AoA Mermaid or CBR...help me decide!!!

[case88]

Here's the situation...

I have booked AoA for the first week of April (A/P w/ dining). I booked before any discounts were given, so I'm paying close to rack rate. We stayed at CBR over New Year's and really liked it. I can now book CBR at a discounted rate and will be paying close to the same as I am for the AoA room (Mermaid room). Since A/P discounts are not out for that time, Disney will not allow me to book CBR w/ a discount and add dining, however, I do have a TiWL card.

So.....question is - with the costs being about the same, would you rather stay at AoA w/ Dining OR CBR and use TiWL? I'm getting close to 45 days and need to make a decision soon...I'm leaning toward staying at AoA - since it has gotten good reviews around here and we would like to have dining this trip - just seems easier to have the dining plan...

Our A/P's expire right after this trip and this will be our last visit for a while

Thanks for the input!

 

[stichrules]

It depends on if you have stayed at a value before or not. We stayed for the 1st time at AoA in december and found the themeing to be awesome. Loved the rooms and everything done up outside. But it is very crowded at this resort. The QS area was always packed and extremly noisey at all hours, even at close to midnight. Was a little too much for us. If I had my way way I would do CBR. We have stayed there and love the whole resort.

 

[Master Yoda]

I will be in the minority, but I would stay at AoA. I really dislike CBR. The resort is too large, the food court is meh, and I abhor the buses there. AoA on the other hand has one of the best food courts on property, decent resort layout and a dedicated bus line with one stop. About the only drawback to your AoA stay will be the location of the Mermaid rooms is a little far from the bus stop, lobby, etc.

 

[case88]

@ stich - We have done all the values before (except Music) - our last trip was the first trip at a moderate and I don't ever think we'll go back to an All-Stars or POP.....I've read reviews saying that the AoA feels more like a moderate (maybe since it is new). We have 2 boys ages 5 & 2 so I think they would really like the theming of AoA, but even over New Years we never felt like the food court or busses at CBR were ever crowded.

@ master - thanks! you always have solid advice. Being able to add the dining is a big deal - and can't do that at CBR w/o adding at least a one day ticket which we don't want to do since we are not renewing our a/p's. Do you think they will release a/p rates soon for that time frame?

 

[Master Yoda]

One other thing I forgot to mention. Unlike the other moderates, CBR still has the 2 double beds. All of the other moderates have 2 queen beds. If you can pull the same deal at PORS, FQ or CS, make the switch, otherwise stay at AoA.

 

[case88]

Can get pretty much the same deal at PORS or CS. Of those two which do you like the best?

 

[Master Yoda]

Can get pretty much the same deal at PORS or CS. Of those two which do you like the best?

You can not go wrong with either. CS is a little more of a convention style resort and a little more adult friendly. I am not a big fan of the food court at CS, but the objection goes away if you get the DDP. PORS has a little better location relative to the parks and water access to DTD is a nice plus.

Since you have kids, I would go with PORS. Request Alligator Bayou is the 2 year old will not be in a pack n play. Otherwise request the mansions. The rooms in Alligator Bayou have a third Murphy style bed that can put some space between the kids.

 

[case88]

Do you think a/p rates for that time period will be released soon so I could get the room deal and DDP for one of the moderates?

 

[Master Yoda]

Do you think a/p rates for that time period will be released soon so I could get the room deal and DDP for one of the moderates?

Hard to say. AP rates have been pretty sparse these days.

 

[popcenturylover]

Here's the situation...

I have booked AoA for the first week of April (A/P w/ dining). I booked before any discounts were given, so I'm paying close to rack rate. We stayed at CBR over New Year's and really liked it. I can now book CBR at a discounted rate and will be paying close to the same as I am for the AoA room (Mermaid room). Since A/P discounts are not out for that time, Disney will not allow me to book CBR w/ a discount and add dining, however, I do have a TiWL card.

So.....question is - with the costs being about the same, would you rather stay at AoA w/ Dining OR CBR and use TiWL? I'm getting close to 45 days and need to make a decision soon...I'm leaning toward staying at AoA - since it has gotten good reviews around here and we would like to have dining this trip - just seems easier to have the dining plan...

Our A/P's expire right after this trip and this will be our last visit for a while

Thanks for the input!

I can't answer for CBR but, we stayed at AOA LMR this past September. AOA has great theming, delicious but, crowded food court. It also has a dedicated bus line.(not as efficient as POP's) The walk from the rooms is a bit long especially, for that morning cup of coffee! We enjoyed our stay but, for just a bit more money we can stay in a preferred room at POP & be soooooo much closer to everything.

 

[BigRedDad]

Can get pretty much the same deal at PORS or CS. Of those two which do you like the best?

