Disney's ART OF ANIMATION RESORT Thread

[magictam2]

It's early Sunday morning and all i'm doing is playing on MDE and this site. We're under the 40 day mark and I so can't wait. It's already started getting cold here (at least no snow yet).

I think I have everything but of course there are a few hiccups.
Made the FP+s but my sister is who lives in Florida hasn't purchased her park tickets yet, so I don't know how the FP+s will work out when her family's w/us.

ADRs are made, but again, with hiccups. When my youngest DD decided to come I had to change all the ADRS for 1 more. As many CMs have told me going to an odd number is difficult.I have a BOG for 6 but need 7 and was finaly able to score a CP for breakfast for 4 but of course I need 5. Have the perfect 1900 Park Ave dinner reservation for a day we are NOT at Disney and now they want to spend that day at Universal AKA Harry Potter land. So I have to let that go, but can't seem to make myself do it yet.

This year I even went so far as to order matching shirts, not just for 1 day but for 3 days. I am driving the family crazy and have great fun doing it. How's everyone else's plans coming?

 

[lordofanime]

Ok, I have to ask, how is Fast Pass + different from the regular ones?

 

[Itinkso]

Ok, I have to ask, how is Fast Pass + different from the regular ones?

You will be able to choose three Fastpass + Attractions for every day of your visit well before you arrive for your vacation.

The Theme Parks board is loaded with MagicBand and Fastpass + threads if you'd like to read more.

 

[magictam2]

Ok, I have to ask, how is Fast Pass + different from the regular ones?

If you have an account on the Disney on Line site and have a reservation scheduled like the dining reservations, w/in 60 days out (I think) you can make fast pass selections for rides and special events. I think the jury is still out on whether or not this is a good think. I'm mean really? Needing to know which park you going to be in on which day at the right time so you can utilize a fast pass you picked 2 months before you left?

We'll see.

 

[Itinkso]

If you have an account on the Disney on Line site and have a reservation scheduled like the dining reservations, w/in 60 days out (I think) you can make fast pass selections for rides and special events. I think the jury is still out on whether or not this is a good think. I'm mean really? Needing to know which park you going to be in on which day at the right time so you can utilize a fast pass you picked 2 months before you left? We'll see.

The only downside if you choose not to use Fastpass+ is there may not be any regular Fastpasses in the parks. You do need tickets attached to your reservation and you use the My Disney Experience app to link all your tickets, plans and Fastpasses.

 

[dreamseeker9]

Hi all - I stayed at AoA in a Finding Nemo Suite, Building 5, last November. I'm finally getting around to writing my Trip Report, you can find the start of it here.

I'm going to post AoA photos and my review of the resort today.

Enjoy! We had an amazing time at AoA!

 

[Mr.Disney]

Thanks for all the great info!! We are thinking of staying at the AoA on our next trip.

 

[Itinkso]

Great thread!

DD and I will be in a Little Mermaid room February 19 - 21 for the Royal Family 5k. We are taking advantage of the shuttle service to the run and are excited to stay at AoA!!

 

[KanataDad]

It's early Sunday morning and all i'm doing is playing on MDE and this site. We're under the 40 day mark and I so can't wait. It's already started getting cold here (at least no snow yet).

I think I have everything but of course there are a few hiccups.
Made the FP+s but my sister is who lives in Florida hasn't purchased her park tickets yet, so I don't know how the FP+s will work out when her family's w/us.

ADRs are made, but again, with hiccups. When my youngest DD decided to come I had to change all the ADRS for 1 more. As many CMs have told me going to an odd number is difficult.I have a BOG for 6 but need 7 and was finaly able to score a CP for breakfast for 4 but of course I need 5. Have the perfect 1900 Park Ave dinner reservation for a day we are NOT at Disney and now they want to spend that day at Universal AKA Harry Potter land. So I have to let that go, but can't seem to make myself do it yet.

This year I even went so far as to order matching shirts, not just for 1 day but for 3 days. I am driving the family crazy and have great fun doing it. How's everyone else's plans coming?

3 different matching shirts? Are these from disney store? We only found 1 type (the grey one with faded Mickey) for the when family. Please post details of where you got the shirts from. Thanks.

 

[nardoneje]

3 different matching shirts? Are these from disney store? We only found 1 type (the grey one with faded Mickey) for the when family. Please post details of where you got the shirts from. Thanks.

If you go to www.etsy.com that is where most people get their matching shirts. LOTS of people make all kinds of them, just search 'custom disney shirt' or something to that effect. I just ordered 4 different sets for our trip. Also, they have custom lanyards, luggage tags, pretty much anything you can think of.

