Disney's ART OF ANIMATION RESORT Thread

[bluezy]

Question: does the trail around AoA connect to Pop century for a good walking/running loop.

Yes, there is a jogging/walking trail that goes around the perimeter of the lake. I think it's about 1.3 miles if you do the whole loop.

 

[DLBDS]

Where are the elevators located in building #9?

 

[Mommyof2Boos]

I am a newbie. This is my first trip to Disney. It will be my husband and I with our 6 ( turning 7 while at disney) daughter and our 5 yr old son. I just booked the AoA hotel on Amex travel. Does anyone know when I can request rooms. Do I call disney? I didn't have that option on Amex site. I want to stay at LM and Cars (split). Also any help with dining plans and magic bands etc will be very helpful. I don't know where to even start. Sorry but the forums are so overwhelming and I'm not sure how to navigate through all of the information. Any help at all is very very much appreciated. Have a wonderful day and thanks in advance.
I'm specifically looking for help with purchasing magic bands. Fast pass info. Theme room request.
We are staying 5 nights. Thank you.

Okay let me see if I can help you out a bit. There are two seperate prices for a Little Mermaid room and a Cars suite. It would be best to call Disney to see which you paid for and how to change to a split if the rooms are available for your dates. Their hotel reservation phone number is 407-939-1936.

Dining plans are convenient for some because you don't have to worry about prices of meals since you prepaid. I do not have a board that is helpful, though I know if you search Dining Plan many boards will show up that could be helpful in deciding. We did it so that we weren't buying the cheapest thing just because we would feel bad if we didn't, plus it is paid for before we get there. We just wrote down our average meals per day, decided how many character dining experiences we wanted to do for our short 4 day trip and decided on the quick service plan with an out of pocket character meal. You can look at exactly what each plan covers in your mydisneyexperience.com account.

MagicBands are automatic with your resort stay. Login to www.mydisneyexperience.com and link your resort reservation. Make sure you have a profile for each of you going. Once that is done you will be able to "customize" you magic band colors. They will ship to you right before your trip (within 3 weeks of departure). If you want to customize them even more here is a helpful board: http://www.disboards.com/threads/ha...gic-bands-please-show-us-the-pictures.3190181

Here is the BEST and more comprehensive board for fastpass+ info: http://www.disboards.com/threads/fa...ted-priorities-and-strategies-part-ii.3326057. I hope all of this helps!

 

[cgattis]

Where are the elevators located in building #9?

I think the elevators are where the building makes a "T" in all of them.

 

[bluezy]

Where are the elevators located in building #9?

I think the elevators are where the building makes a "T" in all of them.

Yes, that's correct. If you look at the map on the first page of this thread, the elevators are located where you see the phone and AED symbols at the center of each building.

 

[trishypoo]

Staying at AOA next week, and one day we plan to rent a car from disney car care center. Is it ok to park rental car for one night in resort lots? Any charges?? I have been to Disney several times, but have never rented a car!

 

[Toffeewoffy]

Staying at AOA next week, and one day we plan to rent a car from disney car care center. Is it ok to park rental car for one night in resort lots? Any charges?? I have been to Disney several times, but have never rented a car!

As you'll be staying on site, parking will be free on all Disney property for the duration. Just make sure you get a parking voucher from reception when you check-in.

 

[Cwilson]

We are going to WDW in May and will be staying in a Cars Family Suite at AoA!! Our son will be turning 4 two weeks before our trip and LOVES Cars. We are so excited to be able to take him at this perfect age and stay somewhere we know he will love!! We also have DD (13) and DD (15 months). I have a few questions that I was hoping someone could answer. First- if we have booked a Cars Family Suite, do we need to request a first floor room? I'm not sure how that would work with the set up of the resort, but know that would be easier with our double stroller. Secondly, what is bus service/turn-around-time like? I read on another post that AoA doesn't share buses with any other resort, but being that it's considered a value, is it a long wait time? Are there any other "need to knows" about this resort? Thanks so much in advance!!

 

[dansdad]

I have a few questions that I was hoping someone could answer. First- if we have booked a Cars Family Suite, do we need to request a first floor room? I'm not sure how that would work with the set up of the resort, but know that would be easier with our double stroller.

If you want 1st floor, then yes do request that. There are elevators if you don't get 1st floor.

Secondly, what is bus service/turn-around-time like? I read on another post that AoA doesn't share buses with any other resort, but being that it's considered a value, is it a long wait time? Are there any other "need to knows" about this resort? Thanks so much in advance!!

Disney advertises buses come about every 20 minutes. It's the same for all levels of WDW resorts.

 

[woodynjessiesmomma]

I finally called and switched is to AoA for our full trip 9/19-26! Can't wait!

 

[cgattis]

We are going to WDW in May and will be staying in a Cars Family Suite at AoA!! Our son will be turning 4 two weeks before our trip and LOVES Cars. We are so excited to be able to take him at this perfect age and stay somewhere we know he will love!! We also have DD (13) and DD (15 months). I have a few questions that I was hoping someone could answer. First- if we have booked a Cars Family Suite, do we need to request a first floor room? I'm not sure how that would work with the set up of the resort, but know that would be easier with our double stroller. Secondly, what is bus service/turn-around-time like? I read on another post that AoA doesn't share buses with any other resort, but being that it's considered a value, is it a long wait time? Are there any other "need to knows" about this resort? Thanks so much in advance!!

