Questions regarding Art of Animation

[DarthVader]

So the family and I are planning on a vacation end of November, and I wanted to ask a really dumb question.
The Skyliner will be open then?

I see different notices that it was or will be closed in 2026 and 2027 so I want a third opinion from strangers on the internet whether it will be open in November.

More generalized questions.
The price of AoA is near a moderate, what advantages/disadvantages are there over the Port Orleans Riverside (or French Qtr). the pricing seems to be similar. I noticed that for POR, we get two queen beds, but for the AoA, we get some sort of murphy bed

How's the bussing to non-skyliner parks from the AoA? Is that where the Port Orleans is better?

 

[drizgirl]

You’re getting the footprint of two rooms at Art of Animation. That’s why. You also get 2 bathrooms.

 

[wdwmagic]

So the family and I are planning on a vacation end of November, and I wanted to ask a really dumb question.
The Skyliner will be open then?

it will be open.

details at https://www.wdwmagic.com/transporta...-refurbishment-announced-for-january-2027.htm

 

[Tuvalu]

You’re getting the footprint of two rooms at Art of Animation. That’s why. You also get 2 bathrooms.

Unless @DarthVader is asking about a Little Mermaid room, which has a price point similar to the moderates.

 

[DarthVader]

it will be open.

Thanks

Unless @DarthVader is asking about a Little Mermaid room, which has a price point similar to the moderates.

I'm selecting the cheapest options in all cases. The AoA and PoR are priced similarly. The Skyliner being open during the time I'll be there was sufficient to book the AoA

 

[Coaster Lover]

Preferred room at Pop > Little Mermaid Standard room at AoA (and at a cheaper rate typically). That walk from the Skyliner to the Little Mermaid section at AoA is not insignificant (especially after a long day at the parks).

 

[Ayla]

We've stayed in the Little Mermaid rooms at AoA. They are a looonnnngggg walk from everything.

 

[DarthVader]

We've stayed in the Little Mermaid rooms at AoA. They are a looonnnngggg walk from everything.

I'm sure, though I'm expecting to be walking my feet off at WDW anyways. I'll look to upgrade/change once the incentives land (if they land).

That walk from the Skyliner to the Little Mermaid section at AoA is not insignificant (especially after a long day at the parks).

I don't doubt it, but this was one of the wish list items that all three of us want to experience. I get your point, at the end of the day, the slow tired walk will be that much more painful.

 

[Ayla]

I'm sure, though I'm expecting to be walking my feet off at WDW anyways. I'll look to upgrade/change once the incentives land (if they land).


I don't doubt it, but this was one of the wish list items that all three of us want to experience. I get your point, at the end of the day, the slow tired walk will be that much more painful.

Remember, the Little Mermaid rooms are the only 'regular' hotel rooms on the property. Everything else is a suite and will be substantially more money.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

The price of AoA is near a moderate, what advantages/disadvantages are there over the Port Orleans Riverside (or French Qtr). the pricing seems to be similar. I noticed that for POR, we get two queen beds, but for the AoA, we get some sort of murphy bed

How's the bussing to non-skyliner parks from the AoA? Is that where the Port Orleans is better?

AoA-
no water slide or hot tub
transportation is bus and Skyliner
better food court, IMO, also fairly easy access to Pop food court
Great theming in room
One main bus stop (little longer walk to room, but no other stops)
I think they still have animation class in lobby- not sure
Mermaid rooms approx 270 square feet
a bit far from main bus stop, but parking just outside your room if you have a car
only a food court


POR-
water slide, and hot tub
transportation is bus and boat
Lesser food court, but easy access to POFQ food court
somewhat bland rooms, IMO
long walk within resort to pool/food/rooms
multiple bus stops, which can = shorter walk to nearest bus stop, but slow getting to the parks (due to multiple resort stops)
close to DS
standard rooms approx 314 square feet
POR maybe parking near your room, POFQ parking tends to be a little further form your room
Table service dining at the main building

It has been some time since I used the bus service from POR/POFQ/AoA, but the bus service - once you are on the bus- is faster to the parks due to many of the POR buses looping the resort.

another potential trade-off of AoA is that it only has a food court. If you get the dining plan, and want to use your table service credit, you must go to a park or another hotel. At the mods, you have the option of dining at your hotel. that may not matter to most people, but it can be quite a bit easier to eat at your home resort.

I can't 100% vouch for AoA's murphy bed, but the murphy beds at WDW's other hotels are quite good. Not quite as nice as a regular bed, but way better than most fold out couches. Murphy beds fold down. So if you have 2 people, you won't need it. If you have more than 2 people, you will need to open it.

Both AoA and POR are large resorts. It takes a bit of time to walk to the food court each morning, for example. (Unless you have a preferred room location.) POFQ is the most compact of the 3. That said, the grounds are attractive at all of them. Of the ones you list, I like AoA the best.

 

[Burgermeister]

MY wife and daughter are returning home today after a five night stay at POR. Here is what they have said about the points you made regarding POR. They were in the Acadian House - building 80 in the Magnolia Bend section. Very good location; next to one of the five quiet pools at POR and across the bridge from the main pool complex. Not far from the main building.

