Reviews of Art of Animation Resort (Value Resort)
Reviewed by tlynn Review Date: 09/28/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
Loved it!
Pros:
We were booked into the Lion King Suite. As a family of 6, it is often difficult to get accommodations where we can all stay in same room. With two full baths, a separate room for the parents, and wonderfully themed, this is a winner!!!Cons:
NoneReviewed by Dizerella Review Date: 09/27/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
Overall great resort with awesome themed areas
Pros:
Great food court. The family suites are well designed and themed and offer lots of space for a family to spread out. And the smell in the lobby is so great!Cons:
That currently (as that will be changing in 2018 with the Gondola opening) the only transport to the parks is busses and the lines are often long, meaning waiting for a second, or in rare cases, a third bus to come before you can get on. Busses ran very regularly though so wouldn't let that deter you from staying here. We often just made us of Uber or Lyft when the lines for the bus were long.Reviewed by BareNecessities Review Date: 09/27/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
We stayed without kids in the Little Mermaid section (standard room, not suite), during March 2018. I loved the theming at this resort! The walk from the main area to our Little Mermaid room was very manageable, even with a freshly injured leg, and sent us walking past really great Lion King theming as well. The main pool area theming was outstanding. Do not miss a chance to just sit there, and soak it all in. Vacation is about escape, and we did! Even without kids! The room was comfortable even though it's small. I'd recommend WDW put hooks along the vanity curtain area, for true privacy if you want to dress in that area privately, as the curtains don't sit flush against the wall. I even spent some time and soaked in the bath tub to enjoy the theming in there! I would not have made this WDW trip at all, if I hadn't been able to find Value prices with good accommodation on property, because, although I've stayed concierge level at Beach Club in years past, we couldn't manage that this time. We stay on property for the safety, theming, access, and quality that comes even at the lowest price points (unlike the lowest prices at neighbouring hotels). There were no glitches this trip, although we did encounter the new fee for packages sent here ahead of us, and some long lines (even though we had done online check-in). I really appreciate the effort being made for quality, in value resorts, especially to meet the healthier food choices that some of us absolutely need, and many of us want. They had a really tasty spinach dish that I hope to enjoy again on my next visit. Lower prices should equate with fewer services, not subpar quality.
Pros:
Well themed, good quality even at the lowest prices.Cons:
curtain needs to have a hook to secure the privacy of the dressing area.Reviewed by nkwyatt Review Date: 09/27/2018
Rating: (1) Not Recommended
I've stayed at this resort twice -- I did not enjoy either stay. The first visit was shortly after the resort opened and we stayed in a standard room (there is no preferred room option) in the Little Mermaid area of the resort. The walk to/from these buildings was excruciatingly long -- seemed like about 15 minutes which may not be that long to some but......if you forget something and have to return to your room it makes for a very bad experience. Also, the resort refillable mugs are basically useless because there is no quick trip to the foodcourt for a refill -- it's a 15 minute walk minimum. The same is true for a trip to the gift shop. Therefore, when I went back for my second trip, I paid the higher price and stayed in a suite -- again, not a good experience. The design of these rooms can only be described as cluttered. The sofa was not a full-size sofa so it accommodates seating for only 2 guests. The "side chair" is more like a chair you would find at the dining table and is not conducive for watching TV or resting. The table and chairs take up most of the entry way and cannot be used if the Murphy bed is down. The "kitchenette" is tiny and right in the middle of the living area. Guests who will be sleeping on the pullouts have no place to store their luggage other than right in the middle of the living area. The side tables in the living area were tiny and useless. To put it mildly, we hated this resort and hope never to stay there again.
Pros:
Sadly, I can't find much that is positive to say about Art of Animation. The airline check-in personnel were friendly and efficient.Cons:
Everything -- crowded rooms; long walks to/from the foodcourt, buses, gift shops. Poor selections/not much variety in the foodcourt.Reviewed by Joel0917 Review Date: 09/26/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
who doesn't love Disney animation. This is a must for any family to experience at least once. There are larger rooms to accommodate larger families and give mom and dad some privacy. i have only stayed in the Ursula section. once in 2 double beds and once getting 1 king bed. It's one of the few value resorts you can request a King bed. Pool is awesome and has underwater music.
Pros:
Themeing of the resort is awesome. Can walk across the bridge to Pop Centure.Cons:
rooms are a little small and double beds are smallReviewed by TLynch Review Date: 09/26/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
Great family resort.
Pros:
Love the suites, the pool area is great, staff was great.Cons:
Unless you get a preferred room, for an additional charge, there can be quite a walk to the bus transportation.Reviewed by Hayls Review Date: 09/26/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
LOVED The Little Mermaid Room
Pros:
awesome decor, kid friendlyCons:
a farther walk to main lobby than other resortsReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 09/26/2018
Rating: (9) Recommended
My daughter and I had a wonderful time here last weekend. The room was very cute (we had a Little Mermaid themed room), and the theming around the resort was perfect for her at age 5.
Pros:
Clean room, great food court had a lot of selection, fun staff at the pool for the afternoon pool party, great theming around the resort.Cons:
noneReviewed by Anonymous Review Date: 09/26/2018
Rating: (8) Recommended
Excellent for groups of 5-6. I have stayed at Contemporary (LOVED it, but it is expensive) and All Star Music (was very nice, fairly quiet on top floor, but very tight quarters). This AoA suite allowed our party of 5 ladies to spread out and the 2 bathrooms were SO convenient. I found the POP (prior to reno) to be worse than Motel 6 (when I stayed I got the only building not yet renovated). I thought the Food Court was too crowded, especially because they had some of the drink stations shut down. AoA Food Court was adequately staffed, very spacious and all drink stations were open. In addition, I didn't have issues with the drink stations not \"recognizing\" my cup. I also found the walls to be quieter than the All Star. NOTE: I have T-Mobile and could not make calls within my room which was at the end of the hallway. I COULD receive and make texts. Would totally book this resort again. Recommend for families of 5-6. 1 Queen Bed in separate room/bath. 1 fold down Murphy Bed. Teens said it was fine - not the most comfortable ever - but perfectly OK. Double Sofa Bed - Teens said this was fine as well. Nicer than other sofa beds at Comfort Suites, etc.
Pros:
Pool areas rock; Food court offers many, many choices; Fairly quiet for Value Resort; Cast Members were super helpful (except for one in Food Court. There is always one. LOL)Cons:
Wait was a little long for buses in AM; No cell phone reception in room (T-Mobile)Reviewed by CustodialQueen Review Date: 09/25/2018
Rating: (10) Recommended
This resort is fantastic! If you are staying at a value resort, this is the way to go. The theming is perfect for all ages; we stayed in a Cars suite and it was adorable.
This area of the resort is the most immersive, in my opinion. There is a Cozy Cone Motel pool with cone cabanas. There are many photo ops with almost every major character from the film - Lightning McQueen, Sally, Mater, Luigi, Guido, Sarge, Doc. They are life-sized and detailed just as you would expect from Disney. The rooms take the theming to a whole new level, unlike the other value resorts which go for a more streamlined effect. Our room had Cozy Cone lamps, toolbox styled furniture, and even themed shower curtains.
It is worth it to even come visit and take a bus ride over if you have little fans of Cars, Lion King, Finding Nemo, or the Little Mermaid. Each area has life-sized photo-ops that make for great photos.
The check-in, food court, and sundries shop are all combined in a manner identical to other value resorts. The food was the same Disney value resort offerings, but they did have some different offerings as well.
