Art of Animation Resort
Walt Disney World
Where Disney Stories Come to Life
Back in October 2012, Stitchy and I embarked on a mini “Just Us” trip to Walt Disney World. It was fall break, and we had friends headed to central Florida, so we decided to tag along for a little Disney adventure of our own. While I love a surprise, he knew about the trip ahead of time — but I did manage to keep the resort a secret until we pulled under the porte-cochère.
That first stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort was such a fun one, and Stitchy absolutely LOVED the Cars section. Since then, we’ve returned several times, including stays with extended family, giving us the chance to experience more of what makes this value resort such a popular choice.
From larger-than-life Disney details to family-friendly room options, let’s take a look at whether Art of Animation is the right fit for your next Walt Disney World vacation.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
1850 Animation Way
Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830
(407) 938-7000
Guest Rooms | Shopping & Sundries | Dining | Recreation | Around the Resort
Rates: $250+/night
Room Occupancy: 4 in a standard room, 6 in a family suite
Transportation: Skyliner to Epcot, Hollywood Studios, Caribbean Beach Resort, Riviera Resort; Bus to other Disney guest areas
To Bus Stop
Skyliner Station
Skyliner
Guest Rooms
The guest rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are themed after four beloved Disney and Pixar films: Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid. The Cars, Finding Nemo and The Lion King sections feature spacious family suites with the same layout, while The Little Mermaid offers standard value resort rooms with exterior entrances.
Standard Rooms
The Little Mermaid section is home to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort’s standard rooms. These rooms include two double beds (or one king bed, subject to availability), a beverage cooler, coffee maker, complimentary Wi-Fi, an in-room safe, hairdryer, iron and ironing board. A crib or Pack ’n Play is also available upon request for little ones.
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Family Suites
The family suites are located in the Finding Nemo, Cars and The Lion King sections and are one of the biggest reasons families choose Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Each suite features a private bedroom with a queen bed, two full bathrooms, a living area with a double sleeper sofa and a pull-down double Murphy bed, plus a kitchenette with a microwave, sink, coffee maker and beverage cooler.
Additional amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, two TVs, an in-room safe, two hairdryers, an iron and ironing board. A crib or Pack ’n Play is also available upon request. With room for up to six guests, these suites are a fantastic option for larger families who want extra space without moving to a deluxe resort.
Finding Nemo Family Suite
These are located in what would be considered a preferred location, closer to the main pool, Animation Hall lobby, shopping, dining and bus transportation.
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Living Room
Dining Table Murphy Bed
Dining Area
A visit from As You Wish for makeovers
Dining Area
A visit from As You Wish for makeovers
Dining Table Murphy Bed
Aww! Sometimes they don’t fight. 😉
Kitchenette
Kitchenette
Living Room
March Madness, of course.
Second Bath
Second Bath
Second Bath
Main Bedroom
Main Bedroom
Main Bath
Main Bath
Main Bedroom
Main Bedroom
Cars Family Suite
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Dining Table Murphy Bed
Dining Table Murphy Bed
Living Room
Kitchenette
Living Room
Living Room Storage
Main Bathroom
Main Bathroom
Main Bathroom
Bedroom
Master
Master
Master
Bedroom Safe and “Closet”
Master Bath
Master Bath
Shopping & Sundries
Ink & Paint Shop offers Disney merchandise, resort souvenirs, snacks, sundries and vacation essentials with a colorful Art of Animation twist. Whether you’re looking for a character keepsake, a forgotten item or a treat to enjoy back at the resort, this shop has plenty of options for your stay.
Dining
Disney’s Art of Animation features Landscape of Flavors, an expansive food court located in Animation Hall. Similar to other Disney value resort food courts, it offers a wide variety of options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, with choices to fit many different tastes. Multiple beverage, condiment and seating areas throughout the dining space help keep things moving during busy meal times.
For a more relaxed poolside option, head to The Drop Off Pool Bar for drinks and snacks while enjoying a break from the Florida sun.
Landscape of Flavors
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Outdoor Seating
Dining Room
Grab & go
Dining Room
Dining Plan Qualifications
Menus
Menu
My favorite sandwich at Landscape of Flavors was tweaked!
Meal Additions
Drink Station
Refillable mugs are available for purchase at the food court. They’re also included with select dining plans.
Drink Station
Grab & go
Menu
Tandoori Chicken
BBQ Sandwich & Housemade Chips
Not sure I love the tweaked BBQ sandwich.
Gelato
YUM!
Grab & go
The Drop Off
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The Drop Off
The Drop Off
The Drop Off
A mug refill station is adjacent to the Drop Off
The Drop Off
From the Drop Off pool bar
Recreation & Activities
Art of Animation offers three themed pool areas, with the largest being the Big Blue Pool in the Finding Nemo section. The Cars and The Little Mermaid areas also feature their own pools, giving guests plenty of options for a refreshing break from the parks.
