Reviews of Art of Animation Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by ShannonCL Review Date: 03/04/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
We just returned from a 2 night stay at the AOA, Lion King suites. My son LOVES the Lion King and Simba so this was a must! We spent one night previous at Pop and drove over to AOA in the A.M. Our room was ready at 10am! The rooms are very spacious. There were 2 adults and our 5 year old son, but we could easily fit two more adults or 3 more children. Having 2 bathrooms is great! The theming is adorable, and we will return to try the Cars section. Mousekeeping was perfect. My son loved the convertible bed, mostly because of the sleeping Simba picture. It was very comfortable and just the right size for him, but could've slept two kids, or an adult and small child.
We loved the walk in shower in the queen room, I plan on calling to find out who makes the shower doors, they are gorgeous! The Nemo pool looked great but it was too cold to swim for us Floridians.
However, it was very crowded, which made the food court hectic. I did miss the calmness of a deluxe resort. The food was delicious though. The hotel is huge and a walk from the LM section would be far. Buses were packed and standing room only even on a weekday. The lobby, gift shop, food court, and arcade were always busy. Overall it was worth it, I will return during a less busy time of year, or when the hype dies down.
Pros:
Theming, large suiteCons:
CrowdedReviewed by calves Review Date: 02/27/2013
Rating: (7) Recommended
Stayed here for one night after Thanksgiving 2012. We thought the theme was excellent and each section was beautiful But LM rooms were far from everything! Loved the pool and the food court but just prefer the moderate to deluxe hotels
Pros:
Beautiful theming!Cons:
CrowdedReviewed by Lyrid_M Review Date: 02/13/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
DGF and I went to the AoA a little while back, and the resort really was everything I wanted it to be. All the CMs were very friendly and attentive, the buses ran smoothly (Even after MNSSHP, the line for the bus really moved), and I loved the Big Blue Pool (Something about hearing the music underwater really caught my attention).
I love how they have the Food Court laid out. Never waited in line to order food longer than 5 minutes, and not to mention the food was actually better than most CS places around the world! I read some people upset over the dinnerware options, but I for one like the environmental approach. Honestly, is it all that to throw your silverware in a bin, toss plates in another, and toss the trash out, all in one spot? Panera Bread has been doing this for years.
Also, the LM rooms were nice for us. Just enough space to fit our stuff for the week, and never felt cluttered. Bathrooms feel roomier than at the other value resorts, too. And as a side note, the walk from the LM wing, Bldg. 9, to Animation hall is less than a 5 minute walk. Tedious at night for a refill, but we were usually thirsty long after the machines had been turned off for the night, anyway.
Summary of this long winded review is this: We loved it here. We'll probably be coming here for years to come, and I'm okay with this. As a matter of fact, we've already planned out next vacation there for the beginning of 2014. Let the countdown commence!
Pros:
Food Court, Pools, Atmosphere, CMs, Buses, Rooms (LM wing)Cons:
Wi-Fi, Cell service (Room only)Reviewed by disneymom1012 Review Date: 02/13/2013
Rating: (6) Not Recommended
My family of 6 and my parents, brother and his family stayed 5 nights recently and were very disappointed in a few things about this resort. Our suites were in the cars section (about as far away from buses and dining as possible). The theming was excellent and my four sons loved seeing their favorite characters from Cars.
We got to the resort about 1:30 and our rooms were not ready yet. About an hour later my mom got a text that their room was ready, so we all went to their room so the kids could get ready to swim while we waited on our room. Mousekeeping was cleaning the room next door. We supposed this would be ours, so we checked frequently to see when they were done. The cm's that were working did not seem to be in a hurry at all and our room was not ready until 3:45. This pushed us quite a bit getting to our 5:15 dinner reservation.
The suite was laid out well and fitted our family. I can see how 6 adults would not be comfortable, though. We absolutely loved the shower in the master! We are even talking about trying to do something similar in our house! One complaint we had about the room is that each evening when we got back to the room with 4 tired kids, the beds would be put back into the table and the couch. So, we would have to lay the kids on the big bed until we could get the beds fixed again. It would be nice if they would just leave them in the bed position once they are out. We didn't use the dining table at all.
Our biggest problems with the resort were the size of the resort and the bus transportation. I will say that we are a little spoiled as far as the size goes, we have stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter the last 3 trips and love how small and quaint it is. No matter where your room is, it is not far to bus stop, dining, or parking lot. This is not the case at AoA, everything is a hike.
