Disney's Art of Animation Resort

[Arete]

I'm excited to hear about this. The Family Suites are very reasonably priced (half the price of the cheapest room at a Deluxe), so this new place is definitely on my radar for a future vacation, just as soon as they get it built.

I totally agree. I love that it's going to be half (?) suites.

[Sockdoodle]

Mindflipper: Keep in mind that Fantasyland is expanding, so the queue lines should be alleviated by having more to do over there. (walking space, new attraction, new restaurant)

I still think they're adding more rooms than they have added things to do to keep people busy/entertained. When the park has it peaks, they're overcrowding more than ever before...

Yup, I have to agree with you mindflipper. It is almost getting to be where you will have to be an on-site guest to enter the parks...

Exactly what I was thinking when I read the press release - not sure if the expansions/refurbs will be able to handle all of the recent resort additions that have far outpaced theme park additions.

[MoonPet]

Knowing Disney they will just change it to Pop Culture and change the signs in the middle of the night.

HA HA HA!
So true . . .

[disneylizzy]

I think it's great that they're making a resort that's more affordable w/ more suites for families.

[MmeLeota]

It's nice to see another affordable hotel go up.

Mindflipper, I understand your mentality of "why build more rooms when there's nothing more to do in the parks". I see it happen here all the time..."if you build it, they will come" seems to be the mantra. But I sure hope there is something on the horizon for all these people to do rather than clog the lines further in the parks. Perhaps the folks at Disney think they need these rooms for the "hoards" of people who will come to see the Fantasyland Expansion when it's complete???

BTW, why did they close River Country?

[Len90]

It's nice to see another affordable hotel go up.

Mindflipper, I understand your mentality of "why build more rooms when there's nothing more to do in the parks". I see it happen here all the time..."if you build it, they will come" seems to be the mantra. But I sure hope there is something on the horizon for all these people to do rather than clog the lines further in the parks. Perhaps the folks at Disney think they need these rooms for the "hoards" of people who will come to see the Fantasyland Expansion when it's complete???

BTW, why did they close River Country?

Well there are numerous reasons and rumors as to why River Country was closed. The first reason is that once Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon opened, River Country had very low attendance. There was really no need to keep it open. The other reason, which is a rumor, is that the water for River Country originated from a natural body of water and Flordia regulations changed where water for any pool or water park needs to orignate from a municipal water source.

[mindflipper]

Well there are numerous reasons and rumors as to why River Country was closed. The first reason is that once Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon opened, River Country had very low attendance. There was really no need to keep it open. The other reason, which is a rumor, is that the water for River Country originated from a natural body of water and Flordia regulations changed where water for any pool or water park needs to orignate from a municipal water source.

Is there anybody who can confirm or disprove these rumors out there?

MmeLeota et al: I think one of the reasons for the unnecessary glut of hotels is the fact that Disney wants to compete more heavily for those extremely large conventions. Therefore, more hotel rooms. Also, Orlando has tried in fact to compete to be a Summer Olympics host city as well. There are other goals they have for building more rooms, but it just seems to result in overcrowding the parks more and more.

[momeja]

Well there are numerous reasons and rumors as to why River Country was closed. The first reason is that once Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon opened, River Country had very low attendance. There was really no need to keep it open. The other reason, which is a rumor, is that the water for River Country originated from a natural body of water and Flordia regulations changed where water for any pool or water park needs to orignate from a municipal water source.

Is there anybody who can confirm or disprove these rumors out there?

My understanding about River Country's closing was there was contamination of the water from Bay Lake that couldn't be solved cheaply or easily - sort of a spin on what you were talking about, MF. River Country was right beside Bay Lake, and the contamination problem also explains why it wasn't converted to a pool for FW/WL, which would have been my first choice for what to do with it.

I loved River Country when I went there as a child. It was before BB or TL and it was so much fun. I still remember the rope swings.

[horizons1]

Here's an article in a meeting and convention planner website:

http://www.meetings-conventions.com/art ... aspx?rbp=1

[MoonPet]

Well there are numerous reasons and rumors as to why River Country was closed. The first reason is that once Blizzard Beach and Typhoon Lagoon opened, River Country had very low attendance. There was really no need to keep it open. The other reason, which is a rumor, is that the water for River Country originated from a natural body of water and Flordia regulations changed where water for any pool or water park needs to orignate from a municipal water source.

Is there anybody who can confirm or disprove these rumors out there?

My understanding about River Country's closing was there was contamination of the water from Bay Lake that couldn't be solved cheaply or easily - sort of a spin on what you were talking about, MF. River Country was right beside Bay Lake, and the contamination problem also explains why it wasn't converted to a pool for FW/WL, which would have been my first choice for what to do with it.

I loved River Country when I went there as a child. It was before BB or TL and it was so much fun. I still remember the rope swings.

Interesting...
the rumor I heard was that it was cheaper/easier to close River Country than to bring it up to current fire/building codes.

[Polynesian Princess]

I'm excited they're finally doing something with those buildings, but I hate the selection of movies they've chosen for the sections. They've already got Finding Nemo all over the rooms at CBR - maybe they'll make them normal tropical rooms again. And I wouldn't consider Cars one of the top 4 Disney movies (though I appreciate the appeal to boys). What about some more of the classics? Or even maybe decades that have different icons from the Disney movies of that decade - would have tied in better with Pop that way too.

[DIAC1987]

Let's also not forget the other major reason for all this hotel-building: Orlando is trying to host the World Cup down the road. Imagine the money flowing if this becomes a reality.

[wewantsdaredhead]

Any reports from the field? Anyone seen any work yet?

[joeyflds]

its good they are doing something over there, we stayed at POP last sept. and stayed at the back of the resort. As you walked out of our room you could clearly see the buildings, its was very very unDisney, we couldnt believe Disney would having something like that clearly visible to it's guest.

I like the idea of adding more affordable rooms for guests, Disney really is trying to compete with the off property resorts, i personally dont see the benefit of staying off property with all the value resorts.

[Mr.ToadWildRider]

I'm sorry, but Art of Animation is going to have a CARS building??? Seriously? Not Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Snow White, Cinderella, Fantasia...I don't know any classic or modern classic basically...but CARS???? It was an okay movie but I still don't really think Pixar first off when I think Disney Art of Animation, but even still of the Pixar choices....CARS?!?!? And they're going to have a Nemo AND Little Mermaid Building? That seems like doubling up a little bit to me.


EDIT: I totally missed Polynesian Princess' post above- right on!