Pop vs Art of Animation mermaid rooms

[TheSouthernBelle]

I would say you really can't go wrong with either property as they are both very comparable in the value category, more so than the all stars (which I think should be classified as something different than POP and AofA). They are both big resorts so there's no disputing that so just know that if you plan to take midday breaks for swimming/naps, you might be annoyed about the walk however if you get up and head straight to the parks and don't come back until the end of the day than I think your room location is a moot point. No matter which way you slice it, Disney is a lot of walking so it's just par for the course and I only think a preferred room fee comes into play at a few other resorts. Really the other reason I don't like the preferred room locations at Pop or AoA is that these resorts are a little louder than I like and the preferred rooms are on everyone's walking path to everything and so the corridors are loud. I also like Pop since you might be able to get a newly remodeled room (you can make the request but it's not 100% you'll get it). But AoA has cool theming and since you have a LM movie buff it's a lot of fun to see a giant ariel at the pool and all the other movie sections. I say that since you're budget minded, go with the resort that has the lowest price.

 

[supitscarrie]

I'd go with Pop for a few reasons.
1. Renovated rooms - I stayed in a new room this past October and liked it so much that Pop is now my go-to resort. The new beds (which are queens) are super comfortable and while there are plenty of varying opinions on the overall "theming" of the room, I thought the Disney touches included were just right.
2. Cost - it's cheaper than AoA and is generally going to be available for discounts while AoA mermaid rooms are not.
3. Time to the buses - I noticed you said you liked the idea of an '80s room. Building 9, which houses half of that section, is a really quick walk to the buses (especially if you're cutting through the 90s parking lot). The mermaid rooms at AoA, on the other hand, are a pretty significant hike from the buses.

Both resorts have a lot going for them. AoA is obviously known for its over-the-top Disney theming in each section, while Pop has many larger-than-life icons around the resort from throughout pop culture history. Both resorts have good food courts. Both resorts have good pools. Both resorts have fun on-site activities throughout the day (movies under the stars, games, etc. Pop also does tie-dye for a small additional fee).

 

[ClapYourHands]

Have you really looked into a split stay, as PP mentioned? At WDW hotels, you don't even have to do the moving yourself. Just pack your bags in the morning, leave them with bell services when you to to the parks, and come back in the evening to find them waiting for your at your new hotel. The split stay might give you the chance to experience the best of both worlds as you toggle between different levels of theming, amenities, price, comfort, and location.

Does your family bed share well? Pop has queen beds; AoA has doubles. I realize this is a YMMV situation, but my family would not do well sharing small beds for a full week.

How many park days are you planning? If you're planning a resort day or two, AoA has a better pool. To answer one of your earlier questions, Pop does have a playground, but it's just a regular play structure like you'd find in any park, not themed like at AoA. However, I believe non-resort guests can use the playground at AoA (someone correct me if I'm wrong), just not the pool, so you could always walk over to use it.

 

[lampshadehead]

Maybe check Orbitz for a discount code that would work on the Mermaid Rooms. You would have to pay for the reservation in full at the time. I did get a 15% discount off 3 nights in a Mermaid room in the past.
The rooms are very pretty and my daughter loved them, so I can see why you want yours to experience it, but hey its still Disney and its great either way, at Pop or at AoA.

 

[lookame]

@ClapYourHands
I’m now considering a split stay...maybe the first couple of days at AOA when it’s more resort oriented (jan 4, 5th and 6th) and then the day we head to universal we could do Pop (jan 7th-12th). My only concern about switching would be if we have things that required to stay cold like milk and such if the people bringing our luggage over would put that stuff in the fridge or whatever.

So we do bedshare ok. My daughter may have to be in the bed with my husband and I which may be very difficult in a double since those are much smaller so that sucks. We don’t plan on coming back mid day unless someone is sick. Still I can only imagine a full night of little one kicking me and then a day at the park...I can be mean if I’m tired lol.

Park days we’re planning universal on the 7th and then 8th-11th at Disney (4 days for now but the 12th May turn into a park day I’m not sure yet)

I’m leaning towards a split stay as I think we’d get the best of both worlds that way and it may even save us some money which would be nice.

 

[SarahC97]

AoA is a beautiful resort, but I don't think we'll ever stay there again. We did not enjoy the walk to the LM rooms and to be honest, the LM rooms felt a little dingy. The new rooms at Pop are beautiful, have larger beds, more storage, and are cheaper than LM rooms (which never are included in discounts). I'd choose Pop. And look at the bright side, you can easily walk over to AoA to explore and see it!

 

[ClapYourHands]

@ClapYourHands
I’m now considering a split stay...maybe the first couple of days at AOA when it’s more resort oriented (jan 4, 5th and 6th) and then the day we head to universal we could do Pop (jan 7th-12th). My only concern about switching would be if we have things that required to stay cold like milk and such if the people bringing our luggage over would put that stuff in the fridge or whatever.

