Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel

[hotblooded]

So I decided to price and possibly book a stay here in October 2012. Only suites come up available. Is that really possible that is the only thing left? I tried all of Sept and Oct and the first week in Nov 2012.

There are only 2 of us, I dont need a suite.

The Little Mermaid section (with regular rooms) doesn't have an exact release date determined yet, but it should be in late 2012. Just keep checking!

 

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

I was told on the phone that Little Mermaid rooms aren't available until 12/31/12.

 

[jenny105]

I'm surprised the LM rooms weren't among the first to be completed since those buildings were already standing. I understand those buildings were abandoned for years but if they were able to complete the lobby, which was already there, why couldn't the LM buildings be done as well?

 

[HeatherLassell]

I'm surprised the LM rooms weren't among the first to be completed since those buildings were already standing. I understand those buildings were abandoned for years but if they were able to complete the lobby, which was already there, why couldn't the LM buildings be done as well?

This is only my opinion but if I was building this resort I would do it the exact same way. I already have lots' of the 'cheap' value rooms (4 resorts worth of them) and these suites generate a LOT LOT LOT more money per room than the regular rooms. So it makes alot of sense to finish all the suites and then worry about the regular 2 double bed rooms last. Suites are not as available since only the ASM has family suites. IMO of course.

 

[sjs314]

Has anyone heard whether or not if the new AOA suites will be included in the RO discount offers-% off?

I have been wondering about that since one reason I read for the higher prices for the AOA suites is that they are "true suites" unlike the Family suites which were just made from combineing two rooms. I know now that only the Family Suites at ASMu and the Garden Suites at BWI qualify for the discount.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

This is only my opinion but if I was building this resort I would do it the exact same way. I already have lots' of the 'cheap' value rooms (4 resorts worth of them) and these suites generate a LOT LOT LOT more money per room than the regular rooms. So it makes alot of sense to finish all the suites and then worry about the regular 2 double bed rooms last. Suites are not as available since only the ASM has family suites. IMO of course.

They are also starting closest to the check in/food court and main pool and working their way out.

 

[jenny105]

This is only my opinion but if I was building this resort I would do it the exact same way. I already have lots' of the 'cheap' value rooms (4 resorts worth of them) and these suites generate a LOT LOT LOT more money per room than the regular rooms. So it makes alot of sense to finish all the suites and then worry about the regular 2 double bed rooms last. Suites are not as available since only the ASM has family suites. IMO of course.

I understand what you're saying but at least open up one of the buildings with the regular rooms during the first opening phase. That way people who don't have a large family & can't afford a suite can stay there if they want to instead of having to wait until 2013. I just can't get over how much they're charging for these suites! Makes me wonder if the regular rooms will be more than the same rooms at the other values.

 

[noahdove]

I chose this as a surprise to my granddaughters and GD friend. Yes, it's costly, but, this will mostly be that last older GD adventure with me. We were scheduled to stay at Pop, but, when reservations opened, I jumped at getting a suite. My DD is going to help with the price difference. I however, agree that maybe there should be one building not with suites so there could be a choice. I can't wait to see the new resort

 

[lovesdumbo]

I understand what you're saying but at least open up one of the buildings with the regular rooms during the first opening phase. That way people who don't have a large family & can't afford a suite can stay there if they want to instead of having to wait until 2013. I just can't get over how much they're charging for these suites! Makes me wonder if the regular rooms will be more than the same rooms at the other values.

Published rack rates for 2012 list Pop standards at $5 more per night than All Stars and AoA rooms at $5 more than Pop.

 

[BlovesC]

I don't see how anyone who frequents Disney thinks these rooms are overpriced. The prices are comparable to a moderate, but with 200 extra square feet, a master bedroom, a kitchenette, and two bathrooms. I'm looking at value season rack rates for ASMu suite vs AoA, and the difference is $50/night. Which adds up, sure, but considering the AoA suites are new, seem more heavily themed, and are about 25 square feet bigger, I don't think it's a very large difference. Heck there are plenty of Disney resort guests who pay $500 a night for rooms that have half of what these suites will have, so I still consider them very much a value.

