Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Announced!

[Figment!]

For those interested in the history of this project, it would appear that the test building reported in Potential New Resort: Disney's Animation Inn & Suites was indeed preparation for this resort.

[Mr. Brass Bonanza]

FANTASTIC!!!

Now having a family myself, I can appreciate the importance of these value resorts. We're going to stay at Pop Century in January, and this new resort will definitely be part of our immediate trip following its completion.

My son's favorite movie is Cars, and my daughter's favorite movie is The Little Mermaid. What will we do? Will we need to split up the family? Oh, the choices...

[KylesMom]

Amazing, over a year and a half after Jason posted the "test", it comes into reality.

Although I'm somewhat surprised at the announcement at this time, I'm glad that Disney is doing something with the plain-old creepy property which currently exists. They're finally getting the fact that they need to create affordable resorts for the larger families - thus keeping these same groups on property.

[Elranzer]

I'm not thrilled about this, at all.

These buildings should have been Pop Century: Legendary Years (1900 - 1940).

The only reason that development stalled on the Legendary Years buildings was due to 9/11 and Disney's fear of lowered tourism. There's no reason to re-theme the resort, especially, since it's connected to the Pop Century: Classic Years resort.

The Art of Disney Animation Resort was a remnant of Eisner, back when he was displeased with the Pop Century and wanted to re-theme the WHOLE resort as the Disney Animation Inn. The idea should have died when Eisner left the company, along with the rest of his bad ideas like changing Alien Encounter: ExtraTERRORestrial to Stitch's Great Escape.

Now the Pop "Century" is doomed to be half a century.

[TysMomTink]

I'm excited to see this. The lost Legendary Years section is an absolute eyesore and to complete it in any way is great. Theming to specific Disney movies- all I have to say is I can't believe it's taken them so long. LOL. My son loves Cars. I can't wait to see what the Cars rooms/section looks like!

[Mr. Brass Bonanza]

First, welcome to Intercot, Elranzer.

Second, I can see your point about Pop Century only covering half a century, but I really don't think people are going to remember it was originally Eisner's idea once it opens. As a father, I'm estatic that my son and daughter will be staying in a resort that will amplify movies they absolutely love. I also think it's kind of neat there will be a walkway between this resort and Pop Century. They'll be like sister resorts.

That's just my point of view as a father of young kids, but I do see where you're coming from. Oh...and I do agree with you about Alien Encounter: ExtraTERRORestrial 100%.

[Ed]

Who announced this? I don't see anything on the Disney News Release website.

There's a lengthy story in today's Orlando Sentinel, which quotes a few Disney execs, including Jay Rasulo.

[DVC2004]

I'm glad to see that they're finishing these as a Value resort. Families that cannot afford the upper level resorts should not be forgotten. There are enough Deluxe and DVC properties on site already for those that can enjoy them.

I didn't mention DVC in my comment... There aren't alot of mods though and alot of people prefer them over value. I ,too, am glad there are value choices- I guess this resort makes sense as it's already partially built and over by Pop.

[mdricks]

Im a mods fan myself but i have to admit the family suites at music were worth every penny paid. If these are more of the same, power to em i say! I will certianly stay there.

[BRJARE3]

Sounds great. We are a family of five and were just saying the other night that this is our last year to stay on site. Our children are too young to have their own rooms, and nothing else would be in our price range. This will be a great value for us.

[Nascfan]

Sweet! I'm quite pleased with this news and that they are going to be utilizing the space. While I agree it would have been nice to finish the Century, I think and hope this will be a very good option for larger and smaller families alike.

[Kennywife]

I'm not thrilled about this, at all.

These buildings should have been Pop Century: Legendary Years (1900 - 1940).

The only reason that development stalled on the Legendary Years buildings was due to 9/11 and Disney's fear of lowered tourism. There's no reason to re-theme the resort, especially, since it's connected to the Pop Century: Classic Years resort.

The Art of Disney Animation Resort was a remnant of Eisner, back when he was displeased with the Pop Century and wanted to re-theme the WHOLE resort as the Disney Animation Inn. The idea should have died when Eisner left the company, along with the rest of his bad ideas like changing Alien Encounter: ExtraTERRORestrial to Stitch's Great Escape.

Now the Pop "Century" is doomed to be half a century.

Honestly, I can see a possible reason why they are doing it. Even though the decades in the legendary years have a lot of good things to focus on, it's impossible to finish the resort without covering the not so good stuff as well like the wars and the depression. Plus, more people are staying value and they probably want to give more options.

Now, although it would make a great history lesson for kids, a lot of people come to vacations to 'escape' from the outside world. I'm excited about it! I would be looking forward to The Lion King room or maybe Cars!

Anna

[DisneyLuver91]

My only complaint is that Cars and Finding Nemo haven't been around long enough to have staying power. We know that The Little Mermaid and The Lion King have made it, but Nemo and Cars.... Ehhh.... And Nemo has like, 3 attractions already. Maybe just make a Cars attraction and call it a day.

