Just Back! Hot off the presses!

[mom3teach3]

I just got back from a 8 day 7 night stay and thought I'd share...
I traveled with 8 family members: I am 40, my parents in their 60's, my three teens, my sister, and my 5 year old niece.
We stayed at Art of Animation in the Little Mermaid Section.
*When you first pull up to this place you will be amazed at the beautiful theming and bright colors all attributed to the Disney shows (Nemo, Mermaid, Lion King, and Cars). Loved all of this!
*The bad part (and a deal breaker for us in the future) is the distance from our room to the busses, food court, and main pool. We enjoy using the Disney transportation and it is one reason why we stay on property. However, it is a good 8-10 minute walk from The Little Mermaid section to all of that stuff. Believe me after you do rope drop and stay until the park closes the last thing you want to do is walk that far to get to your room. Anyway.... maybe some day they will implement an additional bus stop or tram to that section to make the stay in that section a little nicer. Until then, we decided to go back to Pop where we can find discounts and also stay closer to the buses.
*Magic Bands worked fine to enter the parks, open the rooms, and enter fast pass areas. We did find two bands on two different days because they had slipped off of the people wearing them. The good news is that the people were still nearby and we were able to locate the owners. So, be careful that you don't have that happen to you.
*Fast Pass Plus... I will preface this by saying that my family is very well versed in the old fast pass system and we go to Disney World every year or ever other year and have done this for the past 13 years. With that said... I think there are some good things and bad things about the new system. My biggest gripe is that I wish you could use your phone ap to obtain your 4th and beyond fast passes. Instead, you must find a kiosk (they are spread around the park and I feel they need more) and stand in line. When we were there I had to wait about ten minutes. Then once I made it up there they were very limited on what to choose. On a positive note, it was nice to have our first three passes already set since I made them 60 days out and was able to get headliners like Ana and Elsa, the Seven Dwarf Mine Ride, etc.
*RAIN!!! If you go in the summer you need ponchos! It rained (not talking a drizzle) every single day. Monsoon type rain! We sometimes slipped into a store for a quick break... but remained in the park. Despite the rain we rode every single ride in every single park. The only thing we didn't do was Fantasmic due to weather.
*Be Our Guest Lunch Fastpass: I used the link from this board. There was speculation that it wouldn't work. I never did get the email invite. The fastpass worked like a charm. The food was delicious (we ate the roast beef sandwich and onion soup). The restaurant is beautiful. It was very nice to escape the hubbub of the park and sit down for lunch. It doesn't feel like counter service at all.
*Sci Fi Diner: We ate here for dinner for the first time. We had a five twenty five reservation but arrived fifteen minutes early. At 5:45 I checked with the hostess to see how much longer it would take to be seated. She said about five minutes. Once we were seated the manager came over to us he apologized for our wait and gave us a ticket good for all eight of us to have 2 fastpasses for ANY ride at the park (ignoring the tiers). We thought that was nice. We ended up riding Toy Story (for a third time that day) and Rock and Roller coaster.
Well... there's lots more I can say.... but I'll let you ask questions if you have them. If I know the answer... I will get back to you. For now I have two large laundry bags to work on! Welcome home right?

 

[tink20]

