Great coverage, but I have to ask. at 10 seconds in on the first video when you are filming the exterior of the resort… what in the world is that creature / character that waves at you?
It was a stilt-walking fish guy they had at the media reception / hotel preview. There were two of them, in fact. Flip to the end of the photo gallery to see a better photo of one.
Ehhhh, the photos look great and you’ve done a nice job summarizing and showcasing some of the nicer elements. So, I can appreciate that it’s new, and looks nice. But seems a stretch to say the decor (etc.) is on par with a deluxe resort. I mean, the bold color schemes, the layout of the facilities, the cartoonish (literally!) theming basically define it for what it is: a newer, more refined version of the Pop!
Just curious how much time you spend in your hotel room when you’re at Disney. We use it mainly to sleep, have breakfast and change clothes. The rest of the time we’re out playing in one of the theme parks or the pool, so for us the color scheme wouldn’t be an issue. I like the looks of everything and am planning on staying there sometime soon.
Great review. As a kid these bigger then life characters would have freaked me out serieusly. And as a adult I don´t would like to stay a week in these bright coloured enviroments.
We are planning to stay at the Art of Animation Report in November. We are booking a Little Mermaid room as we are just a family of 4. However, my kids are both boys under the age of 8. Do you think they would mind the mermaid rooms? We spend very little time in the room when we are at Disney. I just think that the resort itself looks incredible and they would have a great time seeing their favorite movies in real life. Your opinion?
I haven’t seen the Mermaid rooms in person, but as a kid I personally would have been excited to stay at Art of Animation in any wing. Heck, even as an adult I am! But that’s me. It depends on what your kids like. If they like The Little Mermaid, they’ll surely like that part of the hotel. It won’t be princess-y, if that’s what you’re worried about. And you can still wander the grounds, explore the other wings, and enjoy the different pool areas.
If you are staying in November, there is free quick-service dining packages just across the pond at Pop Century. The Little Mermaid rooms have shark-themed bathrooms, but Pop Century has boyish-themed areas too and you can always walk across the bridge to explore the outdoor areas. Oh, and the Little Mermaid is not necessarily for girls only. Sebastion, the prince, Flounder…all great male characters.
Any idea if there will be an ice cream shop like they have at POP. I have read about the gelato, but I haven’t heard anything definitive about ice cream. LOL!
I haven’t heard anything specific about ice cream. They’re going for a bit of a healthier approach to the food court at Art of Animation… but they’ll still have many old favorites as well.
Stayed at Art of Animaton Sunday Night(before opening) Ate in Landscape of flavors too Gelato is to die for. Resort theming best for characters. Like walking through the movie.Rooms comfortable and serviceable not at level of luxury of deluxe resort.
We are planning on staying here in November. Do you we have 4 adults and 2 kids under the age of 8. Do you think we could COMFORTABLY fit in here, or would it be better to get one family suite and one std room?
It just depends on how flexible and organized your family is. Two of the beds must be packed away every day if you want to use the couch or dining table. Are two in your group willing to put the bed away before breakfast is served?
You have to remember that the standard rooms are quite distant from the suites and that Disney makes NO promises about the closeness of room assignments (POP gave our “guaranteed” handicap room away and we didn’t know until we opened the door to find a toilet that was inaccessible for one in my family). It might easily be a 10 to 20 minute walk between the two rooms. Being that separate can create hassles for wanting a late-night snack if in the standard room, the standard room adults taking the kids to the playground or pool, or meeting to take the bus to the park.
My personal opinion is that if your family has a personality that can happily deal with close quarters on vacation, to stick with one room.
I actually find the standard rooms quite spacious, but then again my family grew up with kids sharing beds…then backpacking trips…dorm rooms…etc.
We were booked at an All Star and just this week changed our reservation to AoA and for our 10 day 9 night stay, it’s only $98 more! As far as I’m concerned, I’d rather spend the extra hundred and stay in a brand new place than one that’s close to 20 years old. Pop Century is right in the middle, it’s a $50 difference more than All Stars and $50 less than AoA.
Now if you are comparing their family suit prices to All Star’s standard rooms, then yes, they are a lot more, but you can’t compare the 2. Of course a family suit is going to be a lot more than a standard 1 room rental.
