AoA vs POP: Your preference?

[Lsumatt72]

Just curious.... I have stayed at both and really enjoyed each of them.

For me, I think I give the slight edge to POP for a few reasons (yes, I know POP is older, but whatever...)

1) I like the theme more. Being able to walk through each decade is cool.
2) Found that the bus lines to and from the parks tended to be shorter (and shorter waits)
3) Think I would give POP a slight food court edge too.
4) POP is a tad bit cheaper (that always helps!)

Now AoA definitely has the better pools and rooms by far. And both are superbly clean.

 

[DarthVader]

I'm staying at the Pop, for a single night for my next trip. We needed to change our flight plans and getting a single night that Pop made more sense given the time we'll be arriving. I'm looking forward to experiencing the resort and all it has to offer. I'm looking to maybe do an AoA vacation in the future as well

 

[Merida DunBroch]

I've stayed at POP, but not AoA; however, I have had the chance to walk around the latter resort both times I stayed at POP. While I love the Lion King section and the food court at AoA, I find POP more enjoyable merely because I love being able to see memorabilia from each decade (not to mention the music they tend to play there). I find the theming in general just more enjoyable! Not to mention, it doesn't help that it's cheaper, either.

 

[cococola44]

When I worked there, POP was just opening. I have been through there in our vacations and to me, it is just ok. Art of Animation is newer and a lot of DVC owners I know chose to go there more often. Pop century has spacious rooms. But I do know that AOA has fantastically decorated rooms. I guess it all depends on what you would like. They are both great! I am more of a movie fan however, and enjoy AoA.

 

[Stevek]

Depends on budget. If you are more flexible, AoA. Otherwise, POP.

 

[admiral-ari-x]

Theming-wise, AoA is superior, it's also the best choice for kids because of the IPs. If I had to choose myself, AoA for sure, not just because it's newer, but because I don't care for the gimmicky style POP goes for. There's nothing truly bad about it in the end, however.

 

[Mrs. Piglet]

I really want to start at Art of Animation in the future. Maybe my next vacation to WDW. I have also stayed at Pop and loved everything about it. Both resorts are wonderful.

 

[disneyfirstLJ]

I considered staying at Pop for my trip last week but ultimately changed to AoA. It was our third time staying at AoA and we just love it there. The theme really puts you in a Disney mood from the minute you step on property. I love the food court and the overall atmosphere. I do wish it was included in the discounts for the LM rooms and the walk can be a bit much. Other then that, my favorite out of the two.

 

[SyracuseDisneyFan]

AoA. I love the theme. The food court had some good choices and I did enjoy the gift shop.

 

[Kevin_W]

Not using suites, AoA is limited to the Little Mermaid section, which is a looong walk form the bus stops. So I vote Pop based on that alone (price helps, both have pretty long bus lines from my experience/observation).

 

[Tom P.]

For me personally, Art of Animation by a mile. But I am a sucker for the Disney theming. I can see where some might feel that the theming of AoA appeals more to families with young children, that that POP could better appeal to adults as it has that nostalgia factor.

Still, I personally think the food court at Art of Animation may just be the best food court on property. And the Finding Nemo pool is absolutely amazing. It is, in fact, the largest pool on Disney property. And there''s no question that AoA is wonderfully themed. I found the rooms to be very well done and very comfortable.

And although people cite the high cost of AoA, I think when you consider that most of the rooms are family suites, I think it's more reasonable. Compare the cost of one family suite to two standard rooms, and I think it's a better comparison.

So, for me, AoA.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Based on whenever I've looked at my Florida resident and annual pass holder discounts, Pop can be in the $69-$79 range while animation can be in the $120 or more range. I can almost always get a moderate for $120 to $130, so why would I stay at animation?

 

[Minthorne]

Not using suites, AoA is limited to the Little Mermaid section, which is a looong walk form the bus stops. So I vote Pop based on that alone (price helps, both have pretty long bus lines from my experience/observation).

This. I suppose if staying in a family suite AoA would win.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Not using suites, AoA is limited to the Little Mermaid section, which is a looong walk form the bus stops. So I vote Pop based on that alone (price helps, both have pretty long bus lines from my experience/observation).

It's about 1/4 mile. You can walk that far from some rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and that's a single building.

ETA: It's actually no further than the 90s building at POP unless you walk through the parking lot, which is ugly and depressing. The resorts are practically mirror images of one another.

 

[Tom P.]

It's about 1/4 mile. You can walk that far from some rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and that's a single building.

Agreed. I hear people all the time complain about the location of the Little Mermaid rooms. But compare that to just about any moderate resort. We've stayed a couple times at Port Orleans Riverside and it felt like you needed multiple forms of transportation just to get from your room to the lobby. I just don't see that the LM rooms are that much more of a slog than most of the other resorts, save for some of the more compact deluxes, like the Contemporary.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Agreed. I hear people all the time complain about the location of the Little Mermaid rooms. But compare that to just about any moderate resort. We've stayed a couple times at Port Orleans Riverside and it felt like you needed multiple forms of transportation just to get from your room to the lobby. I just don't see that the LM rooms are that much more of a slog than most of the other resorts, save for some of the more compact deluxes, like the Contemporary.

French Quarter is the exception for Value and Moderates. Fort Wilderness is the worst.

 

[Minthorne]

It's about 1/4 mile. You can walk that far from some rooms at Animal Kingdom Lodge, and that's a single building.

ETA: It's actually no further than the 90s building at POP unless you walk through the parking lot, which is ugly and depressing. The resorts are practically mirror images of one another.

Nevertheless, at POP you have the chance of being closer and at AoA you don't.