I just got back from a 8 day 7 night stay and thought I'd share...
I traveled with 8 family members: I am 40, my parents in their 60's, my three teens, my sister, and my 5 year old niece.
We stayed at Art of Animation in the Little Mermaid Section.
*When you first pull up to this place you will be amazed at the beautiful theming and bright colors all attributed to the Disney shows (Nemo, Mermaid, Lion King, and Cars). Loved all of this!
*The bad part (and a deal breaker for us in the future) is the distance from our room to the busses, food court, and main pool. We enjoy using the Disney transportation and it is one reason why we stay on property. However, it is a good 8-10 minute walk from The Little Mermaid section to all of that stuff. Believe me after you do rope drop and stay until the park closes the last thing you want to do is walk that far to get to your room. Anyway.... maybe some day they will implement an additional bus stop or tram to that section to make the stay in that section a little nicer. Until then, we decided to go back to Pop where we can find discounts and also stay closer to the buses.
*Magic Bands worked fine to enter the parks, open the rooms, and enter fast pass areas. We did find two bands on two different days because they had slipped off of the people wearing them. The good news is that the people were still nearby and we were able to locate the owners. So, be careful that you don't have that happen to you.
*Fast Pass Plus... I will preface this by saying that my family is very well versed in the old fast pass system and we go to Disney World every year or ever other year and have done this for the past 13 years. With that said... I think there are some good things and bad things about the new system. My biggest gripe is that I wish you could use your phone ap to obtain your 4th and beyond fast passes. Instead, you must find a kiosk (they are spread around the park and I feel they need more) and stand in line. When we were there I had to wait about ten minutes. Then once I made it up there they were very limited on what to choose. On a positive note, it was nice to have our first three passes already set since I made them 60 days out and was able to get headliners like Ana and Elsa, the Seven Dwarf Mine Ride, etc.
*RAIN!!! If you go in the summer you need ponchos! It rained (not talking a drizzle) every single day. Monsoon type rain! We sometimes slipped into a store for a quick break... but remained in the park. Despite the rain we rode every single ride in every single park. The only thing we didn't do was Fantasmic due to weather.
*Be Our Guest Lunch Fastpass: I used the link from this board. There was speculation that it wouldn't work. I never did get the email invite. The fastpass worked like a charm. The food was delicious (we ate the roast beef sandwich and onion soup). The restaurant is beautiful. It was very nice to escape the hubbub of the park and sit down for lunch. It doesn't feel like counter service at all.
*Sci Fi Diner: We ate here for dinner for the first time. We had a five twenty five reservation but arrived fifteen minutes early. At 5:45 I checked with the hostess to see how much longer it would take to be seated. She said about five minutes. Once we were seated the manager came over to us he apologized for our wait and gave us a ticket good for all eight of us to have 2 fastpasses for ANY ride at the park (ignoring the tiers). We thought that was nice. We ended up riding Toy Story (for a third time that day) and Rock and Roller coaster.
Well... there's lots more I can say.... but I'll let you ask questions if you have them. If I know the answer... I will get back to you. For now I have two large laundry bags to work on! Welcome home right?

Awesome! Sounds like your trip was a success. I love reading "just back" threads. We are not able to go this summer. We are planning on going back next June and I can't wait.

Just curious, where is the BOG FP link (even though in a year, I am sure things will have changed somewhat)

 

[CMOORE185]

Thanks for the info on the fast passes, we tried our app for the fourth fast pass and it didn't work like you said. Next time we will go to the kiosk.

Like you we had the old fast pass system down and new how to maximize it, so that is my regret of the new system. Love the magic bands though, they are very convenient.

You are right that this time of year rain ponchos are a must accessory.

 

[Mikie]

thanks for your report! Your resort comments are particularly helpful as I booked my extended family at Pop but had been tempted by AofA. The many little legs in the group will appreciate Pop I'm sure!

For BoG lunch FP, do you remember how far in advance you booked? Also, what do you do when you get to the restaurant? Wondering if there is a separate line or what?

Glad you had an awesome time!

 

[CMOORE185]

For BoG lunch FP, do you remember how far in advance you booked? Also, what do you do when you get to the restaurant? Wondering if there is a separate line or what?
:

There is a check in stand next to the standby line, then you go into a separate line just like a fastpass line. We booked, I think, about 60 days out. At first there were no openings but we checked back a few days later and it was open. This is separate from the ride fastpass so you can still get your three fastpasses for the rides.

 

[wmpenguin]

I would like to know what rides were available in the afternoon at MK for the 4th (and beyond) fastpass, within an hour or so of when you were getting the fastpass. (Like, when you were at the kiosk at 2pm, what rides were available to you to book fastpass before 3pm?) Also, how long were the fastpass kiosk lines - like, if standby wait at Jungle Cruise is 20 minutes, but the kiosk wait is 15 minutes, you didn't really save that much time waiting at the kiosk, plus once you get to the front of the kiosk line, you are not necessarily guaranteed to get a decent fastpass. Thanks!

