Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel

[DH-2-mamaduck]

I just read the press releases, looked at the resort photos, watched the video's, and read the first 10 pages of this thread, and all of two others.

I'm looking at booking a trip for the end of this year (have been wanting to do Xmas there for some time now) or go in February if we can convince our gym to do the Presidential Classic 2013 gymnastics meet, usually February.

It is nice to see AoA as another option for larger families for Value Resort vs. seeing: Your party size exceeds the maximum occupancy allowed for these Resorts or splitting up in to 2 rooms.

We enjoyed POP in '06 but really loved Boardwalk Club Level in '09. The 5 of us fit just fine in BWI, didn't mind the bus sharing, but also could walk to Epcot or take the ferry there or to DHS. However, since last visit, we are now a group of 7. Two little girls added to the pack. Girl, Girl, Boy, Girl, and soon to be newbie Girl. (BTW, we don't have any complaints about the themes anywhere at WDW. We are just happy we can come enjoy the Happiest Place on Earth!)

Question: I did not see anywhere, does anyone know the square-footage of the family suites at AoA? Just curious.


$4.8k for AoA Family Suite
$5k for cabin at FW
$8.6k for deluxe room BWI-Club Level
...

 

[AliceIn]

Question:[/B] I did not see anywhere, does anyone know the square-footage of the family suites at AoA? Just curious.


$4.8k for AoA Family Suite
$5k for cabin at FW
$8.6k for deluxe room BWI-Club Level
...

520 sq ft is what I've seen. I also heard that the space is better thought out than the suites at AsMu, so you get more usable space. An additional benefit is that the parent's room has a queen sized bed. You could put a crib in there and have a space for the baby to sleep while the rest of you relax in the other room.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

An additional benefit is that the parent's room has a queen sized bed.

Usually we have one between us, the oldest loves the floor (give her a blanket and a sheet a plywood and she is happy), the next gets the bed, and DS takes the daybed. In this case, having 3 beds works out well.

You could put a crib in there and have a space for the baby to sleep while the rest of you relax in the other room.

Didn't think of that, good point.

Just to have 2 bathrooms is a big plus as well. I remember going from 1 bathroom house to 3 bathrooms. Sure easier to get us all up and going. We only need about 40 minutes to wake up, eat, and all be ready to go.

Question: Any joining rooms?

 

[lamb616]

i see a lot of people talking about the parents sleeping in the separate bedroom -- are we the only family who puts the kids in the bedroom and we sleep in the living room when we get suites? I don't understand leaving the kids out in the living room, #1) because of the door there; I know nothing is likely to happen but who knows, a kid could suddenly start sleepwalking; and #2) we stay up later and like to have access to the kitchen for snacks, drinks, etc.

 

[AliceIn]

i see a lot of people talking about the parents sleeping in the separate bedroom -- are we the only family who puts the kids in the bedroom and we sleep in the living room when we get suites? I don't understand leaving the kids out in the living room, #1) because of the door there; I know nothing is likely to happen but who knows, a kid could suddenly start sleepwalking; and #2) we stay up later and like to have access to the kitchen for snacks, drinks, etc.

It's the same thing at home, though -- we sleep in our own room, and any child can get to the front door at any time. We've taught them not to do this, so I'm not concerned about the hotel. Our oldest is 11 and he is pretty good at stopping the younger two from causing mayhem while we're sleeping.

Over the years we've stayed in different types of hotel suites. When the kids were little, none of them could reach the door latch at the top of the door to let themselves out. We also slept with the parents' room door open so we could hear them in the other room. Since we don't have any toddlers now, it's not a big concern for us. I can see how it would be if you have all pre-schoolers.

 

[noahdove]

Several years ago, I took my sister's little grandson and we stayed at All Star Sports and he did sleep walk. Well, I thought someone was in the room as I forgot he would walk in his sleep. I finally was able to pull him back to my bed and he couldnt figure out in the morning, how he got in my bed However, I will sleep in the bedroom part of our suite as the 2 teenagers will come in after my little granddaugher and I will be sleeping. I know I will have to remind them to double lock the door once they are inside, but, they are 18 so I can trust them, if not, they would have the bedroom..

 

[wallawallakids]

I am thinking about switching to Aoa instead of doing the FD promotion in Aug. Does anyone know how to get the AA discount? Do I call and book though AAA? Also, I can't seem to find any photos of the pool and my kids are big on pools. Has anyone seen it? Will it be open in Aug? And do we know yet if AOA will have it's own buses or will it share with Pop? Thanks

 

[glitzybabes]

We booked a Bounceback, last year, w/FD for this Sept. 15 for 7 nights. When we found out the Little Mermaid rooms were opening up that very day we decided to call this morning to see if the Bounceback would be available for them and to our surprise they were so we are now staying at the AofA with FD on the very first day the Little Mermaid rooms open!!!

That is AWESOME!!! And I'm sure that if for some reason they don't open on time you will be bumped to a suite. I remember that the people that had booked the Royal princess rooms at POFQ were upgraded to the GF when their rooms were not ready.