The bus transportation was a nightmare. We know that the bus system is not perfect, but it is supposed to be a service not a hindrance. Most every return trip to the resort was an incredible wait, but one night in particular was a nightmare. We had late reservations at Be Our Guest and were leaving an hour after fireworks and park closing. We expected some wait at the bus stop, but when we arrived the line was out of the queue and we waited for 40 minutes to get on a bus with 6 six tired children in our group. While we waited we noticed that the other bus stops were empty or there were only a few people in line. This was unacceptable and my mother complained to management. The manager on duty was kind and apologetic, but confessed that this is a continuing problem and she does not understand why they can not get it resolved.
We really enjoyed the theming of the resort and that we all fit in one room. But the problems are not worth it. We will not stay here again!
Pros:
Theme and suitesCons:
Size of resort, transportation, and serviceReviewed by kcosby Review Date: 02/09/2013
Rating: (10) Recommended
Our family stayed at Art of Animation on Sunday, January 27th and left Friday, February 1st. We arrived around lunchtime and decided to eat at the Landscape of Flavors. Food was very good and the produce was fresh. After lunch, we checked in and even though we couldn't go to our rooms immediately. they advised that they would text me when it was ready. Enjoyed exploring the different sections. I was most impressed by the Cars section of the resort. We stayed in the Little Mermaid section (Building 9 on the 1st floor - yes!). Rooms were great for the time we were there. Discovered the refrigerator was part of the dresser so that made drawers limited but plenty of hangars did the trick for our clothes. Ate breakfast every morning at Landscapes of Flavor and was not disappointed. Loved the croissants! Would go back again tomorrow. Enjoyed the resort thoroughly!
Pros:
EverythingCons:
Distance to room from the main lobbyReviewed by JoanneS Review Date: 02/06/2013
Rating: (7) Recommended
We stayed in the Little Mermaid Section from 1/25 to 1/29. The first few days weren't bad, but after a long day in the park, and when you're hot and tired and all you want is a drink, but your refillable mugs are in your room, the distance from the bus stop to the room was unbearable. The room was obviously new and everything was neat, clean, and in working order. The food court in the morning can be very slow. I don't think I had one warm pancake the entire time we stayed there. They usually had either 2 or 3 lines open each morning and the wait time for food was fairly long. Also, not a good variety of grab and go items in the coolers. Housekeeping was very good and we even got a towel animal while we were there. I just wish it wasn't so far to the room and the food court was a little more efficient.
Pros:
Fresh and NewCons:
Long walk to Mermaid Section, Food Court SLOWReviewed by disneyhorsefan Review Date: 01/26/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
I stayed with my sister in a Little Mermaid room. We had requested a top floor room during online check in and received that. Our room faced the parking lot, but we didn't care since we weren't in there very often and it was nice and quiet.
I loved the decorations in the room, and while the room was small, it was not a problem for 2 adults. The separate sink/shower areas and the privacy curtain separating the sink area from the room made it easy for us both to get ready at once, or in the more common case, me to get ready while my sister was still sleeping!
The beds were comfortable, although the top quilts were heavy and still a very stiff, most likely from being new-I ended up just removing it from the bed before going to sleep every night.
Our only complaint about the room was there was only 3 drawers in the dresser. That, combined with the large closet area, was enough for the 2 of us but would have been a problem with 3 or 4 people. I can appreciate that drawer space was removed to make room for the refrigerator, but since all we stored in there was a few spare drinks, we would have preferred more drawers.
The outside of the resort was amazing-I truly felt like I was immersed in 4 of my favorite Disney movies-the cars section is especially well done. I didn't swim, but my sister said the music underwater in the nemo pool was very cool.
The poolside activities and late night movies looked fun although we didn't stop to participate.
The bus service was busy but fine. We never waited more than a few minutes for a bus, and while the buses were packed, I'd rather ride a packed bus then wait for another one! The only time we had a problem was leaving MK after Wishes, there was an estimated 1.5 hour line to catch a bus. We were DUMBFOUNDED...we had never even seen that many people at the resort! However, they seemed to be doing their best to get buses back and forth quickly.
The food court was fine-quick and convenient, sometimes busy but the employees were efficient. We were impressed by the variety in the gift shop, we bought several souvenirs there.
