Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Reveals New Details **UPDATE**

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Reveals New Details on Jobs, Opening Dates and Icon

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla., Oct. 10, 2011 – The first wing of the new Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will open to Guests on May 31, 2012, as construction on the 25th resort hotel at Walt Disney World continues on schedule.

In size and scope, the construction of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a major project at Walt Disney World Resort and has created up to 800 construction jobs. Once open in 2012, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will also create 750 ongoing resort hotel jobs.

At a media gathering today, Walt Disney Imagineering and Walt Disney World Resort Operations released images of new icons arriving at the resort this fall and shared some of the details Guests will see when Disney’s Art of Animation opens next year. For example, Guests exploring The Lion King courtyard will see characters from the film, such as the hyenas and the evil Scar, through the eyes of Simba and in the same size and scale as the young cub would experience them.

“Here at Disney, we are in the Guest experience business,” said Kevin Myers, vice president of resort operations for Walt Disney World Resort. “When we develop a new resort hotel, we draw on Guest feedback about our parks, entertainment, special events and every aspect of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts to provide a resort hotel experience that only Disney can deliver.”

Examples of enhancements based on Guest feedback will be evident at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort in the food-and-beverage and recreation offerings. The dining area will feature items such as fresh smoothies, hand-scooped gelato and Mongolian barbecue. The resort also will feature the largest swimming pool outside of Disney’s water parks, as well as an extensive children’s water play area at the larger-than-life icons for the Finding Nemo wings of the resort.

Located adjacent to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the new resort will include 1,120 family suites in The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo wings, and 864 themed rooms in The Little Mermaid wings. Suites will feature both a living room and bedroom, offering added space for families.

The family suites and rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will fit into the “value” category of lodging, with nightly rates similar to Disney’s All-Star Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

The phased opening of the resort will begin when the Finding Nemo wing opens May 31, 2012. Next, the Cars wing of the resort will open near the end of July. The Lion King suites will open a short time later in September, and The Little Mermaid value rooms will open by the end of next year.

Some fun facts about Disney’s Art of Animation Resort -
• With an area of 11,859 square feet, the feature pool at the Finding Nemo wing of the resort will be the largest swimming pool at Walt Disney World Resort outside of the water parks.

• The new resort hotel will feature 9,400 doors, which if stacked flat would be taller than the Empire State Building.

• The 227,000 lineal feet of carpet being used on the project would be enough carpet to stretch from Orlando to the Kennedy Space Center in Titusville.

Look forward to its opening and a new place to bed down for the night on the lower end of the price range. The factoids are interesting especially the following one

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Originally Posted by Carol

• With an area of 11,859 square feet, the feature pool at the Finding Nemo wing of the resort will be the largest swimming pool at Walt Disney World Resort outside of the water parks.

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However, I am a bit spacially challenged and have a hard visualizing how big that is...anyone have any idea as to which pool is second largest pool at WDW (and how big it is) to help me get an understanding of its relative size.

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with nightly rates similar to Disney’s All-Star Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort

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Hmmm... I still don't find the AAA rate of $400 (including tax) to be much of a value - that's what I paid for one night in June... and then promptly canceled because I just can't pay that for one night and not be staying at a deluxe!

From the images in the video clip it looked like the new pool will be zero entry... There was a lighter area at one end, making it seem like it was a gentle slope entry. That would be great!

I wonder if we'll be able to legitimately pool hop here with our DVC membership perks? Hmmmm....

I am really really really excited. I usually stay in a deluxe or moderate but plan on staying at this hotel on my next trip in June of 2012!

The pool size alone has me thinking my DF and I might have to make it a priority to hang out there.

:mickey:

Two points:

1. I'm not sure what they're talking about with the "nightly rates similar to Disney’s All-Star Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort", because when I checked online the rooms were pricing out much closer to a deluxe than a value. $380 a night or so, if memory serves. We actually talked about it on one of the podcasts.
2. I find it very hard to believe that guests surveys implied that people want more Mongolian Beef. :confused:

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Originally Posted by Mousemates

However, I am a bit spacially challenged and have a hard visualizing how big that is...anyone have any idea as to which pool is second largest pool at WDW (and how big it is) to help me get an understanding of its relative size.

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I can't tell you which is the second largest pool. But, I can try to help with the spacial challenge.

The averge room size for Pop Century it 240 sq. feet. that would mean you could put about 49 rooms in the pool.

The average size of the Coronado Springs rooms is 314 sq. feet or about 38 rooms in the pool.

The average size for the Beach Club rooms is 400 sq. feet or about 30 rooms in the pool.

The average U.S. home is about 2000 sq. feet or about 6 homes in the pool.

Just think big!