The Finding Nemo and The Lion King sections include play areas, although they’re more themed play structures than traditional playgrounds. Guests looking to stay active can enjoy a 1.4-mile jogging trail around the resort, and the Pixel Play Arcade in Animation Hall offers classic arcade fun for a little extra entertainment.
The Big Blue Pool
In the Finding Nemo section, this is the largest pool at Art of Animation and features a fun splash pad area. With colorful theming and plenty of room to play, it’s a popular spot for families looking to take a break from the parks.
Big Blue Pool
Room keys/Magic Bands are required to gain entrance to the Big Blue Pool.
Big Blue Pool
Big Blue Pool
Big Blue Pool
Big Blue Pool
Splashpad
Big Blue Pool
Splashpad
Big Blue Pool
Big Blue Pool
Restrooms and laundry are located at the Big Blue Pool.
Big Blue Pool
Complimentary lifejackets
Big Blue Pool
The Cozy Cone Pool
The Cozy Cone Pool in the Cars section brings Radiator Springs to life with bright orange cone cabanas surrounding the pool area.
Cozy Cone Pool
Cozy Cone Pool
Cozy Cone Pool
Cozy Cone Pool
Restrooms and vending machines
The Flippin’ Fins Pool
The Flippin’ Fins Pool in The Little Mermaid section adds a splash of underwater fun to the resort. Surrounded by larger-than-life character details and colorful theming, it’s a fun spot for guests to cool their fins.
Flippin’ Fins Pool
Flippin’ Fins Pool
Righteous Reef Playground & the Elephant Graveyard
This ocean vibe in the Finding Nemo section is more of a themed climbing and play area than a traditional playground. Kids can climb, explore and burn off some energy while surrounded by colorful underwater-inspired details from the film, while the Elephant Graveyard in the Lion King area provides more gross motor fun.
Righteous Reef Playground
Righteous Reef Playground
Righteous Reef Playground
Elephant Graveyard
Pixel Play Arcade
Located in Animation Hall
Pixar Play Arcade
Pixar Play Arcade
Pixar Play Arcade
Around the Resort
Do not rush through this resort! Art of Animation is basically a giant Disney photo op waiting to happen. Take a wander from Radiator Springs to the underwater world of Finding Nemo, across the Pride Lands and under the sea with Ariel. The details are huge, colorful and ridiculously fun — and honestly, the resort itself is half the attraction. Grab your camera, let the kids lead the way and enjoy the fact that you can have a little Disney magic without scanning into a park.
Finding Nemo
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Cars
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Love the detail of the text on the back of the postcards!
Family suites feature indoor corridors.
Lion King
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The Little Mermaid
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Oops! Dolphin on a fork!
Conga!
More Around the Resort
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Animation Hall
Animation Hall
Animation Hall
Animation Hall
Animation Hall
Animation Hall
Animation Hall
Business Center
Located in Animation Hall
Animation Hall
Animation Hall
Ink & Paint Gift Shop
Animation Hall
Animation Hall
Stitchy loved drawing outside under the porte cochere!
Walkway
Holiday Season
Holiday Season
Holiday Season
Holiday Season
More Magic Tips
A few tips go a long way toward making your stay at Art of Animation even more magical!
- Take a dip in the largest Disney resort pool. The Big Blue Pool in the Finding Nemo section holds the title of largest resort pool on Disney property! Besides the massive theming and fun splash pad, there’s even Disney music piped underwater for swimmers to discover.
- Peep the resort recreation guide. Younger kids tend to really enjoy the pool party at the Big Blue Pool and have the chance to play games, win prizes and the grown-ups get a chance to relax a bit while the cast members lead the show. Or plan to avoid it ’cause it gets loud. 😉
- Use mobile ordering at Landscape of Flavors. The food court is a pretty decent size, but that doesn’t mean it won’t get busy. During peak meal times — especially breakfast before park opening — mobile ordering can save you time and help avoid the “everyone needs food at the exact same moment” chaos that happens on Disney mornings.
- Let a Disney expert help you choose. Art of Animation is a resort where your room choice can make a huge difference. Family suite? Standard room? Cars? Nemo? Little Mermaid? We can help you figure out which option actually fits your family, your budget and the kind of Disney vacation you want to have. When you book your Disney vacation with us, we’ll help you find the resort and room category that fits the way your family actually vacations.
Our Take on Coronado Springs
Our Take on Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is such a fun, lively place to stay, especially for families who want to be surrounded by Disney magic from the moment they wake up. The larger-than-life theming, colorful grounds and family-friendly atmosphere make it a standout among the value resorts.
We especially love this resort when traveling with friends or extended family because the family suites give everyone a little more room to spread out. Landscape of Flavors is also one of the stronger value resort food courts, making meals easy and convenient during a busy Disney vacation.
That said, there is a noticeable difference between the relaxation factor here and the experience of staying at a deluxe resort. Art of Animation is full of magic, but it’s still a value resort with busier common areas and fewer resort amenities for those slower resort down days.
For families with younger kids, though? This place is pure Disney joy. Walking through your favorite movies, seeing those huge character icons and watching little ones light up is exactly the kind of Disney magic this resort was built for.
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