Pop Century vs. Art of Animation

[winnieofpooh]

We’re currently booked for two rooms at Pop Century for our trip next year. It’ll be myself, my husband, and our two kids (3 and 1 at the time of the trip). I just called in to apply a discount to our trip, and they let me know that we could switch to one family suite at Art of Animation for an additional $400. Would you switch? We have two rooms at Pop so we’ll already have access to two bathrooms and a little extra space, but my oldest is obsessed with Cars so it may be worth it?

 

[lanejudy]

Two rooms at POP are not guaranteed to be connecting or even next to each other. Switch to AoA.

 

[fla4fun]

Two rooms at POP are not guaranteed to be connecting or even next to each other. Switch to AoA.

I agree. Also, you will have a kitchenette for snacks or reheating leftovers, plus you will have that adult space when the kids are sleeping which you wouldn’t have if your Pop rooms do not connect. The Cars area is so wonderfully themed that your movie fan will be thrilled.

 

[Nicnicnic.nic]

There's also a whole car themed pool and a playground of only slides. I vote switch too

 

[Stacybaeasm]

Honestly, as much as I am now a Pop girlie, I think you should switch (unless $400 is a deal breaker which it very well could be.) As others have mentioned, there is no guarantee your rooms will be close to each other. The AOA suites are wonderful. Your little one likes Cars. AND you have all the benefits of the Skyliner and everything you would have at Pop. The kitchenette is wonderful and the space for you and partner to hang after the little ones go to sleep will certainly be appreciated.

 

[winnieofpooh]

Thanks everyone! The $400 isn’t an issue so the money piece is not a huge factor. We’ve been lucky in the past with getting connecting rooms, but it’s a good callout that they aren’t guaranteed (even though when we booked, the rep said they were)

 

[scrappinginontario]

If you can afford it, I would switch. AoA also has a great main pool and splash pad! Another vote here for switch....and I'm a Pop girl through and through!!

 

[fla4fun]

A few photos from my last trip there . . .

 

[WEDWDW]

With a Cars obsessed child and money not a factor,it is an easy call.

Cars at night with the headlights on the cars and the neon signs,etc., is one of,if not the,coolest places to be in any WDW Resort.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

If $$ is not an issue, than I would definitely go with AOA suite. We kept looking at them but our family is great in just 1 POP room so we really did not need or want to spend the extra $$ on a suite and used it for other stuff. AOA is great to walk through the themed areas and the big blue pool. We like to stay at POP and we will occasionally walk over to AOA to walk around or eat.

 

[tguz]

If you get connecting rooms, I'd stay at POP but I don't know how close to your vacation you really find out if you are able to get connecting rooms. I'd spend the $400 on other things.

 

[Mle8308]

With the ages of your kids, it's pretty much assured you would get connecting rooms at Pop. When assigning rooms and there is a CN request, the ages of the kids are one of the main things the assigner looks for. If they were 18 and 19, then I would say it may or may not happen, but 3 and 1 - unless something crazy happens, you'll get connecting rooms. That said, if they are big Cars fans and the $400 doesn't matter, I would absolutely consider AoA. The theming is so well done (never stayed at AoA, but did walk around once with my nephews who loved Cars - we should have stayed there instead of the CR tower). And the kitchenette is nice to have. Even if you keep your rooms at Pop, you can walk across the lake to visit AoA.

 

[Babsy]

If the money isn't an issue, I would switch.

 

[Dug720]

I don't know how close to your vacation you really find out if you are able to get connecting rooms.

When your rooms are assigned.

 

[Dug720]

With the ages of your kids, it's pretty much assured you would get connecting rooms at Pop. When assigning rooms and there is a CN request, the ages of the kids are one of the main things the assigner looks for. If they were 18 and 19, then I would say it may or may not happen, but 3 and 1 - unless something crazy happens, you'll get connecting rooms

Not necessarily. Since there are 2 parents, if connecting is not available the parents would be expected to split and go one with each child.

 

[Mle8308]

Will lmo

Not necessarily. Since there are 2 parents, if connecting is not available the parents would be expected to split and go one with each child.

Will almost never happen, not with kids that age. Rooms are blocked 5 days out for specific requests and there would be a "do not move" notation/alert and possibly an override put on the reservation. Former room assigner. There are enough rooms at Pop to work with, and if needed, they could be moved to another room category to meet the request.

 

[dansdad]

Will lmo

Will almost never happen, not with kids that age. Rooms are blocked 5 days out for specific requests and there would be a "do not move" notation/alert and possibly an override put on the reservation. Former room assigner. There are enough rooms at Pop to work with, and if needed, they could be moved to another room category to meet the request.

Well 3 separate trips my wife and I had rooms on different floors and once in different buildings when traveling with 4 kids under 9. So it can and does happen. 5 other trips we did have connecting.

 

[Mle8308]

Well 3 separate trips my wife and I had rooms on different floors and once in different buildings when traveling with 4 kids under 9. So it can and does happen. 5 other trips we did have connecting.

I hope you spoke with someone at the front desk. If you had made the request in advance and it was on your reservation (all made under the same name) along with the ages of the children and only 2 adults, that should not have happened.

 

[dansdad]

I hope you spoke with someone at the front desk.

Yup. We were given the option to move on the 4th day one time, 6th day on another and no go at all on the other. We did move on the 4th day but declined the other. They did take care of us and moved our luggage into the new rooms while we were at the parks.

If you had made the request in advance and it was on your reservation (all made under the same name) along with the ages of the children and only 2 adults, that should not have happened.

Yes, we did all of that and everyone said that shouldn't have happened but it did and just want folks to know it can and does happen.

 

[tguz]

When your rooms are assigne

When your rooms are assigned.

So I guess that would be day of arrival. I guess they would have to ask themselves if that want to gamble on connecting or are they ok with 2 rooms that may not be close . If I were in that situation, I would probably lean towards the AoA suite.