The only 2 negative things:
1. The resort was HUGE. The Little Mermaid rooms are a LOOOOONG walk from the food court/busses/main building. My sister and I are both young, very active, and athletic-when people said it was a long walk, I didn't really think it would be that bad. It is very far-a five minute walk if you are walking briskly.
While it would not stop me from staying here again, it is definitely something to consider if you are less mobile or have small children.
2. As others have mentioned, cell service is very spotty...I had no service at all in the room and in some parts of the lobby. However, this happened in other parts of WDW so I don't know how much can be held against the resort. I had no problems connecting to wifi with my iphone or my laptop.
Overall, I enjoyed the resort. I would stay here again, although I would consider it equal to pop century (both have their different pros and cons).
Pros:
Theming, comfortable room, great food courtCons:
long walk from room to anywhere, no cell serviceReviewed by goofygirl74 Review Date: 01/24/2013
Rating: (8) Recommended
We stayed at AOA from November 24th - December 1, 2012. Overall, we liked the resort. The larger-than-life figures of Nemo, the Lion King, Cars and the Little Mermaid were fantastic!
We were in Building 9, ground floor, in the Little Mermaid section. The themeing of the room was fabulous, with the bathroom decor being the bomb! The room was small, but we liked having the refrigerator. The air conditioning left much to be desired. I had read other reviews that said that the AC was designed to be "motion activated" and that if we took off the front panel of the thermostat, we could control the temp better. I tried to get it off, but alas, I was afraid of breaking it, so I gave up. The room ended up being extremely warm and stuffy, especially overnight.
Landscape of Flavors (the food court) was just fine for our needs. We only ate a "snack" breakfast there most mornings, and the pastries were fresh and delicious. The CMs were friendly and helpful.
The Front Desk CMs were fantastic as well. Before we left for vacation, I had re-fractured a bone in my leg, which made walking and standing in one place for a while very uncomfortable. I had a letter from my Dr., but when I mentioned this to the Front Desk Manager, she offered to move our room to the closest one to the Main Building that was still in the Little Mermaid section without even asking to see the letter. While that was helpful, the walk from the Little Mermaid section was still HORRENDOUS. In the parks, there are benches on which to sit and rest my leg, but there was really no where along the paths at AOA to rest on the way to and from our room.
It was a nice experience to have...once. We will probably pick another resort next year.
Pros:
Beautiful grounds, food courtCons:
LOOONG trek from Little Mermaid SectionReviewed by jedinite16 Review Date: 01/16/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
I stayed with my mother for the Walt Disney World Half Marathon. I go every year and was excited to stay in the newest resort. We stayed in the Little Mermaid section. It was wonderfully themed and the room was comfortable.
I love the fridge in the room but you have no drawer space other than 4 small drawers. I lived out of my suitcase for the whole trip. Not a really big deal, just a pain.
The food at the food court was varied and different which was nice.
Only issue I really had was the walk, it was a long one, to get to the main building if you were not in a suite it was very far, even cutting through the parking lot was far to get a bus.
The wifi was good during the day but the minute the parks closed and everyone got back to the rooms, it became hard to get on to the system.
If I am staying with a bigger group, I will stay here again, if I am going with just 2 people, I think that I will pay for a premium room at Pop Century and walk over the bridge if I want food from this food court.
Pros:
Very Pretty, Food Court had wonderful food, Everyone was very nice and helpful.Cons:
some parts of the resort are very far awayReviewed by alwill Review Date: 01/16/2013
Rating: (9) Recommended
Stayed at the Art of Animation in the Cars Luigi & Guido section. Loved it-- great theming, nice sized room with plenty of space (and two bathrooms!) We especially liked the table/bed for our 10 year old.
It's like an upgraded Value resort: the buildings are regular and rectangular but have enough of a facade to ramp it up a bit. When walking from the Food Court with our trays of food, the huge seagulls perched in the Finding Nemo building squawked "Mine! Mine! Mine" (but we never heard them do it again when we walked by other times)
The only hitch was the swimming pool water didn't appear to be heated. We started in the Nemo pool and ended up in our native Cars area. This was strange as we've always noted the heated pools in whatever resort we've stayed in-- and we've stayed in several, from WL, AK, PO, CS, etc.
But we'd be inclined to stay there again. We'll just have to save up more money as it is a bit pricey, but worth it!
