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

[Tigger's ally]

One quick suggestion: rent a real stroller from Kingdom Strollers or one of the other companies instead of renting from Disney. It is cheaper and you will have it for the resort.

But also remember that you will have to haul them on and off the busses if bus transportation is you plan.

 

[jcarwash]

Are all in favor of requesting building 9 to be closest to bus/Animation Hall?

Looks like a good idea to me. Parts of building 7 are pretty much the same distance as building 9, but depending on where you are placed it could be a longer distance. So I think I would give the nod to requesting building 9.

 

[disneydreamfan14]

Just returned!! Ahh I didn't want to leave AoA! Its amazing! The decoration is superb.

Ill write a more detailed review later today.

As for the walk to the bus from AoA, it shouldn't be more than five minutes with strollers. I would choose Art or Animation.

 

[HLAuburn]

Are all in favor of requesting building 9 to be closest to bus/Animation Hall?

Just curious...how do you put in a request for a certain building? I know when you do online check in, some resorts give you options like "close to transportation" and I think I've read about people faxing in requests.

So what's the best way to request for AoA? Going in a couple weeks...can't wait!

 

[CityGirlLost]

Just returned! If you're concerned about the walk, don't be. The resort is much smaller than it looks.

We were in building 5, Nemo and it was incredible. Surprisingly, the coffee table/stools in our room were already showing significant wear but other than that, the room was perfect. We are a family of 6 and this was just perfect.

The QS dining was a tad crowded too but really, those are my only complaints!

 

[mom2rtk]

Are all in favor of requesting building 9 to be closest to bus/Animation Hall?

I actully requested building 7. I didn't wan to be tempted to walk through the parking lot to shave a minute or two off of my walk. I want to walk through the courtyard and enjoy the scenery. But we are arriving very late at night, so I'm expecting to have trouble with the room placement. Since we'll be there 10 nights, I'm prepared to change rooms at some point if needed.

 

[slabau]

Just curious...how do you put in a request for a certain building? I know when you do online check in, some resorts give you options like "close to transportation" and I think I've read about people faxing in requests.

So what's the best way to request for AoA? Going in a couple weeks...can't wait!

Hi HLAuburn, I called Disney just yesterday and requested the Tow Mater building. They will not guarantee your request but it is added onto your reservation.

Happy Planning!!!

 

[Mom2Luci]

I actully requested building 7. I didn't wan to be tempted to walk through the parking lot to shave a minute or two off of my walk. I want to walk through the courtyard and enjoy the scenery. But we are arriving very late at night, so I'm expecting to have trouble with the room placement. Since we'll be there 10 nights, I'm prepared to change rooms at some point if needed.

I was worried about the same thing - I had requested bldg 7 or 9 with adjoining rooms and we arrived at the resort a little before 10 pm. We got bldg 9, parking lot view, 3 rooms from the middle and our rooms were connecting.

 

[mom2rtk]

I was worried about the same thing - I had requested bldg 7 or 9 with adjoining rooms and we arrived at the resort a little before 10 pm. We got bldg 9, parking lot view, 3 rooms from the middle and our rooms were connecting.

Thanks for that. I'll keep my fingers crossed!

 

[rhul]

Does the standard room not appear because they are all sold out?

One thing to remember right now is that the LM rooms are not included in many of the discount promotions. So for example if you started your search with the "Fall Package Discount" only the suites will show up. If you clear your cookies & start a new search with no discounts then the Mermaid rooms are available.

For my Dec trip I had a major choice between staying again in a LM room (which I loved) for 3 nights or staying at POP for 4 nights for less $$. So I'm staying at POP but using the bridge to visit & eat at LoF. (I'm sooo craving the Vegetarian nan breakfast... with bacon. )

 

[disneydreamfan14]

disneydreamfan14's review of Art of Animation!

So I just returned from our stay at AoA from November 9th to 12th. First things first, this resort is AMAZING. The layout, themes, statues, gift shop, everything is superb. Now more in-depth.

