Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel

[mickeye]

Crap...just booked lion King and after looking at pictures os the resort there doesn't seem to be a pool there?!? Is this resort mpthat much larger than ASMusic? If so, I don't think I want to walk to a whole other section to have to swim. My other option was Cars...what do you all think?

Lk also has a very cool and innovative playground that looks like you're in Simba's homeland. Kids can climb, crawl and slide around play structures that look like a natural outcropping with rocks, bones, caves, jungle growth, etc. There is also a log going over head (that guests must pass under) that has Pumba and Timmon walking over it. Besides, The 'Big Blue' themed pool would be right next to you so your kids would have both Simba's playground and Nemo's big pool!

 

[cinderella73]

OMG, this is wonderful. A CM said there would be NO discounts for AoA for years to come. Just shows ya that there is always Magic going on.



I'm really hoping for LM.



Well, I really hope you can get it, C73. I'm hoping that they will have FD for after Thanksgiving. If they do, we'll be golden.
BTW, C73, I kind of understand your funny CR height story. I'm not afraid of heights, but being from a Fire Department family in a big city in Pa. we never go any higher up than a fire engine's ladders can go!

Hey I see you are from SE PA. I am in NE PA here. That was my other time I wanted to go , after thanksgiving. Hopefully we will moved back down there by then though. If not we will have to wait til spring.

I hope you get your FD in the LM rooms. I will take lots of pics to post. Are you booking 2 LM rooms? The CM made me nervous when she said let me make sure that AOA had connecting rooms first. Bad thing is I think she forgot because I cant remember her confirming! She dd say not all resorts have connecting rooms. I didnt know that !

Ugg I guess I should call to confirm.

Update: Yes they do connect... She thinks. lol Everything is new still to them still so they still are not sure. They said they are not sure if the family suite option means any available themed suite or a plain totally non themed suite. Thankfully I have lots of time to check back on here and see what everyones posted before I arrive.

 

[pixiedustmomma]

I am really excited they added FD! I hope that they will do so when we are down there the week after Thanksgiving. I booked our vacation package yesterday for Nov 25 - Dec 1 in a Little Mermaid room. DD4 likes the Little Mermaid room better then the princess room at POR.

 

[MuchLovedMama]

Hey I see you are from SE PA. I am in NE PA here. That was my other time I wanted to go , after thanksgiving. Hopefully we will moved back down there by then though. If not we will have to wait til spring.

I hope you get your FD in the LM rooms. I will take lots of pics to post. Are you booking 2 LM rooms? The CM made me nervous when she said let me make sure that AOA had connecting rooms first. Bad thing is I think she forgot because I cant remember her confirming! She dd say not all resorts have connecting rooms. I didnt know that !

Ugg I guess I should call to confirm.

Update: Yes they do connect... She thinks. lol Everything is new still to them still so they still are not sure. They said they are not sure if the family suite option means any available themed suite or a plain totally non themed suite. Thankfully I have lots of time to check back on here and see what everyones posted before I arrive.

I'm the one that strated the other thread letting people know that I was able to get free dining. At the time I didn't realize it was only good for my dates and that we just lucked out somehow. I'm guessing either LM wasn't supposed to be offered at all and we just got lucky that it was in there for our dates or that other dates are supposed to be there and they aren't right now. If that's the case I'm sure they will appear in a day or 2.

If I were you though I'd booked the 15th-22nd in LM with free dining and I'd book the 2nd week at POP where you can just walk across the bridge if it came down to that to check in there with free dining. I wouldn't want to pay the price for the suite vs a standard room. Too costly and I wanted want to not have free dining for the 2nd week by staying in the same LM room without the FD. Hopefully they'll open it up for you so you can have it for your entire stay though. Good luck!

 

[smitch425]

If I were you though I'd booked the 15th-22nd in LM with free dining and I'd book the 2nd week at POP where you can just walk across the bridge if it came down to that to check in there with free dining.

