Which resort? POP/AOA

[BellaBeast787]

We are taking the kids the first week of January to Disney and don’t know where to stay. We love POR but as you all know it’s not available. We are looking to try POP and AOA. We haven’t been to either and wanted to know which you prefer. We are hoping to see some Christmas decor and have young children. Pool won’t be so important I’m guessing because it will be cold. We usually stay moderate and Deluxe but don’t want to spend the money if it’s not a full experience. Was thinking CBR but haven’t heard great things.

 

[Krandor]

Pools are all heated and it often isn't that cold in January in Orlando. It does vary from year to year. Can be chilly or can be quite warm.

I personally prefer pop, but some of the theming at AoA is really good and AoA does have some suites that are not at PoP.

One thing to keep in mind from planning is if by first week that includes the weekend on Jan 9-12 be aware that is a disney race weekend so early in the morning there may be issues with road closures and so forth. Will mostly be seen in Sunday for the full marathon (though maybe some on Saturday for the half). Not a reason to avoid going but something to keep in mind when making morning plans to add some travel time.

 

[BellaBeast787]

Pools are all heated and it often isn't that cold in January in Orlando. It does vary from year to year. Can be chilly or can be quite warm.

I personally prefer pop, but some of the theming at AoA is really good and AoA does have some suites that are not at PoP.

One thing to keep in mind from planning is if by first week that includes the weekend on Jan 9-12 be aware that is a disney race weekend so early in the morning there may be issues with road closures and so forth. Will mostly be seen in Sunday for the full marathon (though maybe some on Saturday for the half). Not a reason to avoid going but something to keep in mind when making morning plans to add some travel time.

I forgot about the race! Thank you

 

[cjlong88]

Pop is an awesome resort. I didn't find the food court particularly good. The theming is wonderful. They also had dedicated buses when we were there, so no sharing between another resort. The price will be lower than AoA.

We walked across the lake during our most recent stay and checked out AoA, and it's freaking adorable. I would have loved to stay at a place like that as a kid. It definitely has a newer feel, and the suites look quite spacious, but it costs more. Depending on how many kids you have, the AoA suites have 2 bathrooms, so that's convenient. Not sure if AoA has dedicated buses as well...

Staying at either is a win because you will have skyliner access. We loved riding it to HS and Epcot on our December trip.

 

[Krandor]

I forgot about the race! Thank you

I know about it because I run it every year and will be back in January.

Main issues are just Plan for extra time saturday and especially Sunday mornings and on Sunday if you go to HS or EP runners will be running through those two parks until around 12-1pm on average most years. You can still get around the parks but will be longer to get to places then normal. If that isn't something you want to deal with pick other parks on Sunday though watching the runners can be fun too. Just something to factor into planning.

I'll actually be out at pop myself for that Race weekend and I can guarantee you after the full I'll be at the pool at a minimum soaking my legs in the pool and at Petals Pool Bar. I like Pop. Theming is great and skyliner is amazing To have available.

 

[VandVsmama]

I'd pick POP Century because it's generally less expensive than the AoA rooms...unless you have a big family, in which case the AoA suites might work out great.

 

[PsycProfPlum]

I've stayed at both and like Pop with a preferred location more. The regular rooms at AoA are SOOO far from the main building. Pop renovated rooms are pretty great and the upgrade to a preferred location was more than worth the money.

 

[MamaMeems]

I prefer AoA because the themed rooms are my absolute favorite. It was a joy taking my kids there and seeing them get excited over the fun details in the room. I think we all enjoyed the art & themes throughout the entire resort more as well. I might be on my own here, but I wasn’t a huge fan of POP when we stayed there last summer. It just wasn’t for us I guess.

 

[CastAStone]

The biggest difference between the rooms is that Pop’s rooms have a bed that folds up into the wall to become a table, while AoA’s standard rooms have 2 beds and a separate table. The rooms are the same size so the AoA rooms will be a touch tighter.

The AoA renovation should be complete by then which would mean both have queen beds; currently some AoA rooms still have double beds.

There are no rooms at Pop that are as far from the food court as the Little Mermaid rooms are at AoA.

Oh and the rooms are substantially more themed at AoA.

 

[Brett Wyman]

Id look for a good deal at CBR.

 

[Sunnywho]

We have stayed at all three and our preference goes Caribbean beach resort then AoA then Pop.

 

[Moliphino]

Pop is an awesome resort. I didn't find the food court particularly good. The theming is wonderful. They also had dedicated buses when we were there, so no sharing between another resort. The price will be lower than AoA.

We walked across the lake during our most recent stay and checked out AoA, and it's freaking adorable. I would have loved to stay at a place like that as a kid. It definitely has a newer feel, and the suites look quite spacious, but it costs more. Depending on how many kids you have, the AoA suites have 2 bathrooms, so that's convenient. Not sure if AoA has dedicated buses as well...

Staying at either is a win because you will have skyliner access. We loved riding it to HS and Epcot on our December trip.

Both Pop and AOA have dedicated buses. And if you're staying at Pop you can take an AOA bus if it looks quicker and just walk over (and vice versa). You can also use both food courts. You just can't use the other resort's pool.

 

[DianaMB333]

Last year I went to AoA with my niece (4yrs old) and she was super thrilled (beyond Imagination) with the themed buildings and rooms... she is Ariel’s fan so staying in that room made a lot of difference in her experience..

as of today whenever we talk about Disney travel she is fixed into the memory of the hotel with cars, Pumba and Ariel! ... She remembers a bit some attractions but the hotel created a long last memory and smile that made worth the price..

 

[Tom_E_D]

The biggest difference between the rooms is that Pop’s rooms have a bed that folds up into the wall to become a table, while AoA’s standard rooms have 2 beds and a separate table. The rooms are the same size so the AoA rooms will be a touch tighter.

The AoA renovation should be complete by then which would mean both have queen beds; currently some AoA rooms still have double beds.

There are no rooms at Pop that are as far from the food court as the Little Mermaid rooms are at AoA.

Oh and the rooms are substantially more themed at AoA.

Rooms at Pop are 260 SF, while the LM rooms at AoA are 277 SF. That's probably why the refurbished rooms at AoA don't have the second bed as a folddown bed. If they were the same size, I would expect them to have the same design.

 

[beercity]

I have stayed at Pop several times, because its a bit cheaper. I would probably stay at AoA next time though for the better theming and the food court!

 

[mm824]

We are regular Deluxers and loved Pop! Had a newly renovated room at the end, right near the Skyliner. Very pleased for the price point, customer service, and experience we received.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

Check CBR first then
I would go with pop , if you are not looking for a suite why spend the extra money on AOA.
PoR might become available in a few months you never know.

Btw The waterparks are awesome in the winter.
We were swimming on Christmas, it made great text to send home