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Art of Animation Resort

Inside Disney’s Art of Animation Resort-Lion King Room Photo Tour

19 September 2012 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

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After my initial tour of Disney’s new Art of Animation Resort, which has opened in phases, the last two buildings, Lion King and Little Mermaid are now open. I thought I’d venture back over and tour the new areas to share here with you. In addition to the exterior of the Lion King and Little Mermaid buildings, I was able to tour a Cars and Lion King room. I’ll be sharing the other photos in subsequent posts, but for now, let’s check out a Lion King family suite and its surrounding buildings.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort Lion King
Hakuna Matata!

Before I share the photos, a quick note about all of the buildings at Art of Animation. When I first saw the property back in April, what I was most impressed with were the tiny details. In the Finding Nemo section, it was the landscaping, made to look like you were actually under the sea, along with things like the swim mask featured in the film, famously marked with “P. Sherman 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney”. The giant sea creatures were fun for the kids, but it was those details that really made the theming work for me. The rooms were also pretty and full of muted colors like you saw in the movie.

By far my favorite section was Cars. It was as if you were walking into a less-vast Radiator Springs. After visiting Disney California Adventure and seeing the “real” version of Cars Land, of course this area cannot compare, however it’s an excellent second place. What makes it so great is the perspective. You see the cars, properly-sized, as you would in the film and you feel as if you are a part of the town. The landscaping, again, is a key detail, painting a desert scene in keeping with Radiator Springs. You’ve got the Cozy Cone motel and other landmarks that are again, properly sized so it feels natural. The rooms inside are in keeping with this theme and, I think, a nice mix of racing vs. Radiator Springs decor. We’ll see photos of the rooms in an upcoming post.

The Lion King buildings sort of straddle the line between the over-sized Finding Nemo and (as we’ll also see in later) Little Mermaid rooms and the proper perspective of the Cars section. The Lion King statues are bigger than life-sized, but not so huge that it feels just silly and not at all realistic. I like the unique layout of the Lion King buildings, with the famous “Hakuna Matata” log that Simba, Pumba and Timon dance across in the movie and the Elephant Graveyard where the three hyenas, Shenzi, Banzai, and Ed are found. Of course all of the wonderfully detailed scenes are riddled with “Please Do Not Climb” signs, which will probably make this a battleground for cast members trying to protect guests and those guests hoping to get that really cool photo from their vacation. I do love the lush look of the building entrances and the overall fun but not too over-the-top theme of the Lion King buildings. Later I’ll discuss the Little Mermaid buildings and my thoughts on their theming. Now, onto the photos!

[portfolio_slideshow]

What do you think of the Art of Animation Resort in general? What about the new Lion King section? Share your favorite details in the comments below:

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Filed Under: Commentary Land, Disney Movie News & Reviews, Disney Planning, Disney Resorts, Photos From the Parks, Reviews Tagged With: Art of Animation Resort, Art of Animation tour, Cars building, Disney's Art of Animation, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Lion King Building, Lion King room tour, Little Mermaid buildings, Photo Tour, value plus resort, value resort

Art of Animation Promises A Resort With Character In Late Spring

3 April 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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Art of Animation ResortI realized I hadn’t really posted about the Walt Disney Resort’s newest Value resort, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and thought I would remedy that. While Value resorts aren’t usually my first choice, they have always been a great go-to choice for economy with Disney’s famous amenities and service. Additionally, as a family of five whose youngest member is no longer an infant, we have officially outgrown most of the room options at Disney resorts. The Art of Animation Resort offers a great alternative to booking two rooms or upgrading to a more costly DVC property with multiple bedrooms. The new resort will feature 112o Family Suites, accommodating up to 6 guests and featuring the following amenities:

  • 3 separate sleeping areas, including a master bedroom with queen-size bed
  • A full-size sleeper sofa
  • A convertible table bed—a dining or work table that transforms into a comfortable bed
  • 2 separate bathrooms
  • A kitchenette that includes a compact refrigerator, microwave and coffeemaker
  • A table and chairs
  • 2 flat panel TVs

So that alone makes it a great choice for our family, and I’m sure many others as well. I’ll be getting a chance to preview these suites and the resort later this month, and will provide a complete report at that time. Until then, here are some of the official releases on the Art of Animation resort to tide you over:

 

Opening in phases, each of the four wings celebrates rich storytelling, spirited characters and playfulness with colorful icons and whimsical theming inspired by each beloved film depicted. 

The wings dedicated to the popular films featured at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will now be opening than sooner than expected after the resort hotel’s grand opening May 31.

“We are excited that the Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid wings at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will all open earlier than we originally planned, bringing more permanent resort jobs to Central Florida sooner,” said Kevin Myers, vice president of resort operations for Walt Disney World Resort. “Demand for family suites exists in the marketplace today and the new opening dates reflect how optimistic we are about tourism in Central Florida.”

Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation Resort's Finding Nemo Family Suites will be opening first, May 31, 2012

 

Art of Animation Resort
Finding Nemo Family Suite living area

 

The Finding Nemo wings of the resort will open May 31; Cars will now open June 18 instead of July 31; The Lion King will open August 10 instead of September 30. The value rooms at The Little Mermaid wings on September 15 instead of at the end of this year.

Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation Resort's Cars Family Suites will be the next to open up, June 18, 2012. This table shows where the convertible bed will be.

 

The three-story resort will immediately put guests into the worlds of favorite Disney characters and animated films beginning at check-in as pixilated patterns and wavy ribbons of color decorate the resort’s exterior. Pencil drawings of Ariel, Lightning McQueen, Nemo and Simba adorn the entryway, and a cleverly created chandelier composed of animation storyboards enhance the lively and modern lobby.

Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation Resort sketches in the lobby

 

“Our goal is to make guests feel like they have been immersed in the artistry and enchantment of Walt Disney and Disney•Pixar animated classics,” said Walt Disney Imagineer Frank Paris.

Giant sketchbooks filled with favorite characters seem to come to life as they pave the way to each storyline revealed. Scenic settings, icons—including a brightly-colored coral landscape, a 35-foot-tall model of King Triton, a towering Mufasa and more—immerse guests into the playful world of animation. At the Cars wing, a freshly paved road leads to the Cozy Cone Motel complete with a Cozy Cone pool and cone-shaped cabanas. It’s a journey through an African landscape in The Lion King complete with an elephant graveyard play area that invites youngsters to seek hakuna matata time. Treasures from the human world fill Ariel’s grotto in an under the sea kingdom in Little Mermaid courtyard.

Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation Resort's Little Mermaid Value rooms

 

From linens and carpeting to fixtures and furniture, all details of the guestroom tie to the storyline. In Finding Nemo, there’s coral-shaped chairs and bubble ceiling lights; Zazu takes center stage on the headboards in The Lion King, while Pumbaa and Timon decorate the shower curtain.

Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation Resort's Lion King Family Suites

 

Kids of all ages can make a splash at the “Big Blue” pool, the largest resort swimming pool at Walt Disney World Resort measuring 11,859 square feet. Guests enter scenes from the animated world and can explore the colorful reef with a giant-sized Mr. Ray whose wings span 27 feet, pose for a picture with Crush or frolic with Squirt in the Righteous Reef, a children’s play area. An arcade and two additional pools round out the fun.

Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation Resort's "Big Blue" pool area

 

In size and scope the construction of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a major project at Walt Disney World Resort. The project has created 800 construction jobs and once open later this year, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort will create 750 permanent resort hotel jobs.

The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo buildings will be entirely family suites, with 1,120 suites between them. The Little Mermaid buildings will feature 864 rooms in the “value” room category.

Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation Resort's Cars Family Suite living area

 

The construction of family suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is an innovative approach to a changing marketplace.  Today more and more multi-generational families are traveling together for various celebrations, including family reunions. These families not only want to play together, they want to stay together, which has created tremendous demand for family suites.

  • Disney also unveiled the look of new Cast Member costumes at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
  • Each front desk Cast Member will wear a unique splattered-ink vest representing an animator’s unique creative process as part of their costume.

Also, as Guests move from the check-in area to Merchandise and Food & Beverage locations, Cast Members in those locations will be wearing colorful costumes that represent the color being added to animation.

Dining options were revealed earlier this year from Disney food writer Pam Brandon:

“Better-for-you” options at five mini shops serving breakfast, lunch and dinner is the overarching theme of the new Landscape of Flavors food court still being tweaked for Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, opening in May. The new restaurant will be adjacent to the lobby.

“The idea is that you customize your choice,” says Chef Ed Wronski, Director, Food & Beverage Concept Development, Walt Disney Parks and Resorts. “From burgers to pasta, salads, ethnic flavors, omelets, even parfaits and gelatos, everything is made fresh as you order.”

There’s a big focus on beverages, too. Fresh fruit smoothies are made to order, ditto for lemonade and pomegranate limeade. They’re stocking organic teas, beer (including gluten free), wine, coffee and juices. You can get a plain cup of coffee or a French vanilla or mocha iced. And half bottles of wine are paired with cuisine from the food shops.

We got a sneak peek at the menu, and here are some of the highlights:

  • The Soup-Salad-Sandwich Shop lets you create your own salad (with beef or chicken) and offers a caprese sandwich with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes on focaccia, or a Buffalo-style turkey sandwich with arugula and a blue cheese-Buffalo sauce-mayo spread. Both are served with delish house-made potato chips.
  • The World Flavors Shop adds Indian-African flair to breakfast, too, with scrambled eggs, tandoor potatoes, Portuguese sausage, slab bacon and a mini-naan; or a veggie flatbread sandwich on naan with cauliflower, spinach and paneer. Lunch and dinner is a choice of tandoori chicken or shrimp, Mongolian beef with vegetables, mahi mahi, Portuguese sausage or roasted acorn squash served with sides and naan bread.
  • The Pizza Shop features make-your-own pasta, cheese and pepperoni pizzas and meatballs on ciabatta bread. Room delivery is an option, too.
  • The Burger Shop includes a breakfast burger with chicken breakfast sausage, cheese and scrambled eggs on a multi-grain bun, and a steak-and-eggs breakfast burger with a burger topped with fried eggs, cheese and bacon. Besides the traditional burgers, lunch and dinner includes a surf and turf burger with crab cake and fried popcorn shrimp, and a pastrami cheeseburger topped with pepper jack cheese and a slice of fried green tomato.
  • The “grab ‘n go” Market Shop offers drinks, yogurt, bagels, pastries, gourmet cupcakes, cookies and gelato.

The food court will be part of the Disney Dining Plan, details to follow.

 

I can’t wait to see the finished Art of Animation Resort and share photos with you here.

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Filed Under: Disney Resorts, Official Disney, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Art of Animation dining options, Art of Animation food court, Art of Animation Resort, Cars Family Suites, compact refrigerator, Disney Resorts, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, economy rooms, family resort, Family Suites, Finding Nemo Family Suites, flat panel tvs, full size sleeper sofa, kitchenette, lion king, Lion King Family Suites, little mermaid, Little Mermaid rooms, master bedroom, queen size bed, value resort, walt disney resort

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