Disney's ART OF ANIMATION RESORT Thread

[Lizgistix]

2. Are there any renovations/construction/closures at the resort currently?
3. How is the food court? We've stayed at Pop before and were pleasantly surprised by the variety there.
5. Is the Skyliner wait typically long? We don't go right at opening/closing because my son is autistic and the opening hordes overwhelm him. I'm wondering how the Skyliner is ~an hour+ after the opening rush.

2. I didn't notice any active renovations, but it looked like some of the decorations around the Little Mermaid area were being worked on.
3. Currently, it's about the same as Pop. I had checked the menu over there to see if they had something better than what was at AoA and it seemed to be literally the exact same (except Pop didn't have cupcakes)
5. Not at the time you are suggesting. However, while the line at the Pop/AoA area wasn't bad, especially for the wheelchair/ECV area, it was a 15-25 minute wait when you got to CBR. That could be changing now they are loading more people in a gondola. CBR skyliner station was where I found the longest wait in the mornings.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So with the Skyliner now loading more guests per gondola, any reports on the current bus situation from AoA to DHS and Epcot? Are they still offering regular bus service? Anyone happen to be there now/just back that knows?

 

[Charade67]

Anyone there now and experiencing the new loading of the skyline?

We are leaving WDW today. My husband and daughter had no problem getting onto the skyline from AoA early in the morning, but they had to wait quite a bit at the transfer station.

Last night we stayed at Hollywood studios until they closed. My family took the skyline back while I took the bus. They beat me back to the hotel by about 5 minutes.

So with the Skyliner now loading more guests per gondola, any reports on the current bus situation from AoA to DHS and Epcot? Are they still offering regular bus service? Anyone happen to be there now/just back that knows?

Busses are still running as normal.

 

[DisSmis]

Anyone there now and experiencing the new loading of the skyline?

just got home today and skyline was great, the only time we really waited was at about 7:40 to get to HS and it was less than 10 minute wait at the AoA/Pop stop and quick walk at CMR (I was worried based on reports).

 

[DisSmis]

Just got home and had a great stay. I didn't see the pool at capacity at all and no one was there was checking numbers going in that I could see. Buses back to the hotel from AK were a bit few and far between but otherwise we had good experiences with transportation. The drop off changed their menu yesterday and took off the mini churros so if you had your heart set on those be prepared for disappointment.

 

[Haley R]

Does anyone think they’ll bring the old food court menus back?

 

[WEDWDW]

Does anyone think they’ll bring the old food court menus back?

For sure-the question is when!

I really think(and HOPE) that the return of the College Program(STARTING THIS MONTH!) is going to be a total GAME CHANGER all over Property!

I definitely think they will help get the Food Courts back to FULL SPEED sooner rather than later.

There are so many roles they have historically filled in the Food Courts!

Can't wait until the Food Stations are open again and a cheerful CPer from the University of Texas or Clemson University or University of Delaware,etc.,etc. takes my order!

Exciting times for sure.

 

[Haley R]

For sure-the question is when!

I really think(and HOPE) that the return of the College Program(STARTING THIS MONTH!) is going to be a total GAME CHANGER all over Property!

I definitely think they will help get the Food Courts back to FULL SPEED sooner rather than later.

There are so many roles they have historically filled in the Food Courts!

Can't wait until the Food Stations are open again and a cheerful CPer from the University of Texas or Clemson University or University of Delaware,etc.,etc. takes my order!

Exciting times for sure.

We’ll be there in September for 3 nights and I really hope things change by then. They used to have such great options at their food court

 

[Kanga1]

I know you are encouraged to mobile order at Landscape of Flavors, but can you actually sit and eat inside once you get your food?

 

[Dug720]

I really think(and HOPE) that the return of the College Program(STARTING THIS MONTH!) is going to be a total GAME CHANGER all over Property!

I definitely think they will help get the Food Courts back to FULL SPEED sooner rather than later.

More of the issue with the food courts is supply of food. Some things are a lot harder to get post-pandemic, at least as things ramp back up. And when things do reappear, prices are going to inevitably increase.

 

[Charade67]

I know you are encouraged to mobile order at Landscape of Flavors, but can you actually sit and eat inside once you get your food?

Yes. We loved the convenience of the mobile ordering, but almost always ate in the restaurant.

 

[Kanga1]

Yes. We loved the convenience of the mobile ordering, but almost always ate in the restaurant.

Oh, this is good to hear! Thank you!

 

[CableKC]

If I wanted to get to HS at rope drop in the morning via Skyliner, how long of a wait should I expect?

