Disney's ART OF ANIMATION RESORT Thread

[amalone1013]

Do they still have individual toiletries here? wondering if it is the combo shampoo/conditioner or is it the nicer separate bottles? My hair doesn't play nice with the combo stuff

 

[AARCLUKSCH]

I'm confused...the suites at All Star Music opened in 2005 (or maybe 2006). AoA didn't open until 2012. The suites at ASMu were definitely available way before AoA was even announced.

Not sure why I didn't look into them then.....?

 

[bluezy]

Not sure why I didn't look into them then.....?

We could never stay in them because we were a party of 7, so we always got 2 rooms at Pop Century (which was, I think, about $35-50/night cheaper than the suites). By the time AoA opened, our oldest son had graduated from college and was bringing his girlfriend on our trips so they got their own room and the rest of us fit in a suite.

 

[kayteekt]

Hello all Does anyone know where to find activity calendar's anymore? Or know when the animation class is taking place? We're doing a resort only stay (not at AoA) but thought we might bring the kids over to do the drawing class and let my son play around the cars and lion king areas, etc... I used to be able to find the different resort activity schedules online, but can't seem to find any current ones.

 

[armerida]

I saw on FB that AOA has started a room refurb in the cars section. Building 2 specifically.
Anybody see/know what they are doing in the rooms?

So, we are here now and got an upgrade to a renovated suite in building 2 from the mermaid section! Room has fresh paint, no more carpet (laminate floors now), new mattresses and pillows. Not sure what else might be new, but we stayed in building 2 in May and that’s all that I noticed that is different from then. We saw them moving mattresses out of building 3 this morning en route to our room, so seems they’re refreshing all the suites.

 

[Iowamomof4]

So, we are here now and got an upgrade to a renovated suite in building 2 from the mermaid section! Room has fresh paint, no more carpet (laminate floors now), new mattresses and pillows. Not sure what else might be new, but we stayed in building 2 in May and that’s all that I noticed that is different from then. We saw them moving mattresses out of building 3 this morning en route to our room, so seems they’re refreshing all the suites.

How are the beds? Still extra firm or do they have more of a pillow top now?

 

[Lsdolphin]

Are there regular standard rooms in all the buildings or are some buildings suites only?

 

[Iowamomof4]

Are there regular standard rooms in all the buildings or are some buildings suites only?

Standard rooms (Little Mermaid) are all contained in the 3 buildings to the far end of the resort (can't recall the building numbers off the top of my head). The Lion King, Nemo, and Cars sections are all suites.

 

[armerida]

How are the beds? Still extra firm or do they have more of a pillow top now?

The mattress is sooo comfortable; it is a Queen size Sealy Posturpedic pillow top. Hanging out on it right now!

 

[Lsdolphin]

Standard rooms (Little Mermaid) are all contained in the 3 buildings to the far end of the resort (can't recall the building numbers off the top of my head). The Lion King, Nemo, and Cars sections are all suites.

Ok that's what I thought standard rooms are all in the Little mermaid in buildings farthest away from everything...thanks

 

[armerida]

Just noticed another refurb change in the suites - the bed in Master bedroom is new and raised up high like the ones at Pop - you can easily store luggage underneath now!

 

[tlmadden73]

In people's opinion's .. are the Little Mermaid rooms worth the significant upcharge compared to the other value resorts? Paying almost double (no discounts) for essentially the same room (just themed to Little Mermaid) as to the All-Stars and Pop Century seems crazy and I am second guessing my trip next month (mid October).

I booked it many months ago with the purpose of having a "special" trip for my daughter's birthday (3rd) who is on an Ariel kick ..but having a tough time swallowing the extra $100/night for just theming.

The price I booked was $205/night for 5 nights (after taxes/fees, but BEFORE parking fees). I just recently paid under $111/night (with discount) for All-Star Music in August and spent $240/night (after taxes, with discount) for Port Orleans FQ back in March.

Just feeling like I could better spend that extra $500 despite my daughter probably loving the mermaid rooms and how the family will love being on the Skyliner line.

