Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel

[HonnyDipp]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed. I saw this on my Facebook Wall last night from Disney World Secrets:

"Art of Animation resort has recently opened opposite Pop Century. While it is greatly themed, many reviewers mention the constant lack of Wi-Fi and Cellular service. This is not a confirmed issue. Just a friendly tip for those planning. "

Can anyone confirm this?

 

[disneyfav4ever]

I wasn't even able to add on a day to my trip due to no more availability at AoA. But that's with FD. I was able to get a room-only rate for the night I wanted. So rooms are available, maybe just not for FD.

 

[crazy4wdw]

does anyone know what the dates were for the 15% off with disney visa someone mentioned a few pages back? thanks!

Here you go!

Art of Animation Summer Savings Offer
Disney's Visa Cardholders can save 15% off rack rates at Disney's new Art of Animation Resort for stays most nights 6/18/12-9/29/12.

Finding Nemo Family Suites open 5/31/12

Cars Family Suites open 6/18/12

The Lion King Family Suites open 8/10/12

The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms open 9/15/12

Note that rates are higher on September 28-29 than the other dates in this range.

Book by 6/14/12. Deposit must be made at the time of booking with your Disney's Visa Credit Card or Disney Rewards Redemption Card. Some dates may not be included in this offer. A limited number of discounted rooms are available. Minimum stay requirements may apply for Friday or Saturday arrivals.

 

[lovethattink]

Thank you lovethattink for that great report!! Sounds like the food there are very yummy!! I can't wait to stay there or at least check out the resort! Will sure do a lunch or dinner there!

It's definately worth checking out even if you aren't staying there! The pictures just don't do it justice.

Did you happen to notice if they had non seasoned fries ? With Ds and DD allergies the food here is making me a nerves wreck.Thanks for the report.

I didn't take notice, in fact, I didn't know the fries were going to be seasoned. Our family member with food allergies was not with us, so I was able to relax and enjoy without worry!

I would suggest shooting off an email to the appropriate people at special diets or calling prior to your trip if you are less than 14 days out. They would be able to explain to you ahead of time what can and cannot be done to accomodate the food allergies. We have found Disney to be excellent in helping us with my son's food allergies over the years.

You probably have already checked out this thread, but in case you haven't here is the thread on the disabilities board about food allergy updates http://disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2841958

Here is the info for contacting special diets. specialdiets@disney.com

 

[Mommyofthreewchicks]

Please share your experience with us when you get back!! I would like to hear about your stay at AoA! Please share some pictures too! Have a wonderful time!! I'm sure you will enjoy your stay there because it looks spectacular!!

I will! I have been showing the kids some of the pics and they are so excited! I am trying to remember what to expect but I think it has just been so long (15 years) since I have been to WDW that it just may feel like a first time!

 

[lovethattink]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed. I saw this on my Facebook Wall last night from Disney World Secrets:

"Art of Animation resort has recently opened opposite Pop Century. While it is greatly themed, many reviewers mention the constant lack of Wi-Fi and Cellular service. This is not a confirmed issue. Just a friendly tip for those planning. "

Can anyone confirm this?

I have Sprint. I had no trouble connecting to their Wifi in the food court, but once we walked around the resort I lost it completely and my Sprint data didn't work for anything online.

 

[tink15823]

Just booked the first leg of my trip w/SW. I have been holding out to see if they have their Birthday Sale, but when I check the other night my flight said sold out, but came back a few days later at $114. That is a price I can live with so I pulled the trigger.

What day are you all flying out of PIT?

We are flying out on September 28, 2012 at 0605 non-stop.

 

[BellePrincessBelle]

Thanks for that report Lovethattink. Sadly AoA does not seem to be for us.

 

[ollyg]

We are flying out on September 28, 2012 at 0605 non-stop.

That's our flight too

Our trip is a surprise for my DD. I plan on telling her we are going to Melborne to see her cousin for vacation

Can't wait to see the look on her face when we reach the Magical Express area

 

[tiggerthepuppy]

12 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It cant come soon enough!!!!!!!!

 

[HonnyDipp]

I have Sprint. I had no trouble connecting to their Wifi in the food court, but once we walked around the resort I lost it completely and my Sprint data didn't work for anything online.