The problem with that is that in order to have free dining you have to purchase tickets to get it, so if she split her stay between the two resorts she would have to buy two sets of tickets. This could work if she knew she would be returning in the future, though. She could buy the total number of days for the entire trip with stay #1 and then just buy the minimum 2-day tix with stay #2 and save them for a later date.

 

[MuchLovedMama]

The problem with that is that in order to have free dining you have to purchase tickets to get it, so if she split her stay between the two resorts she would have to buy two sets of tickets. This could work if she knew she would be returning in the future, though. She could buy the total number of days for the entire trip with stay #1 and then just buy the minimum 2-day tix with stay #2 and save them for a later date.

very true. wasn't thinking about that. Probably still much cheaper than the suite though.

 

[cinderella73]

The problem with that is that in order to have free dining you have to purchase tickets to get it, so if she split her stay between the two resorts she would have to buy two sets of tickets. This could work if she knew she would be returning in the future, though. She could buy the total number of days for the entire trip with stay #1 and then just buy the minimum 2-day tix with stay #2 and save them for a later date.

very true. wasn't thinking about that. Probably still much cheaper than the suite though.

Thanks guys for trying to help. I wouldnt mind if I could even just get the free dining for the first week and not the 2nd. Of course I hope it opens up for both weeks for Cars or the 2 LM rooms. But one week would be better than none.


I figured with a quick service plan alone for 5 of us over the course of 2 weeks It would save us about 130 to 150 a day for a total savings of 2,100 !!! That would be crazy wonderful !

Of course even just one week of free dining would be a savings of 1,050 which is great , but I would need to cancel my other reservation and make 2 more separate ones , put down 2 more deposits , then link those with my friends . Phew... Hoping it will open up tomorrow instead ( or soon) and I can just so it the easy way.

Hey MLM if you see some crazy people walking around with a service dog come say hello !

 

[MuchLovedMama]

Hey MLM if you see some crazy people walking around with a service dog come say hello !

i will certainly do that.

 

[jcarwash]

Crap...just booked lion King and after looking at pictures os the resort there doesn't seem to be a pool there?!? Is this resort mpthat much larger than ASMusic? If so, I don't think I want to walk to a whole other section to have to swim. My other option was Cars...what do you all think?

Adding to the advice from the previous posters...don't worry. It will be a short walk from the LK buildings to either the Little Mermaid pool (if it's complete by your trip) or to the main Nemo pool (which will be open).

For comparison it would be like staying in the 70's section at Pop and walking to either the Computer Pool or the Hippy Dippy Pool. When we stay at Pop in the 50's section we'll use either the Bowling Pool in that section or the main Hippy Dippy Pool in the 60's section.

 

[Tinkerbella001]

I just booked!!! We are celebrating dd's 13th bday and she really wanted a LK room. From what I can tell on here it is the least desired section? Well I booked it for August 25-31. I know it will be HOT, but crowds look low. The kids have a four day weekend is why we picked that week. So excited!!

 

[MuchLovedMama]

I just booked!!! We are celebrating dd's 13th bday and she really wanted a LK room. From what I can tell on here it is the least desired section? Well I booked it for August 25-31. I know it will be HOT, but crowds look low. The kids have a four day weekend is why we picked that week. So excited!!

The rooms look great in that section. Maybe the least desired just cause there's not a pool in that section but still it's close enough to the main pool and another pool. I'm sure you'll love it. Have fun!

 

[pigletto]

Well now I've gone and done it.

I booked free dining at AoA today in a Lion King suite for the last week of August. I already have a reservation at Bonnet Creek that I was excited about and had paid the deposit on. We are bringing dd's friend with us this time, and decided we needed more room. With no discounts Bonnet Creek seemed like a much better option than AoA.
But now? Well now free dining is in the mix. I am an onsite girl this far. I am not opposed to BC, and in fact I would like to try it.
Here's how it breaks down. 5 of us in a 2 bdrm at BC paying for dining out of pocket and renting a car. Or 5 of us in the new AoA suites, no car rental necessary, and free food. We have AP's. So if we go with AoA we'll use the 2 day tickets we had to get against the renewal of our AP's so no loss there.

