Disney's Art of Animation Resort Info Thread! Mouseketeers welcome!

[MelissaTnNc]

Some more notes about our three night stay at LM--
1. Room was very nice! Mattresses were very comfortable, not too firm or too soft. Shower head was great! A lot like a rain shower head. Thought the mini fridge was a good size as well as the side table.
2. Considering the section was sold out when we decided to add three nights at AofA LM on to our 9 nights of Bonnet Creek stay and had to check daily many times a day to add days one by one, I was expecting it to be swarming with people and I didn't think it was. Checked in around 11am on Thursday and the Nemo pool was busy, but it was just us and maybe four more people at the LM pool til we left around 3. Friday we did the Nemo pool most of the morning til 2ish, again not bad. That night it poured rain for a long time so we scratched our plans for the boardwalk area and had dinner at the resort and it was nuts. Having done counter service at the Contemporary the week before at dinner time, I thought AofA was pretty inefficient. But the food was delicious. I had the chicken burger and firs, DH had the meatball sub and fries, kids split the huge portion of kids pasta. I even had quite a few bites of it! Spent Saturday at MK, so can't speak of the crowd levels that day.
3. Didn't mind the walk from LM to the main hall at all. The LK area is themed nicely so we really enjoyed the walk.
4. The theming for the Cars section is fantastic and where we will stay if we ever do family suites. Really really excellent. It felt like we were in the actual movie. Fantastic.
I will write a full trip report this week!

 

[MelissaTnNc]

Just left three nights stay at LM room and was pretty bummed about the cell and Internet reception on my phone (verizon) regardless of if I was just surfing on my 3G or logged in to the wifi. The iPad was spotty on the wifi in the room as well.

Our room was bldg 9 (Triton) facing the parking lot, close to the stairs.

 

[SelfEmployedDebtFree]

The bathrooms have an annoying fan that comes on everytime you walk in there and stays on for an eternity.

YAY! I have this thing about super quiet bathrooms... I prefer some noise. Enough said.

Will be so nice having a close drink station nearby instead of having to walk all the way to the food court every time. By the time I get back to my room, my soda is over half way gone.

Thats our problem too. By the time I get back to the room with the drinks I'm like "Where'd MY drink go???"

Thanks! This is our first time at a value resort and we are super excited!! No hot tub is kinda a bummer after a long day at the parks it is nice to relax but we will live without it!

The thought of the thousands of bodies going in and out of a hot tub... all after a day of walking many many miles in FL sun... No thanks. The pool is fine thank you... Keep it chlorinated! (Disney is good at that)

Beware you will find surprise enjoyment in the value resort, and you may not miss the luxuries!

I have toured the Grand Floridian (always buy Mickey soap there) and its not my speed. I like LOUD, OBNOXIOUS and in your FACE, over the top wackyness thank you! I saw on another forum they were calling AoA "More Nick Jr Obnoxiousness".. I say the more over the top the better. I go to Disney to escape a BORING world. JMHO

Ok back to page 15... Im getting there.

 

[BuzzandWoodyMom]

I have a question, how much do the Little Mermaid rooms cost a night? I can't find it on the website

http://allears.net/acc/faq_artan.htm

 

[BuzzandWoodyMom]

Maybe you can use what we use...we have the collapsible organizer like you hang in your closet. Usually 12x12 and has 5/6 soft shelves. It collapses flat in your suitcase and holds more than enough stuff for us

That's what I was thinking too . . . . Going to see what I can find at Wal-Mart or Target.

 

[janatmovies]

NE Goofy, people have reported they do not sell bread and they do sell half gallons of milk but they run out a lot and then what's left is the individual serving for 1.69. If you are checking a bag at the airport you can do what I'm doing and pack a couple of parmalat quarts of milk or those horizon milk boxes. Also bringing my own bread, PB & j.

 

[Dis_Fan]

Hi

Got back yesterday after checking in on the 15th. Lots of been said but just my impresssions*.

-Magical Express and Check In went great, as it has other times (been to POP 2 previous times. The free cookies and drinks were a real nice touch and appreciated.

-We were in the Little Mermaid room, Ariel section. The whole LM area is very nice. The trinkets along the walkway were nice (though every kid ignored the no climbing signs). The pool is fenced off which I thought was strange. I enjoyed walking by the pool to and from my room at POP when I was there.

-Inside the room was very clean and looked great. fridge was bigger then I thought it would be which was welcome. The theming was not gaudy or overdone. Just enough without being cheesy.

