Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel

[cinderella73]

I asked 2 times about the fridge. One time I was told yes that they would. Another time I was told they were not sure but they thought so. Basically I wouldn't trust what any CM is telling you yet. Most of them even though though they mean well , just have no clue yet. I do think they will have them though. The thing I noticed though is they designed the LM dressers before they started doing fridges in all the values . In the Lm rooms the dresser is drawers and there is not much room to place a fridge in the room . In the values its actually placed in the dresser area right ? If you have a connecting room the only empty wall space is where the door is. So maybe they have redesigned the dresser ?

Some CM's are still telling people there is no free dining , or that the LM rooms wont be ready till Dec. .

No one I spoke with was even sure there if there were elevators in the LM buildings or not.

I think maybe once the resort is open we should start a official thread ( even though this kinda is) but its going to be hard to do yet with so many things still unconfirmed.

I will be emailing the food and beverage manager. Disney has always been so great about food allergies but since Brenda Bennet got promoted the new person is just terrible and very uninformative. I am just going to go straight to the source and I will let you all know what I find out.

So happy for everyone else that was able to get the FD ! I think I smell a Sept dis'ers meetup.

 

[tink65]

We are booked for AoA Dec 14-21 and are so excited to see/experience the resort! Refridgerators would be a wonderful addition to the Value resorts. We always take a small cooler since all we use it for is water/soda. It will be nice to have one less thing to pack and one less thing to do each morning before heading out to the parks! (emptying the melted ice and making that trip to the ice machine to restock the cooler is a pain!) Now if Disney will cooperate and send a Free Dining offer for that time frame I'd be doing a happy !

 

[All Things Simba]

I think it's an added kitchen and dining area.

Also -master bedroom, 2 bathrooms in the one suite, and the cute pull down bed in the dining area along with the convertible couch.
2 rooms = 2 room keys. But if you get connecting rooms you could all just enter from one room and walk through.
Either way - fun to stay at a new resort!

 

[clanmcculloch]

cinderella73, I wouldn't worry about AoA's ability to handle food allergies. In February when I was talking with chef Jeff at 'Ohana about our August stay at AoA he told me that he has several chefs at 'Ohana who had been pegged to go to AoA. AoA is going to have experienced chefs who are well training in handling food allergies. I fully expect AoA to function similar to Pop which has our favourite food court to date as they just have so many foods to work with in order to make allergy safe meals for us, as well as the full compliment of standard allergy foods found everywhere else. Despite the Special Diets department, I know we'll both be well taken care of at AoA. I'll break them in for you since I'll be there a month before you LOL.

 

[StacyMarie]

Since this is basically the only info area for AOA, does anybody know if the suites can be connected or adjoining? And yes, I know there is no guarantee of connecting rooms

 

[Cmarie123]

We are booked for AoA Dec 14-21 and are so excited to see/experience the resort! Refridgerators would be a wonderful addition to the Value resorts. We always take a small cooler since all we use it for is water/soda. It will be nice to have one less thing to pack and one less thing to do each morning before heading out to the parks! (emptying the melted ice and making that trip to the ice machine to restock the cooler is a pain!) Now if Disney will cooperate and send a Free Dining offer for that time frame I'd be doing a happy !

We are going to be there the exact same time staying at the Lion King suite! I too am crossing my fingers for the Free Dining offer. We were in Disney Dec 1-8 last year and we were lucky and in August Disney extended the free dining offer and we were able to apply it to our trip. Hopefully they will do the same this year!!!!

 

[kbarrett]

When I made our reservations at AoA in LM rooms I asked if there was going to be a fridge and the CM said yes. She didn't say anything about it being an extra charge. But I will check again. I don't think I will pay extra for a fridge. I will just switch our reservations, because really if they come out with FD during our stay you can stay at a moderate resort with FD cheaper then AoA LM rooms and also have a fridge free of charge. But DD4 will be upset about not sleeping in a LM room.