So we do bedshare ok. My daughter may have to be in the bed with my husband and I which may be very difficult in a double since those are much smaller so that sucks. We don’t plan on coming back mid day unless someone is sick. Still I can only imagine a full night of little one kicking me and then a day at the park...I can be mean if I’m tired lol.

Park days we’re planning universal on the 7th and then 8th-11th at Disney (4 days for now but the 12th May turn into a park day I’m not sure yet)

I’m leaning towards a split stay as I think we’d get the best of both worlds that way and it may even save us some money which would be nice.

For bed sharing on trips when I was little, I would sleep with my mom and my dad would bedshare with my brother. There's a bit more space if you have one big and one little in each bed.

On our vacation last month, we brought a cot with us. Since it is meant for tent camping, it folds up nice and small for transport, but makes a surprisingly comfortable extra bed in a hotel, especially for a child. We did a road trip through national parks in the southwest, and were at a different hotel every night. It took about 5 minutes to disassemble in the morning and another 5 minutes to assemble at night. Just another option to consider. DD loved having her own bed, and it saved our bacon because DH can't bedshare in anything smaller than a King.

Since you're driving, could you bring a cooler with you? Then you wouldn't have to worry about your perishables spoiling on the day you move rooms.

 

[lookame]

Ok...you all have pointed out VERY good points. I appreciate everyones input and we (well...I because hubby doesnt care as long as its affordable and we're on vacay in Disney lol)decided to do a split stay. I wanted to appease everyone and honestly the mermaid room sticker shock ws getting to me. So Jan 4-7th the days we have resort days will be at art of animation. Those are days we'll spend at the pools, relaxing in the hotel and just hanging out at the resort or going to Disney springs. Then the day we go to Universal we'll check out of AOA, head to the park and check into Pop Century and stay until the 12th. It's a good compromise and saved us $288. I put the deposit on our Disney visa so we'll be able to get a discount available to visa cardholders should they become available which would make it all the better. We went with a standard room at Pop as well...I don't think we'll need a preferred room, especially if we are in one of the buildings I requested. And tie dye would be super fun to do lol. Thank you everyone!!

 

[lookame]

For bed sharing on trips when I was little, I would sleep with my mom and my dad would bedshare with my brother. There's a bit more space if you have one big and one little in each bed.

On our vacation last month, we brought a cot with us. Since it is meant for tent camping, it folds up nice and small for transport, but makes a surprisingly comfortable extra bed in a hotel, especially for a child. We did a road trip through national parks in the southwest, and were at a different hotel every night. It took about 5 minutes to disassemble in the morning and another 5 minutes to assemble at night. Just another option to consider. DD loved having her own bed, and it saved our bacon because DH can't bedshare in anything smaller than a King.

Since you're driving, could you bring a cooler with you? Then you wouldn't have to worry about your perishables spoiling on the day you move rooms.

We'll have a soft sided cooler but I'm not sure how much it'll fit. When we switch rooms, do we have to request them to take our luggage over the day we arrive at AOA or should I request it ahead of time or is it something they'll just do for us?

 

[scrapquitler]

So this trip we'd really like to stay on site but budget is tight. So I was wondering which everyone prefers.
Two kids- 4 yr old daughter and 12 yr old son. No dining plan planned as it's not cost effective for us. Most likely booking room only for Jan 4th-12th. We'll be driving from home and also probably driving to the parks. So I suspect resort parking fees to be an additional $104 and parks parking to be an additional $92 or $115 depending how many days we go to the parks.

Parking at the parks is free if you are staying at a WDW resort.

Pop Century- I like the 80s building and I feel my son would get a kick out the 80s building as well since its done up like Mr. Pacman. Is this building a long walk to and from the lobby/cafeteria/parking areas? Or is this considered a standard room? By Jan would the rooms be referbished? Good/bad about this building? The second building I like is the 50s building and I read that the top floors on the lake view can see illuminations? Which rooms have the best view? Good/bad about this building as well as room referbishments? Is a microwave in these rooms or do we need to walk to the cafeteria? Lastly talk to me about cost is it significantly cheaper ($200 or more..) than AOA mermaid rooms (typically i know prices arent out for Jan 2019 yet) Does Pop book quickly and lastly is Pop usually available for discounts?

80s rooms are all standard, I believe. They have all been renovated in the 80s section. No microwaves in the room, but there is a mini fridge and a coffee maker. There are microwaves you can use in the foodcourt. AOA Little Mermaid rooms are almost never discounted.

AOA mermaid rooms- We would prefer to stay in one of these (if I'm honest) my daughter gushes and asks repeatedly to stay in these rooms so if Pop isn't at a decent discount we'l probably stay in one of these. Anyway is the walk to the cafeteria significant, should I request a room closest to the Lion King area?

see bolded above.

 

[lookame]

see bolded above.

Yes, I saw that reply and thanked them for informing me. I wasn't sure if parking at the parks was included when staying on site, especially since there is a parking fee for staying on site but since I was corrected I have dropped that part of my budget.