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Art of Animation

Disney’s Art of Animation Celebrates its First Christmas

27 November 2012 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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Disney's Art of Animation Christmas twinkling tree

With such a colorful entrance into the Disney resort family, Art of Animation resort was in my sights to check out for the holidays to see just what Disney had up its sleeve to decorate their newest resort. Being a Value, or Value Plus resort, of course the Christmas decorations will be a little more low-key than say the Deluxe resorts. Still, it was fun to see and the decor definitely fits into the resort’s capture of the animation process.

Like the overall theme of Disney’s Art of Animation, the Christmas decor starts off colorless, like a blank page, with sketches. As you progress through the lobby, color is added and as a fan of rainbow colors and white Christmas trees, I was in heaven! It’s a very fun, colorful display, that just makes you happy. All that’s missing are those fun rainbow candy canes my mom always used to get!

 

 

 

Here is a gallery overview of the holiday decorations and details of Disney’s Art of Animation resort – click any photo to view as a slideshow:

Disney's Art of Animation Christmas twinkling tree
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Looking back at the check-in area from Ink & Paint Shop
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Swag within Ink & Paint Shop
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Decorations within the Ink & Paint merchandise shop.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Crush was the only representative from Finding Nemo.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Above the exit to the pool area and guest room buildings. There are more sketches in the swag.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
The one sketch on the tree that was not Ariel or Young Simba.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
The lobby tree at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Looks like a multi-colored tree, but upon closer inspection, you’ll find familiar sketches nestled within the branches.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Pretty pink background and green wreath!
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Blue swag in the middle of the check-in area.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Had to use the flash on this one, so you could see the adorable pink wreath!
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
The check-in area features colorful wreaths contrasting the color on the walls behind them.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Small tree in the kids area of the lobby.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Multi-colored wreath inside the lobby.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Inside the lobby, the color begins.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
Here, all the decorations are pure white, with no color, just like the sketches-to-painted cells progression within the lobby.
Disney's Art of Animation Christmas
The outside of the resort as you approach.

 

 

 

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Filed Under: Disney Holidays, Disney Resorts, Top Stories Tagged With: AoA, Art of Animation, Art of Animation Christmas, Christmas, Christmas decorations, Disney, Disney Christmas, Disney Christmas decorations, Disney holidays, disney resort, Disney Resort holiday decor, Disney Resorts, Disney resorts holidays, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, holiday decoration

Little Mermaid Section Photos & Review at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

20 September 2012 by Suzannah Otis 8 Comments

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On my recent tour of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, I also checked out the newest area, the Little Mermaid section. These rooms are the traditional “value” rooms seen in other resorts, not the family suites or “value plus” experience found in the Finding Nemo, Cars, and Lion King buildings. The rooms here start at $94/night vs. the $248/night starting price for the family suite rooms. Having noted that, when I visited the Little Mermaid section, I was a bit disappointed – relatively speaking.

Disney's Art of Animation Little Mermaid buildings
Giant Dinglehopper awaits you!

On its own, the Little Mermaid fits right into the All-Star and Pop-themed buildings. However, down the road from the Cars buildings, there is just no comparison. Here we are met with giant and I mean GIANT characters and props from the film. When you first walk in, you have two photo ops, a very over-sized Dinglehopper and an even larger Snarfblat. Sure, they are familiar icons from the film, but why so big? Does this mean we have been shrunk to krill-size creatures upon entering this area? That would be plausible if we didn’t then happen upon the statue of Prince Eric which Ariel keeps in her grotto. It is slightly over-sized, but for the most part, on par with how it looks in the movie. Then to your right is a behemoth-sized Ursula and an equally towering King Triton. It is almost impossible to make characters that huge not look deranged somehow…and these are no exception. Also, with no interior doors and hallways, the buildings are also covered with 2-D cut outs of fish from the film and bubbles, which are a far cry from the expertly themed buildings in the rest of the resort.

Again, I get that it’s in keeping with the super-sized theme that the other value resorts are known for, but when you feel actually immersed over in the Cars section, it’s just hard not to wonder what the other buildings would’ve been like with those same rules applied. Perhaps it is because the Cars section is so wonderful that it stands out on its own and is the one out of place. I will say that I enjoy the details that are present, like the ship’s mast and crows nest themed light posts along the walkways, and the attempt at a beachy/underwater landscaping mix. I would just personally prefer to stay in the Cars or Lion King section, were I to stay in this resort. We’ll see inside a Cars section room in a later post, and I’ll also discuss the dining options and other resort information in the coming weeks. Until then, with my opinions out of the way, let’s take a look at the Little Mermaid buildings:

[portfolio_slideshow]

What are your thoughts on the Little Mermaid buildings? Will you choose this section of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort over other value resort options?

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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, Art of Animation review, cars section, dinglehopper, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Finding Nemo, king triton, lion king, little mermaid, Little Mermaid building, Little Mermaid buildings review, Little Mermaid section, prince eric, snarfblat, super-sized Disney characters, ursula, value resort

Disney’s Art of Animation Video Tour With Imagineer Interviews

2 May 2012 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

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The Art of Animation Resort is a whimsical new place to stay on Walt Disney World property beginning Summer of 2012 with the opening of the Finding Nemo themed rooms. The family suites start at $249 and sleep up to six with two bathrooms and a kitchenette. Opening at later dates will be Cars (June 18), The Lion King (August 10) and The Little Mermaid (September 15) themed sections.

