Great news to share today. The teams creating Disney’s Art of Animation Resort tell us that the wings dedicated to popular films “Cars,” “The Lion King,” and “The Little Mermaid” will now be opening sooner than you can imagine after the grand opening of the “Finding Nemo”-themed wing on May 31. Here’s the official schedule:
- Finding Nemo (Grand opening) – Opens May 31
- Cars – Opens June 18
- Lion King – Opens August 10
- Little Mermaid – Opens September 15
And guests can begin booking rooms March 23! It seems like just yesterday when we shared the first image of Walt Disney Imagineering (WDI) putting the finishing touches on the new resort’s marquee and Nemo icons. Now, we’re closing in on the big day – May 31. Let us know which wing you’re most looking forward to.
See the posts below for more about Disney’s Art of Animation Resort:
Comments
Will all wings be available for booking on March 23? Am I remembering correctly that only the Little Mermaid wing will have standard rooms as opposed to suites?
Hi Elizabeth, all wings will be booking tomorrow. And yes, Little Mermaid is made up of Standard Rooms only. The other three courtyards are all family suites.
Are these different themed areas connected to each other like the All Star Resorts so we can walk through all of them?
Yes. Regardless of which courtyard you stay in, you can use any of the pools/playgrounds in the other courtyards as a resort guest.
I found this on the website:
“With 1,120 suites designed after Finding Nemo, Cars and The Lion King, and 864 rooms inspired by The Little Mermaid, you’ll feel like you’re staying in the middle of a Disney story with all of your favorite characters. Family suites are scheduled to open in May 2012 and standard rooms are scheduled to open December 31, 2012.”
It does sound like The Little Mermaid is the only resort with standard rooms and also they will not be open until December.
I’m confused. Guests have been able to make AoA reservations for several months now. I already have an AoA reservation myself. What’s different about the March 23 date?
Thanks for the quick response!
Will photos be posted anytime soon of the resorts and of the rooms?
I also have an AoA reservation. Does this mean I’ll have to cancel my current reservation and book it again?
Same here! Do we have to do anything or if we’ve got our reservations in place then all’s fine? I’m guessing the difference is that we didn’t need to pay yet, but now they will start taking payments… If I’m wrong, correct me!
@Linda from GA- The Little Mermaid rooms are opening ahead of schedule.
@Thomas Smith– Any word yet if the standard rooms at AoA will be included in the free dining promotions. I know the suites were excluded. Also, any word if a room only PIN will work for the standard rooms at AoA? I am currently booked at POP with 30% off for October. I might switch to AoA if possible. Any thoughts on this?
I’m guessing they mean the sooner dates will now be available to book tomorrow…
I too have a reservation booked for May 2013. We booked in the Nemo building. I sure hope they offer free dining packages otherwise we will be cancelling and booking elsewhere. The suites are more money so I hope they consider that when offering free dining.
Is there a reason why the standard rooms are only done with The Little Mermaid theme? I can’t see many little boys being too excited to stay in a Little Mermaid room – wouldn’t (maybe) The Lion King or Nemo been a better choice?
I booked 2 rooms this morning!!! Trying to not get too excited cause if free dining comes along we will switch but it’s hard not to be excited!!!!
May 31? That’s my birthday!
I just booked my Little Mermaid room for myself and my own little mermaid!! She is super excited! Ok, fine, I’m pretty excited as well. I can’t wait to see this new resort. I like the new key card concept and the food court sounds amazing!!!
Just curious, does anyone know approximate distance between The Little Mermaid room and central lobby?
Come on October!!!!
Anyone know if the bridge from Pop Century will be open at this time? We are staying at the Pop for five nights starting May 31 and it would be convenient to walk over to check it out.
I also had a AOA reservation before the March 23 date. I was assured today that the pools would be functional for the opening, but was still left with questions about whether we could use the meal plan at the counter service areas.
Yay! The rooms look beautiful.
Coming for Thanksging this year and can’t wait!!!!! I changed my reservation yesterday from POP to AoA as soon as I heard that The
Little Mermaid standard rooms was available sooner than planned. My Little Mermaid is super excited!!!!
So excited!! Booked my Cars room for August!! We all couldn’t decide between the three choices, but in the end the boys won the vote with cars! Looks like so much fun. And as a family of 6, I LOVE the family suite idea! Thank you
I am booked at Pop in Sept. w/free dining. Wanted to switch to AOA but, they aren’t offering free dining there. I suppose it’s because the resort is new and they don’t want everybody switching their reservations.
Booked the Cars resort for November! How will I know if they ever offer a dining room discount or if it’s free or is it only a certain time of year that the dining plan is offered cheap or free!?
Just booked for December. Can’t wait to see the finished resort. Stayed at POP last December and saw the shells of buildings being worked on. Looked so cool!!!
I just booked the Little Mermaid room for opening night! Super excited! They must have changed the dining option, because I was able to get the free dining with the package today.
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