-The walk was LONG. Not horrible if your walking to and from the busses or just strolling but not close enough to be taking advantage of the drink mugs we got. Why put a drink station right outside the LOF I dont know. Considering there are 3/4 places inside LOF to refill drinks they should of moved the outside one to LM. One day we went to POP for dinner and walked around the lake and it seemed like we got there faster then our walks from our room to LOF. We took the bridge back and the views were great.

-LOF was really good. Had the Tandori sausage, Pulled Pork sandwich, surf and surf burger, and bounty breakfast platter. All were really good. Was the most I ever ate at a resort. Service was pretty fast. Not instant but the longest wait I had 5 minutes for my burger.

-Of the suite sections of the resort Lion King seemed to be the coolest. Loved the little play area, and the theming was great. Nemo section was good with all the water activities and another playground. I was REALLY dissapointed with the Cars area. Just characters lined up and down. No play area. I did not see anything special with the theming besides the cones by the pool.

-Busses ran great all week. I saw no difference plus or minus compared to my stays at POP. Longest wait was the one going to Downtown Disney. I think we JUST missed one. Busses never seemed to crowded although the crowds at the parks seemed higher then last year.

**All impressions are made from Jon, husband of Dis_Fan and do not represent impressions of thoughts of anyone but my own.

 

[sixkristy6]

I have a question for anyone who has stayed there already. Is there a place to buy milk and bread at AoA? My son has to have his milk and peanut butter sandwiches! Thanks

NE Goofy, people have reported they do not sell bread and they do sell half gallons of milk but they run out a lot and then what's left is the individual serving for 1.69. If you are checking a bag at the airport you can do what I'm doing and pack a couple of parmalat quarts of milk or those horizon milk boxes. Also bringing my own bread, PB & j.

We are actually packing some Horizon milk boxes in our suitcase for DD. Considering they are $1.29 each at Wegman's here, we'll buy enough for each morning. I figure we can have her drink it on the way to the bus stop and while waiting, so we do not have to lug a cup around with us.

Hi

Got back yesterday after checking in on the 15th. Lots of been said but just my impresssions*.

-Magical Express and Check In went great, as it has other times (been to POP 2 previous times. The free cookies and drinks were a real nice touch and appreciated.

-We were in the Little Mermaid room, Ariel section. The whole LM area is very nice. The trinkets along the walkway were nice (though every kid ignored the no climbing signs). The pool is fenced off which I thought was strange. I enjoyed walking by the pool to and from my room at POP when I was there.

-Inside the room was very clean and looked great. fridge was bigger then I thought it would be which was welcome. The theming was not gaudy or overdone. Just enough without being cheesy.

-The walk was LONG. Not horrible if your walking to and from the busses or just strolling but not close enough to be taking advantage of the drink mugs we got. Why put a drink station right outside the LOF I dont know. Considering there are 3/4 places inside LOF to refill drinks they should of moved the outside one to LM. One day we went to POP for dinner and walked around the lake and it seemed like we got there faster then our walks from our room to LOF. We took the bridge back and the views were great.

-LOF was really good. Had the Tandori sausage, Pulled Pork sandwich, surf and surf burger, and bounty breakfast platter. All were really good. Was the most I ever ate at a resort. Service was pretty fast. Not instant but the longest wait I had 5 minutes for my burger.

-Of the suite sections of the resort Lion King seemed to be the coolest. Loved the little play area, and the theming was great. Nemo section was good with all the water activities and another playground. I was REALLY dissapointed with the Cars area. Just characters lined up and down. No play area. I did not see anything special with the theming besides the cones by the pool.

-Busses ran great all week. I saw no difference plus or minus compared to my stays at POP. Longest wait was the one going to Downtown Disney. I think we JUST missed one. Busses never seemed to crowded although the crowds at the parks seemed higher then last year.

**All impressions are made from Jon, husband of Dis_Fan and do not represent impressions of thoughts of anyone but my own.

I highlighted part of your post, because I wanted to ask a question about the drink stations. If I am reading it right, there are 3 drink stations inside of LOF and one outside? What do you mean by outside? Is that the pool one? Or something else?

 

[AliceIn]

We are actually packing some Horizon milk boxes in our suitcase for DD. Considering they are $1.29 each at Wegman's here, we'll buy enough for each morning. I figure we can have her drink it on the way to the bus stop and while waiting, so we do not have to lug a cup around with us.



I highlighted part of your post, because I wanted to ask a question about the drink stations. If I am reading it right, there are 3 drink stations inside of LOF and one outside? What do you mean by outside? Is that the pool one? Or something else?

The only refillable mug station other than at LOF is at the Big Blue Pool.

