Torn between resorts

[levenhopper]

Now that Disney extended free dining until 12/20, I'm debating switching hotels. I've priced the following out:
AOA Little Mermaid w Deluxe Dining - $2367 (currently booked - has no dining promo)
All Star with Deluxe Dining - $1883
Port Orleans with Deluxe Dining - $2181
Port Orleans Royal Guest Room with Deluxe Dining - $2383
Caribbean Resort King Bed with Deluxe Dining - $2349

Staying AOA would be fun because Abby (my best friend and travel partner) loves Ariel (and all female Disney characters in general), and it's a new resort so I'm sure it'll be in great shape. But a moderate would give us more room, better bussing (?), a better location in terms of placement of the resort, and a hot tub.

I'm not sure how much any of it matters, because our days are pretty jam packed, and I'm not sure how much we'll be at the hotel.

Staying on deluxe dining makes sense because our booked ADRs count for 30 TS credits.

If we go the moderate route, are there moderates you would recommend? Ones to stay away from? Or should I stop overanalyzing, and realize that my first choice was the one to stay with?

Thanks in advance!

 

[GrumpyBelle]

Personally I would choose the moderates and eliminate the All Stars. For the price, you get better amenities and greater convenience. I have only stayed at CBR (as far as moderates go) and enjoyed it very much but I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

 

[levenhopper]

After talking it out to myself, I think we'll stay at Art of Animation. It isn't often I'll get to stay at a WDW property that has only been open for three months. Plus, we're not going to be in the hotel during the day, so amenities don't matter to us.

 

[Sue M]

Our fav is POR in the mansion section. Beautiful landscaping, boat to DTD, evening entertainment in the lounge, newly refirbed rooms with queen beds, bthrooms have double sinks.
Did I say beautiful resort? lol!

 

[goofy4prez]

You have already made up your mind to stay where you are at but if for some reason you decide to rethink, I would recommend going with POR with the DDP for less than you are paying for the AoA without the dining plan. I personally don't think a 3 month old value resort is worth paying hundreds of dollars and perhaps even 1k or more instead of a recently (a few months ago) renovated moderate like POR.


P.S. Nice to see another N.E. Ohio Diser!!

 

[asmit4]

I would go for the royal room! Those rooms look awesome!

 

[softballmom3]

Definitely POR (loved it last November in a renovated room)! We've stayed value before and I would just go visit AoA if you have time. POR is beautiful and I would switch to one of the royal rooms.

 

[cjsm&d]

You have already made up your mind to stay where you are at but if for some reason you decide to rethink, I would recommend going with POR with the DDP for less than you are paying for the AoA without the dining plan. I personally don't think a 3 month old value resort is worth paying hundreds of dollars and perhaps even 1k or more instead of a recently (a few months ago) renovated moderate like POR.


P.S. Nice to see another N.E. Ohio Diser!!

^^^ If you want to see AoA, take a busover and visit.

I'd also look into CSR. If you have DDP they have the best food options at a moderate (IMO of course)

 

[disney516]

I was at WDW two weeks ago and I stayed at CBR and absolutely loved it there. It was nice staying in the island of Jamaica especially bc it was the first island on the bus route in the morning! (definitely a bonus) however, we did take a bus to AoA and that satisfied our need to see the brand new resort also, the one thing we noticed is that not many people were on the buses coming from AoA and it seemed like there were always buses at the AoA bus stops at the parks so it may be smart to stay there! Have fun on your trip

 

[Fantasmiss]

We're dong a split stay; two weeks at ASSports, then one at AoA. Free DDP with upgrade first two weeks, no DDP the last week. Best of both worlds! (No Hannah Montana intended.)