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

[2disneycruzrs]

Originally Posted by stindall

Exactly. I was looking at a suit when my husband was going with me but it was actually cheaper to book at Port Orleans Riverside which isn't a suit but has 2 queen beds and is a moderate resort!

It's funny because I was going to do that with the queen beds but my daughter really wanted the LM room instead of Tiana at POR for our one post-cruise night.

[mkymouse40]

We just returned from 10 days in a LM room at AoA. The resort is very cute and the room was beautiful, however, I will probably not return to this resort. Those of you that love the Pop will also love this resort, but it is too large and spread out for us. The parking situation was terrible and since we were in the farthest building (#8), the walk to the Food Court was too long. We drove to the Food Court, but we could never find a parking space without circling numerous times, whether it was 7:00 in the morning or 11:30at night. We have a handicap sticker, but that was even worse. They have only about 10 spaces and they were always full.

Additionally, we did not like the Food Court at the AoA. We felt the choices were not as good as at the All Star Resorts and the trash situation was awful. There were never enough cashiers for check-out and, beware, because the check-out stations are dual sided; one cashier rings up both sides. People were very confused and the lines were long.

We're content to stay at the smaller All Star Resorts and will be happy to return for our next visit. Most of you will be very happy with the AoA and we are very glad that we had the opportunity to stay there during Free Dining. Enjoy your visit.

[LisaCM614]

We are at AoA now. LK suite. We are on building 6 and are deluxe converts! We have had a fine experience in the food court but we have only had pre RD breakfast there. Plenty of clean tables and cashiers. The food quality is just fine!

The underwater music is different underwater. Very cute I was under water a lot yesterday afternoon! Kids kept asking me to listen!


Wifi and cell reception have been perfectly fine. Updating status on FB or checking email have been a breeze! I have an iPhone 4S and Verizon,

Will post more later. But the family suites are exactly that - just what this family with 3 kids needs!

[popcenturylover]

We stayed in a LMR from 9/23-9/28 then over to POP for 2 nights. Anyway, our stay at AOA was pretty good! There are a few negatives though. On our 1st night our RFID locks weren't working & it took them about 3 hours to figure it out & got issued new KTTW. (got a $50 credit) The walk from the main building is a bit long. (especially if you pay for a preffered room at POP) The bus waits were HORRIBLE! The food court was crowded but manageable. Love the rooms & the pools were never crowded! Overall our stay was pretty good but, unless I stay in a suite next time I will probably stay somewhere else just because of the walk!

[sixkristy6]

Originally Posted by popcenturylover

We stayed in a LMR from 9/23-9/28 then over to POP for 2 nights. Anyway, our stay at AOA was pretty good! There are a few negatives though. On our 1st night our RFID locks weren't working & it took them about 3 hours to figure it out & got issued new KTTW. (got a $50 credit) The walk from the main building is a bit long. (especially if you pay for a preffered room at POP) The bus waits were HORRIBLE! The food court was crowded but manageable. Love the rooms & the pools were never crowded! Overall our stay was pretty good but, unless I stay in a suite next time I will probably stay somewhere else just because of the walk!

Where were the buses horrible? From the parks to AoA or from AoA to the parks? Was it worse during AM EMH? Was it better first thing in the AM?

[jimandami]

Originally Posted by sixkristy6

Where were the buses horrible? From the parks to AoA or from AoA to the parks? Was it worse during AM EMH? Was it better first thing in the AM?

I just think bus service is such a random thing...if your timing is just a little off, you may experience much longer waits, KWIM? We were there 9/22-9/30 and did not experience long waits for bus service. They were pretty crowded, but what do you expect from such a large resort?

[Funfire240]

Originally Posted by sixkristy6

Where were the buses horrible? From the parks to AoA or from AoA to the parks? Was it worse during AM EMH? Was it better first thing in the AM?

We were there the 24th to 29th and didn't have much problem with the buses - I actually thought they were pretty good. The only times we experienced back up and delays were leaving MK at night after wishes - the 24th it took us about 5 buses before we got on and the 26th wasn't much better.

Even with getting to early pre-opening ressies we had good luck.

[LisaCM614]

We have had great service. Very little wait. Buses come quickly if you miss one just pulling away. But other folks here are not having such luck. Time to get ready for Kona lunch and MNSSHP

[stindall]

Originally Posted by jimandami

I just think bus service is such a random thing...if your timing is just a little off, you may experience much longer waits, KWIM? We were there 9/22-9/30 and did not experience long waits for bus service. They were pretty crowded, but what do you expect from such a large resort?

This is exactly true for all values! Sometimes they're great and sometimes they're not. They can't be perfect and there are numerous issues as to why there'd be issues. Disney tries it's best and it's a free service for you so there's not much room to complain.

[TammiDZ]

Originally Posted by stindall

This is exactly true for all values! Sometimes they're great and sometimes they're not. They can't be perfect and there are numerous issues as to why there'd be issues. Disney tries it's best and it's a free service for you so there's not much room to complain.

Well said!

[EpcotBill]

Originally Posted by stindall

This is exactly true for all values! Sometimes they're great and sometimes they're not. They can't be perfect and there are numerous issues as to why there'd be issues. Disney tries it's best and it's a free service for you so there's not much room to complain.

You don't pay extra for transportation per ride but it's not free. It's all built into the price of your room and park tickets.

ETA: It's not just the room and tickets. You're paying for transportation with every meal you buy at Disney, every Dole Whip, every souvenir, everything.

[minniebeth]

I was there a week ago and wanted to chime in about the buses-- I experienced great bus service. Going to the parks, I think part of it is just good timing. Coming back from the parks, especially the MK after Wishes, the lines were long but they had buses coming and loading one right after the other. I found they were much more efficient in this way than some of the mod and deluxe buses.
We were there this past summer with great bus service too but only 1/2 of the resort was open so there was not the demand that they have now.
I just wanted to share a positive experience with the buses and would not want people's opinions on choosing if AoA is the right resort for them on some negative bus experiences. There will be positive and negative experiences for every aspect of each resort.

[SRUAlmn]

Just a note about transportation....

It's not just AoA or Pop, it's most of the resorts. We normally stay deluxe and still have the same issues. If it's not standing in a HUGE line to get on a bus, it's riding the bus for 45 min-an hour while your bus stops at 5 different resorts BEFORE taking you to a park. It's just part of being at WDW, and you take the good with the bad. Sometimes you luck out, sometimes you don't

[kim3339]

Hi everyone! 2 quick questions for anyone~

I'ver heard they have caffine free diet coke in the food court, but do they sell the bottles in the shop for your room? Debating whether to order from Garden Grocer or just buy it in the shop.

Also, we're doing the Keys to the Kingdom tour in MK at 8 or 8:30 when we're there & the parks don't open until 9 and there's no MM that day. Are the buses running that early, or should we just taxi it over?

Thanks!

[stindall]

Originally Posted by EpcotBill

You don't pay extra for transportation per ride but it's not free. It's all built into the price of your room and park tickets.

ETA: It's not just the room and tickets. You're paying for transportation with every meal you buy at Disney, every Dole Whip, every souvenir, everything.

yes, I am aware of that. Nothing in life is free BUT you can also choose to rent a car or drive.