I could move up my BC reservation and not lose our deposit. Make it for February break next year.

I am so torn. I want to be onsite to have that extra bit of magic, see the new resort, and have dd and her friend be able to use the buses and go out on their own a bit.
BC offers us a lot more space, but cooking more to save some money, and having to drive everywhere.

Decisions Decisions.
I am pretty sure I want to stay onsite this time now that it is more cost effective than it would have been without free dining.

 

[mickeye]

Hey I see you are from SE PA. I am in NE PA here. That was my other time I wanted to go , after thanksgiving.
I hope you get your FD in the LM rooms. I will take lots of pics to post. Are you booking 2 LM rooms?

Yes, we were told that the week after Thanksgiving was a great week to go and it's our first trip at Christmas. I will be so anxious to see your photos !!!! We only need one room in the LM section so it won't be an issue for us as to connecting rooms. I can understand the importance of that for larger families though, especially with a service dog. I was in training for one and was almost done when I was in a car accident and had to stop training. Hopefully someday, when the time is right I will be up for another dog. They are wonderful animals.

I am really excited they added FD! I hope that they will do so when we are down there the week after Thanksgiving. I booked our vacation package yesterday for Nov 25 - Dec 1 in a Little Mermaid room. DD4 likes the Little Mermaid room better then the princess room at POR.

That's when we're going, also and we'll be in LM, too! We are so excited!

I'm the one that strated the other thread letting people know that I was able to get free dining. At the time I didn't realize it was only good for my dates and that we just lucked out somehow.

That's okay. Even if it was only a mistake, or if it was only for your dates, your thread made us all aware of the possibility of the rest of us getting FD. Because of you we now will be keeping a closer watch out for the specials and discounts, etc. You never know when Disney Magic can happen; it happened for you. So, thank you so much for spreading the word to the rest of us AoA people.

Well now I've gone and done it.
I booked free dining at AoA today in a Lion King suite for the last week of August. I already have a reservation at Bonnet Creek that I was excited about and had paid the deposit on.
Or 5 of us in the new AoA suites, no car rental necessary, and free food. We have AP's. So if we go with AoA we'll use the 2 day tickets we had to get against the renewal of our AP's so no loss there.
I could move up my BC reservation and not lose our deposit. Make it for February break next year.I am so torn. I want to be onsite to have that extra bit of magic, see the new resort, and have dd and her friend be able to use the buses and go out on their own a bit.BC offers us a lot more space, but cooking more to save some money, and having to drive everywhere.
Decisions Decisions.
I am pretty sure I want to stay onsite this time now that it is more cost effective than it would have been without free dining.

Boy, there is no decision to make to me. I'd say the brand new AoA all the way!!! BC will always be there. You can get FD and stay in a brand new Disney resort. How often will you get that chance? Plus the bus service for the girls, no driving and parking lots AoA, AoA, AoA

You know everyone, we will be the new 'authors' of the first ever new thread: "The Official Thread of the Art Of Animation Resort". We'll need a name for us,also. The guests of Pop Century, for example, call themselves Poppers (cute Name)! What shall we be, 'Artists'?

 

[pigletto]

Yes, we were told that the week after Thanksgiving was a great week to go and it's our first trip at Christmas. I will be so anxious to see your photos !!!! We only need one room in the LM section so it won't be an issue for us as to connecting rooms. I can understand the importance of that for larger families though, especially with a service dog. I was in training for one and was almost done when I was in a car accident and had to stop training. Hopefully someday, when the time is right I will be up for another dog. They are wonderful animals.



That's when we're going, also and we'll be in LM, too! We are so excited!



That's okay. Even if it was only a mistake, or if it was only for your dates, your thread made us all aware of the possibility of the rest of us getting FD. Because of you we now will be keeping a closer watch out for the specials and discounts, etc. You never know when Disney Magic can happen; it happened for you. So, thank you so much for spreading the word to the rest of us AoA people.



