Exploring Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Want to be thrown into a Disney/Pixar movie? You will have your wish come true when you stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Well, we recently stayed at the Art of Animation Resort at Walt Disney World. It was our first time visiting this particular resort so I have a lot to tell you about.

Art of Animation

Art of Animation Resort is a large “Value” resort located just seconds from ESPN Wide World of Sports and around the corner from Hollywood Studios but perfectly central to all parks as well. Disney welcomes you in a big way to this property. I love the bright colored character photos and theme.

The main lobby screams animation with details of the various animation stage process. The outside of the buildings themselves have some character sketches but other than that, you’ll find the design of the characters is how you know them in their finished look. I love the different animation sketches since I have since the process in person during the Disney press trips I’ve taken, like seeing how Arlo from The Good Dinosaur was drawn and animated.

There are three different types of Suite themed areas to choose from: Cars, Finding Nemo, and The Lion King. We stayed in the Cars Family Suite in the Tow Mater building. The Family Suites can sleep up to 6 guests which include: 2 bathrooms, queen size bed in the “master bedroom”, sleeper sofa with double-size bed, and a double-size Murphy Bed over the dining table. Standard rooms are only themed to The Little Mermaid which sleeps up to 4 (2 double beds or 1 King).

Art of Animation

At about 565 square feet, you have twice the size of a standard room to move around in. It was plenty of space for my family of 5 to move around, get ready, and sleep comfortably. The space is laid out quite well and we could have stayed longer without getting on each other’s nerves which let’s be honest, the goal is always to avoid that.

As you can see, the room is themed from top to bottom which we all loved. I appreciate the attention to detail without going overboard. I think it’s just the right amount of theming and little ones really love it too.

There are three pools on property. The Cozy Cone pool located in the center of Cars, The Big Blue pool located in Finding Nemo, and Flippin’ Fins pool back in The Little Mermaid standard room area. The Cozy Cone has first come, first serve cone-shaped cabanas. Try to grab one ASAP because other than that there isn’t a ton of shades spots. That’s my one big complaint.

The Big Blue is a zero-entry pool with splash pad area. The theming is great, there are lots of large umbrellas, and at certain times there is a DJ with poolside activities, plus nightly “Movie Under the Stars”. The awesome thing to note (and I won’t ruin the surprise) is that you should pay attention when you put your head underwater! My kids got a kid out of the surprise they discovered.

There are three playgrounds on property as well as an indoor arcade just off the main lobby, restaurant, gift shop, laundromat, and a 1-mile running trail.

As far as Value Resorts go, I can 100% recommend Art of Animation. Is it Fort Wilderness Lodge or Disney’s Grand Floridian? Of course not but you will have a great Disney experience from start to finish at Art of Animation. You can see more details and room rates here.