Both are excellent. I love CSR a little more because the buses are extremely efficient, hardly ever crowded, and it has one of the best pools on site for kids. That slide is one of the biggest on property. The playground is next to the pool as well, unlike other resorts.

 

[ratherbeinwdw]

Here's the situation...

I have booked AoA for the first week of April (A/P w/ dining). I booked before any discounts were given, so I'm paying close to rack rate. We stayed at CBR over New Year's and really liked it. I can now book CBR at a discounted rate and will be paying close to the same as I am for the AoA room (Mermaid room). Since A/P discounts are not out for that time, Disney will not allow me to book CBR w/ a discount and add dining, however, I do have a TiWL card.

So.....question is - with the costs being about the same, would you rather stay at AoA w/ Dining OR CBR and use TiWL? I'm getting close to 45 days and need to make a decision soon...I'm leaning toward staying at AoA - since it has gotten good reviews around here and we would like to have dining this trip - just seems easier to have the dining plan...

Our A/P's expire right after this trip and this will be our last visit for a while

Thanks for the input!

Request a top floor room. The noise at night from crying babies and flushing toilets is terrible. The beds are only full, so they feel very short. The walk to the buses from Mermaid is loooong. We learned to walk through the center where the pool is through Lion King to the lobby. Saved a lot of steps. Now, for the good: the theming is wonderful, the food is good, the safes are large, and the rooms are clean. We are staying in the Cars section the first week of April. We are taking earplugs as we've read those rooms are loud also. We needed a separate bedroom and this was the least expensive option for an unexpected trip.
We quit staying at CBR because of constantly getting dirty rooms. If they do a refurb, we'll go back. We love parking by the room and the quietness of the place. When we don't need a separate bedroom, we'll be back at PORS unless CBR refurbs their rooms.

 

[case88]

Thanks everyone! I've never really considered PORS - but it's looking like a good option. 2 boys so I know we don't want a princess room. How is the pool there? My 5 y/o loved the pool at CBR...

 

[Master Yoda]

Thanks everyone! I've never really considered PORS - but it's looking like a good option. 2 boys so I know we don't want a princess room. How is the pool there? My 5 y/o loved the pool at CBR...

Not to bad at all. It has kind of a Huck Finn theme and a slide. My kids love it, but they have never met a pool they did not like so they are not the most discerning customers.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Thanks everyone! I've never really considered PORS - but it's looking like a good option. 2 boys so I know we don't want a princess room. How is the pool there? My 5 y/o loved the pool at CBR...

The pool is great. I would say a big plus is that the area is pretty shaded, though in April that might not be a big plus or minus

 

[Chrononymous]

I am another cheerleader for POR...fabulous resort, relaxing, great food court,and a pretty sweet pool. I would actually pick it over many Deluxe resorts in a heartbeat.
The theme is more subtle than AoA, but it's so much less crowded.
The trees are like a natural sound damper...sometimes it feels like you are the only family there!

(I like CS too...but not nearly as much!)

 

[Chrononymous]

Oh...I loved the pool at POR...the huge sheltering trees, the slide, the rocking chairs! An adventure pool to be sure. And there's always the pool at POFQ

 

[jamesgf]

It depends on if you have stayed at a value before or not. We stayed for the 1st time at AoA in december and found the themeing to be awesome. Loved the rooms and everything done up outside. But it is very crowded at this resort. The QS area was always packed and extremly noisey at all hours, even at close to midnight. Was a little too much for us. If I had my way way I would do CBR. We have stayed there and love the whole resort.

I am at AoA right now and this sums it up perfectly. We gave up on eating here after our first day because of the crowds and have been resort hopping every morning for breakfast, with lunch and dinner at the parks. Seems like they should have an additional option here to eat, as it has been a crowded mess. We are staying in the Nemo suites (leaving Saturday) and the rooms are great, we are on a bottom floor and it is pretty quiet. Wifi works perfectly but cell service in the rooms is weak (AT&T). Bus service has been alright, with the option of jumping on a pop century bus and walking over. Overall I like the resort, food court seems understaffed and overcrowded, I feel bad for the staff trying to keep it clean as they are doing the best they can to try to keep up with so many people.

 

[stichrules]

Jamesgf - I agree about the food court, this was our 1st time staying at a value and will never do it again, due to the amount of people there. The mods and deluxes seem so less crowded.

Case88 - we have stayed at all of the mods except POFQ and we have to say we loved PORS and CSR better over CBR. Also have stayed at a few deluxes and liked them so much we ending purchasing a DVC. But if it were me I would do PORS it was one our favorites for all of the reasons listed above. I do not think you will regret it.

 

[case88]

Thanks again everyone for the info. Disney just released A/P rates for my dates this morning and I'm on hold now to switch to PORS!!!