Why We Love Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Disney’s Art of Animation, which brings guests into the worlds of Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King and The Little Mermaid to life, is the most "DISNEY' of all the resorts! This is the one resort where you'll see the most character and movie references throughout, including the rooms. This is just one of the reasons we love AOA so much!

From the moment you arrive, it’s clear that this resort was designed to immerse guests in the worlds of Disney and Pixar animation. We love the bold theming, spacious accommodations, and value without feeling “budget,” this resort delivers.

Your stay begins in Animation Hall, home to check-in and concierge services. We love that the lobby has vibrant colors, oversized character sketches, and a nod to the creative process behind Disney animation. Along the length of the check-in area is a wall displaying storyboard sketches actually used in Disney films.

Check out the iconic Storyboard Chandelier, suspended beneath a skylight and filled with storyboard sketches from the four films represented at the resort. It’s one of those details people walk past without realizing how special it is and one of the sketches is even signed by Pixar’s John Lasseter, making it a must-see for us!

Before entering The Ink & Paint Shop, you see a wall of authentic animation cells used in Disney movies. The colors, scenes, and characters create a visually stunning display. Inside the shop, you’ll find resort-exclusive merchandise, along with pins, ears, apparel, toys, and everyday essentials like toiletries and medicine. We love this gift shop because the products feature lots of well-loved characters!!

Also located in Animation Hall are Pixel Play Arcade, Landscape of Flavors, and the first-ever business center at a Disney value resort. 

After passing through the Ink & Paint Shop, you enter Landscape of Flavors, which we think is one of the best-designed food courts among Disney value resorts. The space feels open with walls decorated in background scenes from Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. Four themed chandeliers hang overhead, each representing one of those films. I find this convenient to tell your family where you're sitting, "let's sit in the Cars area."

Art of Animation is divided into four themed sections: Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. 

We absolutely love the Finding Nemo, Cars, and Lion King areas which feature 1,120 family suites.  The Little Mermaid section includes 864 standard rooms. The Nemo area is considered preferred for it's central location and pool. The Cars area also has a pool. The Lion King area does not. 

The family suites are where this resort truly shines. Each suite includes:

• A master bedroom with a queen bed
• Two full bathrooms
• A living area with a sleeper sofa
• A kitchenette with microwave, mini-fridge, and coffee maker
• A dining table that folds down into an additional bed

Cars Suite Murphy Table Bed

With three separate sleeping spaces, the suites comfortably sleep up to six guests. We think these suites are one of the best on-property options for families who want space without upgrading to a deluxe resort.

The Little Mermaid standard rooms feature two beds and sleep up to four guests. While they’re slightly farther from Animation Hall and the Skyliner, we adore the theming because it is charming and nostalgic, especially for fans of the classic film, like us! The have 2 queen beds and 1 bathroom. There are outside entry doors here, unlike at the buildings that house the suites, which are interior hallways. The 3 buildings here are Ariel, King Triton and Ursula. 

walking path from Lion King to Little Mermaid

Each section of the resort has its own themed courtyard, and the scale of the theming is impressive. In The Little Mermaid area, guests can relax at the Flippin’ Fins Pool. Over in the Lion King section, kids can explore the Bone Yard Playground, surrounded by scenes straight out of the movie. The Cars section feels like walking directly into Radiator Springs, complete with Tow Mater and friends, and the Cozy Cone Pool is a fun place to cool off after park days.

The crown jewel, however, is The Big Blue Pool in the Finding Nemo courtyard. This zero-entry pool is the largest pool at Walt Disney World, holding 310,000 gallons of water. In true Disney fashion, the details go above and beyond: guests can hear music underwater, along with Mr. Ray giving science lessons and Dory making her iconic whale sounds. Younger guests will love The Schoolyard splash area and Squirt’s Righteous Reef Playground, while adults can unwind nearby at The Drop Off Pool Bar.

For added safety and exclusivity, pool and water play area access requires a room key, MagicBand, or phone, the same system used for entering the family suite buildings with interior hallways.

One of the biggest perks of staying at Art of Animation is Skyliner access. The Disney Skyliner station is located between Art of Animation and Pop Century, providing quick, scenic transportation to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. For families with strollers or guests who want to avoid folding and unloading on buses, the Skyliner is a game changer.

Bus transportation is also available to all other parks and Disney Springs, but having Skyliner access alone gives Art of Animation a major advantage over the All Stars value resorts. Across the lake, and connected by a bridge is Pop Century resort. 

Why We Keep Recommending Art of Animation

Officially, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is classified as a Value Resort, but many guests — myself included  consider it a “Value Plus.” The theming is exciting, the family suites are some of the most practical accommodations on property, and the overall experience feels elevated well beyond the price point.

This resort truly offers something for everyone: kids who love immersive play spaces, parents who want convenience and space, and Disney fans who appreciate thoughtful details. If you love animated films and want a resort that feels DISNEY-ish Art of Animation is hard to beat!!

If you’re considering a stay here and want help choosing the best section, room type, or travel dates, or you’d like to compare Art of Animation to other Disney resorts, we're always happy to help you plan a stay that fits your family perfectly. Contact us today for expert Disney Vacation Planning!

Summer Squires loves helping other parents plan memorable and stress-free family vacations! She has been booking Disney trips since 2015, and knows all the ins and outs! You can email Summer for booking help at summer@kingdomkonsultant.com.