 

[Ninja]

For those wondering about the fridges having a freezer section, I found video online from WDW News Today & it shows a freezer section in the fridge

Our adult kids (ages 20-30 on various trips) have stayed in the suite with us on several trips. The pull down bed and the sofa bed are close to the size of a normal double/full size bed. The measurements of the pull down bed are 75" x 54" x 8" and the sofa bed is 77" x 53" x 6". While the sofa bed is comfortable (especially for a sofa bed), the pull down bed is more comfortable and is very comparable to many hotel beds. I find the pull down bed to be more comfortable than the queen bed in the bedroom.

I suppose there are a lot of little kids there but I can't say it has ever bothered me....because they're not *my* kids (ours are all between the ages of 16-35 now). The only time I really notice is if we're at the Big Blue Pool -- that pool seems to be overrun with kids. We usually walk over to the LM pool (we usually stay in a LK suite) as that pool is much quieter. We love the whimsical decor at AoA because it keeps us immersed in the Disney magic. Our one son stayed at BWI on our last trip and he said he missed the "fun" of AoA.

Thanks, after staying at POFQ last time (which we absolutely loved because of the size and how quiet it seemed) was unsure about AoA but with our grown up son now I think a suite may be a better choice even it it does seem to be aimed at the younger audience

 

[tjmw2727]

For those wondering about the fridges having a freezer section, I found video online from WDW News Today & it shows a freezer section in the fridge

We were at AOA Nemo section in April and there is no freezer - they are a larger size dorm fridge but no freezer section. I looked it up for another poster while we were there:
It is a Danby Designer
DAR044A4BDD | Danby Designer 4.4 cu. ft. Compact Refrigerator | EN-US

 

[tjmw2727]

Thanks, after staying at POFQ last time (which we absolutely loved because of the size and how quiet it seemed) was unsure about AoA but with our grown up son now I think a suite may be a better choice even it it does seem to be aimed at the younger audience

Honestly - although the theming is over the top at first after a while we don't even notice it. My dd's are also early 20's and we all really love the suites. The 2 bathrooms and sleeping space for everyone as well as the mini kitchen and the extra space overall more than make up for the theming.

Pre covid the food court (IMHO) was one of the best, so many different selections and lots of great grab & go. I hope it comes back to full service as soon as possible.

You can't beat walking to the skyliner with access to two parks - we usually hit Epcot in the evenings and its so quick on the skyliner! We have always had good bus service (even during our April trip with all covid precautions in place.) The pool can be a bit crazy at times but that can be the case with all resorts - and we have always been able to find a table or chairs.

POFQ is also our favorite resort - I am a single mom and when its just myself and one dd or a short trip with all 3 of us that is our resort of choice!

 

[bluezy]

We were at AOA Nemo section in April and there is no freezer - they are a larger size dorm fridge but no freezer section. I looked it up for another poster while we were there:
It is a Danby Designer
DAR044A4BDD | Danby Designer 4.4 cu. ft. Compact Refrigerator | EN-US

I think it's a total luck-of-the-draw thing as to whether the fridge in any given suite will have a freezer section. Twice we've had one, twice we didn't. Our fridge in a Nemo suite didn't have one; one of our suites in LK didn't have one; 2 suites in LK did have one. A friend who was in a Nemo suite last February *did* have one. There's no rhyme or reason. I definitely don't count on there being one.

 

[tjmw2727]

I think it's a total luck-of-the-draw thing as to whether the fridge in any given suite will have a freezer section. Twice we've had one, twice we didn't. Our fridge in a Nemo suite didn't have one; one of our suites in LK didn't have one; 2 suites in LK did have one. A friend who was in a Nemo suite last February *did* have one. There's no rhyme or reason. I definitely don't count on there being one.

True - agree 100% don't count on one and then you may be pleasantly surprised.

We actually we had two different fridges in our nemo room (mid April 2021) as one had to be replaced and neither had a freezer. The CM said the new one he brought was being phased in at the suites there so I took note of the model for another poster.

 

[leannak]

What is there to do at AoA on a rainy afternoon?

 

[CableKC]

If I wanted to get to HS at rope drop in the morning via Skyliner, how long of a wait should I expect?

<< BUMP >>

If I wanted to get to HS at rope drop in the morning via Skyliner, how long of a wait should I expect when getting into line at Skyliner itself at AoA?

I'm trying to figure out what time that I should plan to leave the room, wait in line at Skyliner and then get to HS itself for Rope Drop ( hopefully arriving around 8:30am ).