You’ve seen the photos. Those massive, larger-than-life statues of Simba, Ariel, and Lightning McQueen that look like they were ripped straight out of a Blu-ray disc. It’s the Art of Animation Resort, and honestly, it’s a bit of a polarizing beast in the world of Disney World planning. People call it a "Value" resort, but if you've checked the prices lately, you know that "value" is a relative term that Disney stretches to its absolute limit.
Staying here is a specific choice.
It’s loud. It’s bright. It’s undeniably Disney. If you’re looking for a quiet, sophisticated retreat with a glass of Napa Cabernet by a silent pool, you are in the wrong place. But if you have kids who think meeting a plastic Pumbaa is the pinnacle of human existence, or if you’re a family of six trying to avoid booking two separate hotel rooms, this spot changes the game.
The Family Suite Dilemma and Why It Matters
Most Disney hotels are built for the standard family of four. Two queen beds, one bathroom, and a lot of elbow-bumping while you try to brush your teeth. Art of Animation flipped the script by dedicating most of its real estate to Family Suites.
These aren't just rooms; they're survival pods for parents.
You get a master bedroom with a queen bed, a living area with a pull-out sofa, and the "Inovabed"—a dining table that magically turns into a bed. Is the mattress on the table-bed surprisingly comfortable? Yeah, actually. Is it weird to sleep where you just ate chicken nuggets? Maybe. But having two full bathrooms is the real luxury here. When you’re trying to get to Magic Kingdom for a 7:30 AM rope drop, having two showers running simultaneously is the difference between a magical morning and a total meltdown.
The suites are themed after The Lion King, Cars, and Finding Nemo. The Cars wing is arguably the best designed. It feels like you’ve walked onto the set of Radiator Springs, complete with Cozy Cone pool cabanas that are free to use—a rarity at Disney where they usually charge you a kidney for a poolside seat.
The Little Mermaid Rooms: The "Budget" Trap?
Then there are the Little Mermaid rooms. These are the only "standard" rooms at the resort, and they’re located at the furthest possible point from the lobby and transportation.
Expect to walk. A lot.
After walking ten miles in Epcot, that final trek from the bus stop to the Ariel buildings feels like a marathon. These rooms also still have double beds (mostly), while many other Disney resorts have upgraded to queens. They are cute, sure. The seashell headboards and the "dinglehopper" accents in the bathroom are charming for the first ten minutes. But they are small. If you're a couple or a small family on a budget, you might find better value at Pop Century right across the bridge, which has been renovated with sleeker, more efficient furniture.
The Skyliner: The Real Reason to Stay Here
Let’s be real: the biggest selling point isn't the giant statues. It’s the gondolas.
The Disney Skyliner has a station shared between Art of Animation and Pop Century. It’s basically a ride that takes you to work. Instead of cramming into a sweaty bus, you hop into a private cabin and glide over the treetops to Hollywood Studios and Epcot.
- It’s fast.
- It’s breezy.
- It’s arguably more fun than some of the actual rides in the parks.
But there’s a catch. If there’s lightning within a certain radius—which happens every afternoon in Florida—the Skyliner shuts down. Suddenly, everyone is funneled back to the buses, and the lines get long. Fast. You have to be flexible.
The Big Blue Pool and the Noise Factor
The main pool is the Big Blue Pool. It’s the largest at Walt Disney World. It used to have underwater speakers that played Disney music, but that feature has been hit-or-miss lately due to maintenance.
It is a chaotic sea of children.
If you want peace, head to the Cars or Little Mermaid pools. They’re "quiet" pools, though at Disney, that just means "less screaming." The Big Blue Pool is the heart of the resort, and it’s surrounded by the Landscape of Flavors food court.
Speaking of the food court, it’s one of the better ones on property. They actually use real plates and silverware for some meals, which makes a difference when you're tired of eating out of cardboard boxes. The breakfast bounty platter is a classic, but don't sleep on the surf-and-surf burger or the gelato station. It gets packed during peak hours, so use the Mobile Order feature in the My Disney Experience app. It’s not a suggestion; it’s a requirement for sanity.
Is the Art of Animation Resort Right for You?
The pricing here is tricky. Sometimes, a Family Suite can cost almost as much as a standard room at a Deluxe resort like Animal Kingdom Lodge.
You have to decide what you value more: the "Disney-fication" and space of a suite, or the amenities and proximity of a higher-end hotel. Art of Animation doesn't have a gym. It doesn't have a table-service restaurant. It doesn't have a spa.
It does have heart.
Walking through the Lion King graveyard or seeing the life-sized Mater makes you feel like you never left the "Disney bubble." For many families, that immersive feeling is the whole point of the trip. You aren't just staying at a hotel; you're staying inside a movie.
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Things to Keep in Mind Before Booking
Check the refurb schedules. Disney loves to paint and polish, and nothing ruins a view like a giant scaffolding over Ursula's face.
Also, consider the "bridge" factor. You can walk across the Generation Gap bridge to Pop Century in about five minutes. This gives you access to a whole different food court and a different set of bus stops. Sometimes, if the Art of Animation bus line is a nightmare, you can hop on the Pop Century bus and just walk across.
Actionable Steps for Your Stay
- Request a specific building. If you're in a suite, ask for Finding Nemo if you want to be close to the action, or Cars if you want a slightly quieter walk.
- Download the app early. Master the Mobile Order system before you arrive. Standing in line for a cupcake for 20 minutes is a rookie mistake.
- Budget for the "Value-Plus" price. Remember that taxes and parking fees (if you're driving) add up. This isn't a $150-a-night motel.
- Use the Skyliner for rope drop. Be at the station at least 20-30 minutes before it officially opens. The line moves fast, but being at the front is a massive advantage for hitting Rise of the Resistance or Slinky Dog Dash.
- Pack a portable charger. The Skyliner and the bus rides, combined with checking wait times on your phone, will kill your battery by noon.
The Art of Animation resort is a loud, colorful, expensive, and incredibly convenient place to call home for a week. It’s not for everyone. But for the family that wants to live and breathe Disney animation from the moment they wake up until they hit the pillow, there’s nothing else quite like it on property. Stick to the suites if you can swing it, use the gondolas as much as possible, and maybe bring some earplugs for the pool. You’ll be fine.