Thanks for responding! Hopefully it will be fixed by September.

I really enjoyed your report!!!

 

[dontthrowsand]

Totally okay with losing service as long as there is wifi in my room and the food court!

 

[popcenturylover]

I'm gonna sound like such a traitor here and say that after seeing all the AoA pics, I want to change resorts from Pop for our mid-September trip! . I got a REALLY good deal at Pop with the general public FD offer though so I didn't think I'd be able to switch resorts. I've called the number to see if I could possibly transfer to AoA but alas, no such luck was told by 3 different CMs that the LM rooms didn't qualify for this code. As I unfortunately didn't receive the dining PIN, there was nothibg left to do. It looks like it will be Pop for this trip.

Those of you who were able to switch ressies, how'd you do it?? I booked this vacay in March when I couldn't even choose AoA as an option.

Booked in March also but, as soon as the LMR opened up to free dining(in April) I jumped on it and switched from POP to AOA!

 

[lovethattink]

Thanks for that report Lovethattink. Sadly AoA does not seem to be for us.

You're welcome. That is so sad. I hope you will be able to find time to check out the resort though. It truely is the most beautiful of all the values.

Thanks for responding! Hopefully it will be fixed by September.

I really enjoyed your report!!!

Thanks! I have so much trouble with Sprint at WDW, especially in the attractions and resort rooms. Funny thing, it works best while on the monorail.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I have so much trouble with Sprint at WDW, especially in the attractions and resort rooms. Funny thing, it works best while on the monorail.

Oh no!! I have Sprint! ..But there are some areas in the parks where you can get signals right? How was the signal at AoA?

 

[smitch425]

Oh no!! I have Sprint! ..But there are some areas in the parks where you can get signals right? How was the signal at AoA?

As with anywhere, there are some spots that service is crappy. I listened to the entire last quarter of a football game with my Sprint service sitting just off of Main Street on our last trip. You should be fine in the parks most of the time.

 

[Marblies]

Booked in March also but, as soon as the LMR opened up to free dining(in April) I jumped on it and switched from POP to AOA!

Me too! If not for the DIS, I would have missed the chance. You guys rock!

Thanks! I have so much trouble with Sprint at WDW, especially in the attractions and resort rooms. Funny thing, it works best while on the monorail.

I have had very little problem with my Sprint service and I am one of "those people" who check messages and play with it while in ride lines and resting. We'll be the family with 4 phones out at lunch. (Trust me, we get plenty of together time.) Occasionally at POP I had to step outside my room, but that was only one year.

As with anywhere, there are some spots that service is crappy. I listened to the entire last quarter of a football game with my Sprint service sitting just off of Main Street on our last trip. You should be fine in the parks most of the time.

 

[lovethattink]

Oh no!! I have Sprint! ..But there are some areas in the parks where you can get signals right? How was the signal at AoA?

We only went there to eat last night and walk around to check the place out. I had no problems sending or receiving messages, but I could not get on facebook with my phone.

A total dead zone at WDW is inside The Living Seas. Even my dh with an international phone from Sprint has no signal in there. But there is signal in the Coral Reef restaurant.

I go into roaming inside the rooms at CSR, Pop, and POFQ unless I am right at the window. My dh does not.

 

[tink15823]

That's our flight too

Our trip is a surprise for my DD. I plan on telling her we are going to Melborne to see her cousin for vacation

Can't wait to see the look on her face when we reach the Magical Express area

Good to know I will tell Dh . On our 2010 trip he was so excited and asked some kids sitting in our area if they were going to Disney . They were and it was a surprise ! Their mom was fast on her feet and said NO were getting off in Georgia to vist famly . They were to little to understand they were on a non stop flight. When we landed in Fl the mother told the little girl to tell Dh the pilot forgot to stop so they might as well go to Disney.

 

[PolynesianPixie]

Did you happen to notice if they had non seasoned fries ? With Ds and DD allergies the food here is making me a nerves wreck.Thanks for the report.

I spoke with a lady at A of A who was a guest there and a vegan. The chef personally walked her around the food court explaining everything she could have and everything they could modify for her. I can only imagine that they would do at least that for a child with allergies!