Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel

[mom2rtk]

You guys should have gone back last year. It was....... amazing, especially after our experiece in 2010.

 

[si-am]

Last year during Christmas was gorgeous-- absolutely perfect! Temps in the low 80s every day. Mild at night but not cool enough for a jacket most of the time.

I have been in Decembers past where the weather was freezing, literally. And being freezing at Disney is the most uncomfortable thing ever, like especially waiting for rope drop or for a parade. Plus it's kind of a wet cold. What I think people don't realize is that, when it's cold at home, you don't necessarily spend a lot of time outside. But at Disney, you kind of have to. Brrrrrrr!

 

[mullysisters]

If I wear my long underwear it will guarantee nice warm weather.
No winter coat for me, I plan on layering and will buy a sweatshirt (John Carter if possible!)
Still, I hope I can swim just a little, just once maybe? I think that beautiful pool will be hard to bear without one little dip.
Last time I was at WDW June 2010, it went above 100F while I was at Epcot.

 

[mom2rtk]

If I wear my long underwear it will guarantee nice warm weather.
No winter coat for me, I plan on layering and will buy a sweatshirt (John Carter if possible!)
Still, I hope I can swim just a little, just once maybe? I think that beautiful pool will be hard to bear without one little dip.
Last time I was at WDW June 2010, it went above 100F while I was at Epcot.

I thought when I bought all those chemical handwarmers in 08 and didn't need them that I had jinxed myself into good weather. So I did the same thing in 2010...... and ended up needing them after all.

I did bring my winter coat in 2010....... but I just couldn't bring myself to wear it. It was just too sad. And we actually stayed from pre-ropedrop to about 11 PM for the party. We opted to layer our clothes (I think I had about 5 layers of clothes on starting with thermals). The outer layer was just a fleece jacket. I let my daughter use the blanket we bought.

I will say one thing...... it certainly thinned the ranks. One of the least busy MVMCPs we've ever been to! And that night I thought would be so busy for the MSEP? No trouble at all finding a curbside spot!

My daughter chose to swim several times that week in spite of the bitter cold. The water was heated to 83 degrees and steam was rising off the surface. Thankfully our room was poolside or we never would have done it. Even then it was a brutal run back to the room!

 

[pigletto]

We're so used to going in August where you just absolutely melt in the heat. It's actually kind of nice to think of wearing sweatshirts and pants in the parks. I don't need it to get down to freezing temps, but I could live with much cooler weather.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'll still take too cold over too hot at Disney. Walking down Main Street in a sweatshirt...... is pure heaven.

 

[mickeye]

It varies year to year, of course, but I think the chilliest times are typically in the evenings and early morning. I think as long as you bring at least one pair of long pants you may wear more than once, and a sweater or long sleeve shirt to bring with you to the parks if you get cold, you'll be fine. And you should DEFINITELY have some decent pool weather!

We have been in November and it was really warm during the day - plenty warm enough to swim. It was slightly colder at night. We packed for all seasons because we did not know what to expect.

Thanks for the pool encouragement. That's something that I'm really looking forward to. I'll certainly take a pair of long pants; I'll probably wear a pair, as it should be cold where I'm coming from. I'll also wear a sweatshirt; it's not enough for where I live, but it will be enough to get me down there. If needed, I can always buy another down there (We love to shop! LOL).

There really is no way to know what sort of weather you will have. It's best to plan for the worst and hope for the best. Bring layers of clothes as some days you'll be hot during the day but cool in the evenings.I recommend watching the forecast leading up until your trip and adjust at the last minute. In 2010 I ended up adding coats, gloves and hats at the last minute and we did need them.
My completed Dec 2010 trip report is linked in my signature. I'm almost done with Dec 2011 an it's linked there too.

Thanks, I'll be anxious to read your reports!

"winter" in FL is so unpredictable! In Jan 2008 we were *so* hot on our trip! It never dipped below 80* for the high and we had packed for 50-60* weather. December 2011 it was chilly with warm afternoons. We'd be cold in the am/pm and hot in the midday. We used layers a lot! Here's the plan for our Dec 2012 trip.
We are doing matching t-shirts for each day. I'll also bring 3 l/s shirts per person to layer with the t's if we have cold days. Hoodies for everyone for the nights/early mornings. My mom and I will be fine in capris the whole time - whether the high is 60* or 80* - so we plan on capris daily. I'm doing capris for Ava with 1-2 pairs of pants and 1-2 pairs of shorts to pack for extremes. Planning on bringing a ton of solid pants and shorts for Levi so that we can just pick what goes with the weather each day. Bathingsuits for sure as well as jackets/hoodies!

I'm making all of us matching t shirts, too. Capris are a good option, but I can't wear them. When you're shaped like a panda bear, you don't look good in capris (although I've just lost nearly 10 pounds just from going for a walk every day ). Yes, we'll all have hoodies.

Thanks everyone for all of your good advice!

 

[MistressMerryweather]

um, no... there is only minute maid LITE... yuck.

