by Fairy Diva
Get swept into your favorite Walt Disney and Pixar films while you stay on your next vacation at Walt Disney World. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the newest of Disney’s value resorts, offers a variety of room styles that perfectly accommodate families and traveling groups of all sizes. With exceptional attention to detail, the Art of Animation Resort provides colorful rooms, amazingly themed buildings and pools, and tasty quick service dining.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has four themed areas based on some of the most popular films offered by Disney and Pixar: Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. Guests staying in The Little Mermaid section of the resort will find accommodations similar to other value resort properties. However, these rooms feature much more detail than typical value rooms. Rooms in this section surround the Flippin’ Fins pool, with larger-than-life characters like Ariel, Sebastian, Ursula and King Triton.
Rooms in the Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Lion King sections are family suites, which are spacious rooms that can accommodate parties up to 6. On our trip to the Art of Animation, we had a family suite in The Lion King area. These rooms are incredibly themed, feature a small kitchenette, a living room with a double-size sleeper sofa, a double-size convertible Table-bed, a separate bedroom with a queen-size bed, and two bathrooms. The bathroom adjacent to the separate sleeping area features a large walk-in shower, while the bathroom located in the living/dining area includes a standard tub with shower. The kitchenette features a sink, microwave and small refrigerator. This area was perfect for quick, on-the-go meals and snacks. The Table-bed is a themed table, which seats four, and converts into a double-size bed when needed. Definitely a neat idea!
Hidden Mickeys in room!
The themed areas are so amazingly detailed! Be sure to take time to explore them all. While The Lion King section does not have a pool, it is only a short walk from the The Big Blue Pool, located in the Finding Nemo area. This is the single largest hotel pool in all of Walt Disney World! Not only is this pool zero-entry, you can listen to your favorite Disney songs through underwater speakers (a first for a pool at a Disney hotel). Younger children can enjoy a splash area called the Schoolyard Sprayground.
The Cozy Cone Pool is located in the Cars area and includes several large, cone-shaped cabanas which offer a reprieve from the sun. These cabanas cannot be reserved, so arrive early to secure one for your group. Surrounding the pool and buildings in the Cars section are life-sized models of the movie’s most popular characters. Be sure to take a picture with Lightening McQueen, Mater, Doc, Sally and more.
Additional features at Disney’s Art of Animation include an outdoor playground, called Righteous Reef, the Pixel Play Arcade, Movies Under the Stars, and a Jogging Trail. A bridge over Hourglass Lake connects the Art of Animation to the next-door neighbor, Pop Century. The Art of Animation also has its own buses, so no sharing with other resorts! This is a great feature. Nothing is worse than making multiple stops at multiple resorts after a long, tiring day in the parks! Guests can enjoy a variety of food for breakfast, lunch and dinner at the Landscape of Flavors, for quick service dining. Five different food areas offer both classic American and international options.
Diva Tip: The Finding Nemo rooms and pool are the closest to the main lobby area, where there is shopping, dining and buses. These rooms are the same price as rooms in the Cars and The Lion King areas, which are slightly farther from the main building. We were in The Lion King rooms and did not find the walk too difficult. Be sure to request a Finding Nemo family suite if you want to be closest to the main building. The Little Mermaid rooms are the farthest, and are a bit more of a walk. However, the cost for them is much less, and the theming is great.
Overall, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a truly amazing place to stay for your vacation. Our family loved the spaciousness of the family suites. The pools were amazing, and my children loved the life-sized characters in each themed area. While the family suites are a bit pricier than a typical value resort room, they do accommodate a larger party and include special features. Consider a stay at Disney’s Art of Animation on your next visit.
