Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel

[jeanylaser]

i can't wait for next year! for AOA opening I really hope to stay in the Cars theme!

 

[lovesdumbo]

It is sad when you can stay ia deluxe for less then a family suite (if you take time to get discount codes)

You'll have to wait to see what discounts might be available for the suites before you can say that. The least expensive deluxe room that holds 5 has a rack rate that is more than 25% more expensive than the AoA suites rack rate.

 

[McIntoshTx]

New and exciting, regardless of the rack rate it is going to be huge and popular

 

[ChrisParker]

I am glad that so many are excited about this new resort. It does look beautifully themed. However, I personally am so disappointed that Disney considers this their solution to making more rooms available for families of 5+. I think asking families to pay between 350-400 per night for a value resort is crazy.

It is a bit crazy. I also used to think that having four kids was crazy but here I am... booking a room for 6...

 

[Max Rebo]

I am glad that so many are excited about this new resort. It does look beautifully themed. However, I personally am so disappointed that Disney considers this their solution to making more rooms available for families of 5+. I think asking families to pay between 350-400 per night for a value resort is crazy. I understand that you get more room but you get none of the amenities that a deluxe offers such as pool slides and table service dining and yet you are paying the same price. I would like a more reasonably priced option for my family of 5. If they take POR away as an option that will be a very sad day. I find Disney's options for families like us very frustrating. AoA will not be an option for us unfortunately as I could never justify spending that kind of money just to have more room and yet still be at a value resort.

I would have rather seen Disney create "family suites" that are about 30% bigger than the normal room (big enough for two beds and a sofa sleeper), and charge say, 50% more, as opposed to creating family suites that are more or less twice as big as a normal room, at more than double the cost.

 

[piglet33]

I want to stay here after our Disney Cruise in December and was really hoping they'd have the Little Mermaid section available for booking, but so far nothing. There are only 3 of us so I really don't need a suite, even though my DD would love to stay in the Lion King section.

 

[tink15823]

I want to stay here after our Disney Cruise in December and was really hoping they'd have the Little Mermaid section available for booking, but so far nothing. There are only 3 of us so I really don't need a suite, even though my DD would love to stay in the Lion King section.

Hi Little Mermaid is the last on to open it is opening Dec 2012.

 

[dmband]

You'll have to wait to see what discounts might be available for the suites before you can say that. The least expensive deluxe room that holds 5 has a rack rate that is more than 25% more expensive than the AoA suites rack rate.

i already did
i booked next yr at cr for $17xx vs family suite at asm for 18xx (for whats its worth aoa was approx $50 per night more then asm)
via discount of course
the biggest thing with discounts where you score savings is that values are discounted lets say 20%, mods are 30%, deluxe are 40%
so in the long run you end up saving more by staying in a nicer resort and get the perks

now where you get "screwed" is if you have 6+ people because then you need to upgrade in cost a lot at a deluxe but if you are willing to risk having 2 rooms not next to each other you can still come out ahead

edit to add - found my 2010 trip info
got 2 rooms at cbr for a total of $1497 with discounts
not sure what a family suite would have cost then

 

[piglet33]

Hi Little Mermaid is the last on to open it is opening Dec 2012.

Thanks. I was just hoping it would be open the beginning of December 2012, because I need a ressie for December 8.

 

[tink15823]

Thanks. I was just hoping it would be open the beginning of December 2012, because I need a ressie for December 8.

As far as I know and I could be wrong you should be good. Maybe you will get to be one of the first families to stay there. If is so slow about this resort . We are booked for Sept 2012 Nemo with a request if Lion King is ready we get moved.

 

[piglet33]

As far as I know and I could be wrong you should be good. Maybe you will get to be one of the first families to stay there. If is so slow about this resort . We are booked for Sept 2012 Nemo with a request if Lion King is ready we get moved.

I hope you're right. I just chatted with a CM and was told:

The regular rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort will not be available and offered to book until December, 2012. At this time, I do not have a firm date for when they will be available so you may want to check back with us from time to time as construction progresses.

Guess I'll have to keep checking to see if I get lucky, and they put them up for when I want to go.

Good luck with getting Lion King. My DD wants to stay there, but since it's only 3 of us and for only 1 night, I don't really want to spend the money for that. We'll see though. Maybe I'll cave.

