Disney's ART OF ANIMATION RESORT Thread

[bluezy]

So looking at the map, should I not request lake view (Nemo building) since the lake is at the other end of the buildings and we want to be near the food court and pool? Also, is noise level higher being on the ground floor vs. higher floors?

I would just request "close to main building/bus stops" (or whatever the actual option is on the online check-in). The reality is that all of the Nemo rooms are going to be a quick walk to the main building and the Nemo pool. And regardless of where your room is and where you're going, you'll be able to do the majority of the walking inside the building if you want to if you're in a Nemo building. I would imagine that the rooms on the first floor (as well as any room facing the pool) are probably a little noisier than the rooms on the upper floors facing away from the pool. The first floor of any of the buildings will have a lot of "walk through" traffic --especially the rooms located between the elevators and the Main Building. We were on the 4th floor (Lion King) and we had very little noise. In fact, I think there was only one other room on our wing that was occupied by guests. The room next door to us seemed to be a cast member "hang out" -- we saw them coming and going all throughout the day but by early evening the that traffic stopped.

 

[bluezy]

How long does it take to get back and forth to mk (door to door). Trying to see if we have time for a mid day break.

While the actual drive time once you're on the bus is about 20-25 minutes, you have to allow that there won't necessarily be a bus waiting for you when you want to leave. We always assume that it will take us an hour from the time we walk out of our room or the time we walk under the train station to make the trip (it's usually closer to about a 40 minute time frame, but we prefer to over-estimate). We usually plan to be away from the park for at least 3.5 hours when taking a break at MK and returning to AoA. That allows for bus waiting time, travel time, and at least an hour and a half to take a nap or swim at the resort. To us, it's not worth the effort if we can't spare close to 4 hours away from the park. If we don't have that much time to take a break, we'll just take a break in the park by either riding the train loop a few times or riding the monorail for a little while.

 

[BellaBaby]

I would just request "close to main building/bus stops" (or whatever the actual option is on the online check-in). The reality is that all of the Nemo rooms are going to be a quick walk to the main building and the Nemo pool. And regardless of where your room is and where you're going, you'll be able to do the majority of the walking inside the building if you want to if you're in a Nemo building. I would imagine that the rooms on the first floor (as well as any room facing the pool) are probably a little noisier than the rooms on the upper floors facing away from the pool. The first floor of any of the buildings will have a lot of "walk through" traffic --especially the rooms located between the elevators and the Main Building. We were on the 4th floor (Lion King) and we had very little noise. In fact, I think there was only one other room on our wing that was occupied by guests. The room next door to us seemed to be a cast member "hang out" -- we saw them coming and going all throughout the day but by early evening the that traffic stopped.

Thanks! It just has an option to be near bus stop so I guess I will pick that to be near main building? We have a car.

 

[Brandiwlf]

Thanks, the monorail ride is a good idea if we don't have time! I'm more worried about getting out of the heat in late May!

 

[bluezy]

Thanks, the monorail ride is a good idea if we don't have time! I'm mite worried about getting out if the heat in late May!

I know what you mean -- we typically travel to Disney in June. On days that we don't plan to take a break in the afternoon, we try to schedule the indoor shows for the afternoon hours just to stay out of the heat as much as possible. You can also just head over to one of the monorail resorts for a snack/drink or just to hang out in the lobby for awhile.

 

[bluezy]

Thanks! It just has an option to be near bus stop so I guess I will pick that to be near main building? We have a car.

Yes, the bus stops are in front of the main building so requesting to be near bus stop will hopefully keep you in the front half of the Nemo buildings....though you'll still have to walk a little bit to get to the parking lot for your car as none of the parking lots are adjacent to the Nemo buildings.

 

[tjmw2727]

First time at AOA - booked Lion King suite for August and I am finding this thread so helpful!
I can't see a good picture of the door between the master and the living area- is it a real door?
We have a snorer in the family and closing the door would make everyone happy
Thanks!

 

[pens4821]

So looking at the map, should I not request lake view (Nemo building) since the lake is at the other end of the buildings and we want to be near the food court and pool? Also, is noise level higher being on the ground floor vs. higher floors?

We requested upper floor lake view Nemo. We were in building 5, 4th floor 2 rooms from the elevator. Took us maybe 5 mintues to get to Landscape/buses. Can't speak of noise because we weren't low, but we rarely heard noise from people getting on/off the elevator (although did here and there, but nothing major).

 

[Sunlover317]

First time at AOA - booked Lion King suite for August and I am finding this thread so helpful!
I can't see a good picture of the door between the master and the living area- is it a real door?
We have a snorer in the family and closing the door would make everyone happy
Thanks![/QUOT

Yes, there are real doors on the Master Bedroom entrance.

 

[jeanylaser]

It's Cars Wing close to the Animation Hall At AOA! And can we use our passes to open the door or use magicbands for that?