Okay they messed up my ressie and we have 2 LM rooms (switched from ASMo) any way I ended up speaking to a head guy supervisor (had to wait on hold for forever they apologized profusely) any way he said yes there will be fridges just like all the values...

 

[cinderella73]

cinderella73, I wouldn't worry about AoA's ability to handle food allergies. In February when I was talking with chef Jeff at 'Ohana about our August stay at AoA he told me that he has several chefs at 'Ohana who had been pegged to go to AoA. AoA is going to have experienced chefs who are well training in handling food allergies. I fully expect AoA to function similar to Pop which has our favourite food court to date as they just have so many foods to work with in order to make allergy safe meals for us, as well as the full compliment of standard allergy foods found everywhere else. Despite the Special Diets department, I know we'll both be well taken care of at AoA. I'll break them in for you since I'll be there a month before you LOL.

So glad to hear all this. Do you happen to know about Pop's use of PN oil in the ethnic food area? Makes me feel better to know that they have good chefs headed over there. Its got to be the most stressfull part of planning a trip. I think I saw that things like Divvies were included as snacks on the dining plan . Are they pretty good dealing with the FD plan and food allergies? I dont mind paying OOP for safe food but want to know what to expect. Thanks for the heads up. And yes, break em in good for me ! lol

 

[MsHershey]

Oh my....decisions, decisions. This is wonderful news that AoA is offering FD! My 25yo daughter and I are currently booked at CBR in Sept with free dining. This is our first trip to the World so we have no preconceived expectations. Everything will be new to us. Since her favorite character is the Little Mermaid I am wondering if I should switch over to AoA LM wing. I am open to suggestions.

 

[JackFlame]

December 2011

 

[clanmcculloch]

You won't find Divvies cookies at WDW any longer. In February, we felt lucky that they still had some in stock at Biergarten but nowhere else had them. All of the Divvies other products as well as all of the other packaged individual serving allergy specialty foods can be purchased with snack credits. Don't forget to hop over to DTD for some Babycakes treats which also can be purchased using snack credits.

I think I responded to you on the disABILITIES! board some time ago about the peanut oil at Pop. IMO it doesn't really matter. Food for people with allergies are prepared in an area of the kitchen dedicated to allergy prep. Nothing with any trace of peanuts will ever be found in this allergy area of the kitchen. If you want something from the ethnic area then the chef will prepare a special serving for you in that allergy area. One of my favourite meals from Pop (and frankly from most of my trips) was Chef Dan's version of Lo Mein with gluten free pasta and gluten free soy sauce (it could be made with regular but I'm gluten free) and a wonderful selection of fresh vegetables and even fresh ginger. The precautions taken really are stellar. With our laundry lists of allergies among the 3 of us with allergies, none of us have ever had a single issue from eating at Pop in any of our stays there. I really do expect the same at AoA. I love large food courts.

You won't have to pay OOP for safe foods. What they've done for us in the past is basically just ring our food up as whatever item on the menu is the closest match to what we get and we're charged the same dining credit as anybody else would be (or that price when paying OOP; we've done both but you care about dining credits). If you order the allergy chicken tenders with fries then you'll pay the same dining credit as anybody else would. For foods where there is normally a slight upcharge for the allergy safe version like the frozen allergy pizzas, you don't pay that upcharge when using dining credits (this was the biggest reason I was reluctant to try OOP; I liked the safety of not having to worry about that). When DD14 would want toast for breakfast though, I would pay OOP for that because it's just so cheap that I wasn't about to waste a snack credit on it. Even though this particular bread costs me over $7 at home (Chef Dan is the one who found the bread for us and it's amazing; it's gluten, milk, egg, peanut and yeast free), I was still charged the same I think it was around $1 as anybody else for 2 pieces of toast (he toasted it for us since we can't use the regular toaster due to cross contamination). If it's under $2 for the snack item, I don't use a credit but that's got nothing to do with allergies. Now that there's only 1 snack credit with QSDP I have no trouble using them up. I plan to head to DTD to spend a bunch of snack credits at Babycakes the day we check into AoA. Those giant cupcakes are each only a single snack credit. Of course I'm used to gluten free baked goods and I've ordered 2 cakes from them so I know my kids and I like their stuff. If I was you, I'd get one to try while I was there before choosing a whole bunch to bring back to my room.

