty and challenging experience - dumping uneaten food - sorting the plates/utensils and trash. Mounds of used dishes sitting...it was gross. Now the CM's who had the horrific job of clearing out the stations were doing the best they could, but the stations are placed RIGHT at the exit doors and so the CM with the cart ends up blocking one side of the exit and the mobs of people coming in from outside make it really hard for anyone to get out... We also had a late lunch here and it really wasn't much better - just less busy. The food, however, was very good, but the quality lost in the experience and mired in the priceyness (as most things are anymore at Disney). Of course if you are free dining you won't care.

Pools - I already mentioned the Cars pool. It was fine - cute and themed well. Not very exciting, but it isn't supposed to be. It is a "quiet" pool. The Nemo feature pool. Okay - I don't get it. It has zero depth entry - yay??? It has dripping jelly fish - whoopee??? It was cold and unheated and frankly I thought it was boring. I don't know if it had to do with how much everyone (even cm's at check in) were making over it, but I didn't get the big deal. The whole lock out of everything was a pain. That place is locked up tighter than BLT. I got locked out at the playground and again trying to get into the women's restroom - really a key to get the in the restroom. I just didn't get it, but hey - if someone does, more power!

I thought the Lion King section was cute - dh was not impressed. No way would I pay the extra to stay at Little Mermaid for a regular value room and be that far away from everything. It seemed ridiculous to me - but again different strokes.

Bus service was okay. About 10-15 minutes between buses - typically were full. It was horrific coming back from MNSSHP around midnight on Thursday, but not unexpected. Not sure how many people that driver wanted to load on the bus, but it seemed like a record... I do prefer the organized bus queues at the values (and I know I am a minority in wishing that was the system everywhere), but I do.

Didn't pay any attention to the store. We lucked out at check-in and beat ME (thank you Lord!). Every other time we passed the lobby it was queued up back to the entrance. We didn't make any requests and didn't care much about location. I don't think it really matters much unless you really feel the difference between the "views" here.

I definitely appreciate how cute the resort is and how Disney has found a way to charge more for giant fiberglass cartoon characters - its a great gimmick. FWIW, we are dvc members and rarely (2 nights total) have stayed in a value resort. We do like more than to sleep and shower at our resorts. We were fortunate to have CM rate of around $109 a night so at that rate I would stay again in the Cars or Lion King section, beyond that I'm good. The kids enjoyed it, but want to do something different next time too.

 

[Jennifer_W]

Does "CM rate" mean cast member rate?

Wow....

 

[FantasiaMagic]

Thanks for the review.

Oh my goodness - everyone keeps talking about the train reck at LoF! That is not good. I wonder if Disney will do anything about it - maybe change the plates...

The pools - I bet the cone cabanas would get crowded - were you ever able to get one? Hmmm a lot of people were talking about the Nemo pool - I guess something without a slide/water feature isn't the most fun after you've stayed at DVC.

I have never stayed at a value - always DVC so I know what you mean when you want something more then a place to sleep/shower. I love the pools w/ slides at deluxe.

I would like to stay at AoA or try another value just to get the feel. AoA has the gorgeous details and decorations which make it seem so appealing.

Thanks again for the info in your trip review!

-FantasiaMagic

 

[princessallegra]

Does "CM rate" mean cast member rate?

Wow....

Sounds like it. Our friends are CM's and stayed at Cars the weekend of 9/28 with his discount.

Thanks for the review OP! We went over to AoA for lunch and to snoop on Monday 10/1. It was later on around 3 pm. I too found the CM's in the food court to be less than magical. Nothing bad though. I had a good experience with a chef who made me a gf chicken burger. We found the main Nemo pool fencing to be a huge turnoff. It just seems so closed in and claustrophobic. Jmho. I didn't realize the other areas are keycard entry as well. It was downpouring when we were there so we ate and then shopped and didn't have too much time to wander once the rain stopped. Lol DH said the same thing as you, he would never stay in the LM rooms all the way back there!

 

[MelissathePooh]

Yes CM is Cast Member discount rate. Definitely made it a good value.

One major thing I forgot to mention was the terrible reception our cell phones got. I don't know why? We have Verizon and have never had any issues with getting a signal, but the only way we could use our phones in the room was if we stood by the window. It was strange and very annoying. Excellent insulation though maybe?

Wireless was fine though. I guess technically we were building 2? It was "Lightening's" building according to the check in CM.

 

[dreamcruiser]

Melissa, I noticed that about the cell phone reception as well, and had forgotten it. We were in building 9 of LM, and had to go outside the room to make calls. At least we were able to do that as opposed to getting in the car and driving elsewhere!

 

[ZoeisMommy]

We stayed in Cars 2708 for 3 nights. The Cars section is superb - theming and design are outstanding. The location was reasonable. The quiet pool was fine. People stake out the cones like crazy though - just a note. Our room was immaculate (as it should be given the age) and housekeeping was exellent.

I will say I didn't care for the lack of shelving in the main shower. It desparately needed an etra shelf or ledge of some sort. The beds were all very comfortable. Aside from the shower the room was great. We had 3 adults and 2 small kids. I don't know how comfortable it would be with more adults than that, but it worked fine for us.

Landscapes of Flavor. Okay - I am not one the needs a foodcourt and when I do like one I don't like it to be crazy. Admittedly we knew breakfast would be crazy, but it was NUTS. The foodservice CM's were less than friendly at 2 different stations. The use of real dishes and utensils (while I appreciate the committment to ecology) was just horrible. It made "clean up" just a nasty and challenging experience - dumping uneaten food - sorting the plates/utensils and trash. Mounds of used dishes sitting...it was gross. Now the CM's who had the horrific job of clearing out the stations were doing the best they could, but the stations are placed RIGHT at the exit doors and so the CM with the cart ends up blocking one side of the exit and the mobs of people coming in from outside make it really hard for anyone to get out... We also had a late lunch here and it really wasn't much better - just less busy. The food, however, was very good, but the quality lost in the experience and mired in the priceyness (as most things are anymore at Disney). Of course if you are free dining you won't care.

Pools - I already mentioned the Cars pool. It was fine - cute and themed well. Not very exciting, but it isn't supposed to be. It is a "quiet" pool. The Nemo feature pool. Okay - I don't get it. It has zero depth entry - yay??? It has dripping jelly fish - whoopee??? It was cold and unheated and frankly I thought it was boring. I don't know if it had to do with how much everyone (even cm's at check in) were making over it, but I didn't get the big deal. The whole lock out of everything was a pain. That place is locked up tighter than BLT. I got locked out at the playground and again trying to get into the women's restroom - really a key to get the in the restroom. I just didn't get it, but hey - if someone does, more power!

I thought the Lion King section was cute - dh was not impressed. No way would I pay the extra to stay at Little Mermaid for a regular value room and be that far away from everything. It seemed ridiculous to me - but again different strokes.

Bus service was okay. About 10-15 minutes between buses - typically were full. It was horrific coming back from MNSSHP around midnight on Thursday, but not unexpected. Not sure how many people that driver wanted to load on the bus, but it seemed like a record... I do prefer the organized bus queues at the values (and I know I am a minority in wishing that was the system everywhere).

I absolutely prefer the organized bus queues, when we stayed at DVCs it was frustrating to sit down then a swarm of people jump in line!