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

Did anyone try to book AoA with the Aug/Sept free dining link that was available in another thread? The one that was for Canada? I did just to see what would happen and was NOT allowed to book with free dining.

Got the following prompt:
The Resort or Resort Category you requested is unavailable for the dates and party size selected. An alternate has been provided. To see if the Resort or Resort Category you requested is available for other dates and party sizes, use the Change Your Search module at left.

Now...I have 5 in my family and tried every date from August 19-Sept 29. The alternate provided was ASMu Family suites every time I re-did the dates. When I tried for something else (Poly, BC, YC, GF, Contemp, ect) it went through. I have a very strong suspicion that AoA will NOT be included in free dining if it becomes available to the US. Therefore, we probably won't be staying at AoA.

 

[tink15823]

Did anyone try to book AoA with the Aug/Sept free dining link that was available in another thread? The one that was for Canada? I did just to see what would happen and was NOT allowed to book with free dining.

Got the following prompt:
The Resort or Resort Category you requested is unavailable for the dates and party size selected. An alternate has been provided. To see if the Resort or Resort Category you requested is available for other dates and party sizes, use the Change Your Search module at left.

Now...I have 5 in my family and tried every date from August 19-Sept 29. The alternate provided was ASMu Family suites every time I re-did the dates. When I tried for something else (Poly, BC, YC, GF, Contemp, ect) it went through. I have a very strong suspicion that AoA will NOT be included in free dining if it becomes available to the US. Therefore, we probably won't be staying at AoA.

My Dh and I were wondering about that . We have been thinking of changing If I can get the CM Poly for around the same price as AOA I am changing. DH said he did not think they would include it because its new and people will stay without a discount or FD.Back to looking at resorts .

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

I didn't think they'd disclude it. I've got a backup plan though...Poly or Beach Club!

 

[Colleen27]

Did anyone try to book AoA with the Aug/Sept free dining link that was available in another thread? The one that was for Canada? I did just to see what would happen and was NOT allowed to book with free dining.

Got the following prompt:
The Resort or Resort Category you requested is unavailable for the dates and party size selected. An alternate has been provided. To see if the Resort or Resort Category you requested is available for other dates and party sizes, use the Change Your Search module at left.

Now...I have 5 in my family and tried every date from August 19-Sept 29. The alternate provided was ASMu Family suites every time I re-did the dates. When I tried for something else (Poly, BC, YC, GF, Contemp, ect) it went through. I have a very strong suspicion that AoA will NOT be included in free dining if it becomes available to the US. Therefore, we probably won't be staying at AoA.

I wouldn't give up hope just yet. The US offer usually becomes available in April, and whatever decisions Disney makes about including the suites will depend on their existing bookings at that time as well as whether any unexpected delays arise in opening as scheduled. Disney isn't going to sell a bunch of heavily discounted suites if there is a chance they'll have to arrange alternatives if there are construction delays, particularly since those alternatives would likely be huge upgrades to deluxe/DVC properties because those are the only places that accommodate larger families. With the opening still a year away and the peak of FL hurricane season ahead, there's still a lot of "what ifs" that could come into play. By April there will be far fewer.

I do believe we'll see the suites discounted, maybe even in 2012 or maybe not in their first year (as was the case for the ASMu suites), and in fact I think they created the unspecified theme category with future discounts in mind so that they can keep people who really care about the theme booking at full price while discounting the "run of house" category to fill open spaces.

 

[ChrisParker]

Is that free dining for this August or next August? Can someone repost the link for me if it is next August?

Thanks!!

 

[mom_of_3_mousketeers]

I'm not really wanting to post the link but I can share the location of it. It was free dining for Canada, not for the US. The link was in the Discount Codes and Rates forum in a thread titled "And now ladies and gentleman..." on page 8 and 9 of the thread.

 

[ChrisParker]

Thanks!

 

[jeanylaser]

oh one more thing does AOA will have a outdoor movies?

 

[tink15823]

Is that free dining for this August or next August? Can someone repost the link for me if it is next August?

Thanks!!

Others from Canada said they were not able to book AOA with the free dinning . Wonder if they are going to block AOA from free dinning because its new ? I did not try because we are from the states and the offer is only good until March here . So any of our good neighbor from the North if you got free dinning at AOA please let us know .