Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel

[jfranklyn]

I just wanted to say that when AKL first opened, we were able to get discounts in those first few months. As a matter of fact, we were offered a Savannah view stay for the weekend of the "official" grand opening (which was quite a while after it had actually opened), for $200 a night for a Bunk bed room. It was an amazing weekend - with performers from Lion King on Broadway and local choirs singing african music and some of the Lion King tunes. So new hotels definately get discounts.

It seems like it's the suites that will keep AOA from the discounts, not so much that it's new. The all-star suites were often excluded from discounts in the past, correct? Although I never quite understood why.....

 

[I Love Pluto]

August - we'll be there - Nemo suite!!

Did I explain that we're EXCITED?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

 

[livinintexas]

I'm considering a stay from 12/26 - 1/5 in a Lion King family suite. 2 teenage girls + 2 bathrooms= a much happier family!

 

[Kurby]

we'll be staying there for a few days after our cruise but can't seem to book yet because we won't be arriving until Jan 10th.

strange that if you arrive on dec 31 you can book through the end of january but if you arrive jan 1 you can't book anything yet.

anyone know when it will open up for us to book?

 

[Ames389]

I was able to book a trip yesterdayffor an arrival date of January 23, 2013. I called and made the reservation over the phone using the 1-407-WDISNEY phone number. They wouldn't allow me to book a package yet, just the room. I was told to call back in June and add the tickets and dining to complete the package. He told me the glitch was just the way computer system worked. No matter what though...we have a room!

 

[Ames389]

I was able to book a trip yesterday for an arrival date of January 23, 2013. I called and made the reservation over the phone using the 1-407-WDISNEY phone number. They wouldn't allow me to book a package yet, just the room. I was told to call back in June and add the tickets and dining to complete the package. He told me the glitch was just the way computer system worked. Try calling instead of using the internet booking system. No matter what though...we have a room!

 

[Backstage_Gal]

I just wanted to say that when AKL first opened, we were able to get discounts in those first few months. As a matter of fact, we were offered a Savannah view stay for the weekend of the "official" grand opening (which was quite a while after it had actually opened), for $200 a night for a Bunk bed room. It was an amazing weekend - with performers from Lion King on Broadway and local choirs singing african music and some of the Lion King tunes. So new hotels definately get discounts.

It seems like it's the suites that will keep AOA from the discounts, not so much that it's new. The all-star suites were often excluded from discounts in the past, correct? Although I never quite understood why.....

AKL opened in 2001, right around 9/11, nobody was travelling, so yes, you got great deals back then.

 

[maroney495]

I looked over this thread and don't see... Has there been any official word on whether the bridge will remain open to travel from Pop?

 

[smidgy]

I looked over this thread and don't see... Has there been any official word on whether the bridge will remain open to travel from Pop?

I can't believe disney hasn't answerd this yet!

 

[mlittig]

I am hoping they open the bridge when they open the first rooms at AoA the end of May

 

[hotblooded]

Disney's official site often has wrong, outdated info too. I trust the Dis over Disney.

They still have old resort photos up for rooms that were refurbished YEARS ago! It's astonishing.

 

[LuvClarice]

We're booked for August and I'm so excited. Trip is a college graduation present for DS and he is taking his GF who is a 1st timer! This part alone is very exciting for a family of "old pros".

 

[noahdove]

We will be there in August as well, in a Nemo suite. The girls have no idea they think we are staying in Pop

 

[rlthomas7]

I've seen some progress photos in this thread and looked for more online, but have not been able to find any. Is there a board that occasionally posts photos of the Nemo pool, Cars courtyard, etc.?

 

[LuvClarice]

Hi Marilyn

We're booked for Nemo as well. I'm so excited.

We did a very similar surprise for our kids a few years ago. We had reservations for the All Star Music and upgraded to Wilderness Lodge. We even convinced them that we missed the exit for AK resorts. It was great.

What part of the finger lakes area are you in?
We have season tickets to the Auburn Doubledays.

Kathy

 

[HeatherL]

I"m still trying to decide if it's worth paying full price vs. the chance of getting a discount and being able to apply it to the ASMu suites. We stayed there last year and loved having more room and an extra bathroom. I have priced moderates and deluxe rooms and it just doesn't make any sense to pay the same (or more) $ for less room. I think we will go ahead and book for AoA Cars! I love the Lion King rooms but my boys are both huge Cars fans

 

[Worfiedoodles]

I just booked a Nemo Suite for the last week of August! The CRO agent said if I booked a package I could add free dining...but my dh refuses to enter the Parks, so it isn't a value for us. Anyway, just thought I'd mention it. She could have been confused, but it might be worth a phone call if free dining is an issue.

Maria

 

[jenseib]

I just booked a Nemo Suite for the last week of August! The CRO agent said if I booked a package I could add free dining...but my dh refuses to enter the Parks, so it isn't a value for us. Anyway, just thought I'd mention it. She could have been confused, but it might be worth a phone call if free dining is an issue.

Maria

Your agent is wrong. AoA is not included in the free dining discount. But even if you added dining, you can eat outside of the parks. Why would your DH come if he's not going to the parks with you?

 

[smidgy]

worfie!!! huh????

well, there's many restaurants outside the parks..
hoop de due revue is 2 credits, and has free beer and wine!!

he can eat his counter service credits at the resort.

ok one week.. signature restaurants are 2 credits (like hoop de due, or the luau.

yachtsman steak hous is great is you love steak like I do!! of flying fish, is 2 credits.

plenty one credit resort, or downtown disney or boardwalk restaurants. t rex at downtown disney.... whispering canyon is great fun at Wildernees lodge.

you could easily use 7 TS credits.

he won't go in the parks at all> how can we introduce him to nebo?

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Your agent is wrong. AoA is not included in the free dining discount. But even if you added dining, you can eat outside of the parks. Why would your DH come if he's not going to the parks with you?

I'm not surprised the agent was incorrect, but I thought it would be kind to put it out there, in case the policy had changed.

worfie!!! huh????

well, there's many restaurants outside the parks..
hoop de due revue is 2 credits, and has free beer and wine!!

he can eat his counter service credits at the resort.

ok one week.. signature restaurants are 2 credits (like hoop de due, or the luau.

yachtsman steak hous is great is you love steak like I do!! of flying fish, is 2 credits.

plenty one credit resort, or downtown disney or boardwalk restaurants. t rex at downtown disney.... whispering canyon is great fun at Wildernees lodge.

you could easily use 7 TS credits.

he won't go in the parks at all> how can we introduce him to nebo?

Another caveat of his agreeing to this vacation -- no TS reservations. I'm afraid free dining just isn't to be for us. He is coming because the WDW visit is part of an overall visit to family in FL, and my ds really wants him along. He does not enjoy the theme parks, but will visit the water parks. I wish a little Nebo-magic could convince him, but he's pretty clear on the subject. We've been several times before, even did a land/sea, and dh just does not appreciate the Mouse.

He and I have been coming once a year since 2008 for marathon weekend, and it's all I can do to get him to go to one Park on post-marathon Monday, every other year or so.

I know it is difficult to fathom, but WDW does not make him happy. He's willing to deal with it so we can have a vacation with the entire family. He will visit friends during the day, hang out at the pool, workout, and meet up with us when we are available. We will definitely have family time, but there will also be plenty of time when he's on his own. In the unlikely event he changes his mind for a day, we can easily purchase a one day ticket for him.

I'm going to get back to reading the Nebo free dining TR tomorrow. I need to get myself in the mood!

Maria