Art of Animation is one of the value resorts at Walt Disney World. It is a favorite for many because it offers suites as well as standard rooms, which make it ideal for families. Each of the suites has two rooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette.
There are three areas of the resort that are family suites – Cars, The Lion King, and Finding Nemo. The Little Mermaid area is where you will find standard rooms. There are 1,120 suite rooms and 864 standard rooms. The suite areas of the resort are buildings with hallways, so your entrance to your room is inside. Unlike most value resorts where the entrance to your room is outside. This is how The Little Mermaid rooms are set up.
Art of Animation opened in 2012. It is connected to Pop Century Resort by the Generation Gap bridge. This is a nice perk considering you can walk over the bridge and test out another food court. You can also take the bus to one resort and walk over to the other if one bus arrives first and you don’t want to wait.
All value resorts have over sized decorations like a four-story tall statue of Ursula. Families like value resorts for the cost and also for the theming. Children enjoy seeing their favorite characters come to life. It feels like you are living inside some of your favorite movies.
Value resorts have quite a few amenities, but not as many as the moderates or deluxe resorts. You will still find a few additional selling points for this value resort. It is the only value resort with a business center and has the only salt water pool at a Disney resort.
Arcade
Art Classes
Babysitting Services (additional cost)
Bike and Surrey Rental (additional cost)
Business Center
Laundry Services
Mail Services
Movies Under the Stars
Pet Friendly (additional cost)
3 Pools
Art of Animation Transportation Options
If you do not have your own vehicle with you and do not want to use Minnie Vans, Disney offers complimentary transportation to all four theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs.
If you plan on using the Skyliner to travel to Epcot or Hollywood Studios, be aware you cannot go directly there. You will travel to the Caribbean Beach Resort. You will have to disembark from your Skyliner and then get in line for Hollywood Studios or Epcot.
Bus -22 minutes
Bus – 15 minutes Skyliner – 20 minutes
Bus – 15 minutes Skyliner – 10 minutes
Bus – 20 minutes
Bus – 12 minutes
Art of Animation Dining Options
Landscape of Flavors
Landscape of Flavors is highly regarded as the best food court in all of the value resorts and easily one of the top 5 across all Disney resorts. It is a quick-service option located toward the front of the resort. There are a few made to order options, such as make your own pasta and a salad bar. There are international cuisine options and American fare too. You will also find gelato as well. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Drop Off
The Drop Off is the pool bar located by the big blue pool. It has specialty drinks and a few small snacks and sandwiches as well. It opens later in the day, but has bar seating and tables if you want to grab a beer and relax outside for a bit.
Art of Animation Shopping Options
Art of Animation only has one shop, Ink and Paint Gift Shop. You will find it located between the lobby and Landscape of Flavors. It has your typical Disney store merchandise such as shirts, hats, and most importantly Mickey ears. You can also find some essentials that you might have forgotten like first aid or even a few snacks.
Art of Animation Rooms
Art of Animation The Little Mermaid Room Section
About the Rooms
260 square feet
2 Double Beds or 1 King Bed
Sleeps up to 4 people plus a child under 3
Offers views of the pool, courtyard, parking lot
The Little Mermaid area conveniently located
Amenities in The Little Mermaid Rooms
Mini Fridge
Alarm Clock
Hair Dryer
Iron and Ironing Board
In-room Safe
Wifi
Flat Screen TV
Crib by Request
Art of Animation Cars Suite Section
About the Suites
550 square feet
1 Queen Bed
1 Double Sofa Bed
1 Twin Murphy Bed
Sleeps up to 6 people plus a child under 3
Offers views of the pool, courtyard, parking lot
Cozy Cone pool area conveniently located
Amenities in Cars Suites
Microwave
Kitchenette
2 Bathrooms
Coffee Maker
Hair Dryer
Iron and Ironing Board
In-room Safe
Wifi
Flat Screen TV
Crib by Request
Alarm Clock
Art of Animation The Lion King Suite Section
About the Suites
550 square feet
1 Queen Bed
1 Double Sofa Bed
1 Twin Murphy Bed
Sleeps up to 6 people plus a child under 3
Offers views of the pool, courtyard, parking lot
Amenities in The Lion King Suites
Microwave
Kitchenette
2 Bathrooms
Coffee Maker
Hair Dryer
Iron and Ironing Board
In-room Safe
Wifi
Flat Screen TV
Crib by Request
Alarm Clock
Art of Animation Finding Nemo Suite Section
About the Suites
550 square feet
1 Queen Bed
1 Double Sofa Bed
1 Twin Murphy Bed
Sleeps up to 6 people plus a child under 3
Offers views of the pool, courtyard, parking lot
Big Blue pool area conveniently located
Amenities in Finding Nemo Suites
Microwave
Kitchenette
2 Bathrooms
Coffee Maker
Hair Dryer
Iron and Ironing Board
In-room Safe
Wifi
Flat Screen TV
Crib by Request
Alarm Clock
Who Should Stay At Art of Animation
Art of Animation is one of the most popular resorts for families. The over the top decorations of your favorite Disney movies make it ideal for families with small children. The suite style rooms allow larger families to stay together and have more space than a standard hotel room typically offers.
Since the suites are the selling point, this hotel is recommended for any family that has between 5 and 6 people (or 7 including a young child).
If you are looking for a standard room at a value resort, The Little Mermaid rooms are typically priced higher than Pop Century or All Star Resorts. However, Pop Century has newly renovated rooms and the All Star Resorts are gradually updating as well. If you are looking for a standard room at a value resort, save the money and stay at a resort with newly renovated rooms. When you stay at Pop Century you can easily walk to the food court at Art of Animation if that is your selling point.
Art of Animation Tips and Information
As of March 2018, all Disney resorts charge for parking. Art of Animation is a value resort so it is $13 per night for self-parking, including tax, for stays in 2019. Reservations made before June 18, 2019, for a 2020 stay are still $13. However, any reservations made June 18, 2019 and after fr 2020, will be $15 per night
This is the only value resort to have a business center
The Cars pool has cone cabanas that are free, but go quickly so arrive early to grab one
The Big Blue Pool is the only salt water pool on property
The Big Blue Pool is the largest on Disney property, besides at a Disney water park, and requires you to scan in for access to the pool. You cannot enter this pool unless you are staying at Art of Animation
Art of Animation Renovations and Refurbishments
The Big Blue Pool is scheduled for renovations beginning Fall 2020. Guests can use Flippin’ Fins pool, Cozy Cone pool, and Schoolyard Sprayground instead.
One Comment
Meghan
I’m pretty sure there are no coffee makers in the Little Mermaid rooms.