 

[DH-2-mamaduck]

AoA looks like nice compliment to POP. I hope they do keep the bridge in (didn't get through all the reading if it is staying or not). When at BWI, it was nice to be able to take the path around to Yacht, Beach, Swan/Dolphin. Maybe they will offer bike rentals for the long path around. the Surrey bike rentals at BWI were nice. Looks to be about 1.2 - 1.4miles all the way around Hourglass Lake. The Google Pedometer would only let me do 1/2 the path.

 

[NancyIL]

I am thinking about switching to Aoa instead of doing the FD promotion in Aug. Does anyone know how to get the AA discount? Do I call and book though AAA? Also, I can't seem to find any photos of the pool and my kids are big on pools. Has anyone seen it? Will it be open in Aug? And do we know yet if AOA will have it's own buses or will it share with Pop? Thanks

Call Disney and ask if the AAA discount is available for your travel dates. You have to be a AAA member at the time you book - unlike booking rooms with the AP discount.

The suites will open in sections beginning May 31st. The Little Mermaid section with standard rooms will not open until September 15.

 

[wallawallakids]

Call Disney and ask if the AAA discount is available for your travel dates. You have to be a AAA member at the time you book - unlike booking rooms with the AP discount.

The suites will open in sections beginning May 31st. The Little Mermaid section with standard rooms will not open until September 15.

THANK YOU!! Switched from fd at a mod to AOA with the AAA discount. Thank you so much. My kids are really excited.

 

[Disney Ron]

That is AWESOME!!! And I'm sure that if for some reason they don't open on time you will be bumped to a suite. I remember that the people that had booked the Royal princess rooms at POFQ were upgraded to the GF when their rooms were not ready.

glitzy, we are very excited about staying at AofA. Our Bounceback was originally for POP, which we would have loved, but changing to AofA with FD is great.

I told the wife that no matter how early we arrive our first day the room will be ready because it's the first day that the Little Mermaid section will be open.

 

[NancyIL]

glitzy, we are very excited about staying at AofA. Our Bounceback was originally for POP, which we would have loved, but changing to AofA with FD is great.

I told the wife that no matter how early we arrive our first day the room will be ready because it's the first day that the Little Mermaid section will be open.

We stayed at the Toy Story section of All Star Movies in April 1999 about a week or so after it opened. I'm sure you'll love staying at The Little Mermaid on opening day.

 

[cinderella73]

Booked 2 LM rooms for opening day. Staying 2 weeks. I will make sure to post lots of pics of the room when I get back.

Had a heck of a time getting them to promise 2 connecting rooms even though I fit the criteria. Even after they "fixed" it I still got a email conformation saying " 2 adjoining rooms requested but not guaranteed" . Arghh They did say there is no option to put in connecting instead , but said it would be definate. Guess I will call back yet again to make sure there is no issues. Traveling with a service dog so I hope there are no screw ups. I know they usually block you in a certain room.

They kept pushing me to book a suite there instead but it was 50 more a night so we stuck with the 2 (hopefully) connecting rooms.

Looks lke a pretty far walk from the LM rooms to the main building. Anyone know the approxtimate distance?

I wonder what the LM pool will look like? Cant wait to see more pics.

 

[jcarwash]

Looking at several maps, the LM section looks quite far from the main building/pool. We've done POP twice and never thought the walk was bad but this looks further? Does anyone have any concrete info. on the actual distance from Little Mermaid rooms to main building? I am guessing there is also only one bus stop like at POP?

Not concrete info, but I think AoA is basically the same layout and distances as Pop. LM would then roughly equal the 80s/90s section at Pop. And yes AoA will have only one bus stop area at the main building like Pop.

 

[Texastiger]

I just called to book a room with my 30% off pin code, but I couldn't book a room at AofA. I was told that they weren't giving any discounts and the rooms were filling up quickly anyway. Just thought I'd pass that info along to you guys.

I'm still thrilled that I got the pin code. We decided to stay at Coronado Springs instead in a preferred room. It's all good! I'm so excited! We're going to Disney!

 

[charliesmom86]

We are going in end of May and were thinking of pushing it to be able to stay at AoA but decided against it..2 mods with free dining pin were about 400 less than a family suite at AoA so we're staying at Coronado Springs. I know its because its new and there aren't any discounts available. Planning on staying at AoA in October '12 or May '13. Can't wait to see pics though.

 

[Sweet Melissa]

We booked our first ever split stay for late October/early November. We'll spend two nights in one of the Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation before moving over to the Boardwalk. I'm excited to try a new resort!

 

[mieuxmew]

Sorry if this was previously answered.

Do the Little Mermaid rooms of AoA have minifridges and WiFi and are they included or extra fees?

Thank you!

 

[StarGirl11]

Just wondering if anyone have an idea of the rough estimate of the room size in square feet will be? Thinking about maybe proposing staying here for Marathon week (I figure even if they don't have buses for the races (which they probably will) I can always walk over to Pop and catch the bus) to maybe save some money to spend elsewhere (like maybe an extra day or two in the parks by coming in early) by staying here instead of POFQ (which I adore but I like the look of this place). But first I want to get all of the facts lined up before proposing the idea to my parents.