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Originally Posted by Ian

Two points:

1. I find it very hard to believe that guests surveys implied that people want more Mongolian Beef. :confused:

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Really? Everyone I know comes to me for Disney planning advice and without exception I'm asked for the best Mongolian Beef Restaurant on property. Now, I have an answer for them...

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ian

Two points:

1. I'm not sure what they're talking about with the "nightly rates similar to Disney’s All-Star Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort", because when I checked online the rooms were pricing out much closer to a deluxe than a value. $380 a night or so, if memory serves. We actually talked about it on one of the podcasts.
2. I find it very hard to believe that guests surveys implied that people want more Mongolian Beef. :confused:

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The prices they were talking about were for the standard single rooms - purported to be the same cost as the Pop Century standard rooms ($92 in value season.) The price for the Family Suites is much greater (the $380, or so, per night you quoted.) I believe that this is higher than the Family Suites at the All Stars, but I haven't seen a comparison of size and amenities to do an 'apples to apples' comparison of 'value for the money.'


LOL at the Mongolian Beef comment!!!!


There is a video on youtube from Imagineering with an overview and Family Suite layout...Looks pretty impressive for a Value Resort.

Good to hear. Can't wait to start hearing reviews and seeing pictures of it and talk about the types of eateries it has. And then eventually see it for myself. :mickey:

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Originally Posted by PopPhan

The prices they were talking about were for the standard single rooms

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Mmmm ... read again ... it says:

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Originally Posted by Disney

The family suites and rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will fit into the “value” category of lodging, with nightly rates similar to Disney’s All-Star Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Ian

Two points:

1. I'm not sure what they're talking about with the "nightly rates similar to Disney’s All-Star Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort", because when I checked online the rooms were pricing out much closer to a deluxe than a value. $380 a night or so, if memory serves. We actually talked about it on one of the podcasts.
2. I find it very hard to believe that guests surveys implied that people want more Mongolian Beef. :confused:

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Not Mongolian BEEF. Mongolian BBQ. Totally different thing.

I actually think that's a good addition. It's like those places in the malls, where you fill up a bowl with veggies, noodles, and meat (raw), choose a sauce, and then the chef takes it and dumps it onto a huge grill and flash stir-fries it. I think it's a good addition. It's a healthy, customizable meal. However, I can only imagine the lines for such a thing at a Value resort food court.... :eek:
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As for the pool, great, it will be a huge pool. Without a slide, though, what's the big deal? :confused:

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Originally Posted by Carol

• With an area of 11,859 square feet, the feature pool at the Finding Nemo wing of the resort will be the largest swimming pool at Walt Disney World Resort outside of the water parks.

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Um, Stormalong Bay is a total of 35,000 square feet. Maybe because it's divided into three separate pools, they don't count it as "the biggest pool", but this basically means that the pool at Art of Animation will be the size of about one of the pools at Stormalong Bay.

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Originally Posted by Disney Hungarian

I can't tell you which is the second largest pool. But, I can try to help with the spacial challenge.

The averge room size for Pop Century it 240 sq. feet. that would mean you could put about 49 rooms in the pool........

.....Just think big!

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thanks

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Originally Posted by BrerGnat

Um, Stormalong Bay is a total of 35,000 square feet. Maybe because it's divided into three separate pools, they don't count it as "the biggest pool", but this basically means that the pool at Art of Animation will be the size of about one of the pools at Stormalong Bay.

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thanks again.

As cute as this resort sounds I don't see us ever staying here. First of all we are a family of 4. If I'm going to dish out enough money to stay in one of their family suites I may as well just stay at a deluxe resort. Second of all we'd maybe stay in a regular room if we arrive a night early for a trip, but with 2 boys and the only regular rooms being Little Mermaid themed I don't even see us staying for one night.

As for the pool. My kids don't really care how large a pool is. What they really care about is how cool the slide is. Without a slide it won't matter one single bit how big the pool is. I guess this is just not a resort for us.

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Originally Posted by buzznwoodysmom

As cute as this resort sounds I don't see us ever staying here. First of all we are a family of 4. If I'm going to dish out enough money to stay in one of their family suites I may as well just stay at a deluxe resort. Second of all we'd maybe stay in a regular room if we arrive a night early for a trip, but with 2 boys and the only regular rooms being Little Mermaid themed I don't even see us staying for one night.

As for the pool. My kids don't really care how large a pool is. What they really care about is how cool the slide is. Without a slide it won't matter one single bit how big the pool is. I guess this is just not a resort for us.

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We have the some of the same issues, we have a son and unless there is a little girl in our future, then i doubt we'll ever visit Art of Animation.

There's no need for us to get a suite and we arent staying in the little mermaid section.

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Originally Posted by Ian

Two points:

I'm not sure what they're talking about with the "nightly rates similar to Disney’s All-Star Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort", because when I checked online the rooms were pricing out much closer to a deluxe than a value. $380 a night or so, if memory serves. We actually talked about it on one of the podcasts.

