The benefits of staying at a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel are endless. You get to experience the Disney magic even when you come back to your room, and who doesn’t love staying in the Disney bubble your whole vacation? Value resorts allow your family to feel this magic without breaking the bank. Art of Animation is one of the value resorts that live up to every Disney expectation you have and still gets you a great deal! Here are some things you will love about Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
8. Skyliner Access
Art of Animation may be a value resort, but it has deluxe style transportation! The Disney Skyliner has a pick up / drop off station located between Art of Animation and Pop Century. The Skyliner access allows Art of Animation guests to head to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. If you’re not looking to visit a park, you can resort hop to Disney’s Riviera Resort and Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort. An amazing form of transportation!
7. Pools
The Art of Animation provides its guest with three large gorgeous pools. There is a Little Mermaid themed pool and a Cars pool (one on each wing of the resort), and the big Finding Nemo pool is located in the middle of the resort. Each pool is strategically placed so that no matter where guests are staying in the resort, a pool is less than five minutes from their room. The Finding Nemo pool is something to see even if you don’t stay at Art of Animation. The pool is surrounded by large figures from the movie and the play areas for the kids are so fun, containing other great characters from the movies. If you’re staying in a building that is a little bit too far for you to walk, the Little Mermaid and Cars pools are still fun and have large figures that your kids will love too.
6. Size
Something that you will absolutely love about Art of Animation is its size. When you stay at the far end of the resort (which will be the cheapest rooms), your walk to the main building for transportation, food, and the gift shop is about seven minutes. The walk is so leisurely and beautiful those little seven minutes feel even faster. So, an extra tip to save a few bucks is to stay in the Little Mermaid buildings because even though it looks like it would be a far walk by the pictures, your walk is easy and you save money too!
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5. Unplanned Meet and Greets
Art of Animation is a kid’s resort, no doubt (even though my husband and I loved it just as much as any of the kids we saw there did), and your kids will be surprised and delighted when some of their favorite characters pop up out of nowhere. Since this is not a park, there is no guaranteed schedule for these characters, but while we stayed there, Ariel came to meet all the little princes and princesses in the lobby of the hotel, and the excitement from everyone around us was very tangible.
4. Theme
I would argue Art of Animation is one of the most well themed resorts on property. The moment you step into the lobby you are greeted with massive pieces of concept art from each of the four movies represented at the hotel. The hotel is constantly playing music from each of the movies. Also, make sure to walk through the grounds of the hotel! You can visit Mufasa at pride rock, wave at a massive Ariel and Flounder, or say “Hi!” to Lightning McQueen and Sally at the Wheel Well Hotel. Don’t forget to go by the Finding Nemo building and hear your favorite squawking seagulls calling out “mine!” to every guest walking by.
3. Kid-Friendly Activities
From drawing boards, to pool races, to a massive arcade, you will never hear your kids call out the phrase, “I’m bored.” Anytime you walk by the pool or into the lobby, Art of Animation has fun activities for the kids going all day long. When you check in, pick up an activity schedule; you’ll be surprised at all they have to offer. Don’t forget the famous movies under the stars that happen every night!
2. Family Suites
I know that large families often worry about trying to take their entire crew down to Disney and being able to afford enough hotel space for them. Art of Animation is the answer to every family’s worries. All of the buildings except for the Little Mermaid rooms are built to be family suites that will comfortably sleep the whole family. Not to mention, they are just stellar rooms to stay in for the pure idea of how well themed they are!
1. Landscape of Flavors
It doesn’t matter if you ever stay at Art of Animation, everyone needs to head on down to Landscape of Flavors and try out its delicious options. This food court has five distinct stations from a make-your-own pasta station to a sandwich station offering the famous “Surf and Surf” burger (topped with a delicious crab cake AND breaded shrimp); there is something at this food court for everyone. Try the barbecue pork waffles they were absolutely delicious! You can’t help but eat at this place multiple times if you get the pleasure of staying there. The food court is so large that even at its busiest times of the days, you can still find a table where you feel secluded and away from the crowd, and you still get a wonderful view of the pool. Try the gelato bar with new flavors rotating in all the time!
Art of Animation is a resort that will make you smile and bring the Disney magic to you every day of your stay. Next time you’re planning your Disney vacation, add this resort to your list of options. Share your pictures and experiences from Art of Animation in the comments below! “Sketch” ya later!
BONUS TIP: Consider planning and booking your next Disney trip with an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner you can trust like Mickey Travels. They’ll help you get the best Walt Disney World deal, share expert advice and their services are totally FREE! It’s genius!