Thinking of switching from Riviera to Art of Animation

[FSU Girl]

How are the family suites at Art of Animation? I’m thinking of switching my stay from a one bedroom villa at Riviera to Art of Animation. It’s during spring break and AoA is about half the cost per night. I’ve never stayed at AoA before but we visited on my last trip and my toddler loved all the big characters.

A little background I love having space and my preferred room is a two bedroom villa, but with me being a stay at home mom now we need to save with money which was why we did a one bedroom. I cosleep with my baby and my husband will need a bed and my toddler a separate bed. Looking at videos there are enough sleeping spaces. Can the bed that pulls out from the couch have guard rails on it?

Since this trip we already aren’t having the living room for extra space for when the kids are asleep I was thinking this would be a similar type room for less? We don’t really use the kitchen except for the fridge. It’s still on the skyliner so similar transportation.

Anything else I’d need to know about Art of Animation? I haven’t stayed at a moderate or value in over a decade. Will I regret making the switch? This trip will be shortly after we stay in a two bedroom villa at the new poly tower.

 

[WhoDatDisney]

We stayed there this summer. 6 including 2 teenagers. Extra bathroom was a plus. I would stay in the cars suites or Nemo suites as they are close to skyliner. We stayed 4 nights then transferred to WL. Enjoyed our stay there so much we are booking it again for our next trip.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

I'd stay in Music family suites before AOA.

I'm not a fan of AOA in general.

I'm sure it would cost even less too.
Plus I just like the set up of the suites better than AOA's suites.

 

[Marthasor]

AoA is the loudest, most uncomfortable hotel I've ever stayed in. Walls were paper thin and the bedding was extremely uncomfortable. I would consider pricing out one bedrooms at less expensive villa resorts or even looking into a suite or connecting rooms at Swan/Dolphin over switching to AoA.

 

[FSU Girl]

Thank you everyone! Seems AoA would not be a good fit for us. I’m a very light sleeper so a super noisy hotel would make for a rough night. We had gotten a bounce back deal for the riviera so most of the other one bedrooms are more or don’t have enough sleep surfaces. I had originally looked into doing two rooms but since it’s not a guarantee to be connected we decided to not do that in end

 

[Miffy]

Thank you everyone! Seems AoA would not be a good fit for us. I’m a very light sleeper so a super noisy hotel would make for a rough night. We had gotten a bounce back deal for the riviera so most of the other one bedrooms are more or don’t have enough sleep surfaces. I had originally looked into doing two rooms but since it’s not a guarantee to be connected we decided to not do that in end

BTW, the All Stars also have paper-thin walls, so stay away from there as well. I think you've made a good decision. Enjoy your trip!

 

[gottalovepluto]

… I haven’t stayed at a moderate or value in over a decade. Will I regret making the switch? This trip will be shortly after we stay in a two bedroom villa at the new poly tower.

Nothing will be comparable to that.

When you have to start tightening the belt you do what you have to do and vacation budgets are at the top of the chopping block. In the future consider 2 rooms at Swolphin or off-site. At the end of the day you’re still going to Disney, you’re just doing it differently. Thousands of people a day do it differently and still have great trips and amazing memories, you’ll be ok!

 

[Wendysofftoneverland]

We just had a lovely stay at the Disney Springs Drury in a 1 bedroom (no kitchen, just microwave, beverage fridge and a coffee maker), 2 sinks but only 1 bathroom. Our room only had 2 sleeping surfaces, but they have rooms that sleep 6 that have 2 beds and a pullout couch. Plus, there is an included breakfast and dinner. We found it a reasonable price versus the Disney resorts for the space, and when the kids hopped in the stroller, it was walkable to Disney Springs (about a 15 minute walk). Disadvantage is bus or car only to the theme parks though, but before considering off-site, I think Disney Springs area is a good option.

 

[westie55]

I’ve stayed at both. While I didn’t find AoA to be particularly loud, the bedding is definitely more comfortable in the Riviera 1BR. The statues around AoA are really fun. Personally I don’t like the decor inside the family suites, whereas I really like the decor inside the Riviera 1BR. There are no hot tubs or waterslides in the pool areas at AoA and no table service restaurants or character meals onsite like there are at Riviera. Both are good resorts, but they really are quite different. If money is a factor, I wouldn’t rule out AoA.

