Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel

[mickeye]

I just watched the video of the interview with the director of sculpture and loved her last comment, "you see the characters on the screen, but they live here at Disney." I'm crying (yes, I know I am a sap). That is one of the reasons we keep going back as adults. Experiencing the Dream and letting the child inside free.AoA is going to be freaking awesome!

Marblies, you're not a sap at all. On the contrary, you're a very lucky and smart person. It takes a wise person to realize that it's not good for adults to be or act childish, but it's very good for adults to be able to be 'childlike'. To be 'childlike' means an adult can be creative, curious, spontaneous, imaginative, and able to let go and have fun. They're my own words, but isn't that, if you think about it, what Mr. Disney wants us all to get from Disney World? I'd say that you are are exactly on the right track!

Hi! Newbie here! I've only recently registered, but I've been a lurker for a year. I used this site to plan my vacation last September (our first one ever!)
I didn't think we'd be able to return any time soon, but I'm lucky enough to be returning on Sept 22 and staying in a LM room at AoA!

Welcome! That's me too! I finally registered not too long ago and now I'm hooked! we'll be there Sept 24 in LM also - feel like I can't get back soon enough

Sooooooo excited! Booked lm for octl

Okay, reservation officially made! My childhood self would cringe at the thought of me saying this, but I hope the summer passes by quickly!

I think all of you will be very happy that you've decided to stay at the AoA. We're going to the LM section, but not until after Thanksgiving and it seems soooo far away, but I know it will get it before I know it.

had been thinking of doing this as well....just looked at the map of AoA, looks like th LM rooms are going to be quite a way from the buses and food....may have to take a closer look after theresort opens and get other peoples thoughts....really like the looks to the new hotel,....guess it is more of a wait and see.....not to forget the wait and pray for the magical PIN.......

I don't think the walk will be too bad at all. You'll have so much fun walking through the LK and Nemo sections and there will be so much for you to see. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed if they stay in the AoA, especially in it's first year as a new resort.

 

[mlittig]

I just spent 10 days in Disney World and had several bus trips where I was the only one on the bus so I had some nice conversations with the drivers One driver who has worked for Disney for many, many years told me that Art of Animation will NOT share buses with Pop In fact, according to him, they have earmarked 60 buses to service Art of Animation Of course, time will tell

 

[Rogue 35]

Booked for Nemo Suite 11/26-11/29. First trip for my kids (8 yr old twin girls and 4 yr old Little Girl).

I'm dieing to tell them but I know they will drive me insane with "is it time yet?"

 

[kbarrett]

Marblies, you're not a sap at all. On the contrary, you're a very lucky and smart person. It takes a wise person to realize that it's not good for adults to be or act childish, but it's very good for adults to be able to be 'childlike'. To be 'childlike' means an adult can be creative, curious, spontaneous, imaginative, and able to let go and have fun. They're my own words, but isn't that, if you think about it, what Mr. Disney wants us all to get from Disney World? I'd say that you are are exactly on the right track!






I think all of you will be very happy that you've decided to stay at the AoA. We're going to the LM section, but not until after Thanksgiving and it seems soooo far away, but I know it will get it before I know it.



I don't think the walk will be too bad at all. You'll have so much fun walking through the LK and Nemo sections and there will be so much for you to see. I can't imagine anyone being disappointed if they stay in the AoA, especially in it's first year as a new resort.

I just want to say thank you! Like so many of us I switched my ressies to AoA for the end of October and have questioned that move. We too will be staying in the LM (2 rms for our family of 6, it's cheaper than a suite) and your post made me feel so much better. I have also be wondering if I'm getting a little sappy about WDW but you also soothed that fear. When I was a kid we never got to go on vacations and I had cousins that got to visit WDW every yr. It was so hard to hear their stories and see their pictures. I've always loved all things Disney and my grandmother finally made my dream of WDW come true when I was in the 8th grade. It was just as magical as I dreamed! When I got married we went for our honeymoon (my 2nd visit to WDW) and now we are finally able to take our children (while they are still young enough) and hope to do so about every 3-4yrs after. This will be our first new resort and the 1st trip with our kids. WDW has always been a magical place in my eyes and I hope it stays the way sometimes like you stated being childlike is amazing!

 

[MrsJD]

Booked for Nemo Suite 11/26-11/29. First trip for my kids (8 yr old twin girls and 4 yr old Little Girl).

I'm dieing to tell them but I know they will drive me insane with "is it time yet?"

Oh, I am so excited for you! That sounds so awesome! The girls will have the time of their lives.

 

[HonnyDipp]

I just spent 10 days in Disney World and had several bus trips where I was the only one on the bus so I had some nice conversations with the drivers One driver who has worked for Disney for many, many years told me that Art of Animation will NOT share buses with Pop In fact, according to him, they have earmarked 60 buses to service Art of Animation Of course, time will tell

 

[goofy24]

Just found this video on youtube. We're staying in the Cars themed suites in December and this gets me soooooooo excited. There will be A LOT of pictures taken of all the courtyards!!!!

It won't let me post a link because I have not posted enough, but you can go to youtube and search "Cars wing of Disney's Art of Animation Resort"

 

[StacyMarie]

So, I just got a call from Disney Guest Relations. I had sent them an email last week asking about the pool hours at AOA and if the guests at AOA would still be able to swim after the posted pool hours. I was curious because we stay at Pop and I wanted to know if any of the AOA pools would be open after hours for their gutests or if Pop was going to see some late night swimmers venturing over from AOA.