Resort Grounds: A+
The resort is so neat and clean! No grass clippings on sidewalks, no hanging branches, everything very tidy. I was very happy with the resort grounds and how well they are kept.

Check in/Bag Check: B-
Although in such a beautiful lobby, the check in took a long time for us. The CM checking us in kept walking back and forth into closets, asking other CMs, etc. it took longer than it should have. We checked our bags with the resort since our flight was late at night and we were going to the parks after we checked out. Everything ran smoothly here!

Lobby/Gift Shop: A+
the lobby is so beautiful with all the lights and original sketches! The gift shop blew me away, however. It was beautiful, always kept fully stocked, with all CMs ready and willing to help.

Arcade: A-
We never went into the arcade, but from what I saw outside it looked fun. All your basic arcade games it seemed.

Bus Transportation to the Parks: A
Bus transportation was great as usual. Never waited more than 20 minutes (this was because we didn't make it on the first bus to come). Hollywood Studios always seemed to have long bus lines, but the others were not too long.

Bus Transportation to the Airport: B
We were scheduled to get on DME at 4:45 PM, however the bus didn't come until 5, which made for some unhappy campers who had to stand for a while (we had a party if 17, we got to the bus at 4:35). The bus to the airport was freezing, it must have been 58 degrees and everyone was uncomfortable. However our service from the ilairport to AoA upon arrival was fine.

Rooms: A
We stayed in Lion King building 10. It was great! A 1.5 minute walk to Landscapes of Flavor, 3 minute walk to the bus. Great location with a room view of the courtyard with the characters. The rooms were themes very well, with fun light fixtures and wall decorations. Perfect amount of space for a family of 5 or 6. Very happyoverall, I

Landscapes of Flavor: B+
The cafeteria was great overall. Everything kept clean and stocked. The lines to get your actual food and to check out could get long, but not too bad. Food was great too!

Overall, I give this resort a well-deserved A rating. Fantastic and my new favorite on property. We are definitely staying here next time.

A couple notes:
1) There was a free dining info/offer in our room. However, this may change, just look around and it might be there.
2) Although we weren't supposed to, we went into some of the Quick Service restaurants and filled up our Refillable Mugs. No one stopped or questioned us, so if your craving a drink, done be afraid to walk into a restaurant with a drink refill counter and grab something.

 

[brookmey]

disneydreamfan14's review of Art of Animation!

So I just returned from our stay at AoA from November 9th to 12th. First things first, this resort is AMAZING. The layout, themes, statues, gift shop, everything is superb. Now more in-depth.

Resort Grounds: A+
The resort is so neat and clean! No grass clippings on sidewalks, no hanging branches, everything very tidy. I was very happy with the resort grounds and how well they are kept.

Check in/Bag Check: B-
Although in such a beautiful lobby, the check in took a long time for us. The CM checking us in kept walking back and forth into closets, asking other CMs, etc. it took longer than it should have. We checked our bags with the resort since our flight was late at night and we were going to the parks after we checked out. Everything ran smoothly here!

Lobby/Gift Shop: A+
the lobby is so beautiful with all the lights and original sketches! The gift shop blew me away, however. It was beautiful, always kept fully stocked, with all CMs ready and willing to help.

Arcade: A-
We never went into the arcade, but from what I saw outside it looked fun. All your basic arcade games it seemed.

Bus Transportation to the Parks: A
Bus transportation was great as usual. Never waited more than 20 minutes (this was because we didn't make it on the first bus to come). Hollywood Studios always seemed to have long bus lines, but the others were not too long.

Bus Transportation to the Airport: B
We were scheduled to get on DME at 4:45 PM, however the bus didn't come until 5, which made for some unhappy campers who had to stand for a while (we had a party if 17, we got to the bus at 4:35). The bus to the airport was freezing, it must have been 58 degrees and everyone was uncomfortable. However our service from the ilairport to AoA upon arrival was fine.

