Art of Animation Resort: Photos, Photos & More Photos

[wdrl]

The Art of Animation Resort is Disney's newest Value Resort at Walt Disney World. Three of the four sections -- the Cars section, the Little Nemo section, and the Lion King section -- are already open. The Little Mermaid section is scheduled to open on September 15, 2012.


Animation Hall houses the lobby, the Ink & Paint Shop gift store, and the Landscapes of Flavors food court. A photo tour of Animation Hall is available on this thread.


As you approach the Art of Animation Resort, you'll notice it is very bright and colorful:








The resort map shows the layout of the Art of Animation Resort:





The Art of Animation Resort is right across Hourglass Lake from there Pop Century Resort. You can take this bridge to walk from Pop to AofA:





Ready to see some photos?

[denlo]

There is nothing but family suites that sleep six guests in this section. The suite includes a living room, kitchen, one bedroom, and a bathroom.

These types of signs reminds me of billboards along the highways in the west you'd see in old movies. There are still a few around, really faded though. These signs are used to hide the stairwells.










Remember the old Burma Shave highway ads?










AoA Radiator Springs was my favorite section even though the two Cars movies are not my favorite Pixar movies. The details were just amazing and fun.












































Although it was all one resort, the buildings were labeled as different hotels.

[wdrl]

The Finding Nemo section has family suites that accommodate up to six people. Its the home for the Big Blue Pool.



















You might not be able to tell from this photo, but this sailing ship is really a school of shiny silver fish:




Maybe it was just because I was getting hungry, but when I saw this feature at the water play area it reminded me of a package of McDonald's french fries:








This is one of my favorite photos of AofA. Its the staircase for one of the Finding Nemo Buildings:




All of the buildings at the Art of Animation Resort have embossed metal character drawings.

[denlo]

On the day we were leaving WDW, the Lion King Section opened at AoA. We decided to see before we started our drive home to Texas. The Lion King Section is smaller than the Cars section at AoA as it only has two buildings and it does not have a pool. The buildings also appeared smaller than the two buildings in the Nemo Section.





The stairwells were hidden by rock formations.





And the buildings were numbered using a leaf design on the sign.





The center courtyard between the two Lion King Buildings.
































They are going to have a real problem with kids climbing on these things despite the warning signs.
We were told by a CM that more permanent signs will be added. There is a small play area under the elephant bones. But children are not supposed to climb on the bones.














The main entrance to a building made you feel like you were in the jungle. The doors are RFID protected but electricians were still working in this building so we were were able to get in. Could not see a room though. Here are some lobby and hall photos.



















The back side of the buildings have the sketch pad look.

[wdrl]

When we visited the Art of Animation Section on August 10, 2012, the Little Mermaid section was still under construction. It won't open until September 15, 2012. The Little Mermaid section will have only standard Disney Value hotel rooms; there are no family suites in this section. It is also the section furthest away from Animation Hall. The Little Mermaid section will have its own pool.


A construction fence kept us from getting close to the Little Mermaid buildings. But here are some photos that show some of the features in this section of AofA.














Look closely, and you'll see Ariel and Flounder are still wearing their rain ponchos:

[idratherbeinwdw]

Thanks for posting all these great pictures! DD and I were already planning to visit AoA in October, you got us both even more psyched now. If no one else does so before that, I'll post pics of the Little Mermaid section, it should be open by then.

[wdrl]

DD and I were already planning to visit AoA in October, you got us both even more psyched now. If no one else does so before that, I'll post pics of the Little Mermaid section, it should be open by then.

I think the Art of Animation Resort is well worth the time and effort to visit, even if you have to take a couple of Disney buses to get there. Its like an attraction all by itself. Plan on having lunch or dinner at the Landscapes of Flavors food court. It has a nice variety of food items. It takes the Tables in Wonderland card, by the way. We visited AofA twice during our recent stay at WDW and spent 2-3 hours each time at the resort. Of course, that is just us. . . your individual time may vary!

[idratherbeinwdw]

I think the Art of Animation Resort is well worth the time and effort to visit, even if you have to take a couple of Disney buses to get there.

I have learned that the easiest way for me to get to another resort from BWV is to walk over to DHS and use that as a hub. (Can take the boat as well, but I'd rather walk it). Works great as long as you make sure not to get back too late at night (when DHS is closed, hence no buses). A visit to AoA will definitely be during daylight so I can see and take good pics of everything.

[wdrl]

FYI - When we visited the Art of Animation Resort, a CM told us that tours were held of the lobby at 2:00 and 4:00 PM each day. I don't know how long Disney will offer these tours, but it might be worth checking into them if you plan on visiting AofA in the next few weeks.

Another FYI: The Ink & Paint Shop sells a general issue AofA Disney pin. It has the AofA emblem and Crush on it. Funny, but BLT has been open for three years and Disney still hasn't issued a general issue Disney pin for BLT. I know, I know. I should let it go and move on.

[simbasmom]

FYI - When we visited the Art of Animation Resort, a CM told us that tours were held of the lobby at 2:00 and 4:00 PM each day. I don't know how long Disney will offer these tours, but it might be worth checking into them if you plan on visiting AofA in the next few weeks.

Another FYI: The Ink & Paint Shop sells a general issue AofA Disney pin. It has the AofA emblem and Crush on it. Funny, but BLT has been open for three years and Disney still hasn't issued a general issue Disney pin for BLT. I know, I know. I should let it go and move on.

The tour is on my "must-do" list for my next visit in 3 weeks. Do you by any chance have a phone # I can call the day beforehand just to verify?