 

[AlexWyattMommy]

I don't have a problem with the pricing compared to other rooms from Disney. I think it is in line with them.

I think the problem is that people hear the word "value" and expect to see things for less money.

I don't think they should be marketed at value myself. I see these as their own class of room.

They do cost a bit more than I want to spend. But I feel that way about Wilderness Lodge too. I like the Lodge, but I don't want to pay rack rate for it either.

If neither one has a discount at the time, I will keep my current reservation here at AoA. Hoping that construction noise does not interfere with my enjoyment of the resort.

 

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

Just found this!! I can't wait to be there!!!

http://www.**************.net/2011/10/new-details-and-images-from-disney-worlds-art-of-animation-resort-announced-to-open-in-phases-beginning-may-31-2012/

 

[ilovejsparrow]

Just found this!! I can't wait to be there!!!

http://www.**************.net/2011/10/new-details-and-images-from-disney-worlds-art-of-animation-resort-announced-to-open-in-phases-beginning-may-31-2012/

Thanks for posting that! Can't wait!

 

[jkpmac]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xvr92CkTrSE

 

[PrincessTiffany]

We are very excited about this new resort and plan to stay there next December. Yippee!

 

[dmband]

I don't see how anyone who frequents Disney thinks these rooms are overpriced. The prices are comparable to a moderate, but with 200 extra square feet, a master bedroom, a kitchenette, and two bathrooms. I'm looking at value season rack rates for ASMu suite vs AoA, and the difference is $50/night. Which adds up, sure, but considering the AoA suites are new, seem more heavily themed, and are about 25 square feet bigger, I don't think it's a very large difference. Heck there are plenty of Disney resort guests who pay $500 a night for rooms that have half of what these suites will have, so I still consider them very much a value.

depends on what you need and use
my family would never use the kitchenette and you can get 2 rooms at a mod resort for less then the family suites - in turn you still have 2 bathrooms but more room and can go to 8 people instead of 6
add in buses for your resort only vs shared, add in better food courts, add in slide at the pool (all things my family will use over a kitchenette and its a no brainer that the FS stink for us

on a side note we are staying at CR next july and it was $500 less then a FS because value resorts don't get as big of discounts as mod/deluxe

 

[jkpmac]

http://damouse.com/2011/10/24/disneys-animation-resort-comes-to-life-in-latest-construction-update/#more-7385

 

[DreamLiveLoveDisney]

http://damouse.com/2011/10/24/disneys-animation-resort-comes-to-life-in-latest-construction-update/#more-7385

Thanks for posting!! I get so excited when any new info/pictures come out!

 

[clanmcculloch]

I understand what you're saying but at least open up one of the buildings with the regular rooms during the first opening phase. That way people who don't have a large family & can't afford a suite can stay there if they want to instead of having to wait until 2013. I just can't get over how much they're charging for these suites! Makes me wonder if the regular rooms will be more than the same rooms at the other values.

The regular rooms are all in one area. It would be a safety issue to have guests staying in an area that's a construction zone. Guests who can fit on a regular room can still stay at any one of the other value resorts until this resort is finished but there aren't many rooms available at the other values for guests with 5 or 6 in their parties.

It looks like the regular 4 person rooms at AoA will be $5 more per night than Pop which is $5 more per night than the AS resorts.

depends on what you need and use
my family would never use the kitchenette and you can get 2 rooms at a mod resort for less then the family suites - in turn you still have 2 bathrooms but more room and can go to 8 people instead of 6
add in buses for your resort only vs shared, add in better food courts, add in slide at the pool (all things my family will use over a kitchenette and its a no brainer that the FS stink for us

on a side note we are staying at CR next july and it was $500 less then a FS because value resorts don't get as big of discounts as mod/deluxe

How are you getting 2 rooms at a moderate for less than a family suite? I've looked at a few different dates for next year after AoA has opened and I'm just not seeing it. I did the following using Mousesavers numbers and did not include tax.