Well, if you're driving yourself there, you might want to look at the map in advance so you park in the lot closest to your room. Stayed in Cars our first time at AoA. Next time, staying LK, I thought I should park on the opposite side of the entry road. I didn't realize there was another parking lot further down (like, actually AT the LK section!) and we walked a looong way LOL. Other than that, I can't think of anything. Just ask whatever specifics you think of and we can all chime in. You'll love Cars--it's our fave

 

[mickey2000]

What is the food court like? thanks ....

 

[srauseo]

The food court has some big pros and cons. On the one hand there's pretty good variety and the food is freshly made in front of you. You should be able to find something to please everyone and there's some more interesting food options than your standard food court. However, it can get really crowded and noisy, and if everyone in your party is ordering from a different station it's really tricky-it's highly unlikely that everyone will have their food come out at the same time. With magic bands, everyone can pay separately (if everyone is authorized to charge to the room using their bands) but otherwise you're waiting around for everyone to check out together.

 

[srauseo]

Disney advertises buses come about every 20 minutes. It's the same for all levels of WDW resorts.[/QUOTE]

When we stayed at AoA in mid-August it was definitely our experience that *most* buses came within 20 minutes. There were two mornings where it was longer. One more there was an accident at the resort entrance and all the buses had to be rerouted. They actually had to back cars and buses out of the driveway! That day we waited about 30 minutes - but was explainable. One morning we waited about 40 minutes for an EPCOT bus with no explanation. That's why I always allow more time than I think I will need. I'd rather be waiting in line at the park turnstile then waiting in line at the resort bus stop.

 

[newestkg06]

Anyone who has been recently: what food is available in the gift shop? Many of the online reviews I have seen, are from when the resort first opened and complained that not much food was available to take back to your room (at least compared to DVC resorts with kitchens). Has this improved (i.e. can you buy bread, peanut butter, etc.)? Or should we just go to the food court for everything?

 

[Cajun_country]

Sorry if this has been covered somewhere's but i'm wondering, will the refrigerator hold a gallon of milk? I might pre-order groceries from the website, i've seen mentioned here, but didn't know whether I should order 1/2 gallon's of milk or a full gallon. I'm traveling with a 3 year old and 18 month old who probably drink a gallon a week, and I'd need to get a 1/2 gallon for my mom who drinks skim. I didn't know if I should just buy all 1/2 gallon jugs and not even fool with buying a gallon. I also would like to buy 2 6 packs of yogurt, and maybe deli meat, cheese that should be good for the fridge. I plan to buy produce like grapes, and normally like to refrigerate those too, but figuring I may have to hold out on putting that in the refrigerator.

 

[bluezy]

Sorry if this has been covered somewhere's but i'm wondering, will the refrigerator hold a gallon of milk? I might pre-order groceries from the website, i've seen mentioned here, but didn't know whether I should order 1/2 gallon's of milk or a full gallon. I'm traveling with a 3 year old and 18 month old who probably drink a gallon a week, and I'd need to get a 1/2 gallon for my mom who drinks skim. I didn't know if I should just buy all 1/2 gallon jugs and not even fool with buying a gallon. I also would like to buy 2 6 packs of yogurt, and maybe deli meat, cheese that should be good for the fridge. I plan to buy produce like grapes, and normally like to refrigerate those too, but figuring I may have to hold out on putting that in the refrigerator.

I *think* a gallon jug would fit if you remove the bottom shelf. We bought 2 half-gallon containers of milk in the food court and I know those fit in the door with no problem.

This blog post has pictures of the inside of the fridge so it might give you a better idea.
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/2012/06/07/art-of-animation-resort-kitchenettes-and-room-service-menu/

 

[kiapepito]

Sorry if these have been answered.... How long does the bus take from aoa to mk?

If rope drop is at 8 what time should we leave the resort?

Can we rent a stroller to use at mk and Epcot from the resort?

Thank you!

 

[smiths02]

Sorry if these have been answered.... How long does the bus take from aoa to mk?

If rope drop is at 8 what time should we leave the resort?

Can we rent a stroller to use at mk and Epcot from the resort?

Thank you!

You can rent strollers at the parks to use in the park OR you can rent a stroller for the duration of your vacation from an outside vendor. The resorts don't rent strollers.

 

[jcarwash]

Sorry if these have been answered.... How long does the bus take from aoa to mk?

If rope drop is at 8 what time should we leave the resort?

Can we rent a stroller to use at mk and Epcot from the resort?

Thank you!

Once on the bus, it will take about 15-20 minutes to ride to MK.

If you want to experience an 8am rope drop (at MK, I assume?), I'd recommend being at the bus stop around 7am. That should give you time to ride to MK, get through the ticket tap-styles, and into the area before the gates.