For the first page of this review of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, see this.
A PHOTO TOUR OF A STANDARD LITTLE MERMAID ROOM
Standard 4-person Little Mermaid rooms have the same size and a similar layout as those in the other value resorts. It still has full beds, though–with n\most other values having or moving to queen beds.
What’s particularly different is the specific decor, and the deep Disney theming that you won’t find in the other values.
You are “Under the Sea” in this room, a position that the carpet and how it works with curtains and the beds is meant to reinforce.
Closing your eyes and saying “I believe in orange as an undersea color! I do!!” helps a bit in getting this.
The room has two full beds, with Sebastian and Flounder between them. The “pearls” on the headboards are reading lights.
Here”s a closer view of the headboards…
…and of Sebastian and Flounder.
Towards the end of the beds, there’s a painting of Prince Eric.
On the other side of the room, you’ll find a table and chairs with a fun light fixture and mirror above, and a dresser with a TV above and a fridge inside. No coffee maker, though…
The chairs are fun for kids, but cheap looking…
…while the table has these sheets from a musical score embedded.
The dresser has the TV above, drawers on one side, and a mini-fridge on the other.
Here’s the drawers and mini-fridge. Note only three drawers. There’s a shelf above the hanging rack in the bath with more storage, and also room for suitcases used for storage on the floor between the fridge and the bath.
The bath is separated from the main living/sleeping area by a curtain.
There’s also coat hooks in this area. The wall where the coats hooks are is where the door would be in a room outfitted with connecting doors.
Here’s a closer view of the coat hooks.
The bath has a single sink…
…and a large hanging area to its side, with a shelf above it, and an ironing board, iron, and safe.
The toilet and tub are closed off into their own space. The shower curtain presents the first appearance of Ariel in the room.
The tub surround is themed to Ariel’s lair.
THE FAMILY SUITES AT DISNEY’S ART OF ANIMATION RESORT
This review continues here.
MATERIAL IN THIS REVIEW OF DISNEY’S ART OF ANIMATION RESORT
- Overview of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- The Little Mermaid Area and Rooms
- Photo Tour of a Little Mermaid Room
- Overview of the Family Suites Areas
- Accommodations in the Family Suites
- Photo Tour of a Finding Nemo Family Suite (plus bed dimensions, storage, etc)
- Photo Tour of a Lion King Family Suite
- Photo Tour of a Cars Family Suite
- Amenities at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- The Pools at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
OTHER KEY PAGES FOR WHERE TO STAY AT DISNEY WORLD
- Where to stay–the Basics
- Where first-timers should stay
- Reviews of all the Disney World resorts, based on my 150+ stays in them
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Hi Dave….we’ve just started planning our first Disney family vacay and this website has been so helpful! Our girls will be 5, 4 and 2 when we go. We will go for 6 nights/5 days. I planned on getting a park hopper, but what do you suggest with children that little? Also, what do you think about doing the dining plan for all of us…..would it be worth it?? We will for sure want to do at least one character breakfast/lunch/dinner…possibly more! I’m not much of a planner…do I need to line up every meal in advance? If we used a travel agent could s/he do that for us so I wouldnt have to worry about it? Thanks in advance! 🙂
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Hi KK and thanks for the kind words!!
I focus on much older kids (see this for why: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/how-oldtall-your-children-should-be/ so can’t help much on the specifics. Target 2-3 mornings, open afternoon, and one evening at MK, and a morning each at HS and AK.
The dining plan may save you a bit, but only if you would do on average one sit-down preserved meal a day regardless. It’s best to think of it as a way to pre-pay, and a budgeting tool.
The best-loved meals can sell out 6 months in advance, so you definitely need to book them well ahead of time. See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/planning-your-first-family-trip/when-your-plans-need-to-be-firm/
A travel agent can book them for you as part of the overall services they provide in booking your trip–but you still need to decide which, and on which day!
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Hi Dave, thinking abt going this Aug into Labor Day weekend. The charts predict low crowds and hurricane season. I have a 5 yo girl. Where should I stay if we are only a party of two! The mermaid rooms look great, but small and the long walk to the hotel might be hard at night when she is sleepy. Help. And can you visit the other hotels to sight see??
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Hi Chanda! Yes you can go see the other hotels to site-see. And what other hotels I’d recommend depends on your budget! A “preferred” room at either All-Star Music or All-Star Movies will make the walks much shorter, and is just a dollar per night (pre-tax) more expensive than Little Mermaid. You are giving up a much more fun environment and room at AofA for an easier walk.
If you have more money to throw around, check out the Royal Rooms at Port Orleans Riverside. These are about $100/night (again, pre-tax) more. See this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/12/30/review-royal-rooms-port-orleans-riverside/
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Hi Dave, well I’ve booked Art of Animation for August 2014. Can’t wait! Do you know if it is possible to hire tea and coffee making facilities from reception if there aren’t any in the rooms.
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Hi Chris! No you can’t–although its a great idea…
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Thanks, Chris!
I ca’nt find anything on the hours of the pool bar. Based on what I’ve seen elsewhere, 11p close would be typical, but if things are dead slow they may close earlier.
You can get wine in the gift shop, and also in the food court. It costs an arm and a leg, though–see this for alternatives: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/08/30/the-tightwads-guide-to-how-to-eat-at-walt-disney-world/
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Hi Dave, many thanks for that. Could well tip the balance for us in favour of Art of Animation. For the two adults amongst us, is there a shop in the A of A to buy a bottle of wine from, and also would you happen to know how long the pool bar stays open? Brilliant website by the way, most informative website I’ve seen on Disney.
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Hi folks. Do all rooms have the mini-fridge. Currently considering between this and Port Orleans – Riverside, but the company I’m thinking of booking with don’t have it listed that fridges are in the rooms. Think art of animation may be the best one as I have a 6 year old daughter. However the Fridge would be a crucial factor.
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Hi Chris, as of around mid–summer 2012, all Disney World hotel rooms have fridges built in and included in the room rate. This is a new thing for the value resorts, so not all websites have caught up…
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Wendy, standard room at the first floor near the pool. The cheapest available which could accomodate 4 persons
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Tom – what type of room is it? How exciting!
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