Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel

[disneyfav4ever]

I'm bummed about the pool hours. I thought the value pools were open 24 hours a day?
Wondering, does that mean the LM and Cars pools will have hours as well, or are those likely to be 24 hours?

Is the POP main pool 24 hours?

IDK. Don't they clean the pools overnight or something?

I wish the food court was open 24 hours. Maybe that will be a change for this resort.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm no expert, but my thought would be to book your package because you seem like you certainly are excited and want to go to the AoA. If you're already booked into a package, wouldn't it be easier for you to convert your 'existing' package to the FD package if it comes out (Keep your fingers crossed)? We booked our package in LM for late Nov. and are hoping to switch to FD when it becomes available (as of right now we are paying for the DDP OOP). There are already rumors that FD is coming for the holiday period. Good luck.
PS: If my info is wrong, somebody PLEASE correct me and set this poster straight. Thanks.

If there are too many existing reservations, they simply won't offer free dining at this resort. (I think that's a distinct possibility here). They only offer a set number per resort they want to include (i.e........... resorts with lots of availability). It might very well not be every resort, and it might change over time.

Usually if you have a room booked and switch to FD (assuming it's offered at your resort) the CM makes the change and your confirmation number remains the same. It's mostly invisible, but they do "cancel" your existing reservationa and "rebook" under the discount.

 

[dbmarie]

Is the POP main pool 24 hours?

No but they are open later. However they clearly aren't sister resorts so you wouldn't be able to use the POP pools.

 

[StacyMarie]

No but they are open later. However they clearly aren't sister resorts so you wouldn't be able to use the POP pools.

Agreed! I sent an email asking Disney how they plan on making sure this doesn't happen I know I won't be happy with an influx of AOA guests late at night into Pop's pool, especially after evening EMH and the AOA pool is closed. BUT, on the flip side of that, AOA's other 2 pools aren't gated so maybe one of those will be for late-night swimmers!

 

[ZimTheMouse]

We just switched from All Star Sports to AOA - Little Mermaid for our October vacation! Very excited!

 

[CMJeanae]

Resort specific merchandise! Sadly after a trip in the early 2000s I've been happy to see ANYTHING that's more specific than "Disney Parks."

From the start the Cars section had my eye and it's looking even better than I'd hoped. No trip booked yet (you lucky ducks that have reservations!) but it's top of my wish list right now.

I am curious - why the ire at the Nemo pool being AoA only? I know the site was, a decade ago, slated to be a sister to POP Century but plans change and this is SO much better than the Golden Years (or whatever it was called) would have been. And it's also more $$. I wouldn't like paying AoA prices just to have to share the pool with those from another resort. Boardwalk and YCBC are next door neighbors but BW guests don't get to go to SAB, even if their best pool has a creepy clown. With glowing eyes. Shudder. I thought the key access would be a perk.

Love how the food court looks! And the Nemo play area, and those seagulls up on the pier and - wow. I know that they're just cement blocks with decorations pasted on but, wow, they turned that into it's own art form and the whole place just looks fabulous.

 

[MistressMerryweather]

No but they are open later. However they clearly aren't sister resorts so you wouldn't be able to use the POP pools.

Was just asking to compare the times the pools are open.

 

[TJDisneymama]

there really hasn't been many exterior photos of LK section yet, right? I assume they haven't really started on it yet? Or have I just missed it. I am 99% sure I want Nemo but would like to see LK

 

[tink15823]

Was just asking to compare the times the pools are open.

In the past the main pool was open until midnight but people swam after midnight. Hope that helps . It should be entrusting to see if the will boot everyone out or let us swim without a life guard . Hope that answers your question.

 

[glitzybabes]

Was just asking to compare the times the pools are open.

After looking around on the internet, I think that the pop main pool closes at 12:00am but the times change because the times are not permanently printed like on the nemo pool. Here is a picture of the bowling pin pool closing at 8:00pm. I sure it was because it was winter. I know people swim in the pool after hours. I have never heard of anyone being asked to leave as long as you are quiet.

 

[mickeye]

I'm bummed about the pool hours. I thought the value pools were open 24 hours a day?
Wondering, does that mean the LM and Cars pools will have hours as well, or are those likely to be 24 hours?Is the POP main pool 24 hours?

There's a good chance that the Car's and LM pools will be available after hours as long as people are quiet. I'll be in LM and I wouldn't want it noisy late at night, but if people are quiet I'd be glad to have them come to LM to enjoy the pool.

Agreed! I sent an email asking Disney how they plan on making sure this doesn't happen I know I won't be happy with an influx of AOA guests late at night into Pop's pool, especially after evening EMH and the AOA pool is closed. BUT, on the flip side of that, AOA's other 2 pools aren't gated so maybe one of those will be for late-night swimmers!