 

[SparklyGiraffe]

I am so excited to stay at AOA!!! This is our first trip to Disney we've got 4 kids (ages 10-3) and my IL's are also going with us. We have two Nemo suites and that next morning after arriving we have reservations at Chef Mickey's at 7:20am. Do you think with the buses starting up at 6:30 we'll make it on time? We won't have a car so that is not an option.
I can't wait to see my kids faces when they see everything!!!!!!!

 

[dansdad]

It's Cars Wing close to the Animation Hall At AOA!

As you can see from the map in post #1, half of the Cars buildings 1 and 2 are extremely close to Animation Hall. The other halves and building 3 are definitely still pretty close.

And can we use our passes to open the door or use magicbands for that?

Your Magic Bands will open the door. Not sure what you mean by passes?

 

[lovingeire]

I am so excited to stay at AOA!!! This is our first trip to Disney we've got 4 kids (ages 10-3) and my IL's are also going with us. We have two Nemo suites and that next morning after arriving we have reservations at Chef Mickey's at 7:20am. Do you think with the buses starting up at 6:30 we'll make it on time? We won't have a car so that is not an option.
I can't wait to see my kids faces when they see everything!!!!!!!

You should be fine as long as you're at the busses in time for that first early bus. Stop by concierge the day before and let them know you have a 7:20am reservation and ask them what time the first bus will be running to MK for early ADRs. It only takes 5 minutes to walk from MK to the Contemporary for CM.

 

[NedsTJ]

Hi all! We're returning to AoA and adding 3 nights before our already scheduled (and booked!) week coming up in October. Our 4yo daughter really want to "stay in a Disney room" this time, lol! And by that she means "you know, the Ariel rooms." She watched the disunplugged video review of AoA with us and got herself psyched that she can stay in a Mermaid room. Anyway, I just tried to book 3 nights and they're coming up as unavailable? My question is, (and why I'm asking here is I figure you guys know best about the AoA rooms and such), is this typical for the Mermaid rooms and should we keep trying or just go ahead and book a Nemo or Cars suite? I wouldn't have expected they'd sell out 7 months out (am I missing a discount or something?? LOL!).

 

[kwdw]

I couldn't book a Mermaid room about 7 months out recently, either. I was looking in Nov. for April and couldn't get the dates I wanted. I think they must be popular. We went with a suite instead since we really wanted to have the little one experience the theming at that resort.

 

[TVmom]

Such great info here! We are staying at AoA (Cars suite) in June. We plan on eating breakfast in the room, cereal, oatmeal and such. Are there enough paper bowls/plates/cups in the room for 6? should I bring extras?

 

[BellaBaby]

Hi all! We're returning to AoA and adding 3 nights before our already scheduled (and booked!) week coming up in October. Our 4yo daughter really want to "stay in a Disney room" this time, lol! And by that she means "you know, the Ariel rooms." She watched the disunplugged video review of AoA with us and got herself psyched that she can stay in a Mermaid room. Anyway, I just tried to book 3 nights and they're coming up as unavailable? My question is, (and why I'm asking here is I figure you guys know best about the AoA rooms and such), is this typical for the Mermaid rooms and should we keep trying or just go ahead and book a Nemo or Cars suite? I wouldn't have expected they'd sell out 7 months out (am I missing a discount or something?? LOL!).

Not sure why they are not available at the moment…but just wanted to mention my DSIL and her DH stayed in a LM room last Aug. They booked on one of the "other" travel websites and got a great deal. Not sure if you're interested in that but they didn't have any trouble with their magic bands/tix and had a great time!!

 

[Mommyof2Boos]

Can anyone list which character is in front of which building at AoA? I probably missed in in the thread.

 

[bluezy]

Hi all! We're returning to AoA and adding 3 nights before our already scheduled (and booked!) week coming up in October. Our 4yo daughter really want to "stay in a Disney room" this time, lol! And by that she means "you know, the Ariel rooms." She watched the disunplugged video review of AoA with us and got herself psyched that she can stay in a Mermaid room. Anyway, I just tried to book 3 nights and they're coming up as unavailable? My question is, (and why I'm asking here is I figure you guys know best about the AoA rooms and such), is this typical for the Mermaid rooms and should we keep trying or just go ahead and book a Nemo or Cars suite? I wouldn't have expected they'd sell out 7 months out (am I missing a discount or something?? LOL!).

The Little Mermaid rooms tend to book 9+ months out. Keep checking, though, because something could open up. Those rooms are not usually included in any discounts or promotions so once those things are announced for your dates, you may see rooms open up since some people will switch to a different resort to get the deals.

 

[bluezy]

Such great info here! We are staying at AoA (Cars suite) in June. We plan on eating breakfast in the room, cereal, oatmeal and such. Are there enough paper bowls/plates/cups in the room for 6? should I bring extras?

We drive so I always bring paper products with us, but we didn't really need them in our LK suite. I did ask Mousekeeping to leave extra plates, bowls, and cups every day (basically 2 per person so we had enough for breakfast as well as late night snacking) and they always left a nice supply.