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I assume (and yes I know what that can do), that that is in reference to the rooms, not suites. How much are the suites at ASMu?

:sulley:

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Originally Posted by big blue and hairy

I assume (and yes I know what that can do), that that is in reference to the rooms, not suites. How much are the suites at ASMu?

:sulley:

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Went to the WDW Online site and checked on pricing for the regular rooms (Little Mermaid) and could only get pricing for a stay beginning Dec. 31, 2012 (go to Jan. 1, 2013 and it resets to current date) and found the following:

Mon, Dec 31 $ 179.00
Tue, Jan 01 $ 179.00
Wed, Jan 02 $ 96.00
Thu, Jan 03 $ 117.00
Fri, Jan 04 $ 117.00
Sat, Jan 05 $ 117.00
Sun, Jan 06 $ 96.00
Mon, Jan 07 $ 96.00

Switched the setting to Pop Century and got the following:

Mon, Dec 31 $ 174.00
Tue, Jan 01 $ 174.00
Wed, Jan 02 $ 91.00
Thu, Jan 03 $ 112.00
Fri, Jan 04 $ 112.00
Sat, Jan 05 $ 112.00
Sun, Jan 06 $ 91.00
Mon, Jan 07 $ 91.00

Over at All Stars Music, you get:

Mon, Dec 31 $ 169.00
Tue, Jan 01 $ 169.00
Wed, Jan 02 $ 86.00
Thu, Jan 03 $ 107.00
Fri, Jan 04 $ 107.00
Sat, Jan 05 $ 107.00
Sun, Jan 06 $ 86.00
Mon, Jan 07 $ 86.00

Now, going back to AoA for Family Suites:

Mon, Dec 31 $ 425.00
Tue, Jan 01 $ 425.00.
Wed, Jan 02 $ 253.00
Thu, Jan 03 $ 294.00
Fri, Jan 04 $ 294.00
Sat, Jan 05 $ 294.00
Sun, Jan 06 $ 253.00
Mon, Jan 07 $ 253.00

And, last but not least, Family Suites at All Stars Music:

Mon, Dec 31 $ 375.00
Tue, Jan 01 $ 375.00
Wed, Jan 02 $ 202.00
Thu, Jan 03 $ 243.00
Fri, Jan 04 $ 243.00
Sat, Jan 05 $ 243.00
Sun, Jan 06 $ 202.00
Mon, Jan 07 $ 202.00

So, using this data, I see that the standard single room at AoA is right in line with Pop (+$5) and All Stars (+$10). I can justify this difference just in the newness of AoA.

On the other hand, the difference per night between the AoA Family Suites and All Stars Music Family Suites is pretty major. (Yes, I call $50/$51 per night major!!) I don't have any information on how to justify this difference.

if It was just my fiancee & me we dont need a family suite. Id go for Lion King theme, but thats a fam. I guess she might b ok w Little Mermaid theme room.. If it is comparable for those rooms to Pop, then we would stay there because I do prefer Pop over Allstars. Have to see when we will go back after this trip in 2 wks though..Ill look across the lake and bridge while we are there and see what it looks like. I agree w the theming of the pool being more important than size

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Originally Posted by Ian

I find it very hard to believe that guests surveys implied that people want more Mongolian Beef. :confused:[/LIST]

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I love Mongolian Beef! I had it at Sunshine Seasons last trip, and I've actually made it at home. :tasty:

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Originally Posted by darthmacho

I love Mongolian Beef! I had it at Sunshine Seasons last trip, and I've actually made it at home. :tasty:

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As a previous poster mentioned, the press release referred to Mongolian BBQ which is a style of restaurant, and not a particular dish. It is really not "Mongolian" or "Barbecue", but that is the name of the restaurant/cooking style anyway.

From a popular online encyclopedia:

"At A Mongolian Barbecue restaurant, diners typically choose various ingredients from a buffet of thinly sliced raw meats (beef, pork, lamb, turkey, chicken, and/or shrimp) and vegetables (cabbage, tofu, sliced onion, cilantro, broccoli, mushrooms, pineapple, lychee, etc.) and load them onto a bowl or plate. These ingredients are given to the griddle operator who adds the diner's choice of sauce and transfers them to one section of the hot griddle. Oil and sometimes water may be added to ease cooking, and the ingredients are stirred occasionally.

"The ample size of the Mongolian barbecue griddle allows for several diners' food to be cooked simultaneously on different parts of the griddle. In many restaurants (primarily buffets) one dish will be cooked at a time, the operator walking around the outside of the grill once or twice moving the food while walking. When cooking is complete, the finished dish is scooped into a bowl and handed to the diner. Many Mongolian barbecue restaurants are "all-you-can-eat."