I really don't think they'll be an influx of AoA to the Pop pools, but I can understand your feelings. If Pop can't use our pools, AoA shouldn't take advantage of Pop's pools either. We both have three pools to use. I agree that if the 'Big Blue's' gates don't work after 10:00PM, AoA guests can probably swim in the Car's or LM pools as long as they aren't loud and noisy. Really, when it's that late at night, wouldn't you rather be at your own resort close by your room, rather than across a bridge and in another resort away from your friends and/or family?

We just switched from All Star Sports to AOA - Little Mermaid for our October vacation! Very excited!

That's great, Zim. You're gonna have a wonderful time.

After looking around on the internet, I think that the pop main pool closes at 12:00am but the times change because the times are not permanently printed like on the nemo pool. Here is a picture of the bowling pin pool closing at 8:00pm. I sure it was because it was winter. I know people swim in the pool after hours. I have never heard of anyone being asked to leave as long as you are quiet.

I think 'quiet' is the main thing Glitzy. If you're not bothering anybody, I doubt that the CM's will bother you unless that have to clean the pool.
Has anyone heard the depth of the AoA pools yet? I'm really curious as to how deep they are.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

there really hasn't been many exterior photos of LK section yet, right? I assume they haven't really started on it yet? Or have I just missed it. I am 99% sure I want Nemo but would like to see LK

I really haven't seen anything posted for LK yet.

 

[si-am]

Typically, closing hours at value pools mean that the lifeguards are no longer there after that time. People can still swim though.

I'm curious about how that will work with the gate, though. And is the pool bar outside the gate?! I'd hope the pool bar would be open til midnight at least.

 

[MadilynnsMomma]

SOOOOOO Excited for September!

 

[jenseib]

If there are too many existing reservations, they simply won't offer free dining at this resort. (I think that's a distinct possibility here). They only offer a set number per resort they want to include (i.e........... resorts with lots of availability). It might very well not be every resort, and it might change over time.

Usually if you have a room booked and switch to FD (assuming it's offered at your resort) the CM makes the change and your confirmation number remains the same. It's mostly invisible, but they do "cancel" your existing reservationa and "rebook" under the discount.

I agree. I am wondering if AoA will be included in the next set. I think they only added it this time because so many people canceled when free dining was offered at other resorts. They might not offer it at first and wait to see if people cancel. As much as I want free dinning I think we will still pay OOP for AoA's dining as I think my DD would be crushed if I canceled now.

 

[MOUSEANDALL]

We will be staying in the Little Mermaid section in November. Super excited I can't wait when the hotel is actually open and people are in it. Hoping to see more pics and news/tips posted about it.

Maria

 

[*Fantasia*]

I would love to see someone stay at the Lion King and Cars, so I can see pictures from that area. Those are the two areas I would be more likely interested in staying.

 

[modmama]

I just wanted to state how FREAKING EXCITED I AM to finally get to visit the real Radiator Springs!

Seriously, this place looks awesome.

This is a reallllly stupid newbie q. but the AoA food joint is for everyone, right? That is, is it just a regular counter service place or do you have to be on the DP?

Also, we recently got our first set of maps from the Disney site and AoA isn't on them yet, and I can't exactly figure out *where* AoA will be on a map of the entire WDW area...can anyone help?

 

[Sandi S]

I just wanted to state how FREAKING EXCITED I AM to finally get to visit the real Radiator Springs!

Seriously, this place looks awesome.

This is a reallllly stupid newbie q. but the AoA food joint is for everyone, right? That is, is it just a regular counter service place or do you have to be on the DP?

Also, we recently got our first set of maps from the Disney site and AoA isn't on them yet, and I can't exactly figure out *where* AoA will be on a map of the entire WDW area...can anyone help?

I'm staying in Cars and I'm pretty jazzed, too! I can't wait to see more of that section.

The Food Court is for everyone - dining plan or not.

AoA is across the hourglass lake from Pop Century.

 

[mickeye]

Is there a map with building numbers?

Yes, look at page #128, post #1918; it has a copy of the map on it. I copied one out on my printer, that way I have my own copy to refer to.

We will be staying in the Little Mermaid section in November. Super excited I can't wait when the hotel is actually open and people are in it. Hoping to see more pics and news/tips posted about it. Maria

We'll be there in the LM in Nov, too and I can't tell you how excited we are.

I would love to see someone stay at the Lion King and Cars, so I can see pictures from that area. Those are the two areas I would be more likely interested in staying.

We won't have too long a wait for 'Cars' as that opens second, in June. I am anxious to see the LK, also. It's such a colorful movie with wonderful characters and music in it. It's going to be so much fun walking thru there to go from the LM section to the Nemo area. We saw the stage play and loved it.