 

[DisneyFive]

*The bad part (and a deal breaker for us in the future) is the distance from our room to the busses, food court, and main pool. We enjoy using the Disney transportation and it is one reason why we stay on property. However, it is a good 8-10 minute walk from The Little Mermaid section to all of that stuff. Believe me after you do rope drop and stay until the park closes the last thing you want to do is walk that far to get to your room.

This is pretty much exactly what my sister said after visiting last June to AoA. They loved the theming, but the walk to the Little Mermaid Rooms was SUPER long they thought. They were doing a split stay with most of it at Port Orleans Riverside, so when they got to AoA for the last couple of nights, they were shocked at the long walk to the LM rooms.

This is a real bummer, because we are giving huge consideration to AoA for our next stay. We've stayed at POP twice, and POR twice and love both, but want to try something new. The kids LOVE the theming of the value resorts; so big, bold, in your face Disney all the time. (which I kind of like too). We would stay in the LM rooms, because my inlaws will probably be with us which makes us a party of 7 total. The suites wouldn't work anyway (limit occupancy at 6), so that leaves the LM rooms.

Would the distance to rooms be a deal breaker for a 7 or 8 night trip?

Dan

 

[Liljo22]

thanks for your report! Your resort comments are particularly helpful as I booked my extended family at Pop but had been tempted by AofA. The many little legs in the group will appreciate Pop I'm sure!

For BoG lunch FP, do you remember how far in advance you booked? Also, what do you do when you get to the restaurant? Wondering if there is a separate line or what?

Glad you had an awesome time!

I stayed in the Cars section and the walk was not bad. The Lion King, Nemo, and Cars are ok with the distance but the Little Mermaid section is a hike to the main building.

 

[sbrost13]

We stayed in a LM room in April, and seriously had the 2nd to last room at the end of the resort. We stayed 6 nights, and while it was a hike, I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. The whole family loved it! We went to the Nemo and Cars pool a few times during our stay.

 

[DisneyFive]

We stayed in a LM room in April, and seriously had the 2nd to last room at the end of the resort. We stayed 6 nights, and while it was a hike, I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again. The whole family loved it! We went to the Nemo and Cars pool a few times during our stay.

Good to know. I mapped it out and it looks like the LM rooms are about 0.25-0.35 miles from the main building. A pretty hefty distance, especially if you just want to refill a pop or coffee or something. However, if it's to walk to the bus stop once in the morning, or when returning from the parks, no real biggie to me. It's just the little short trips for a snack, drinks, or to the main pool where it could get old, fast. Are there coffee makers in the rooms? I got used that that at POR. That's a good hike to grab a coffee each morning from the LM rooms.

I see that you've also been to Coranado Springs? That's the other resort we're seriously considering. Can you give me your opinion between the two (CSR and AoA)? Theming, buses, rooms, etc...

Dan

 

[mcconnellfam96]

During our trip in April we took an afternoon and went to AoA to check it out. While it is not my style for a long stay, I had seen many pictures and thought it look cool. We walk through each of the areas to check out all the theming details. (Which were adorable!) When we were in the LM, my DH both commented on how far out this area seemed from everything. The walk to the POP food court isn't too much farther than the walk to AoA's! Still a neat looking place though.

I completely agree that it would be so convenient to get additional FP+ using the MDE on your phone.....anyone heard it they are working toward that??

 

[JanaDee]

Would the distance to rooms be a deal breaker for a 7 or 8 night trip?

Dan

For us, yes, it is a deal breaker. We stayed there last year in a LM room and won't stay there again, specifically because of the distance you must travel from the LM rooms to get anywhere (other than a car parked in the parking lot).

