Step into the worlds of some favorite Disney and Pixar films at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. With larger-than-life characters, colorful theming and immersive areas inspired by Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, this Walt Disney World Value Resort is especially popular with families.
Art of Animation also offers something you won’t find at most Disney Value Resorts, Family Suites that sleep up to six guests, plus convenient access to the Disney Skyliner.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort at a Glance
🏨 Resort Category: Value Resort
👨👩👧👦 Sleeps: Up to 4 in standard rooms; up to 6 in Family Suites
🛏️ Rooms: Little Mermaid Standard Rooms & Family Suites
🚡 Transportation: Disney Skyliner & Disney buses
🏊 Pools: 3 pools
🍴 Dining: Quick-service dining & pool bar
🎢 Closest Parks: EPCOT & Disney’s Hollywood Studios via Skyliner
✨ Best For: Families with young children, families of 5 or 6, and guests who want immersive Disney theming and Skyliner access
Why Stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort?
If Disney theming is an important part of your vacation, Art of Animation is hard to beat.
The resort is divided into four distinctly themed areas:
Finding Nemo
Swim into the colorful world of Nemo, Dory and friends. This area is also home to the resort’s main feature pool, the Big Blue Pool.
Cars
Walk through Radiator Springs surrounded by familiar settings and characters inspired by the film.
The Lion King
Larger-than-life scenes bring Pride Rock and favorite characters from The Lion King to life.
The Little Mermaid
Journey under the sea with Ariel and friends in the section containing the resort’s Standard Rooms.
Walking around the resort is an attraction in itself, particularly for younger children who recognize their favorite characters around every corner.
Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
One of the most important things to understand about Art of Animation is that there are two very different types of accommodations.
The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms
The Little Mermaid section offers traditional Value Resort hotel rooms that accommodate up to four guests.
- 864 rooms
- Typical room size is 277 square feet
These rooms are a good option for smaller families who want the immersive theming and Skyliner access of Art of Animation without needing a Family Suite.
However, the Little Mermaid buildings are located farther from Animation Hall, the main dining area and the Skyliner station than many of the Family Suites.
If minimizing walking is important to your family, room location is something to consider.
Family Suites
Art of Animation’s Family Suites accommodate up to six guests and are available in the Finding Nemo, Cars and Lion King sections.
The suites offer considerably more space and privacy than a traditional Value Resort room.
Each Family Suite includes:
- A separate bedroom
- Two bathrooms
- A living area
- A dining area
- A kitchenette
- Multiple sleeping surfaces for up to six guests
- 1120 family suites
- Suite size is 565 square fee
Having two bathrooms can be especially valuable when an entire family is trying to get ready for an early morning in the parks!
The kitchenette also makes it convenient to keep drinks, snacks and simple breakfast items in the room.
Which Family Suite Section Should You Choose?
All three Family Suite areas offer the same general room layout, but the location and theming are different.
Finding Nemo is centrally located near Animation Hall, the Big Blue Pool and transportation, making it especially convenient.
Cars offers some of the resort’s most immersive theming and has its own themed pool.
The Lion King is another fun choice for families who love the movie, although this section does not have its own pool.
Your family’s favorite movie may influence your decision, but location can be just as important as theming when choosing a room.
Disney Skyliner Transportation
One of Art of Animation’s biggest advantages is access to the Disney Skyliner.
Art of Animation shares a Skyliner station with neighboring Disney’s Pop Century Resort. From there, guests travel to Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, where they transfer to continue to either:
- EPCOT
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios
The Skyliner makes Art of Animation particularly convenient for families planning to spend significant time at these two parks.
Disney bus transportation is available to other Walt Disney World destinations.
Pools at Art of Animation
Art of Animation has three pools, each with its own personality.
The Big Blue Pool
Located in the Finding Nemo section, the Big Blue Pool is the resort’s main feature pool and the largest pool at Walt Disney World Resort.
The colorful theming makes guests feel as though they’ve joined Nemo and friends beneath the sea.
Cozy Cone Pool
Located in the Cars section, the Cozy Cone Pool continues the Radiator Springs theme, complete with cone-shaped cabanas surrounding the pool.
Flippin’ Fins Pool
Guests staying near The Little Mermaid section can enjoy the Flippin’ Fins Pool, featuring theming inspired by The Little Mermaid.
One important thing to know: Art of Animation’s pools do not have waterslides.
Dining at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Landscape of Flavors
Landscape of Flavors is the resort’s main quick-service restaurant and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Its convenient location inside Animation Hall makes it easy to grab something before heading to the parks or when returning to the resort.
The Drop Off Pool Bar
Located near the Big Blue Pool, The Drop Off Pool Bar offers beverages and a convenient place to relax during a pool day.
Art of Animation does not have a table-service restaurant, but Skyliner access opens up additional dining options at nearby Disney Resort hotels as well as EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios when you have valid park admission.