Boy, there is no decision to make to me. I'd say the brand new AoA all the way!!! BC will always be there. You can get FD and stay in a brand new Disney resort. How often will you get that chance? Plus the bus service for the girls, no driving and parking lots AoA, AoA, AoA

You know everyone, we will be the new 'authors' of the first ever new thread: "The Official Thread of the Art Of Animation Resort". We'll need a name for us,also. The guests of Pop Century, for example, call themselves Poppers (cute Name)! What shall we be, 'Artists'?

You make some excellent points. BC will be there next year, I won't lose anything and best of all.. The Lion King rooms will have only been open for 10 days when I get there!!! I can be one of the first to stay in it!! That would be a really neat feeling!!
I think we might even stick with the QS plan and not upgrade to the DDP. Might be nice to not have to make it to ADR's all the time. I'm sure we could book one or two out of pocket and just go where the day takes us the rest of the time.
Plus I have an eight year old. As much as my kids love all of Disney, I think he is at the perfect age for the theming and over the top decorating of the Value resorts.
I picked Lion King just in case it gets loud near the Nemo Pool. It doesn't seem to be a far walk to the main building, bus stop or pool for LK, plus there is going to be that great playground. And we are all fans of the movie.

As for what to call ourselves.. I like "The Artists" or "The Animators". Both have a nice ring to them!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Is it a possibility that they will open up the LM rooms to the current free dining offer, since the suites are open to it? I am so dying to switch our POR to 2 LM rooms, but can't without the free dining offer.

 

[MuchLovedMama]

Is it a possibility that they will open up the LM rooms to the current free dining offer, since the suites are open to it? I am so dying to switch our POR to 2 LM rooms, but can't without the free dining offer.

Possible yes because I got it for 9/15-9/22. Those are the only dates its showing up for though. Figured it was either a mistake and it will disappear or other dates are supposed to be in there but aren't and they need to fix it. Keep checking and good luck!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Possible yes because I got it for 9/15-9/22. Those are the only dates its showing up for though. Figured it was either a mistake and it will disappear or other dates are supposed to be in there but aren't and they need to fix it. Keep checking and good luck!

Oh my word! It's killing me. LOL Fingers crossed! Fingers crossed!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

Possible yes because I got it for 9/15-9/22. Those are the only dates its showing up for though. Figured it was either a mistake and it will disappear or other dates are supposed to be in there but aren't and they need to fix it. Keep checking and good luck!

I called today and they told me to call back tomorrow and the next day to check. They are still loading the room categories and it may come available. I am toying with the idea of booking a room only, just to hold my place. I would hate for it to sell out when I'm offline.
I'm also slightly worried about the connecting rooms. I wonder how many connecting rooms are available in LM and it would totally stink if my family didn't get connecting rooms. Dh and I take turns with the baby at night and neither of us wants to be up all night if need be.

 

[kbarrett]

I called today and they told me to call back tomorrow and the next day to check. They are still loading the room categories and it may come available. I am toying with the idea of booking a room only, just to hold my place. I would hate for it to sell out when I'm offline.
I'm also slightly worried about the connecting rooms. I wonder how many connecting rooms are available in LM and it would totally stink if my family didn't get connecting rooms. Dh and I take turns with the baby at night and neither of us wants to be up all night if need be.

I got 2 LM rooms, requested connecting they said single parents first,we are a family of 6 but don't want a suite it's cheaper to get 2 rooms... but you'll definitely get rooms next to each other they just may not have the interior adjoining door

 

[mickeye]

Is it a possibility that they will open up the LM rooms to the current free dining offer, since the suites are open to it? I am so dying to switch our POR to 2 LM rooms, but can't without the free dining offer.

I hope you get it, too, Merryweather. My friends and I got into the LM for November and we're very excited; we 're also hoping for FD for the holiday period again this year. I like your avatar. My one friend that I'm going with would really love it. Merryweather is her absolute favorite Disney Character. Good luck for the FD and moving your resort to the AoA!