The theming of the resort is similar to the progression of the making of an animated film. In the lobby you are first presented with the Ink and Paint Shop, a merchandise store, and the character sketch wall which has renderings of some of your favorite pals from the resort’s featured movies. Then as you continue out to the pool area and guest room buildings you are rewarded with fabulous landscapes and backgrounds. Here in this video you’ll have a tour of the resort with interviews and commentary from Disney Imagineers like Gary Hoffman, who was the Senior Project Manager over design and architecture for the resort and offers a personal greeting for Zannaland readers below!

 

I can not get over the wondrous colors displayed here. It was a whole lot of fun to photograph, especially the pool area which was rich in tropical and undersea inspired hues. Check out this gallery and tell us what you think of the design!

 

Disney's Art of Animation Resort
It’s just like walking (driving?) into Radiator Springs.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Sneak peek into the Cars area.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Map of the Art of Animation Resort property shows the future buildings.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Hidden Mickey within the Ariel’s Grotto lighting at the food court.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Lion King section of the Landscape of Flavors food court. So pretty.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Sunset over the lobby area. The colors and design are gorgeous!
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Mine! birds at night. Nicely lit.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Master bath area features a nice walk-in shower.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Fun new Mickey toiletries inside the Finding Nemo rooms.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Hopefully no one in your party will have a fear of sharks! I do like the brick-looking tile in this shower area.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Fish are friends…not food! Nicole and Suzannah showing the cute mirrors in the Nemo bathrooms.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
TV and dresser area in the master bath.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Master bedroom in the Nemo family suite.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Sleep sofa/living area of the Finding Nemo family suite.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Finding Nemo family suite kitchenette
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Pull-down Murphy bed in the Nemo family suite.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
With the Murphy bed up in the family suite, it’s a table!
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
New touch-key system for secure entry into the rooms. Just touch your Key to the World to gain access to your suite.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Hidden Mickey in the hallway carpet at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Finding Nemo building, the stairs are topped with “Mine!” seagulls.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Duuude! Squirt hanging out by the Big Blue Pool.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
We all remember these goggles from Finding Nemo right?
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Shark Bait – hoo ha ha! Outside at the Big Blue Pool.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
The Big Blue Pool showcases the most popular parts of the Finding Nemo movie.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Collage of the lobby elements.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
The ladies room in the lobby is pretty in pink with Ariel.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Sample merchandise from Ink & Paint shop.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Ink and Paint merchandise shop waiting for souvenirs!
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Info for the merchandise shop and food court.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Stylized animation scenes as you make your way to the Big Blue Pool.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Unique chandelier focal point in the Art of Animation lobby with artwork signed by John Lasseter.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Lobby area featuring the animation process from sketch to finished design.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Gorgeous check-in area fashioned after color swatches.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Animation Hall, as you enter from parking or the bus.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Entryway to the lobby.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort entrance.

We took so many photos we had to add them to flickr so you could see them all! Check out our flickr Art of Animation photo set to see even more images.

I think this will quickly be the most popular value resort upon opening. Would you like to stay here with your family? Which themed section are you most drawn to?

[Notes from Suzannah: I was also able to preview Art of Animation last weekend during Disney’s Social Media Moms Celebration and was blown away with the level of detail incorporated into this value resort. I think it sets the bar much, much higher for a value resort and with a family of five, I know the family suites here are now an option I will actually look forward to using.

 

In the Finding Nemo area, the landscaping around the pool and buildings look as though they are undersea plants, specifically chosen to make it look like you are in the Big Blue World. Brilliant. The design and details within the rooms are just breathtaking. They are bright and fun for families with young children, but the design palate is cool and mod; adults will appreciate and enjoy staying there as well. I also love that the family suite rooms are accessed by an interior hallway vs. the usual outdoor access value resorts offer. I asked about this decreasing noise level and was told that yes, sounds are reduced with the interior entry as are the instances of bugs getting into rooms (this is Florida after all, home to prehistoric armies of insects!).

 

After peeking through the construction fence into the Cars section, I can see the level of detail does not stop with Nemo. You truly feel as if you are walking into Radiator Springs. I’m excited to see the lush jungle-feel of the Lion King area as well, after getting a little taste of it in the food court – Landscape of Flavors. Be sure to check out all the photos and let us know what you think of this amazing new resort! Big thanks to Nicole for her wonderful video and photos! ~Suzannah]
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Filed Under: Disney News, Disney Planning, Disney Resorts, Guest Authors, Walt Disney World Tagged With: Art of Animation, Art of Animation pool, Art of Animation rooms, Big Blue Pool, Cars hotel rooms, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Disney's Social Media Moms Celebration, Finding Nemo hotel rooms, Gary Hoffman, Imagineer interview, Imagineers, Lion King hotel rooms, Nicole Siscaretti, resort preview, resort showcase, Summer to Remember, video

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