This was going to be our final trip before our AP runs out, but since we got into the SWGE previews we had a short, last minute trip just a month ago (so also second-guessing the ENTIRE trip because of that as well - not sure if we want to spend the extra money for a themed room since we were just there in August).

Is that just a bad price for the Mermaid rooms (I didn't book them until June or so)? Or is AoA that overpriced?

Just trying to get a feeling of people who have stayed at AoA if the extra price is worth the value ... I know opinions will differ and family situations are different, but just looking to get the general take.

 

[Disneylover99]

In people's opinion's .. are the Little Mermaid rooms worth the significant upcharge compared to the other value resorts? Paying almost double (no discounts) for essentially the same room (just themed to Little Mermaid) as to the All-Stars and Pop Century seems crazy and I am second guessing my trip next month (mid October).

I booked it many months ago with the purpose of having a "special" trip for my daughter's birthday (3rd) who is on an Ariel kick ..but having a tough time swallowing the extra $100/night for just theming.

The price I booked was $205/night for 5 nights (after taxes/fees, but BEFORE parking fees). I just recently paid under $111/night (with discount) for All-Star Music in August and spent $240/night (after taxes, with discount) for Port Orleans FQ back in March.

Just feeling like I could better spend that extra $500 despite my daughter probably loving the mermaid rooms and how the family will love being on the Skyliner line.

This was going to be our final trip before our AP runs out, but since we got into the SWGE previews we had a short, last minute trip just a month ago (so also second-guessing the ENTIRE trip because of that as well - not sure if we want to spend the extra money for a themed room since we were just there in August).

Is that just a bad price for the Mermaid rooms (I didn't book them until June or so)? Or is AoA that overpriced?

Just trying to get a feeling of people who have stayed at AoA if the extra price is worth the value ... I know opinions will differ and family situations are different, but just looking to get the general take.

We stayed in a LM room a few years back. It was once and done for us. The walk is far to the main building and the beds are double, not queen. They are always the most expensive standard value rooms on property and personally, I find the blue walls dank and depressing, though I know many others might find them calm and relaxing.

That being said, I don’t regret staying there. The theming around the resort is great and I’ve found bus service to be excellent.

I’d book a standard room at Pop if you want to try the Skyliner. Then you can visit AofA.

 

[dansdad]

In people's opinion's .. are the Little Mermaid rooms worth the significant upcharge compared to the other value resorts?

In this family's opinion, definitely not.

 

[Iowamomof4]

In people's opinion's .. are the Little Mermaid rooms worth the significant upcharge compared to the other value resorts? Paying almost double (no discounts) for essentially the same room (just themed to Little Mermaid) as to the All-Stars and Pop Century seems crazy and I am second guessing my trip next month (mid October).

I booked it many months ago with the purpose of having a "special" trip for my daughter's birthday (3rd) who is on an Ariel kick ..but having a tough time swallowing the extra $100/night for just theming.

The price I booked was $205/night for 5 nights (after taxes/fees, but BEFORE parking fees). I just recently paid under $111/night (with discount) for All-Star Music in August and spent $240/night (after taxes, with discount) for Port Orleans FQ back in March.

Just feeling like I could better spend that extra $500 despite my daughter probably loving the mermaid rooms and how the family will love being on the Skyliner line.

This was going to be our final trip before our AP runs out, but since we got into the SWGE previews we had a short, last minute trip just a month ago (so also second-guessing the ENTIRE trip because of that as well - not sure if we want to spend the extra money for a themed room since we were just there in August).

Is that just a bad price for the Mermaid rooms (I didn't book them until June or so)? Or is AoA that overpriced?

Just trying to get a feeling of people who have stayed at AoA if the extra price is worth the value ... I know opinions will differ and family situations are different, but just looking to get the general take.

I love AOA but I would never stay in the LM rooms. If Pop Century is available, I would take it in a heartbeat! You can always walk over to AOA and look around the LM area, get some pictures of your daughter in front of the huge icons, things like that. With the remodeled rooms at Pop and the access to the Skyliner (vs. staying in a remodeled Movies room, for example), that would be my choice for the foreseeable future.