POR-
water slide, and hot tub - Ol' Man Island is a nice area with a good water slide
transportation is bus and boat - They had no problems with bus service & it is a nice, relaxing boat ride to Disney Springs
Lesser food court, but easy access to POFQ food court - had a few meals in the food court, no complaints
somewhat bland rooms, IMO - haven't heard any complaints about the room. Will know more when they get home.
long walk within resort to pool/food/rooms - all depends on room location. Five quiet pools in the resort.
multiple bus stops, which can = shorter walk to nearest bus stop, but slow getting to the parks (due to multiple resort stops) - does take a longer time to complete the resort bus loop but shorter walks to the bus stops
close to DS - boat ride to DS opens up many different dining options
standard rooms approx 314 square feet - one adult and three teenage girls in the room. No problems getting ready.
POR maybe parking near your room, POFQ parking tends to be a little further form your room
Table service dining at the main building

 

[DarthVader]

AoA-
no water slide or hot tub
transportation is bus and Skyliner
better food court, IMO, also fairly easy access to Pop food court
Great theming in room
One main bus stop (little longer walk to room, but no other stops)
I think they still have animation class in lobby- not sure
Mermaid rooms approx 270 square feet
a bit far from main bus stop, but parking just outside your room if you have a car
only a food court


POR-
water slide, and hot tub
transportation is bus and boat
Lesser food court, but easy access to POFQ food court
somewhat bland rooms, IMO
long walk within resort to pool/food/rooms
multiple bus stops, which can = shorter walk to nearest bus stop, but slow getting to the parks (due to multiple resort stops)
close to DS
standard rooms approx 314 square feet
POR maybe parking near your room, POFQ parking tends to be a little further form your room
Table service dining at the main building

It has been some time since I used the bus service from POR/POFQ/AoA, but the bus service - once you are on the bus- is faster to the parks due to many of the POR buses looping the resort.

another potential trade-off of AoA is that it only has a food court. If you get the dining plan, and want to use your table service credit, you must go to a park or another hotel. At the mods, you have the option of dining at your hotel. that may not matter to most people, but it can be quite a bit easier to eat at your home resort.

I can't 100% vouch for AoA's murphy bed, but the murphy beds at WDW's other hotels are quite good. Not quite as nice as a regular bed, but way better than most fold out couches. Murphy beds fold down. So if you have 2 people, you won't need it. If you have more than 2 people, you will need to open it.

Both AoA and POR are large resorts. It takes a bit of time to walk to the food court each morning, for example. (Unless you have a preferred room location.) POFQ is the most compact of the 3. That said, the grounds are attractive at all of them. Of the ones you list, I like AoA the best.

I talked it over with my daughter and the fact that there's no hot tub (maybe too cold for swimming), and your other points, POR makes more sense. I'll be calling Disney later today to make the switch

 

[DarthVader]

They were in the Acadian House - building 80 in the Magnolia Bend section.

Thanks,
I'm going to call Disney today and I'll request Arcadian House, they're generally pretty good at honoring these sort of requests, but its anyone's guess as to whether that actually happens.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

I don't doubt it, but this was one of the wish list items that all three of us want to experience. I get your point, at the end of the day, the slow tired walk will be that much more painful.

The Skyliner is fun!

If you are just looking to take it for fun, try picking it up at either of the stations that are located near the theme parks.

From the International Gateway, you can take the one that goes to Riviera. From HS, you can take the one that goes to Caribbean Beach. A fun option is to go to either Riviera or CBR for dinner or lunch. It takes a little time, but it can be a fun, relaxing little break. Both Riviera and CB have decent quick serve dining. At CBR food court, the chicken bowl was surprisingly good!

Sebastian's Bistro is decent. I wouldn't rank it as the #1 place to eat at WDW, but the food was decent. Food is served family style, AYCE.

For $$$ dining, Topolino's Terrace is one of the best places to eat dinner at WDW. The view near sunset is super. you can also see Epcot fireworks. The menu is a bit limited, so look it over before you commit. It does take up most of an evening to dine there, but worthwhile if it is in your budget, and want to celebrate something special.

 

[Pizza Moon]

So the family and I are planning on a vacation end of November, and I wanted to ask a really dumb question.
The Skyliner will be open then?

I see different notices that it was or will be closed in 2026 and 2027 so I want a third opinion from strangers on the internet whether it will be open in November.

More generalized questions.
The price of AoA is near a moderate, what advantages/disadvantages are there over the Port Orleans Riverside (or French Qtr). the pricing seems to be similar. I noticed that for POR, we get two queen beds, but for the AoA, we get some sort of murphy bed

How's the bussing to non-skyliner parks from the AoA? Is that where the Port Orleans is better?

I wouldn’t recommend AOA.

It genuinely is the most overpriced hotel on property.

It’s literally just an All Stars.

Pop century is frankly the best value of the values.

But I’d frankly just stay at Vacation Village in Celebration.

It’s closer to EPCOT than the MK resorts.

The only exception I can see is if you drive, but then you’re paying parking at the parks.

I have an AP, otherwise I’d literally never go if they charged me for parking, but obv your scenario is unique.

 

[Tom P.]

I wouldn’t recommend AOA.

It genuinely is the most overpriced hotel on property.

It’s literally just an All Stars.

Wow. Just... wow.

I have never disagreed so much with anything ever posted on these forums before. And I talk to @Sirwalterraleigh with some regularity!

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Wow. Just... wow.

I have never disagreed so much with anything ever posted on these forums before. And I talk to @Sirwalterraleigh with some regularity!

Hush or I’ll send the Tal Shiar after you

 

[dmc493]

It’s literally just an All Stars.

Pop century is frankly the best value of the values.

Pop Century is also just an All Stars if we're getting technical. Pop Century wins for Skyliner access and proximity, and AoA wins for Skyliner access, proximity, and the heavy theming (if it's your style).

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

At CBR food court, the chicken bowl was surprisingly good!

If it’s good weather the compass grill is a short walk from skyliner and is a great place relax and get some food! The menu has changed a bit but I think they have the same bowls available- I usually get tacos.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

It genuinely is the most overpriced hotel on property.

It’s literally just an All Stars.

yes it’s just an all stars.

But it has interior corridors.
Family suites that are fully themed to each section and double the size.
Skyliner service.
And centrally located for bus service.

But other than that they are the same.