 

[FSU Girl]

We just had a lovely stay at the Disney Springs Drury in a 1 bedroom (no kitchen, just microwave, beverage fridge and a coffee maker), 2 sinks but only 1 bathroom. Our room only had 2 sleeping surfaces, but they have rooms that sleep 6 that have 2 beds and a pullout couch. Plus, there is an included breakfast and dinner. We found it a reasonable price versus the Disney resorts for the space, and when the kids hopped in the stroller, it was walkable to Disney Springs (about a 15 minute walk). Disadvantage is bus or car only to the theme parks though, but before considering off-site, I think Disney Springs area is a good option.

I’ll look into them. Do you happen to know if they provide bed rails like Disney does? I had looked into an offsite location and they didn’t and my older one will roll right off the bed without it. We will have our car so driving isn’t too much of an issue although it’s nice not having to

 

[elvispursley]

I’ll look into them. Do you happen to know if they provide bed rails like Disney does? I had looked into an offsite location and they didn’t and my older one will roll right off the bed without it. We will have our car so driving isn’t too much of an issue although it’s nice not having to

If you have your car, could you bring a bed rail from home?

 

[FSU Girl]

If you have your car, could you bring a bed rail from home?

No the ones she has go the length of her bed she has an open area to get in an out but the rest are bed rails she doesn’t sleep in one spots it’s usually all over the bed right against them. The Disney ones we fill the gaps with pillows to keep her in the bed since they are a lot smaller

 

[Nabas]

No the ones she has go the length of her bed she has an open area to get in an out but the rest are bed rails she doesn’t sleep in one spots it’s usually all over the bed right against them. The Disney ones we fill the gaps with pillows to keep her in the bed since they are a lot smaller

We have stayed at both.

When our children were young, we found that they enjoyed the over-the-top theming of the Value Resorts. More mature hotels such as the Riviera became more appealing to them as they became tweens.

But as others have noted, you’ll be dealing with more noise and less comfortable beds. Conversely, a noisy neighbor can ruin any hotel room.

 

[Nabas]

Thank you everyone! Seems AoA would not be a good fit for us. I’m a very light sleeper so a super noisy hotel would make for a rough night. We had gotten a bounce back deal for the riviera so most of the other one bedrooms are more or don’t have enough sleep surfaces. I had originally looked into doing two rooms but since it’s not a guarantee to be connected we decided to not do that in end

When our children were little, we were told that connecting rooms are guaranteed if there are only 2 adults on the reservation.

I suggest calling and asking.

 

[dansdad]

When our children were little, we were told that connecting rooms are guaranteed if there are only 2 adults on the reservation.

I suggest calling and asking.

Unfortunately, you were given incorrect info.

 

[Wood Nymph]

You will increase your chances of getting connecting rooms if you call Disney and make a multi-room reservation. A multi-room reservation is one in which both, or all, of the rooms have the same reservation number. We've done that and had connecting rooms. Our Magic Bands opened both doors of the two rooms. It was very convenient.

 

[Nabas]

Unfortunately, you were given incorrect info.

20 years ago, the information was correct. We were told this when checking during several trips. Disney did not want to split two parents and their young children. However, this was before Disney offered suites at hotels such as AOA and All Star Music.

This policy may be no longer be current, which is why I suggested calling.

 

[dansdad]

20 years ago, the information was correct. We were told this when checking during several trips. Disney did not want to split two parents and their young children. However, this was before Disney offered suites at hotels such as AOA and All Star Music.

This policy may be no longer be current, which is why I suggested calling.

My wife and I had to split up with young kids multiple times before the suites were in existence.

 

[ktink]

We stayed at AoA in September just for a night before checking into the Poly CL. I have to say that I enjoyed AoA! The skyliner was great & I didn't find it to be very noisy. I noticed more noise at GF but that could've been chalked up to who your neighbors are. I prefer a deluxe but when I need to cut corners I don't mind the values. Other than All Star Sports. I'll never do that again, lol.

 

[gottalovepluto]

20 years ago, the information was correct.

20 years is ridiculous. If you want to give someone info based off your experience 20 years prior PLEASE tell them “20 years ago XYZ”. Things changed so much in the last decade pre-Covid isn’t even relevant sometimes much less 2 decades ago!!