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

[jdcthree]

My grandfather (who is in charge of the major planning and funding of the trip) broke the news that we may not be staying in Cars after all...I assumed he told them our Cars preference when booking, but it looks like a 50/50 chance between Cars and LK...

Can someone reassure me that LK will not be all that bad? It looks the least appealing to me out of all four themes...

We stayed in a Lion King suite and really liked it. The room is decor is really cute and our room was very quiet.

 

[sixkristy6]

They are silver Cinderella Carriage charms that you can have your pearl put into. You can order them off of ebay for about $7 and bring it with you to Pick a Pearl and they will place the pearl inside the carriage charm for you.

I saw a whole thread on it here last night (after searching), thanks. I was thinking of buying one now and putting the pearl DD picked in it for a Xmas gift, but I wonder if the color of the charm will change quickly since it is so inexpensive. I assume the chain would change color but I would buy a different one anyway.

 

[JessiBelle22]

They have a salt water filtration sytem, but are not salt water pools.

By this, means what? Is the water salty when you get in, like say if you were at a beach? And are all the pools at AoA like this?

September 2013 WDW!

 

[jimandami]

By this, means what? Is the water salty when you get in, like say if you were at a beach? And are all the pools at AoA like this?

September 2013 WDW!

No the water is not salty!

 

[jeanylaser]

thank you CareHeartsDisney for the info! I can't wait to stay in the Cars wing at AOA for Dec 2012!

 

[wahmtexas]

we are under 30 days now, cannot wait for our Cars Suite to celebrate my son's 7th birthday He loves CARS and is going to be thrilled with this resort! We have never stayed Value before but it will be worth it for him, they grow up so quick! I am sure we will enjoy having an extra bathroom too

 

[JessiBelle22]

No the water is not salty!

Okay, thanks! Wasn't familiar with, "saltwater filtration system!" Or any filtration system for pools!

When I first read about it, I wasn't sure if there was any difference from all the other resort pools. So I was just asking for clarification.

September 2013 WDW!

 

[pheathers24]

If you have a family of 4 would it be worth the extra $1400 for the family suite?

 

[stindall]

If you have a family of 4 would it be worth the extra $1400 for the family suite?

Depends on if you all want separate beds, two bathrooms, a couch, a microwave and coffee maker. If you can sleep 2 in each double bed and don't want the microwave I'd say no, probably not. Then again if you want a little more space maybe it is.

 

[pheathers24]

We have stayed at Pop and done just fine, but wondering about the distance from LM to bus stops and drinks.

 

[CareHeartsDisney]

thank you CareHeartsDisney for the info! I can't wait to stay in the Cars wing at AOA for Dec 2012!

No problem, jeanylaser. Have a wonderful trip! You're going to love the cars suite!

 

[sixkristy6]

We have stayed at Pop and done just fine, but wondering about the distance from LM to bus stops and drinks.

We were in building 9 and while walking quickly, it took around 5 min. to get to the bus stops. If walking to the bus, I would recommend walking along the parking lot to get there. It was faster for me.

As for the mugs, we brought our own coffeemaker so DH did not have to run down to the drink station in the AM. We filled our mugs up and left them in the fridge so we always had something to drink. Also, we had a lot of bottled water since we were on the DDP and it came with a drink (and we used the mugs). If you drink pop (soda), you wouldn't want to leave it sit in the fridge, but since we drank the lemonade and powerade, it worked for us.

If you have a family of 4 would it be worth the extra $1400 for the family suite?

I would pay the extra $1400. It was me, DH and DD3 in the LM room and we had very little space. It would be difficult for me to be in a LM room with 2 children and 2 adults.

 

[lovesdumbo]

If you have a family of 4 would it be worth the extra $1400 for the family suite?

In a suite you & DH would get a queen vs full bed and a bedroom with a door.

Girls would each have their own bed.

You would have a coffee maker and microwave.

A bigger table if you want to eat in the room.

I like having the couch to sit on when I come back to the room.

And a 2nd bathroom!!!

I have stayed at the ASMu suites but haven't yet stayed at AoA. The master bath at AoA looks great.


I should add that I've stated at Pop twice with a friend, her DH and my DD and we have managed just fine. A standard room is doable but a suite would be nice.

 

[sturowski]

Does anyone know if any of the LM rooms have a view of the Epcot fireworks like some of the POP buildings do? I'm thinking maybe building 7 or 8, top floor, facing that way?

We were in building 9, top floor facing the parking lot and had a perfect view! We were 9813

 

[carseatmommy]

Quick question for hose of you that have had to fly to get to WDW.....
If you had a baby around the age of 16 months would you buy a seat for him or her or would you choos the on the parents lap option???

Not used to flying and have never flown with little ones.
Last time we were at WDW was in 2006 and we didnt have babies back then

ABSOLUTELY, without a doubt get a seat for the toddler. 1--it's a TON safer for the child, 2---they are likely to be better behaved in their seat. If the child is still rear facing(and they should be) it makes it easy to interact with them and not lose toys, cups, binkies, blankies, ect to the floor. And kiddo is likely to fall asleep!

Try holding that child in arms for 4 or 5 hours. Trying to hold a toddler for 4 or 5 hours and keep them occupied does not sound like fun. Children at that age like to be up walking and exploring. But they know if they are buckled in their carseat they are stuck there for the duration of the ride.

Susan

 

[lynypixie]

OMG!

My husband finaly agreed to switch from LM to LK suite for our trip!
I told him it just didn't make sense with 3 young kids to be so far and in such a small space. With the special, the suites are a little more affordable (600 more instead of 1035 more)

I am looking foward the space. My little one has trouble sleeping when there are sounds, so it will help. Older kids can take their shower while she gets to sleep, and we'll also be able to make her warm milk with the microwave.

And mostly, put all the suitcases, stroller and other stuff and still be able to walk!

 

[Jays2013]

If you have a family of 4 would it be worth the extra $1400 for the family suite?

Our family of four is going to do so. We got a little bit of a windfall right before we booked, so we were able to splurge a little more. I'm sure we could make a standard room work, but ...

* DH is tall. Really tall. Double beds, unless he can lie down diagonally (and not share), are uncomfortable for him.

* DS1 is a restless sleeper. The child, at not even 4 feet tall, can take over a king bed if you let him.

So this way, DH and I get our own room with a queen bed (and a door!), and DS1 and DS2 get their own beds. Since we had the money for once, we thought it was worthwhile to be sure everyone gets a good night's sleep. And the kitchenette and two bathrooms are a plus.

 

[dnash]

I'm a little curious about what happens if the resort ends up overbooking guest in the LM standard section. I am arriving 11/24 for 6 nights and staying in the LM section. I have a friend who was thinking about joining us and checked the Disney's website and it says there is no availiablity for the entire resort for that length of stay. I thought the week after Thanksgiving is supposed to be a slow time.

Now I'm concerned about my own reservation. Does anyone know what they will do if I try and check in and they tell me it's full? Also, will it affect my free dining (I've never had the dining plan before)?

Thanks.

 

[lynypixie]

If they overbook, you get a free upgrade.
But it's rare.

 

[disneydreamfan14]

So close now, only 9 days!! Everyone is so excited! Cant wait to see the resort in person.