 

[armerida]

We like AoA, but that’s a pretty big price difference. Were there no AP discounts for your dates? We just got back from a 4 day weekend trip at $123 a night (AP fall rate). We have Veterans Day weekend booked for $173/night (also AP fall/holiday rate). $205 seems incredibly high to me...I might look at Pop since it’s right across the bridge and you can go look at all the cool Mermaid stuff.

 

[disneymagicgirl]

In people's opinion's .. are the Little Mermaid rooms worth the significant upcharge compared to the other value resorts? Paying almost double (no discounts) for essentially the same room (just themed to Little Mermaid) as to the All-Stars and Pop Century seems crazy and I am second guessing my trip next month (mid October).

I booked it many months ago with the purpose of having a "special" trip for my daughter's birthday (3rd) who is on an Ariel kick ..but having a tough time swallowing the extra $100/night for just theming.

The price I booked was $205/night for 5 nights (after taxes/fees, but BEFORE parking fees). I just recently paid under $111/night (with discount) for All-Star Music in August and spent $240/night (after taxes, with discount) for Port Orleans FQ back in March.

Just feeling like I could better spend that extra $500 despite my daughter probably loving the mermaid rooms and how the family will love being on the Skyliner line.

This was going to be our final trip before our AP runs out, but since we got into the SWGE previews we had a short, last minute trip just a month ago (so also second-guessing the ENTIRE trip because of that as well - not sure if we want to spend the extra money for a themed room since we were just there in August).

Is that just a bad price for the Mermaid rooms (I didn't book them until June or so)? Or is AoA that overpriced?

Just trying to get a feeling of people who have stayed at AoA if the extra price is worth the value ... I know opinions will differ and family situations are different, but just looking to get the general take.

Gosh, that is hard. I was just in a LM room last week with DD3. She is still asking to go back daily. It was our first value stay in a really long time. I snagged in on priceline for under $100 a night though.
I concur that the walk gets really annoying to the main building/bus/skyliner/big pool.
That said, as much as DD3 loved the hotel and room, I can't imagine EVER paying full price for a disney resort. Hasn't happened yet and don't plan to do it in the future. So on that note, I'd go with a discounted room of some sort and do a LM room when you can find a better deal on it.

 

[Mal6586]

I feel your pain. We booked in April at $189 for our mid October trip assuming we’d knock some off of that with an AP discount, and we haven’t been able to get one either. For us, we’re sticking with it because it’s my roommate’s birthday trip, we just love AoA, and want to ride the Skyliner, but I don’t know that we’ll do it again in the future unless we get a deal.

 

[tlmadden73]

I feel your pain. We booked in April at $189 for our mid October trip assuming we’d knock some off of that with an AP discount, and we haven’t been able to get one either. For us, we’re sticking with it because it’s my roommate’s birthday trip, we just love AoA, and want to ride the Skyliner, but I don’t know that we’ll do it again in the future unless we get a deal.

Thanks for all the opinions.

Ya .. thats my quandry. I want the resort, but do not need a family suite and I wanted to be on the Skyliner. Full rack rate .. no discounts available and probably too late now to book Pop Century. I can only find rack rooms (which .. at this late in the game .. Pop Century is $169 (only $15 less than AoA).

My dates are 10/14 - 10/19
I guess October is going to be pretty packed since availability is pretty sparse.

I dont think I will mind the walk, we stayed at one of the back hotels at All-Star Music last time and while the walk was long, we didnt mind it.

I guess my other hesitation is this will be our 4th trip since Nov. 2018. Spending $1000 on the room is a lot for a trip where it will be pretty laid back since we have done a lot in the previous 3 trips.

Gosh, that is hard. I was just in a LM room last week with DD3. She is still asking to go back daily. It was our first value stay in a really long time. I snagged in on priceline for under $100 a night though.

how do you get a Disney room via priceline? Curious about that.

 

[Dinohood]

Would the lobby hold our bags even after we check out since we can't check in to our other resort in till 3.