Do be prepared for the longer waits. Because I'm ordering for my kids I do bring them with me to order so they can talk to the chefs (though at breakfast I'll leave them in the room since they choose between only a couple things anyway and decide before I go) but then we just hang out in the gift shop waiting for our buzzer to go off. At around 20 minutes after being given the buzzer I'll often head back in to the food court to be sure but we have had waits of as much as half an hour depending on the food being cooked. If the chef has to put on a fresh pot of water to boil or is going to deep fry a chicken breast (I got a chef to make me some gluten and milk free fried chicken) then it's going to take longer just because it takes that long for the food to cook. They really can't do much prep for the allergy meals while regular meals they have ready to go when you get up to the counter.

 

[KittyKat1978]

Has anyone who had changed their ressie from another resort to the LM FD got their confirmation email yet?

When I changed from ASSp to Pop, I got the email the next morning and when I log into WDW it said Pop.

It still says Pop and I haven't got my email yet. Should I call back and make sure the ressie was changed? Or should I wait until tomorrow?

 

[pigletto]

So glad to hear all this. Do you happen to know about Pop's use of PN oil in the ethnic food area? Makes me feel better to know that they have good chefs headed over there. Its got to be the most stressfull part of planning a trip. I think I saw that things like Divvies were included as snacks on the dining plan . Are they pretty good dealing with the FD plan and food allergies? I dont mind paying OOP for safe food but want to know what to expect. Thanks for the heads up. And yes, break em in good for me ! lol

My dd is a vegetarian. When we book DDP reservations online we always have to check "other" in the allergy space because there is no space specifically for vegetarians. So when we get to the restaurants they always ask and send someone to talk to us in case it is an allergy.
Two things.. we've had the dinner shows call us before leaving to ask about dd's "other" and menu plan with us. We have also been approached at EVERY single restaurant (and I would estimate we're close to 30 TS restaurants now) to discuss her being a vegetarian. Sometimes the chef, often the waiters. But they take allergies very seriously, so they come out to see what she might need since it isn't clear on the reservation with the "other" box. They have always been accommodating and informative on dd's special diet, so I imagine they are even more vigilant about an actual allergy.
I usually tell the waiter it isn't necessary to send anyone if they can answer what has meat products or by products but they usually send a chef or manager anyway.

Only ONE time did we have an issue. DD was delivered the wrong dish at San Angel Inn. So her first bite was full of shredded chicken (it was really too dark in there to see what was in the filling). However I really think the wrong dish came out of the kitchen and we should have been looking more closely.
So always double check to be sure, but our experience is that any kind of special diet has been given attention and importance.

 

[pigletto]

Oh my....decisions, decisions. This is wonderful news that AoA is offering FD! My 25yo daughter and I are currently booked at CBR in Sept with free dining. This is our first trip to the World so we have no preconceived expectations. Everything will be new to us. Since her favorite character is the Little Mermaid I am wondering if I should switch over to AoA LM wing. I am open to suggestions.

That is a tough one!!
I am usually a way bigger fan of the mods over the values. For this trip we have 5 and need more space, plus the room and resort is new so I am excited to try it.

Our very first trip was at CSR and it is Fantastic!!!!!
However, with just two of you, you will have a chance to save some money in a LM room as well.

To be honest, I would be tempted to stick to the CSR reservation because you will get the basic dining plan instead of the counter service, and it is a beautiful resort.

 

[ollyg]

Has anyone who had changed their ressie from another resort to the LM FD got their confirmation email yet?

When I changed from ASSp to Pop, I got the email the next morning and when I log into WDW it said Pop.

It still says Pop and I haven't got my email yet. Should I call back and make sure the ressie was changed? Or should I wait until tomorrow?