My thoughts, exactly. Blech! Blech! Blech!
...and they always offer it to my kids whenever we are at a table service, which stinks, because my kids are like, "OH! I'll have lemonade!". I have to say, "no thanks, guys. Pick something else." Wish they would have more natural choices in the table service restaurants.
I like the restaurants that serve alcohol, because they have pineapple juice, etc.
It really stinks that my kids can't drink anything from the quick service drink station. I don't want them drinking soda, or caffeinated tea, or powerade...bummer.

PURE FILTERED WATER, LEMON JUICE FROM CONCENTRATE, LESS THAN 0.5% OF EACH: NATURAL FLAVORS, CITRIC ACID (PROVIDES TARTNESS), POTASSIUM CITRATE (REGULATES TARTNESS), MODIFIED CORNSTARCH, GLYCEROL ESTER OF WOOD ROSIN, SODIUM HEXAMETAPHOSPHATE AND SODIUM BENZOATE AND POTASSIUM SORBATE AND CALCIUM DISODIUM EDTA (TO PROTECT TASTE), ASPARTAME, ACESULFAME POTASSIUM, SUCRALOSE, YELLOW #5.

Okay, I'm done now. LOL

 

[mullysisters]

"GLYCEROL ESTER OF WOOD ROSIN,"

I think this is used to ward off vampires.

 

[disneynutsss]

Can you tell me if the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort family suites refrigerator has a freezer to?

yes, a small freezer - there is a pic somewhere on this thread.

I am wondering the same thing. I don't want to do laundry when I am there but it would be nice to know. I thought I read somewhere that there are laundry facilities spread throughout the resort.

yes, on the map there are icons for laundry near each pool

 

[noahdove]

mistressmaryweather, take along crystal light packets for water bottles, that way you can get whatever your children will drink and what you approve of

 

[jcarwash]

Can you tell me if the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort family suites refrigerator has a freezer to?

Here is a picture of the mini fridge with the freezer section at the top. This is from the full kitchenette report by the Disney Food Blog.

I know this is a silly question, but does anyone know which Cars building is which for entrance themes? Looks to me like one is Mater, one is Guido/Luigi, and one is the Wheel Well Motel?

We're big Guido fans so I'd love to request that building, but I don't know which number it is.

Cars section building numbers:
1 - Tow Mater Towing and Salvage
2 - Wheel Well Motel
3 - Luigi's House of Tires

 

[Tigger's ally]

We just booked a December trip and I imagine it will come down to the week of before I know what to pack. I know my neighbours went just after New Year this year and had to buy new winter coats at the store in the Norway pavilion.
I hope to not have to pack my winter coat. It's a big puffy down filled one since I live in Canada. Not excited about dragging that with me.
Our February 11 trip was 75 or 80 every day. It was so nice!

We took a winter trip a few years ago and I read a tip about shipping your winter coats by fed ex. I went to my local quick ship, bought two boxes , one slightly bigger than the other. Had them do the paperwork there for both, packed the coats in the little one, put it into the big one and shipped them to WL four days before we went. The box was there waiting for us when we arrived, only my wife used hers one time and then we used the smaller box to send them home. Seem to remember that it cost me $32.00 to ship both ways. Was great not having to pack them and my wife actually packed some tee shirts with them for the ship home as we needed our luggage for all the stuff we bought. Was nice knowing we were covered if it got cold.

 

[Marblies]

Has anyone received AoA themed Mickey Mail? I just realized that we probably won't, because we switched from POP and have already gotten the packet with resort info some time ago. Also, what do the luggage tags look like this year? I do love Mickey Mail!

 

[mullysisters]

Crystal Light contains aspartame and acesulfame potassium and has no nutritional value beyond added Vitamin C.
This is not a drink for growing children.
A child can get a days supply of Vitamin C from eating an orange.
We drink real fruit juice mixed 50:50 with water and add ice.
Just an FYI

 

[AmyKat]

Crystal light also functions as a diuretic which can definitely lead to dehydration, especially in a hot climate like disney world.

 

[Marblies]

saw that one coming! With real sugar packets and lemons from the food court, you could make fresh lemonade. Not sure if the lemons are organic though, and if you don't purchase a meal or drink, it could be considered stealing. Hmm. Not sounding like a vacation to me.

 

[sixkristy6]

Does anyone know if the creamer they have for the coffee (where you go for refillable drinks) is in little containers (like the ones you get in a restaurant)? I am just wondering in case we want to bring it to our room.

 

[JessiLynn015]

I'll still take too cold over too hot at Disney. Walking down Main Street in a sweatshirt...... is pure heaven.

I agree 100%. DH & I went last Veterans weekend (November) & we both wore jeans & sweaters. I was even able to wear my cute boots! I don't think I wore shorts at all that trip. I know there was one day we did jeans & a t-shirt. It was definitely a nice change

 

[DisneyGuess]

I'll still take too cold over too hot at Disney. Walking down Main Street in a sweatshirt...... is pure heaven.

Totally agree! 2010...really cold, still better than the hot, hot heat of summer! But last year was perfect! I'm hoping so similiar weather this December! Fingers crossed!!!