Remind me..what are we paying for again?

[star77kc]

Hi guys. So I have already reserved a family suite at the Art of Animation for December. My husband comes home from work today and tells me how a co worker took his family to WDW and stayed at a condo timeshare off site for about $800 less than we will end up paying at AOA. I need help remembering all the reasons AOA is worth that extra dough. I really want to stay at AOA, but is it really worth it? Thanks everyone.

 

[dopeylover]

For me it's not the true Disney exp. staying off property, and I like the idea of being able to take their transportation and not having to worry about or pay for a car. Plus, if you're into the EMH, that's definite bonus. However, that's a lot of money to save! If you don't care about staying off property, I'd do it and save the money. I don't know personally about AoA, but I like being immersed in the whole Disney thing 24/7 when I'm there, and the resort is a big plus for me.

Also, how many people do you have going with you? If it's not a lot and you just wanted room, you would probably be better off staying at a Mod. I've prived AoA against POR, and I always come out ahead at POR.

 

[PUSH]

- You're in the bubble, if you believe in that.
- Disney transportation/don't have to pay for parking each day
- Food court/gift shop available
- Extra Magic Hours
- Mousekeeping
- Convenient location
- Etc

 

[DisneyJoe]

If you are flying into MCO, Disney's Magical Express is free. If you are offsite, you need to rent a car etc.

Parking costs $14/day

 

[disneygirl76]

Hi guys. So I have already reserved a family suite at the Art of Animation for December. My husband comes home from work today and tells me how a co worker took his family to WDW and stayed at a condo timeshare off site for about $800 less than we will end up paying at AOA. I need help remembering all the reasons AOA is worth that extra dough. I really want to stay at AOA, but is it really worth it? Thanks everyone.

Well first, AOA is fun! You will like it! If you want loads of pictures, check out my trip report from Valentine's Day. Why stay on property - EMH, gift delivery to resort, free transportation and not paying for parking, and for us, the total immersion into the Disney Magic.

 

[bethymouse]

If I can't stay on property, then I won't go! It's just so nice to be able to plan and enjoy a vacation where there truly are "no worries". Hakuna Matata!

 

[Nemo14]

We stay off property a lot, and I seriously doubt that we will ever stay on property again, given the outrageous prices. We just came home yesterday from a week in a 3 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath condo with fully applianced kitchen, laundry room, living room, private hot tub, community pool, in a quiet gated community 10 -12 minutes from WDW for basically the price of 2 or 3 nights in basically a bedroom on property. Just the savings on food alone would cover parking expences (we didn't go to the parks at all however), and having the extra space is soooo worth it. JMHO

 

[Pooh Lover]

First, going to WDW in December will be the most expensive time to visit. If you want the total WDW experience, complete immersion in all that WDW has to offer (the Disney bubble as many of us call it) with limited outside influences, stay on property. If you want to leave the driving to someone else, stay on property. AoA will be a huge hit if you have small children, the food court is fantastic and the gift shop is large.

 

[Tinkerbella16]

Haven't stayed at AoA yet so I cannot speak on its worth. But I cannot imagine a WDW trip without staying on property. I love being immersed in the magic 24/7. It is just a big magical bubble that I never want to leave when I am there. That is just my opinion. I have only stayed off-site 1 time and that was in 1992, when I was 6 and on my very first trip... all of my other 18 trips were on property so that says a lot!

 

[atsolomon]

IMO, staying on site is worth it:

WDW resorts are better looking, better designed, & more relaxing than staying off site. Will you go back to your resort in the afternoon for a pool break? Would you do that staying off site?

One of the fondest memories I have from my 2011 vacation is having breakfast by the quiet pool at Coronado Springs. The kids had finished their meal and they were taking a pre-park dip. My wife and I got to savor our coffee. OK, minus a few points for Disney coffee, but still. When we were ready, we changed & strolled over to the bus stop to let someone else drive me to a park. My wife refers to the Disney resorts as "vacations within a vacation".

I find the sprawl in the area outside of WDW stress-inducing.

During my most recent vacation to WDW we spent a few days doing non-Disney stuff and stayed off site at the wonderful Caribe Royale. As great as that hotel is, I found staying at Disney to be more relaxing.

