Disney to build Art of Animation resort

[aamuboi10]

Looks like Disney has finally decided to build a new value resort! As a Pop Century fan I'm looking forward to seeing something other than rubble across the lake .

http://thedailydisney.com/blog/2010/05/disney-to-build-2000-room-hotel-dubbed-disneys-art-of-animation-resort/

YESSSSSSS!!!!!! FINALLY!!!!!

 

[Kristina]

ETA: Ok, they are re-theming the entire resort, not just the new section, according to Jim's article. I am happier now. Having it half Pop culture and half animation would have seemed a bit disconnected. Having it all one theme or the other makes sense. I love Pop, it is my favorite of the values, but a different theme wouldn't make me like it any less, at least not an animation theme.

The Jim article is a year old, are you sure they are re-doing Pop as well? Like you, I don't think it would be a disaster but I do like it just the way it is. The lobby with the shadow boxes works really well but it would be odd to have an animation theme down one end of the bridge and what the Pop is down the other. Except I love it, lol. I don't want them to change the Pop, not the resort, not the buses, well maybe some of the food offerings. I'm sentimental and it's the first Disney resort we've stayed at .

 

[FireDancer]

The Jim article is a year old, are you sure they are re-doing Pop as well? Like you, I don't think it would be a disaster but I do like it just the way it is. The lobby with the shadow boxes works really well but it would be odd to have an animation theme down one end of the bridge and what the Pop is down the other. Except I love it, lol. I don't want them to change the Pop, not the resort, not the buses, well maybe some of the food offerings. I'm sentimental and it's the first Disney resort we've stayed at .

I'm not definite but it makes more sense to do it and considering the accuracy of the rest of the article I have no reason to doubt this part.

 

[Disney~Rocks~08]

I can imagine the queues to board the Pop Century/Art of Animation busses now. You KNOW they will combine the busses to both resorts during the slow mid-day periods!

If they do combine the buses (which will likely happen), it is no different that the AS Resort. The 3 AS Resorts have a combined 5,444 rooms and they all go on the same bus. Pop and the Art of animation resort would have about a combined 4,880 rooms.

 

[*NikkiBell*]

The picture of the Imagineer in this article shows the woman I had lunch with during Dine with an Imagineer.

 

[Kellygurlz74]

I'm happy to see them finally expand it too. Although once it's all done, that quiet little spot at the back of Pop will be no more. I'm wondering if they will do something like boat rentals & such for that smaller lake area. That would be a nice add on to that location.
But more family suites that are not DVC is good. Bus transportation, I bet they will combine it. Which means YUCK.

 

[WaltD4Me]

I'm surprised they're announcing doing this when Disney is still offering discounts and dining incentives to put heads in beds. Maybe there's a demand for the family suites.

I'm not surprised at all. Yes, they are still offering discounts, but now, families of more then 4 people aren't nearly as willing to go with a deluxe or two value rooms. While many of us are diehards about staying on-site, a family of six can get one very nice large suite room at SO many hotels in the area, including the DTD hotels WAY cheaper than going Deluxe or getting two rooms discount or no discount. There is no maybe about it, there is a demand, a big one, for family suites. This has always been a problem at Disney and a constant discussion on the boards, but before the economy went south, people were more willing to go Deluxe or get two Value or Moderate rooms. Today though when you look around and see the kind of suites you can get for way less, you can't pass it up. Disney needs to fill this void.

 

[EricMat]

I'm not surprised at all. Yes, they are still offering discounts, but now, families of more then 4 people aren't nearly as willing to go with a deluxe or two value rooms. While many of us are diehards about staying on-site, a family of six can get one very nice large suite room at SO many hotels in the area, including the DTD hotels WAY cheaper than going Deluxe or getting two rooms discount or no discount. There is no maybe about it, there is a demand, a big one, for family suites. This has always been a problem at Disney and a constant discussion on the boards, but before the economy went south, people were more willing to go Deluxe or get two Value or Moderate rooms. Today though when you look around and see the kind of suites you can get for way less, you can't pass it up. Disney needs to fill this void.

I totally agree with you. This is great news for families.
This will probably hurt the Vacation Homes business...