May 2012 Rack Rate
$304 AoA suite (weekdays)
$360 POFQ Standard View ($180 weekdays * 2)
$365 CR Garden Wing Standard View (weekday)

August 2012 Rack Rate
$249 AoA (weekdays)
$328 POFsuite Q Standard View ($164 weekdays * 2)
$315 CR Garden Wing Standard View (weekday)

May 2012 Assumed discounts (25% value, 30% moderate, 35% deluxe)
$228.00 AoA suite (weekdays)
$252.00 POFQ Standard View ($180 weekdays * 2)
$237.25 CR Garden Wing Standard View (weekday)

August 2012 Assumed discounts (25% value, 30% moderate, 35% deluxe)
$186.75 AoA suite (weekdays)
$229.60 POFQ Standard View ($164 weekdays * 2)
$204.75 CR Garden Wing Standard View (weekday)

Everything I'm hearing is stating that AoA will have dedicated busses. POFQ and POR share busses (some of the time) plus CSR and CBR have multiple bus stops. I'm not sure how you're saying the bus situation at moderates is better than AoA. Can you please explain this?

Yes, the moderates have slides. It's looking like AoA will have a pool that's value plus meaning more than what's found at other moderates though I don't think I saw a slide (it's been a while since I looked and I haven't been keeping up with this thread so if I missed something I just don't know it).

I've never known anybody who considers the food courts at moderates to be better than the food courts at values. We'll Pepper Market does have a huge following so maybe CSR for CSR fans, but in general people consider food courts at values to be best. Again, can you please explain what you meant?

I can see what you mean about a deluxe ending up cheaper if you're looking at a single room at a deluxe vs one of the suites. This is generally only true of the cheapest rooms at AKL, WL and CR but it is still true. At CR you can fit 5 in the room so if that's the reason you're considering suites then comparing to CR is definitely something I would recommend, especially if you won't use the ammenities of the suite and don't care if you're all in one room.

ETA: I added in CR cheapest rooms to my above numbers and even with the discounts CR is slightly more than AoA. Since the AS Family Suites are cheaper than AoA I bet CR is cheaper than those FS, but it is ever so slightly more expensive than AoA.

 

[dmband]

Well basically like I said it depends on your family and how you do things
For me, I got 40% off deluxe for 6 nights and it was under $1800 (garden wing garden view - standard view wasn't an option with the discount)
Vs the fs that was around 2100
So with that alone it's worth it
But
If you add in the bus situation and other things, here is a idea of my families situation...
Last yr we had 3 rooms at cbr, the cost of each was under 800 with our discounts
We request rooms based on the bus, if you know the route for the buses and parks you can request rooms where you are the last stop in most cases leaving and in many cases the food court is one of the first returning
Since we grab some food and drink at the end of the day we are only on the bus for one stop each way
(I was told aoa was going to share with pop, who knows, if it doesn't that's. Clearly a good thing)
the food courts are just prefs I guess but we like the choices at mod/deluxe better and being able to have a sit-down option
I don't know what value plus is so was jus comparing the pools on normal value and mod.
Are kids love the slides and it's a huge plus IMO to have the private pools that you can use by your room any time of day. (on top of the noise)
If I think about it I'll see if I still have my notes with all the different prices wrote down to the exact penny and share them
Sorry for typos and stuff not good at typing on the iPad and with my little one jumping on me it's even harder

Edit I just ran my exact dates right now...
Deluxe cr = $2509
Value fs aoa = $2385
Now take my 40% off deluxe vs 20 on value and you can see deluxe is a no brainer

Edit again, mod is $1468 then 30% off, but when I had the under 800 it was one less person and two yrs of rate increases so I can not compare that to today