--Adam

 

[star77kc]

For me it's not the true Disney exp. staying off property, and I like the idea of being able to take their transportation and not having to worry about or pay for a car. Plus, if you're into the EMH, that's definite bonus. However, that's a lot of money to save! If you don't care about staying off property, I'd do it and save the money. I don't know personally about AoA, but I like being immersed in the whole Disney thing 24/7 when I'm there, and the resort is a big plus for me.

Also, how many people do you have going with you? If it's not a lot and you just wanted room, you would probably be better off staying at a Mod. I've prived AoA against POR, and I always come out ahead at POR.

We will have 4 adults and 2 2 year olds, so having 2 rooms and bathrooms is a plus. If it was just 2 of us a mod would definitely be better!

 

[star77kc]

- You're in the bubble, if you believe in that.
- Disney transportation/don't have to pay for parking each day
- Food court/gift shop available
- Extra Magic Hours
- Mousekeeping
- Convenient location
- Etc

I didn't even think about having to pay to park or mouse keeping! The truth is, I wouldn't even think about staying off site this time, as its our twins 1st visit, and I want it to be extra special.

 

[star77kc]

Well first, AOA is fun! You will like it! If you want loads of pictures, check out my trip report from Valentine's Day. Why stay on property - EMH, gift delivery to resort, free transportation and not paying for parking, and for us, the total immersion into the Disney Magic.

I read your awesome TR and loved all the pictures. AOA IS awesome!

 

[disneygirl76]

I read your awesome TR and loved all the pictures. AOA IS awesome!

Great! I couldn't stop snapping pics!! With a family, we would stay at Finding Nemo or Cars. The Cars part was crazy good!

 

[star77kc]

IMO, staying on site is worth it:

WDW resorts are better looking, better designed, & more relaxing than staying off site. Will you go back to your resort in the afternoon for a pool break? Would you do that staying off site?

One of the fondest memories I have from my 2011 vacation is having breakfast by the quiet pool at Coronado Springs. The kids had finished their meal and they were taking a pre-park dip. My wife and I got to savor our coffee. OK, minus a few points for Disney coffee, but still. When we were ready, we changed & strolled over to the bus stop to let someone else drive me to a park. My wife refers to the Disney resorts as "vacations within a vacation".

I find the sprawl in the area outside of WDW stress-inducing.

During my most recent vacation to WDW we spent a few days doing non-Disney stuff and stayed off site at the wonderful Caribe Royale. As great as that hotel is, I found staying at Disney to be more relaxing.

--Adam

We are definitely going to take mid-day breaks, and your right, it is a vacation within a vacation. I want the magic to continue the whole way through'

 

[star77kc]

Great! I couldn't stop snapping pics!! With a family, we would stay at Finding Nemo or Cars. The Cars part was crazy good!

We are currently reserved for the Lion King suits, but I think I want to change it to a Nemo one!! Our twins are already familiar with him

 

[disneygirl76]

We are currently reserved for the Lion King suits, but I think I want to change it to a Nemo one!! Our twins are already familiar with him

I bet any would be great!! My BF took her girls in Jan and they LOVED the FN suite!

 

[PrincessNelly_NJ]

Surely, disney will put out discounts for December... so maybe you'll save some money there... For us, staying on property saves us so much money. (Me and my fiance are both under 25, so rental cars kill us, even with the best discounts) Plus, I love not having to drive anywhere and with small children, in case of melt downs you can always head back to the room quickly for afternoon naps or pool time.

 

[SMS55]

The big thing is if you are going to use what the hotel has to offer and the perks. If you have small kids chances are those evening EMH are no good because the kids can't hold out that long. If you are driving then it might be worth it. That's a lot of money. As a kid we always stayed off site and we were just happy that we were there. Now we do stay on property but that's at a value resort when Florida Resident discounts are offered. If they go up to much I will go back to staying offsite.

 

[luv]

Hi guys. So I have already reserved a family suite at the Art of Animation for December. My husband comes home from work today and tells me how a co worker took his family to WDW and stayed at a condo timeshare off site for about $800 less than we will end up paying at AOA. I need help remembering all the reasons AOA is worth that extra dough. I really want to stay at AOA, but is it really worth it? Thanks everyone.

No, it's really not. You'll get a much nicer place with much more room off the Disney property for a whole lot less than you'll pay at AoA.

But AoA is in the bubble! If you are a bubble person, there you go. . And you get EMHs. And you can take the bus from the airport, if taking the bus appeals to you! I can't think of anything else. The bubble is why most people choose Disney hotels. It surely isn't the cost!!