 

[dansyr2514]

I think it is a great idea to add more family suites. They definitely need it. But does anyone else feel like the theming sound like a bigger version of All Star movies? I hope that they can really differentiate this resort and make it something great!

 

[jeanylaser]

wow it's awesome! I can't wait to see when it's completely finished!

 

[*NikkiBell*]

Jim Hill called this back in 2008.

http://jimhillmedia.com/blogs/jim_h...ded-as-disney-s-animation-inn-and-suites.aspx

That guy has got some contacts alright!

The Jim article is a year old, are you sure they are re-doing Pop as well? Like you, I don't think it would be a disaster but I do like it just the way it is. The lobby with the shadow boxes works really well but it would be odd to have an animation theme down one end of the bridge and what the Pop is down the other. Except I love it, lol. I don't want them to change the Pop, not the resort, not the buses, well maybe some of the food offerings. I'm sentimental and it's the first Disney resort we've stayed at .

I'm hoping that he is wrong about their re-themeing Pop. I honestly cannot see them doing this especially since they just added some upadtes to the bedspreads, etc.

I'm happy to see them finally expand it too. Although once it's all done, that quiet little spot at the back of Pop will be no more. I'm wondering if they will do something like boat rentals & such for that smaller lake area. That would be a nice add on to that location.
But more family suites that are not DVC is good. Bus transportation, I bet they will combine it. Which means YUCK.

I think they'd be foolish NOT to utilize that lake to the best of their ability. It'd really make this value resort stand out.

I think it is a great idea to add more family suites. They definitely need it. But does anyone else feel like the theming sound like a bigger version of All Star movies? I hope that they can really differentiate this resort and make it something great!

I 100% agree about it just being another All-Star Movies. Here's hoping it isn't as clunky as that.

 

[Kristina]

I think it is a great idea to add more family suites. They definitely need it. But does anyone else feel like the theming sound like a bigger version of All Star movies? I hope that they can really differentiate this resort and make it something great!

I hope it turns out great as well, that they do something original with it. I would have loved it if they had used the older classic animation as the theme, now that would have been cool! Like, one area themed after Snow White! I haven't stayed at All Stars but it does sound like Movies, which hopefully means they will strive to make it different from that.

I'm hoping that he is wrong about their re-themeing Pop. I honestly cannot see them doing this especially since they just added some upadtes to the bedspreads, etc.

Nikki I read on Disney's blog that they will keep the Pop as it is so for me and I'm sure many others who love the Pop that's a relief! Your right about the room refurb, I didn't think of that! When I heard about the new resort it made me remember, wasn't it on the Podcast that Disney is renting out some land near DTD and that many new resorts are being built there? I've forgotten when those were supposed to be completed. I guess they really are expecting a raise in demand for rooms. It does make me feel bad for the local hotels, at least the well run ones if that is so.

 

[kaligal]

This is a great idea. Don't know that I'd include "Cars" as one of the The Great Disney Movies - time will tell on popularity there...I'd be thinking "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin" before "Cars" (or even "Nemo") - but it all sounds wonderful.

I can't wait to see it.

 

[momdad4kids]

Speaking as a parent in a family of 6 I think the idea of more suites is good BUT Im not really in love with the suites at ASM.Usually when we travel we look for a suite but the idea of all the fold out sofas chairs and ottomans really doesnt do it for me. Id sooner see trundle beds say 2 dbl trendles in one room and maybe a king with a sofa or something in another. Im not really sure what the best solution is but for us adjoining rooms work quite well. Id just like to see something different than the current family suite sleeping arrangements.Having a sitting area is nice but really when you go to WDW how much time do you really spend in your room?

 

[jeanylaser]

I can't wait either!

 

[Sphyrna]

This is a great idea. Don't know that I'd include "Cars" as one of the The Great Disney Movies - time will tell on popularity there...I'd be thinking "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin" before "Cars" (or even "Nemo") - but it all sounds wonderful.

I can't wait to see it.

I'm guessing Cars is being used to appeal to the boys, similar to the pirate themed rooms at CBR, not b/c it's one of the great Disney movies.

 

[1craftymama]

I'll be taking my family of soon to be 5 in a couple of years so I am excited to see how these suites turn out and what other families say about them when they stay there. I am looking for an affordable option for a week long stay and I'm happy there are now going to be more choices for that.