How big are the rooms…. we normally stay at the Contemporay for Christmas but this looks like more room, with 2 teenages I am thinking we should move here so we have space…. I am worried about the noise — in the halls while you are sleeping. I understand Pop/Music etc are louder than the deluxe resorts…..
My family stayed at the Pop Century in mid-December in 2011 and had no problems with noise. The noise in the atrium of the Contemporary rivals the food court at Pop when it is at its busiest though. If you are still concerned about noise, ask for a top room away from the pool.
Other benefits of switching: AoA and POP have much wider selections of food. There are also lots of paths for jogging and exploring since the two hotels are connected. Both perks for teenage boys.
Downsides to switching: The value resorts have MUCH longer lines for Disney transportation. The bus line can be over an hour long if leaving at park-closing.
My daughter and I just got a deal on a room in the Little Mermaid section for this weekend on opening day of this area! We are SO excited does anyone know if there is anything special planned to “open” this area on Saturday? Thanks!
I know this website provides quality based articles or reviews and
extra material, is there any other web page which gives these kinds of data in quality?
Comments for Inside Disney’s Art of Animation Resort where deluxe decor sets a new standard for Walt Disney World value hotels
Clay Matthews
Honestly, if the experience matches the facilities this looks like it just became the best hotel value in the parks. Spectacular.
Alex Johnston
Great coverage, but I have to ask. at 10 seconds in on the first video when you are filming the exterior of the resort… what in the world is that creature / character that waves at you?
Ricky Brigante
It was a stilt-walking fish guy they had at the media reception / hotel preview. There were two of them, in fact. Flip to the end of the photo gallery to see a better photo of one.
Allison Jones
Just last month everything was still in construction phases! They have finished a lot in a month! Looks great!
Beeker
Ehhhh, the photos look great and you’ve done a nice job summarizing and showcasing some of the nicer elements. So, I can appreciate that it’s new, and looks nice. But seems a stretch to say the decor (etc.) is on par with a deluxe resort. I mean, the bold color schemes, the layout of the facilities, the cartoonish (literally!) theming basically define it for what it is: a newer, more refined version of the Pop!
Ricky Brigante
It just depends on what you’er looking for. This is an extremely fun environment to be in and leaps and bounds better than the other value hotels.
Zot
Just curious how much time you spend in your hotel room when you’re at Disney. We use it mainly to sleep, have breakfast and change clothes. The rest of the time we’re out playing in one of the theme parks or the pool, so for us the color scheme wouldn’t be an issue. I like the looks of everything and am planning on staying there sometime soon.
OT
Great review. As a kid these bigger then life characters would have freaked me out serieusly. And as a adult I don´t would like to stay a week in these bright coloured enviroments.
Rachel
Looks awesome… I thought the rooms were going to have a kitchenette.
Ricky Brigante
You can briefly see the sink area 48 seconds into the room tour video above. I didn’t get a photo of it, unfortunately.
Jud
Great report! Thank you! And I LOVE the furniture in the game room!
🙂
Jud
Shelley murphy
Staying here in Sept this year. First time to Disney for our family and think we’ve made a great choice, its looks awesome ….Can’t wait :o)
Jess
We are gonna be there in December for Christmas…are the pools heated 🙂
PrettyLucky
We are going in January. Did you find out if the pools are heated? Thanks!!
Debra Ferrie
Looks fabulous and definitely will be our choice if we are looking for a value resort next time! Kids would LOVE this one!
Jennifer
We are planning to stay at the Art of Animation Report in November. We are booking a Little Mermaid room as we are just a family of 4. However, my kids are both boys under the age of 8. Do you think they would mind the mermaid rooms? We spend very little time in the room when we are at Disney. I just think that the resort itself looks incredible and they would have a great time seeing their favorite movies in real life. Your opinion?
Ricky Brigante
I haven’t seen the Mermaid rooms in person, but as a kid I personally would have been excited to stay at Art of Animation in any wing. Heck, even as an adult I am! But that’s me. It depends on what your kids like. If they like The Little Mermaid, they’ll surely like that part of the hotel. It won’t be princess-y, if that’s what you’re worried about. And you can still wander the grounds, explore the other wings, and enjoy the different pool areas.
Jennifer
If you are staying in November, there is free quick-service dining packages just across the pond at Pop Century. The Little Mermaid rooms have shark-themed bathrooms, but Pop Century has boyish-themed areas too and you can always walk across the bridge to explore the outdoor areas. Oh, and the Little Mermaid is not necessarily for girls only. Sebastion, the prince, Flounder…all great male characters.