[Goofy4TheWorld]

I think this is the most fantastic news I have ever read on Intercot! My wife and I have kinda-sorta thought we would have 3 kids (but after the first one, a wild child, we may chicken out), and it was such a downer that a family of 5 or 6 was just thrown under the bus by Disney in terms of reasonably priced accommodations for families of this size.

I think Disney got it right at every turn: making it a value resort, putting in at the Pop site, theming to those 4 movies, and the mixing of both suites and regular rooms all at one location. I think the complaint department should close for the day and not reopen until tomorrow at 8am.

JUST TERRIFIC!!!

[BrerGnat]

Well, geez, it's ABOUT TIME already! My gosh. That lot has been empty for, what, almost 10 years now???

I think this is a fantastic idea. Will really help all those larger families who scramble with having to reserve two (hopefully connecting) rooms for every trip. I think it's a very wise decision on Disney's part to finally open an "all suites" hotel (or close, to "all").

I suppose the Little Mermaid section will be the already completed buildings?

However, I have to question the choice of movies being represented. Isn't Lion King, essentially, the theme of the new AK DVC? And, sort of the whole AK lodge too? More or less? I wonder if they have an excess of building materials and decorations lying around in a warehouse somewhere that they need to use up. While Lion King was a huge movie, so was Beauty and the Beast, and even Aladdin, so why Lion King when that theme already exists?

I also think "why Nemo?". Isn't the CBR featuring Nemo in the rooms now? I mean, there are SO many movies to pick from.

And, I think it's odd to have a mix of Pixar and Disney movies represented. Why not go all out either way? I mean, Pixar IS essentially Disney now, but back when Nemo and Cars were created, they were still Pixar...

I don't know. We'll probably never stay there, but I think the Cars rooms would be a HUGE hit with my son.

And, I disagree with the lack of relevance of Cars. As a parent of two boys, 5 and 4, I can tell you that Cars is known around here a million times better than Lion King and Little Mermaid. We own all those movies, and my kids have never had any desire to watch anything but the Pixar films...that's what appeals to them. I really feel like for this generation of kids, it's the Pixar movies that will mean "Disney" to them, not so much the stuff made prior to 2000.

[Mr. Brass Bonanza]

Debating the choices, the only one I question is Finding Nemo. I would have preferred Monster's Inc. or Toy Story instead.

[Carol]

Who announced this? I don't see anything on the Disney News Release website.

It is on their media site.

OFFIAL PRESS RELEASE:

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (May 12, 2010) – Work begins soon on an exciting new resort hotel built around the themes of Disney animation, Walt Disney World Resort announced today. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will be one-of-a-kind, featuring family suites designed around four themes: The Lion King, Cars, Finding Nemo and The Little Mermaid.

Crowned by a 35-foot-tall model of King Triton, the family-friendly resort will have themed room interiors in its nearly 2,000 new units — 1,120 family suites in The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo wings and 864 themed rooms in The Little Mermaid wings. Suites will have both a living room and a bedroom.

“These themes have both compelling storylines and vivid visuals which will come together to create a truly memorable, immersive resort experience,” said Eric Jacobson, Senior Vice President of Walt Disney Imagineering. “With more multi-generational families vacationing together, guests are looking for places where they can play together and stay together. This resort was designed with the needs of families in mind, as we continue the Disney tradition of providing a great guest experience for every taste and budget.”

Added Tom Staggs, Chairman of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts: “We are always looking for opportunities to expand and enhance our Walt Disney World offerings, and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a great example of those efforts. This new resort will feature some of our most beloved characters and stories in a unique and special way that we think our guests will really enjoy,” said “This project also underscores our optimism about the future, as we continue to invest in new experiences for our guests around the globe.”

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the 26th resort at Walt Disney World, will be one-of-a-kind, with themed building exteriors and room interiors, and larger-than-life icons from the animated films in the courtyard areas. To be located next to Disney’s Pop Century Resort, all of the themed suites and rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are expected to open by the end of 2012.

[doombuggy]

[QUOTE=BrerGnat;2053568]
However, I have to question the choice of movies being represented. Isn't Lion King, essentially, the theme of the new AK DVC? And, sort of the whole AK lodge too? More or less? I wonder if they have an excess of building materials and decorations lying around in a warehouse somewhere that they need to use up. While Lion King was a huge movie, so was Beauty and the Beast, and even Aladdin, so why Lion King when that theme already exists? [qUOTE]

You lost me here. I have stayed at AKL, and it's an African theme. I wouldn't call it "Lion King." When reading the Sentinel article and hearing the report on the news this am, it appeared to me that this new resort would be similar to Pop in its "look."

This is a great use of the space and the suites are a great idea!

[Fastpasssteve]

What a great idea. I have friends with a son who would give up Christmas to stay in a hotel themed like the movie Cars! They will undoubtedly stay there in the future.

[Imagineer1981]

this is very cool and a great use of the area. It will add more suites which is great and another awesome value resort for families. Disney has been losing the value costumers lately because many are staying off property when the values are booked up