I called and switched this am. It took a few hours, but I did get my confirmation.

 

[jenseib]

Since this is basically the only info area for AOA, does anybody know if the suites can be connected or adjoining? And yes, I know there is no guarantee of connecting rooms

I doubt it.

 

[cinderella73]

You won't find Divvies cookies at WDW any longer. In February, we felt lucky that they still had some in stock at Biergarten but nowhere else had them. All of the Divvies other products as well as all of the other packaged individual serving allergy specialty foods can be purchased with snack credits. Don't forget to hop over to DTD for some Babycakes treats which also can be purchased using snack credits.

I think I responded to you on the disABILITIES! board some time ago about the peanut oil at Pop. IMO it doesn't really matter. Food for people with allergies are prepared in an area of the kitchen dedicated to allergy prep. Nothing with any trace of peanuts will ever be found in this allergy area of the kitchen. If you want something from the ethnic area then the chef will prepare a special serving for you in that allergy area. One of my favourite meals from Pop (and frankly from most of my trips) was Chef Dan's version of Lo Mein with gluten free pasta and gluten free soy sauce (it could be made with regular but I'm gluten free) and a wonderful selection of fresh vegetables and even fresh ginger. The precautions taken really are stellar. With our laundry lists of allergies among the 3 of us with allergies, none of us have ever had a single issue from eating at Pop in any of our stays there. I really do expect the same at AoA. I love large food courts.

You won't have to pay OOP for safe foods. What they've done for us in the past is basically just ring our food up as whatever item on the menu is the closest match to what we get and we're charged the same dining credit as anybody else would be (or that price when paying OOP; we've done both but you care about dining credits). If you order the allergy chicken tenders with fries then you'll pay the same dining credit as anybody else would. For foods where there is normally a slight upcharge for the allergy safe version like the frozen allergy pizzas, you don't pay that upcharge when using dining credits (this was the biggest reason I was reluctant to try OOP; I liked the safety of not having to worry about that). When DD14 would want toast for breakfast though, I would pay OOP for that because it's just so cheap that I wasn't about to waste a snack credit on it. Even though this particular bread costs me over $7 at home (Chef Dan is the one who found the bread for us and it's amazing; it's gluten, milk, egg, peanut and yeast free), I was still charged the same I think it was around $1 as anybody else for 2 pieces of toast (he toasted it for us since we can't use the regular toaster due to cross contamination). If it's under $2 for the snack item, I don't use a credit but that's got nothing to do with allergies. Now that there's only 1 snack credit with QSDP I have no trouble using them up. I plan to head to DTD to spend a bunch of snack credits at Babycakes the day we check into AoA. Those giant cupcakes are each only a single snack credit. Of course I'm used to gluten free baked goods and I've ordered 2 cakes from them so I know my kids and I like their stuff. If I was you, I'd get one to try while I was there before choosing a whole bunch to bring back to my room.

Do be prepared for the longer waits. Because I'm ordering for my kids I do bring them with me to order so they can talk to the chefs (though at breakfast I'll leave them in the room since they choose between only a couple things anyway and decide before I go) but then we just hang out in the gift shop waiting for our buzzer to go off. At around 20 minutes after being given the buzzer I'll often head back in to the food court to be sure but we have had waits of as much as half an hour depending on the food being cooked. If the chef has to put on a fresh pot of water to boil or is going to deep fry a chicken breast (I got a chef to make me some gluten and milk free fried chicken) then it's going to take longer just because it takes that long for the food to cook. They really can't do much prep for the allergy meals while regular meals they have ready to go when you get up to the counter.

To bad about the Divvies. I think I will place a online order for them and just have them delivered to the resort. I know we did have the Enjoy Life cookies last time. The kids did seem to enjoy those. So glad to hear about teh upcharge thing not being a issue. I know it got really expensive when we stayed at the Contemporary and the small kids pizza was 13.00 x 3 kids instead of like 5 . So it will be a relief not to have that concern this time around.

