Hi Carey! I got Bryan to agree to a summer WDW trip this morning!!
While I am still hoping to rent DVC and stay at the BCV or BLT, my husband has decided that we MUST stay at AoA. He makes a good point saying that we have little time left to really 'wow' Maddie with this resort. I am nervous since we've never stayed value before. Can you tell me how the one bus stop worked out, and how long the bus rides took? Also, how long was the walk to the food court/bus stops from the LM section? Do you think it's something a 6 year old could handle?
Also, how was the pool? I had planned a pool day when I was hoping for BCV since SAB looks AMAZING, but now I'm wondering if the pools at AoA would be better for mid-day and late night swims. If so, maybe I should plan a water park morning? Have you ever done one of the water parks with Kadence?
I think that the resort looks amazing, and we really don't spend a ton of time at the resorts so I'm coming around to the value part of the stay. I'm hoping that you'll set my mind at ease.
Sorry to ask so many questions, but I'm eager to start planning and plotting for a July trip!!!!
YAY! I can't wait to hear when you guys are going! Maddie's got to be thrilled! I know Jen helped you below ( or above ^
) But I'll give my impressions.
I've never done the water parks, and really I probably never will. We live in WI, and a little over an hour away from the Water park capitol of the World, Wisconsin Dells. Plus I can't bring myself to interrupt my Disney parks times to do the waterparks.
That wasn't helpful was it?
I think Maddie would be in awe of AoA. The LM rooms are well themed, and as you can see, all the grounds are awesome. I do agree with Bryan, the kids grow so fast and time to have that Magic with them shortens all the time.
The bus stops are out in front of the Main building and lined up with signs as to where they are headed. I thought the bus service was great. No shared stops with any other resort, and I think it took 10 mins or less to get the DHS.
The walk to LM is the longest, but the I think it's was me and John who felt it the most. It didn't seem to bother her at all. Will you be bringing a stroller for this trip?
I've come to enjoy the "value" part of the resorts the last two trips now. It has allowed up to stay longer and have more in our plans such as
MNSSHP &
MVMCP.
Have I helped??
Love the update and all of the AoA pics! I am trying to talk DH into adding a night there after our cruise in March, but I am not winning so far! I will definitely have to go see it though!!
Show him the pictures! Beg! LOL
Subbed in a little late, but I've just caught myself up. Loving all of your AoA pictures! Cannot wait to hear about both parties- what good planning to attend both. So happy to hear they sorted out your ticket mishap too!
Welcome!
Attending both parties was a dream come true for me. I'm so glad we did it!
Wow!!! Your AoA pictures are great! I would love to stay there on our next trip.
Thanks! I'm hoping we can next year too.
I can help a little bit. I stayed at both BCV and AoA on this trip (I am her friend Jen that she is going to meet up with at the party). Both had LONG walks. In fact I was NOT impressed with BCV at all. We had an extremely long walk to our room. The decor is just blah. The pool is awesome, but from the villas, it's quote a walk and we only used it one night. We never had a chance to use the slide. now if we stayed there longer, we might've had more time to use the pool. I would say Aoa and the BCV rooms were equally as far from the main building. The buses at AoA were 100 times better than Beach Club too. WoW they have awful buses. They take forever and they make several stops at other resorts. I think all the Deluxes have bad bus service though, with probably the excpetion of AKL, which doesn't have to share with other resorts.
The good thing about BCV is that you are very close to Epcot. That walk isn't to obad. Also close to DHS, but the friendship boats are slow going and make lots of stops as well. We usually walked to DHS and beat the boat every time. But it's not a short walk. If you are going to do more resort time than park time, I think BCV is great, but when you want to go to the parks a lot, there is a lot of travel time. I guess I am spoiled because we normally stayed at Pop, which has the best buses, and I felt AoA was just about as good in the bus Dept.
Thanks Jen! I'm glad you have the experience with BC to give Shannon. You have also convinced me to not stay there! LOL I agree, POP and AoA had the best bus systems!
Yay for getting the ticket "situation" fixed! I'm sure that was quite a load off your minds. Kadence is so cute posing all around the resort. If she doesn't turn out to be a model, I'll be a monkey's uncle. Aunt. Monkey's aunt.
Art of Animation looks so cute! I am going to try and convince the family that we need to do a resort tour day and visit various resorts. Maybe I can put AoA on the list to visit.
My mind gone till I got those tickets back in our hands! Kadence has said she wants to model for Justice clothes catalog. I'll have her call her auntie Lisa! LOL
You should! I always say I'm going to and don't but I seriously would for this place!
Thank you so much! Hi Jen!
Nice to meet you!
That really does help. I never really thought about how far from the bus stop the rooms are at BCV. I was pretty focused on the walk to Epcot.
We've stayed at the BWI (but that was about 8 years ago) so I knew that the walk to DHS was pretty rough and that the boats are mindnumbingly slow. You make really good points.
We will be in the parks most of the time. Last trip I planned a resort day, and everyone wanted to go to the parks.
Have you done the water parks? Is a half day at one enough? I'm not ready to give up a whole day to one.
I think you've helped make my husband's case. Looks like we'll be booking AoA! And here I thought I was picking the Beach Club for him.
I can't wait for you guys to go and see Maddie doing her poses all over the place!
(and HI!)
I;m sure he'll like the area. My DD was thrilled to see all the Cars characters.
