Disney's Art of Animation Resort hotel

[dontthrowsand]

Very excited to be going. We are at about 44 days until our plane takes off so I am getting very excited

 

[PrincessSuzanne]

Interesting! The last time we traveled with the kids we were at CR and loved walking back after Wishes. The POP trip was moms only and we waited a good 20 minutes in the park before going out to the bus stop and the bus line for POP was 5-6 times longer than any other resort. While they did dispatch buses out quickly, we still had to wait another 30 minutes to get on a bus. Iwasn't a big deal for us but I could imagine having to do that with a 3 year old!

Yeah, CR is the only resort I haven't seen a line for, since you can walk back. There is a boat for FW and WL. It can happen for any resort, it's not just the Value resorts. It really also depends on the time of year you go, too.

 

[queenmichelle]

I have to agree about busing, even 20 or more minutes after park close the lines are horrendous. The worst I ever experienced, however were for deluxe resorts. At least buses come quickly for Pop, I don't find that to be true for any deluxe resort. The line maybe shorter but you still have to wait just as long since they run far fewer buses.

 

[dwheatl]

Just FYI:
In the DIS podcast several weeks ago, Julie and Corey did a review of staying in the suite. Julie mentioned that the standard bed rails they supply DO NOT FIT the murphy bed or the sofa-foldout bed. Only fit the queen bed, but who's going to put the little kids on the only real bed? That was one thing they had to knock AoA about, apparently no one bothered to check that before the resort opened. She hoped that they would figure out an alternative.

Julie did say that the sofa cusions around the pull-out bed did work fine, as their little one did roll out.

Another poster I read later said the smaller bed rails they brought from home did fit the kid beds, so perhaps AoA might get a new supply.

Hope this helps!

When our kids were little , we used to pull the mattress off of sofa beds and put it on the floor. Don't know it that's possible at AofA, but it keeps them from falling far, and for bigger kids or adults, avoids the bar in the back problem.
Two weeks for us, and family drama has hit the fan. DS's girlfriend just told us she can't go. He's trying to find a friend to take her place. Hope that works out.

 

[sixkristy6]

When our kids were little , we used to pull the mattress off of sofa beds and put it on the floor. Don't know it that's possible at AofA, but it keeps them from falling far, and for bigger kids or adults, avoids the bar in the back problem.
Two weeks for us, and family drama has hit the fan. DS's girlfriend just told us she can't go. He's trying to find a friend to take her place. Hope that works out.

Good idea on the mattress! It actually seems better than a bed rail for us! I hope the drama subsides quickly!

 

[dwheatl]

Kristy, I just realized you are in the LM room, so I don't know if you can get the mattress off the bed. I hope they have bed rails for you. For others in the suites, though, I hope the mattress trick helps.
We thought DS and his GF had broken up, but they haven't. That immediately reduces the drama. Thanks for your good wishes.

 

[autryrw]

We are booked for 10/29-11/3/12 for a surprise trip for our son's 9th birthday!! I hope I can keep my mouth shut I just might burst before October

We are taking our 9 yr old for the first time Oct 31 - Nov 6 staying in LM room; we may bump into one another while we are there.

 

[sixkristy6]

Kristy, I just realized you are in the LM room, so I don't know if you can get the mattress off the bed. I hope they have bed rails for you. For others in the suites, though, I hope the mattress trick helps.
We thought DS and his GF had broken up, but they haven't. That immediately reduces the drama. Thanks for your good wishes.

I think if we put extra pillows on the bed DD will be fine (on either side). She will likely be so tired anyway that she will pass right out (and not toss and turn which is what usually leads to her being all over the bed).

 

[Mommy2Jameson]

I think they booked so many under PIN codes that many of the nights included are already sold out, so no need for FD on this promotion. That said though, if people booked AoA in anticiption of a fall FD offer (not under a PIN code) and change now to another resort, they could add some rooms into the promotion inventory. Stay tuned.

We are going on free dining the first week of November in a Little Mermaid room on a FD pin that we received in the mail! So I agree that the LM rooms could already be full with FD pins! I got my pin and booked the next day! I figured it would fill fast!!