Sarah M.
Any idea if there will be an ice cream shop like they have at POP. I have read about the gelato, but I haven’t heard anything definitive about ice cream. LOL!
Ricky Brigante
I haven’t heard anything specific about ice cream. They’re going for a bit of a healthier approach to the food court at Art of Animation… but they’ll still have many old favorites as well.
Dan
Stayed at Art of Animaton Sunday Night(before opening) Ate in Landscape of flavors too Gelato is to die for. Resort theming best for characters. Like walking through the movie.Rooms comfortable and serviceable not at level of luxury of deluxe resort.
Kelly
We are planning on staying here in November. Do you we have 4 adults and 2 kids under the age of 8. Do you think we could COMFORTABLY fit in here, or would it be better to get one family suite and one std room?
Thanks!
Jennifer
It just depends on how flexible and organized your family is. Two of the beds must be packed away every day if you want to use the couch or dining table. Are two in your group willing to put the bed away before breakfast is served?
You have to remember that the standard rooms are quite distant from the suites and that Disney makes NO promises about the closeness of room assignments (POP gave our “guaranteed” handicap room away and we didn’t know until we opened the door to find a toilet that was inaccessible for one in my family). It might easily be a 10 to 20 minute walk between the two rooms. Being that separate can create hassles for wanting a late-night snack if in the standard room, the standard room adults taking the kids to the playground or pool, or meeting to take the bus to the park.
My personal opinion is that if your family has a personality that can happily deal with close quarters on vacation, to stick with one room.
I actually find the standard rooms quite spacious, but then again my family grew up with kids sharing beds…then backpacking trips…dorm rooms…etc.
Patty
how many sq. ft. is the family suites?
Rachel
The resort is very nice but the only thing that is delux about the resort is the price, it’s much more expensive than the other value.
Nicci
We were booked at an All Star and just this week changed our reservation to AoA and for our 10 day 9 night stay, it’s only $98 more! As far as I’m concerned, I’d rather spend the extra hundred and stay in a brand new place than one that’s close to 20 years old. Pop Century is right in the middle, it’s a $50 difference more than All Stars and $50 less than AoA.
Now if you are comparing their family suit prices to All Star’s standard rooms, then yes, they are a lot more, but you can’t compare the 2. Of course a family suit is going to be a lot more than a standard 1 room rental.
Natalie
How big are the rooms…. we normally stay at the Contemporay for Christmas but this looks like more room, with 2 teenages I am thinking we should move here so we have space…. I am worried about the noise — in the halls while you are sleeping. I understand Pop/Music etc are louder than the deluxe resorts…..
Ricky Brigante
I’m not sure of the square footage but here’s a video tour of a family suite: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lf0dvWqwlAI
I’ll have a full room review coming soon. Hall noise isn’t too much of an issue, but pool area noise is.
Jennifer
My family stayed at the Pop Century in mid-December in 2011 and had no problems with noise. The noise in the atrium of the Contemporary rivals the food court at Pop when it is at its busiest though. If you are still concerned about noise, ask for a top room away from the pool.
Other benefits of switching: AoA and POP have much wider selections of food. There are also lots of paths for jogging and exploring since the two hotels are connected. Both perks for teenage boys.
Downsides to switching: The value resorts have MUCH longer lines for Disney transportation. The bus line can be over an hour long if leaving at park-closing.
jean Stoll
Im planning to stay on Little mermaid rooms in September 24th.
Im getting concerned as I cannot follow up the progress of the construction.
Is safe to book rooms just after the starting date as Im planning?
Is anyone of you aware about developments of this construction?
Thanks
Ricky Brigante
The construction will be complete when opening date comes around. You don’t need to worry about that.
Shannon
We are planning a trip for the end of November and this is our first Disney trip. Do you know if the pools are heated?
Lauren
Is there a reason I cant not book a Little Mermaid room? I have googled for a way to do so and cant book it anywhere!
Amy Phillips
My daughter and I just got a deal on a room in the Little Mermaid section for this weekend on opening day of this area! We are SO excited does anyone know if there is anything special planned to “open” this area on Saturday? Thanks!
kelly
cars family suites are they equipped with washer/dryers?
Aviva
How much are the rooms? I want to know both standard and suite prices, please. Thanks!
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