Rooms: A
We stayed in Lion King building 10. It was great! A 1.5 minute walk to Landscapes of Flavor, 3 minute walk to the bus. Great location with a room view of the courtyard with the characters. The rooms were themes very well, with fun light fixtures and wall decorations. Perfect amount of space for a family of 5 or 6. Very happyoverall, I

Landscapes of Flavor: B+
The cafeteria was great overall. Everything kept clean and stocked. The lines to get your actual food and to check out could get long, but not too bad. Food was great too!

Overall, I give this resort a well-deserved A rating. Fantastic and my new favorite on property. We are definitely staying here next time.

A couple notes:
1) There was a free dining info/offer in our room. However, this may change, just look around and it might be there.
2) Although we weren't supposed to, we went into some of the Quick Service restaurants and filled up our Refillable Mugs. No one stopped or questioned us, so if your craving a drink, done be afraid to walk into a restaurant with a drink refill counter and grab something.

What did you think of the decor/atmosphere of the LK suites? The pictures and videos online look like the suite decor is kind of "busy.". Did you think so?

 

[knottmel1]

We leave Dallas in 48 hours and 35 minutes! WOOHOO!!!

 

[dnsmills]

I'm in Dallas too! Well, Coppell actually. We leave for AOA in 18 days.

 

[slabau]

We leave Dallas in 48 hours and 35 minutes! WOOHOO!!!


http://www.myvacationcountdown.com/

Have fun! Jealous i am in deed.

 

[yellowfish78]

What did you think of the decor/atmosphere of the LK suites? The pictures and videos online look like the suite decor is kind of "busy.". Did you think so?

I'm not OP, but the decor was fine. The issues we had - the carpet is busy enough that if you had small childs shoes or toys on the floor and you didn't know it was there the adults had too many tripping experiences. And the leaf chairs are 'pointy' on the top - if you tend to laugh and throw your head back like my roomate did... LOL

 

[Bell30012]

When driving into Art of Animation Resort do not wave your card where it says to touch your card. It won't work. Instead touch your card to the keys of the keypad and the gate shall open right up.

 

[wahmtexas]

I'm in Dallas too! Well, Coppell actually. We leave for AOA in 18 days.

We are in Denton so close to you and leave for AOA in 14 days!

 

[disneydreamfan14]

What did you think of the decor/atmosphere of the LK suites? The pictures and videos online look like the suite decor is kind of "busy.". Did you think so?

At first from what I read in this thread, I thought it would be very busy. However, I was pleasantly surprised. Its not overthemed. The countertops have a leaf design which looks much better in person. I also like inside the showers, the tiles are placed to make a sunset, its very Lion King-esque. I wound up liking it much more than I thought I would. Not too busy at all.

 

[PRINCESS VIJA]

Princess Vija, in the LM section, the three buildings are #7 (Ursula), #8 (Ariel)
and #9 (King Triton).
They form a U-Shape, with the middle courtyard being the pool/LM grounds.
Building #8 (Ariel) is at the back of the U with #7 and #9 being on the sides.

Building #8 (Ariel)'s front faces the pool and LM courtyard, the back faces parking lots and grounds of AoA and Pop Century.
It is the farthest building in the LM section to walk to (and all of AoA for that matter) from the central areas (Animation Hall, main pool, bus stop).
Really though, only by 2 minutes or so.

Building #7 (Ursula)'s front faces the pool and LM courtyard, the back faces Hourglass Lake/Pop Century.

Building #9 (King Triton)'s front faces the pool and LM courtyard, the back faces the AoA parking lot.

Building #7 and #9 should be the same walking distance from Animation Hall.

Building #9 gives you a slight walking advantage if you are driving/parking in the lot or using the buses, you can cut along the sidewalk instead of walking through the courtyard.

I hope that makes sense and helps out a little....hopefully you can find a map on here somewhere?
A good location really depends on where you want to be located...close, parking, view, access to pool, etc.

Enjoy planning your trip!

Thanks so much for the detailed information! It really helps!