 

[noahdove]

I have 30 days left and I was just thinking, the area for little kids, the water sprouts that shoot water? Well, are there chairs around there and also chairs around the playground area? I know my DGD will want to spend time there and I will have my book so I will need to sit..Thank you. I got our documents and all travel info yesterday in the mail Yahooooo I can't wait

 

[MeMom]

I have 30 days left and I was just thinking, the area for little kids, the water sprouts that shoot water? Well, are there chairs around there and also chairs around the playground area? I know my DGD will want to spend time there and I will have my book so I will need to sit.

This picture may help you.

You can sort of see the tables and chairs there.



There were not chairs or benches around this.

 

[Marblies]

We will be at AOA Oct 31 2012 thru Nov 6 2012. I was wondering if any room or need to decorate as holiday will come and go on our 1st day there.

Replying to : We have decorated the window the past 4 or 5 trips. I was thinking that it may not be good because it is so new. Not sure what to do.

Here is my window from 2010 at POP

As you know, there are many more undecorated windows/doors than decorated. You don't "need" to do it. We do, because it is fun. As for staying in a new resort, I don't think that is a problem at all. You should never use adhesives that will leave residue anyway. I use magnets on the doors and a combination of suction cups and low-temp hot glue on the windows. (Yes, it completely peels off easily.)

However, if you are looking for a reason not to decorate this year , then don't and enjoy your vacay however YOU want, without feeling obligated!

 

[noahdove]

Thanks MeMom..I guess until I asked, I didn't see them..Maybe me feel better

 

[kikiw]

Im not going until the end of January (booked in a LM room) I can't wait till it opens so we get to hear some updates about how awesome it all is.

 

[autryrw]

I really wanted to decorate for my 9 yr old but think by the time we land (on 10/31), get to hotel, eat, and change clothes for MNSSHP we will be ready to head. It is his first trip ever (6 mo doesn't count, right) and our first staying on property. So much to see and do.

 

[OliviasMommy10]

Hi Everyone! I was just reading through some of this thread and thought I should say hi! We're staying at the AoA Nov1-9.Just booked out trip as a last minute thing last week (couldn't pass up the free dining pin) and I'm so excited. This will be our first time staying anywhere other than the Poly at DW.

A couple questions (I haven't made it all the way through the thread yet so I applogize if it's already been discussed) - can we walk to any parks from the AoA? And how long is the travel time (guesstimate) from the AoA to MK? My kids will be 4 & 2 so I'm just trying to plan accordingly since we're used to the monorail. Thanks!

 

[lexsar]

Great pictures, MeMom. Thanks for posting them! My family and I are going to WDW in September and we plan on dropping by and checking out the Art of Animation. It looks so cool!

 

[jcarwash]

A couple questions (I haven't made it all the way through the thread yet so I applogize if it's already been discussed) - can we walk to any parks from the AoA? And how long is the travel time (guesstimate) from the AoA to MK? My kids will be 4 & 2 so I'm just trying to plan accordingly since we're used to the monorail. Thanks!

No, you can't walk to any parks (or really anywhere else) from AoA. You can walk to Pop Century of course since they are side-by-side.

I'd say it takes about 15-20 minutes to get to MK from either AoA or Pop Century, once you get onto the bus. Return trip seems to take longer as they usually take a different route back -- at least that's what I typically experience from MK to Pop Century.

 

[autryrw]

You're Welcome. I'm looking everyday for new stuff. I also loved the paintbrush pen.

Hi, where are you looking everyday for new stuff? I am taking my son on 10/31 and concerned halloween items will be gone by then. I'd like to be able to purchase items before we go. I am purchasing some items from E-bay (Star Wars 2012 for example) and will give to him throughout Oct to get him psyched for the trip.

 

[Highway in the Sky]

I am becoming more and more impatient!!! I can't wait to see new images and photos of LK & LM. Will the entire resort be fully completed by September 15th....as in, no more major noticeable work to be done at all?