 

[magictam2]

3 different matching shirts? Are these from disney store? We only found 1 type (the grey one with faded Mickey) for the when family. Please post details of where you got the shirts from. Thanks.

Yep I got mine from Etsy too and from a facebook. Here's links
Pirates-His & Hers
https://www.etsy.com/au/shop/MouseKouture1

Santa Hats-His & Hers
https://www.etsy.com/au/listing/155408777/santa-hat-mickey-and-minnie-disney?ref=shop_home_active

This FaceBook where you can get free personalized graphics. I did these, printed them on iron on transfer paper and ironed them to plan white t-shirts.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/530433526987331/

 

[Newbie123]

Anyone at AoA now? We leave this week, I'm counting down the hours!! I hope my kids love the resort as much as I think they will

 

[Itinkso]

Anyone at AoA now? We leave this week, I'm counting down the hours!! I hope my kids love the resort as much as I think they will

We've toured the resort and will be staying there in February. The theming of each section is amazing. Have a wonderful trip!!

 

[Newbie123]

We've toured the resort and will be staying there in February. The theming of each section is amazing. Have a wonderful trip!!

thanks! It's our first trip, I'm anxious about it, but so excited!

 

[jrsharp21]

If you go to www.etsy.com that is where most people get their matching shirts. LOTS of people make all kinds of them, just search 'custom disney shirt' or something to that effect. I just ordered 4 different sets for our trip. Also, they have custom lanyards, luggage tags, pretty much anything you can think of.

OMG, how come I have never seen this Etsy site before? I don't know if I will be getting any work done today. LOL.

 

[MaxTheHorse]

Just back from 8 nights in a Cars suite. Stayed in Bldg 2 (Wheel Well Motel/Lightning McQueen). I found it to be a long walk to Animation Hall...3 min 45 sec when I timed it one morning. Plan an extra few minutes if you have kids because they will want to stop at all the characters to visit with them. We were on the 3rd floor right above Cozy Cone pool and could see some of the higher fireworks from Illuminations.

Resort got mobbed during the last Saturday of our stay. Here's a shot of the check-in line around 3 pm Saturday 10/19: http://i.imgur.com/8Gr90sf.jpg Pretty crazy! Cast members said about half the resort turned over that day. Wow!

Landscape of Flavors was great. So nice to have a choice of something besides burgers -- though they have that too if that's what you want (the "pastrami burger" is awesome!). I thought the Indian food was pretty good, though the spices were really toned down. If you're into pressed pennies, there are some cool designs in two machines in the food court area.

Bus service was pretty good most of the time. We did have a problem with a 30-minute wait to Animal Kingdom one morning for a pre-rope-drop breakfast but a bus came 5 minutes after we asked a Magic Kingdom driver to call one for us.

The Nemo sprayground was closed for part of our stay to repair the soft decking. It reopened by the end of the week but I'd say by the looks of it there will need to be periodic repairs...some of it still looked a little ratty.

For those who do laundry on vacation, the laundry room at the Big Blue Pool always seemed busy but there's also one in the Cozy Cone pool that didn't look like as many people used it.

 

[MaxTheHorse]

Oh, and if you like coconut the Island Moonshine cocktail at the Dropoff pool bar is delicious. However, the wait in the to-go drink line at the bar was 10-15 minutes on Friday evening...not cool.

 

[magictam2]

Just back from 8 nights in a Cars suite. Stayed in Bldg 2 (Wheel Well Motel/Lightning McQueen). I found it to be a long walk to Animation Hall...3 min 45 sec when I timed it one morning. Plan an extra few minutes if you have kids because they will want to stop at all the characters to visit with them.

I'm also booked in a Cars Suite. I have a dad back so I try to minimize how far I walk whenever possible. I know walking in the parks is gonna be a killer but I plan on going slow and taking frequent breaks.

Anyway my question is which building would you recommend for transportation and pool? I don't plan on too much time at Animation Hall as we have ADRs for breakfast.

TIA

 

[nardoneje]

OMG, how come I have never seen this Etsy site before? I don't know if I will be getting any work done today. LOL.

Yea, I usually try to stay away from it, but this time I spent several days and $100's) going through stuff and picking out the perfect things for our trip! I'm certain my family is going to hate me.

 

[MaxTheHorse]

I'm also booked in a Cars Suite. I have a dad back so I try to minimize how far I walk whenever possible. I know walking in the parks is gonna be a killer but I plan on going slow and taking frequent breaks.

Anyway my question is which building would you recommend for transportation and pool? I don't plan on too much time at Animation Hall as we have ADRs for breakfast.

TIA

Cars Bldg 1 or 3 would be maybe 60 seconds less walking. Ask at checkin to be closest to buses. Nemo section is most central if that's most important to you.