She was very nice. She informed me that even though AOA has posted pool hours, that the guests at AOA will still be able to swim in the big blue pool after hours. They aren't going to kick people out and not allow them to swim after hours. She basically said it would be the same type of set up as Pop, you can swim after hours, just no life guard on duty. Then of course I got the whole pool hopping speech, that guests from either resort will not be able to use the other resorts pools, which of course I already knew.

I just wanted to pass the info along. I was surprised I got a call instead of an email me back. She was very nice and very informative.

 

[VroomVroomLightning]

So, I just got a call from Disney Guest Relations. I had sent them an email last week asking about the pool hours at AOA and if the guests at AOA would still be able to swim after the posted pool hours. I was curious because we stay at Pop and I wanted to know if any of the AOA pools would be open after hours for their gutests or if Pop was going to see some late night swimmers venturing over from AOA.

She was very nice. She informed me that even though AOA has posted pool hours, that the guests at AOA will still be able to swim in the big blue pool after hours. They aren't going to kick people out and not allow them to swim after hours. She basically said it would be the same type of set up as Pop, you can swim after hours, just no life guard on duty. Then of course I got the whole pool hopping speech, that guests from either resort will not be able to use the other resorts pools, which of course I already knew.

I just wanted to pass the info along. I was surprised I got a call instead of an email me back. She was very nice and very informative.

That is awesome! Thanks for sharing that information with us! She probably knows that you are on a board like this, and would come share the information!

 

[Marblies]

Thanks StacyMarie! I know that lots of us have been wondering about the pool hours and it is great that you received that info and shared it. I am not a late night pool goer (we rarely make it back to the resort before 1 am), but I do enjoy dipping my tootsies in the early morning while reading, before the DD's are up.

 

[gillenkl]

Just modified my ressie 12/16-12/22 from Fort Wilderness to AOA. Never stayed at a value before and I'm looking forward to it. Admittedly if a discount offer comes out I might change resorts again.

 

[clanmcculloch]

So, I just got a call from Disney Guest Relations. I had sent them an email last week asking about the pool hours at AOA and if the guests at AOA would still be able to swim after the posted pool hours. I was curious because we stay at Pop and I wanted to know if any of the AOA pools would be open after hours for their gutests or if Pop was going to see some late night swimmers venturing over from AOA.

She was very nice. She informed me that even though AOA has posted pool hours, that the guests at AOA will still be able to swim in the big blue pool after hours. They aren't going to kick people out and not allow them to swim after hours. She basically said it would be the same type of set up as Pop, you can swim after hours, just no life guard on duty. Then of course I got the whole pool hopping speech, that guests from either resort will not be able to use the other resorts pools, which of course I already knew.

I just wanted to pass the info along. I was surprised I got a call instead of an email me back. She was very nice and very informative.

Thank you so much! That was one thing I was worrying about. The pool hours was one of the most disappointing parts of our stay at YC. We're early birds and DD11 likes to get up with DH to go for an early morning dip before we get ready to head to the parks in time for RD. At YC/BC, you can't use SAB until 10am when the lifeguards get there which was a major disappointment. Sure there are quiet pools, but it's not the same.

 

[Koz]

Does anyone know if there's a gym @ AoA?

I didn't find mention of it on the website.

(Sticks out chest).

 

[atksn]

Does anyone know if there's a gym @ AoA?

I didn't find mention of it on the website.

(Sticks out chest).

I would doubt it. None of the value resorts have a workout facility. There is a running path though.

(I try to forgive myself a little bit while at Disney, and figure all the walking counts for my workout- after all, it is vacation )

 

[jcarwash]

Does anyone know if there's a gym @ AoA?

I didn't find mention of it on the website.

(Sticks out chest).

There will not be a gym at AoA.

 

[Koz]

Bummer on the no gym thing, but then again, now that I look back to our time spent at WL last October, I don't think I spent any time there at all, given the fact that we were on the go and walking from sun-up to sundown.

 

[AWilliams]

Just found this video on youtube. We're staying in the Cars themed suites in December and this gets me soooooooo excited. There will be A LOT of pictures taken of all the courtyards!!!!

It won't let me post a link because I have not posted enough, but you can go to youtube and search "Cars wing of Disney's Art of Animation Resort"

Here is that link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8ErEnaRDcY

He says that the cones are going to be pool cabanas!!

 

[MicRac]

Thanks for the link. I just showed it to my son now he is excited about next years vacation. He had been wanting to go to CBR and stay in a Pirate room because this year we are staying in a Royal Room at POR. But we had told him no because we wanted to try AoA. Now he is finally joining our side.

 

[rentayenta]

There will not be a gym at AoA.

Bummer. But if none of the Values have them, it makes sense.

 

[AquaDame]

I really hate saying it, but I am a little sad that they hadn't released their updated timeline for LM just a DAY earlier... after much hemming and hawing and what ifing about free dining my husband and I decided to rent DVC points and stay at AKL. 30 minutes after seeing the standard rooms were coming available our nonrefundable confirmation came though after I had been tapping my fingers waiting almost two days to know if we got the room or not. I am pretty excited to be staying our last night off the cruise here though and we would have saved $265 if we had done so fir the six nights prior...

Oh well, now it will be easier to get him to come back next holiday season since we can stay at the 'cheap resort' right?

November can't come quickly enough!