 

[sbrost13]

Dan-

We stayed at Coronado Springs forever ago, so I'm probably not the best source for you since a lot has changed. The pool at CS is excellent and it has a nice slide, which is a plus. From what I remember, rooms were a good size, it is spread out, but there are easily accessible bus stops throughout the resort. Rooms are definitely bigger at CS. If room size, pool slide, and a more grown up atmosphere are important then I would do CS. However, if you wouldn't mind a walk to the buses and food court, go with AOA. I really was impressed with it. We didn't do the meal plan so we never had to worry about refilling mugs. Hope that helps!

 

[cleophus12]

We did not mind the walk to the LM rooms during our stay at AoA. However, we did not buy the resort mug because we knew we wouldn't walk all that way just to refill a drink. Otherwise, we enjoyed the scenery on our daily walk.

 

[OnePrincessMom]

We stayed in the LM room last year, and for the first time we rented a car. Got a great deal, less than $100 for the week and it was well worth it to save those late night walks back to the room.

 

[si-am]

For us, yes, it is a deal breaker. We stayed there last year in a LM room and won't stay there again, specifically because of the distance you must travel from the LM rooms to get anywhere (other than a car parked in the parking lot).

We stayed there last year and by the 4th day, we were driving our car to the main building/bus stop. That's how bad it was for us! Will not be back.

Pop is laid out so much better... Even the farthest rooms don't seem too far away.

 

[thevolcanogod]

I would like to know what rides were available in the afternoon at MK for the 4th (and beyond) fastpass, within an hour or so of when you were getting the fastpass. (Like, when you were at the kiosk at 2pm, what rides were available to you to book fastpass before 3pm?) Also, how long were the fastpass kiosk lines - like, if standby wait at Jungle Cruise is 20 minutes, but the kiosk wait is 15 minutes, you didn't really save that much time waiting at the kiosk, plus once you get to the front of the kiosk line, you are not necessarily guaranteed to get a decent fastpass. Thanks!

I'm currently down here - the 4ths+ available mid-afternoon in MK are anything except SDMT, Splash, ETWB, Peter Pan, Ana/Elsa (obvious) and that's pretty much it. We've been in the MK twice so far and we even saw Space and BTMR available mid-day as a 4th. Things like HM, POTC, JC, Pooh etc are all available even late into the evening - so they're great fill-ins.

Kiosks are not long but don't get in line behind a group of people with an aura of confusion about them. And if they are speaking a foreign language go to a different line. No offense - I've just been stuck behind groups like this and they tend to take 10 minutes at the kiosk and request a lot of help.

 

[Doofenschmirz Evil]

One thing to note. If you do decide to stay at Pop instead of AoA, you can walk across the bridge and check out the AoA resort if you have some spare time. While my family was sleeping one afternoon, I just hiked over to AoA and walked through all the sections. The Cars Land stuff was the part that impressed me the most, but it is definitely worth examining the theming in all four sections of the resort.

Pop was the first place we ever stayed and it will always be our favorite.

 

[BlueFairy]

I'm currently down here - the 4ths+ available mid-afternoon in MK are anything except SDMT, Splash, ETWB, Peter Pan, Ana/Elsa (obvious) and that's pretty much it. We've been in the MK twice so far and we even saw Space and BTMR available mid-day as a 4th. Things like HM, POTC, JC, Pooh etc are all available even late into the evening - so they're great fill-ins.

Kiosks are not long but don't get in line behind a group of people with an aura of confusion about them. And if they are speaking a foreign language go to a different line. No offense - I've just been stuck behind groups like this and they tend to take 10 minutes at the kiosk and request a lot of help.

So have you seen 4th FP+ available for Wishes or MSEP? You imply that but perhaps you aren't meaning to? I'd love to get MSEP as a 4th FP.

 

[thevolcanogod]

I don't recall seeing either Wishes or MSEP available mid-afternoon but I'll be honest that I really wasn't looking for them either. I'll be back in MK on Sat and Sun and will check - we are usually grabbing our 4ths around 2pm or so. BTW Frontierland at rope drop had been insane. Went there one day and instant 40 min standby at BTMR and Splash. Tomorrowland was absolutely deserted tho. Space was walk-on, no one visiting Stich - he was off by himself with his CM handler.