Staying on Universal property is crazy expensive. So is one the one day pass especially since you'll want the Park 2 Park tickets and possibly the unlimited express passes. For instance for one adult you're looking at around $380. Plus you'll need to get to/from and either pay for Uber or pay for parking.

Anonymous wrote:Art of Animation is far from everything, and has no good meal options. I was not pleased at all when we stayed there. If you could swing it, I’d try something like Wilderness lodge where you at least have the boat to Magic Kingdom and the bus rides aren’t so long to other parks.

OP here. We choose Art Animation because it's one of the cheaper ones and it seems nice. Wilderness costs $826 per night vs Art Animation $335 per night. The difference is huge after taxes and multiplying the daily rate by 6. Unfortunately, we have a beer budget here.

I know this isn't what you were asking, but imo Swan and Dolphin very easily dominates all the "cheap" resorts. In fact I even prefer it to Animal Kingdom Lodge and the Contemporary for several reasons. That is to say, even if Animal Kingdom were the same price as Dolphin, I still would stay at Dolphin. AKL rooms grungy and old imo

Art of Animation is far from everything, and has no good meal options. I was not pleased at all when we stayed there. If you could swing it, I’d try something like Wilderness lodge where you at least have the boat to Magic Kingdom and the bus rides aren’t so long to other parks.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We plan to visit Disneyworld this December and we plan to stay at Art Animation. We plan to be there for just a little under a week and I read somewhere on DCUM that we should split our time between two resorts as there are different amenities? Kids will be 7 and 5. We looked into the value resorts and we are considering either one of those or one of the cheaper moderate resorts. Thoughts? We have plans to visit Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studies, Animal Kingdom/Epcot, and also Universal Studio. Thanks!

That's a terrible idea.
If you were going to do a split stay to stay a few days at one of the deluxe resorts on the monorail or Animal Kingdom Lodge to watch the animals or something, I **might** maybe consider it.
But to just switch between two value/moderate resorts is just a complete waste of time with almost no benefit. Your kids will love Art of Animation. Stay there and enjoy it.

OP here. Great point about switching between two value/moderate hotels.

OP here. Thanks everyone! Sounds we should stay put at Disney. What about one night stay at Universal Studios? We just plan to do one day at Universal Studios - my request because I am a big Harry Potter fan. Should we stay put at Disney even if we are going to Universal Studios?

Being there under a week, I would not try to move for sorts. You're not really going to be spending tons of time at the resort anyways, and art of animation is nice and plus it's on the skyliner so you can get around easily.

Anonymous wrote:We were just at Disney and moved and it really wasn't a big deal. They move your stuff for you (you have to pack the bags, obviously).

I second the recommendation if you can swing it, to spend a little more on a Deluxe hotel to get the early entry/after-hours benefits. This was hugely beneficial for us for Magic Kingdom in particular. If you go for that, the location of the Contemporary can't be beat.

Polynesian is nice as well since you are both on the monorail and can walk to epcot.

Anonymous wrote:We plan to visit Disneyworld this December and we plan to stay at Art Animation. We plan to be there for just a little under a week and I read somewhere on DCUM that we should split our time between two resorts as there are different amenities? Kids will be 7 and 5. We looked into the value resorts and we are considering either one of those or one of the cheaper moderate resorts. Thoughts? We have plans to visit Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studies, Animal Kingdom/Epcot, and also Universal Studio. Thanks!

Just stay at one resort How many actual days are you at Disney? Not many if you are planning on doing Universal as well. Don't waste time switching hotels. They don't necessarily have different amenities (unless you are switching between classes of resorts), they just have different theming.

Anonymous wrote:We plan to visit Disneyworld this December and we plan to stay at Art Animation. We plan to be there for just a little under a week and I read somewhere on DCUM that we should split our time between two resorts as there are different amenities? Kids will be 7 and 5. We looked into the value resorts and we are considering either one of those or one of the cheaper moderate resorts. Thoughts? We have plans to visit Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studies, Animal Kingdom/Epcot, and also Universal Studio. Thanks!

That's a terrible idea.
If you were going to do a split stay to stay a few days at one of the deluxe resorts on the monorail or Animal Kingdom Lodge to watch the animals or something, I **might** maybe consider it.
But to just switch between two value/moderate resorts is just a complete waste of time with almost no benefit. Your kids will love Art of Animation. Stay there and enjoy it.

We were just at Disney and moved and it really wasn't a big deal. They move your stuff for you (you have to pack the bags, obviously).

I second the recommendation if you can swing it, to spend a little more on a Deluxe hotel to get the early entry/after-hours benefits. This was hugely beneficial for us for Magic Kingdom in particular. If you go for that, the location of the Contemporary can't be beat.

On the one hand, it is a pain and will take time to move.

On the other hand, there's lots of good reasons to move. Cost can certainly be one - splurge on a high end that gives you better hours (I don't know the benefits anymore), or different character events, or better food or rooms, or easier park access. Then save money on a cheaper option.

Or, go with themes - like the Animal Kingdom has rooms that overlook part of the safari part of the park. We stayed at Port Orleans (which is a moderate) and you can take a canal boat ride to DIsney Springs or to other resorts. Once we camped at ft Wilderness and they have really fun outdoorsy themed dinners and shows.

So yeah lots of different ammenities, I'd look at Disney review sites to see what might appeal.

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't move. I would stay in one place. You'll waste a lot of time packing and moving.

This, and save the money for a fancy hotel and go longer. You can go to any of the restaurants.

I wouldn't move. I would stay in one place. You'll waste a lot of time packing and moving.

We plan to visit Disneyworld this December and we plan to stay at Art Animation. We plan to be there for just a little under a week and I read somewhere on DCUM that we should split our time between two resorts as there are different amenities? Kids will be 7 and 5. We looked into the value resorts and we are considering either one of those or one of the cheaper moderate resorts. Thoughts? We have plans to visit Magic Kingdom, Hollywood Studies, Animal Kingdom/Epcot, and also Universal Studio. Thanks!