 

[TSM]

I have toured the Grand Floridian (always buy Mickey soap there) and its not my speed. I like LOUD, OBNOXIOUS and in your FACE, over the top wackyness thank you! I saw on another forum they were calling AoA "More Nick Jr Obnoxiousness".. I say the more over the top the better. I go to Disney to escape a BORING world. JMHO

Ok back to page 15... Im getting there.[/QUOTE]

I totally agree!!!We went to the contemporary to eat at chef mickeys and except for that restaurant it didnt feel like Disney at all to us! I guess that's why they make all the Hotels different- something for everyone but as for me I want to get hit in the face with Disney!!!I loved AoA!!

 

[sixkristy6]

The only refillable mug station other than at LOF is at the Big Blue Pool.

That is what I thought. Thanks!

 

[janatmovies]

I have a question, I am bringing some refrigerated foods with me, what if our room is not ready (early arrival) do they have a fridge that can store them until room is ready? Thanks

 

[lmbcdb]

I have a question, I am bringing some refrigerated foods with me, what if our room is not ready (early arrival) do they have a fridge that can store them until room is ready? Thanks

All the bell services desks at all the resorts have refrigerated storage.

 

[janatmovies]

Thank you! Phew! That helps a lot.

 

[disneyholic family]

So I'm about to change my reservation from little mermaid to a suite, but I can't decide which one to pick (they're all available).
Which one would you pick?

I should add that it's for two women.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[Marblies]

Could you tell us what building you are in and what room numbers face the lake? TIA

We are in 7718. (3rd floor) It faces the lake and is only a few doors from the stairs closest to the LK section. Makes for a slightly shorter walk and great view.

If you are anywhere close today, stop and see our window. Decorations coming down tomorrow morning.

 

[lynypixie]

I have toured the Grand Floridian (always buy Mickey soap there) and its not my speed. I like LOUD, OBNOXIOUS and in your FACE, over the top wackyness thank you! I saw on another forum they were calling AoA "More Nick Jr Obnoxiousness".. I say the more over the top the better. I go to Disney to escape a BORING world. JMHO

You know, I don't think I'd go in a moderate even if free dining occured. I have young kids and we want in-your-face Disney. If we didn't want that, we would stay off-site at Windsor Hill (it's probably what we'll do when kids grow up and that we can rent a regular car instead of a minivan)

 

[jdcthree]

So I'm about to change my reservation from little mermaid to a suite, but I can't decide which one to pick (they're all available).
Which one would you pick?

I should add that it's for two women.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

We stayed in a Lion King suite and the decor was great! The only thing I didn't like was the carpet. It was dark and didn't seem to "flow" with the rest of the room. (Obviously a minor complaint.) If I were you I would look at all of the photos and choose whatever is most appealing to you.

 

[jcarwash]

Does anyone know if roll away beds are available at AoA?

On the Pop Century thread the moderator has info from Disney that rollaway beds are available, so we can assume the same for AoA...at least for the LM rooms which are comparable to those at Pop Century.

Could you tell us what building you are in and what room numbers face the lake? TIA

Here's my take at the lake-facing room numbers in building 7 based on the room numbering used at Pop Century. Marblies also reports being in 7718 as lake-facing room and that fits into this pattern:

Building right side as you face the lake
7513-7524 - ground floor
7613-7624 - 2nd floor
7713-7724 - 3rd floor
7813-7824 - 4th floor

Building left side as you face the lake
7549-7560 - ground floor
7649-7660 - 2nd floor
7749-7760 - 3rd floor
7849-7860 - 4th floor

I have a question, how much do the Little Mermaid rooms cost a night? I can't find it on the website

Here's the link to the official Disney page with rates and room types. You need to use the Season drop-down in the upper right corner to switch to the time of year you are interested in:
http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/art-of-animation-resort/rates-rooms/

Here's the MouseSavers pages for 2012 and 2013, which are little easier to read:
http://www.mousesavers.com/2012-art-of-animation-resort-room-rates-season-dates/
http://www.mousesavers.com/2013-art-of-animation-resort-room-rates-season-dates/

 

[disneyholic family]

We stayed in a Lion King suite and the decor was great! The only thing I didn't like was the carpet. It was dark and didn't seem to "flow" with the rest of the room. (Obviously a minor complaint.) If I were you I would look at all of the photos and choose whatever is most appealing to you.

i think i like LK the best.....something very soothing about it...not sure why, but i like it...
cars is less interesting to me, although that sofa is totally cool - looks just like the back seat of our car when i was really really little!!
nemo is the least interesting...not sure why.....

so i guess LK it is....i would think it's quieter there, since there's no pool...