LM at AoA sold out...now what?

[Son of Gadsden]

First off, I know, I'm an idiot, and you guys were right. Everyone said "Just go ahead and book to make sure you get the room you want! Worry about discounts, promotions, etc later!" Well, I didn't. I decided to roll the dice and wait till I had a more secure amount of cash in my pocket to book, and friday it was available, today every AoA LM room is booked. And I'm left standing here not knowing what to do.

The wife and I have stayed deluxe with our parents our whole lives (sans one time at POR)...and paid by ourselves for our first ever Disney vacation last April. We loved our stay at Art of Animation so much, we wanted to go back 11/30-12/7 for a Christmas trip. Well, we had it all figured out and thought we had a secure go-to resort for the next few years and now that's gone. We can't really afford moderate unless a room discount comes out.

So, what are your recommendations for the other 4 value resorts? I'll add in the background information that my wife and I are typically in the 'it's just where we sleep' group, and we have no children. We're not really THAT devastated, because of that. We had also considered (and I posted a thread) staying at another value because of the long walks at AoA. (I have serious ACL chronic damage on both knees and have a real hard time walking long distances, and like to avoid wheelchairs if at all possible). I gathered from some posts that at the other resorts, a 'preferred' room isn't necessarily necessary to get a room close to the buses.

So, going on that, what's your favorite value...and what would you recommend for us?

 

[gillenkl]

The only value we've stayed at is All Star Movies. It's a compact property and I don't really feel paying for a preferred is necessary. We have stayed in Toy Story and Fantasia and neither was a long walk. Honestly I feel like the All Star Resorts are all pretty much the same - just different themeing.

 

[prettypatchesmsu]

We stayed at ASMovies, they put us in the Mighty Ducks and we all thought at the end of the day it was the longest walk ever. Cute resort, liked it but too spread out in our opinion. Going back to refill up our mugs from the room to the food court was torture. I kept sending DH with my mug

We love Pop Century. It's where we are staying again. We were in the 60's buildings, just standard room. And it was a short walk to everything.

Just a quick question, I hope you called to check about the LM room availability as I know online has been wonky lately. If you have to book other that AOA, you can always keep calling to check. People cancel all the time so good luck!

 

[Son of Gadsden]

Just a quick question, I hope you called to check about the LM room availability as I know online has been wonky lately. If you have to book other that AOA, you can always keep calling to check. People cancel all the time so good luck!

No, I havent! I will definitely call, though! If that solves my problems, I owe you big time! SO far it's sounding good since Movies and Pop were the two we had in our heads.

 

[minnie mum]

In case you strike out again when calling about LM, I only have this caution: POP WARNER. I think they'll be there during your stay. You might want to stay at Pop to avoid those groups in your resort.

 

[Mari23]

Disney normally does put out a room discount for that time of the year but if they did LM rooms at AoA would not get them or FD anyway since they are rooms that book on there own without a discount. I would recomend Pop Centry. You are right accross the bridge from AoA so if you could enjoy both resorts. I would also recomend to request the 70's section when you do your check in. There you are basically right behind the bus stop section and short walk over to the food court.

Good luck on your decision!

Mari

 

[belle912]

My family love Pop Century!! That way you could still check out AoA in your down time. Pop is our "go to" resort when we travel as a family or with multiple families - we just love it! (of course that doesn't mean I don't want to try out every other resort!!)

 

[Son of Gadsden]

Yeah, I'm aware LM rooms are not covered by discounts normally. I was more hesitant to get the LM room because we might move to a moderate resort if the discounts come out, even though I was told multiple times that it doesnt matter, and you can change once you book.

So Pop normally isn't so full of the pop warner crowd?

 

[o0quirkygirl0o]

I does look like discounts are coming out. You might want to wait one more week to book. Hint, hint!

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3141417

 

[H20DogsNDisney]

We really liked POP! First time we stayed we had the 80's building. You can cut threw the parking lots to get to the bus stops a bit of a walk. The Second time we stayed Preferred view in 70s building (this when my mom had knee surgery a few months before the trip) She felt like even though it was close it just wasn't that close for her. but you can walk through the lobby to get to the bus stop. Preferred Pool View is just behind classic Hall. Good Luck

 

[Son of Gadsden]

talking to someone on the phone right now. Mermaid is not available.