I dont know if u have TN or PN allergies but the Babycakes people ( I spoke with the owner up here in NY ) said they cant promise no tree nuts or peanuts cross contaminaton because of their suppliers , even though they dont use nuts personally. They looked so good.

We dont mind waiting for stuff. I know that with needing to see the book and have the manager come out it is a bt longer. The thing that changed that makes me nervous is most quick service places dont offer to have the manager make the food anymore. Columbia Harbor does have nuts in the salad but last time we got this manager that said that they are made by certain people that only do salads and basically said it wasnt needed to do anything up special. While the Pizza Planet manager was more than helpful and did with no issues.

All in all Disney still takes the lead with the allergies but I do wish Brenda was back in charge. It used to be so much better. It made me happy to hear that they had good chefs headed over though. Thank you for all your advice and info .

My dd is a vegetarian. When we book DDP reservations online we always have to check "other" in the allergy space because there is no space specifically for vegetarians. So when we get to the restaurants they always ask and send someone to talk to us in case it is an allergy.
Two things.. we've had the dinner shows call us before leaving to ask about dd's "other" and menu plan with us. We have also been approached at EVERY single restaurant (and I would estimate we're close to 30 TS restaurants now) to discuss her being a vegetarian. Sometimes the chef, often the waiters. But they take allergies very seriously, so they come out to see what she might need since it isn't clear on the reservation with the "other" box. They have always been accommodating and informative on dd's special diet, so I imagine they are even more vigilant about an actual allergy.
I usually tell the waiter it isn't necessary to send anyone if they can answer what has meat products or by products but they usually send a chef or manager anyway.

Only ONE time did we have an issue. DD was delivered the wrong dish at San Angel Inn. So her first bite was full of shredded chicken (it was really too dark in there to see what was in the filling). However I really think the wrong dish came out of the kitchen and we should have been looking more closely.
So always double check to be sure, but our experience is that any kind of special diet has been given attention and importance.

Table service is so much better with special requests. Its the quick service that is hit and miss with us. Sometimes they are great and helpful , other times they are just like , its fine , here you go kind of attitude. I didnt want to make to many table reservations because we kind of fly by the seat of our pants and hate being locked into scheduled meals. Once we find a great manager at a good quick service we tend to go back there a lot during the trip. I hope they replaced the manager at Columbia Harbor house and kept the one at Pizza Planet and the Plaza. They were great. The American Pavillon last Sept we had a awesome cashier ( older woman that spoke her mind lol) and one terrible manager. The cashier got upset with the manager and went and got another manager and he was super nice.

I know that this time when we get good people I am going to fill out a guest services card thanking them. They are the main reason I go to Disney.



I know I just need to take a deep breath. Thank you all for your info. Its just the worst part of my planning . 2 weeks is a long time to go without a full kitchen of my own. Especially now that they changed all their allergy foods. I will be prepared with my safe snacks and just keep a positive outlook it will go smooth. Thanks guys!

 

[KittyKat1978]

I called WDW travel and they CM told me there was a problem with my phone number and my reservation wasn't completed.

She fixed it and completed the reservation. Now I can see it when I log into my account on WDW.

I new something was wrong. Always trust your gut I guess

 

[MuchLovedMama]

Refrigerators- I sure as heck hope that they have them. I'd be very disappointed if they didn't. In the floor plan what's in the corner next to the window? I thought maybe that was where it was supposed to be?

Elevators- I would assume that there is elevators just like at pop. The buildings for the LM rooms have been there for years now and they were built to be just like POP (for the Legendary years) so I'm assuming they are identical to the buildings there. This is why the rooms are on the outside rather than on the inside like the suites.

 

[jimjenkids]

I have reservations right now at POP, wondering on the map of the AOA resort....how close is the LM to the mail building and busses....we thought that we were doing something nice and stayed at CBC last time and wow what a walk even with prefered rooms.....guess I will have to wait to see and may change our reservations....still hoping for the disney gods to grat me a PIN for a discount or FD......