BUT I HAVE A FRICKIN PIN I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT. HECK YES.

EDIT: Well, I apparently got lucky enough to get a disney rep that didn't even know as much about stuff as I did. LM is completely booked, however, Pop Century is available, but I have a PIN that is good at All Star Music and Sports for free dining. We went back and forth about whether it was for the entire stay or not, with me eventually being right when she checked. Then she confused me on some other things, but its all good!

So I either am going to end up with FD at a resort we dont really prefer, or possibly a room discount if one comes out at Pop Century hopefully. Decisions, decisions.

 

[skater]

My son and I stayed at Pop Century in February and I rediscovered my love for it. Its bright, clean and has a decent food court. Plus, its such a short walk over to AOA to enjoy their food court and scenery. We also sometimes took the bus back to AoA and walked over the bridge to our room. (Stopping to get a snack in the AoA food court of course ). The Cm's at Pop were great - better than some I've experienced at mods and deluxe.

 

[catra121]

If it were me I would go for Pop. I've stayed there twice now and will be staying again in September for 2 days before switching over to AoA to stay in a Lion King Suite. I like that Pop has its own dedicated bus service and I love the lake that is there because I find it relaxing to walk along the lake at night (especially when I am there with my boyfriend). Last two trips I have requested first floor and lake view and both times have been placed in the 60s section...very short walk from the main building and bus stops. I definitely fall in the "a room is just a place to sleep" category of people and other than walking around at night and visiting the gift shop I don't really use any amenities at the resort (other than buses).

 

[Gr8t Fan]

Personally, in light of the PIN for free dining, I'd stay at AS Music, upgrade to regular DDP and plan to spend as much time as possible in the parks and restaurants. Without the PIN, I'd choose POP.

 

[kturner3220]

I do know All Star Sports is going through a Food Court Refurb. We are going the week of October 4th and I know my CM told me it would not ropen till maybe the end of Nov

 

[ToddyLu]

DH and I do not have kids and are in our 40s, I tore the ligaments in my right knee twice 20 years ago so I can relate to the long walks. Before DVC we loved Pop. Before Pop we loved ASMo. Like PP said Pop has good food court with short cut to buses if you are in the 80 and 90s buildings.

Any resort at WDW is what you make of it when you both are together having a great time. Any choice you make is a good one!

We have been that week many times and Pop Warner has never bothered us, but we were at ASMo or Pop, not Sports.

 

[Son of Gadsden]

Because of the pin, we booked last night at ASMu, which other than Sports, was the only place that allowed the pin. Since sports is under refurb, we're steering clear.

Not really the resort we wanted, but our total came to $1400 with base tickets for the whole week, 8 nights stay, and free dining. Can't really beat that. Plus we requested Broadway, and a room near the buses. She put in a 'medical' note that we need a room closer to the buses, which she informed me puts priority over all those that just 'request' it.

She told me to call every day to see if AoA has a cancellation if we still really want that, and that's my plan.

 

[ADisneyQueen]

Here's what I did to get LM rooms: Last April I tried to book for August and my dates were sold out. So I got on the wdw website and played around with dates. I needed 6 nts. Strangely, if i booked 10 nights I was able to do it (two before my dates and two after). I booked those on line and then called and asked to drop those 4 nts. I didn't want. I hope this works for you. It doesn't make any sense but maybe they are trying to get longer stays if they are booked more. Good luck. Keep trying there are cancellations.

 

[dpswift]

Because of the pin, we booked last night at ASMu, which other than Sports, was the only place that allowed the pin. Since sports is under refurb, we're steering clear.

Not really the resort we wanted, but our total came to $1400 with base tickets for the whole week, 8 nights stay, and free dining. Can't really beat that. Plus we requested Broadway, and a room near the buses. She put in a 'medical' note that we need a room closer to the buses, which she informed me puts priority over all those that just 'request' it.

She told me to call every day to see if AoA has a cancellation if we still really want that, and that's my plan.

I a m glad that it worked out well for you. I too love AoA but DH and I are staying at Movies for the FD. I agree it is more just for a place to sleep. I was going to add that I have seen big groups at POP the last few times we have stayed there before I saw that you picked Music.

 

[Son of Gadsden]

Movies was our first choice, but they told me my pin was no good for Movies, so we went for Music.