Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Offers Family Suites!
One of the best themed resorts I have ever seen can be found pretty close to Hollywood Studios. I’m talking about Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. When I say “pretty close” to Hollywood Studios, I mean it, too. Watch those GPS directions sometimes! We THOUGHT we were headed to Art of Animation and suddenly found ourselves at the pay tower of Studios, where the guard laughed and said “happens all the time,” and directed us to the correct entrance! Let’s talk more about this Value Resort!
Theming
I mean it, it is the cutest theming ever. The lobby is PACKED to the gills (see what I did there?) with ART and ANIMATION. The main building, the aptly named Animation Hall, is filled with sketches from the Disney films we all know so well. As you progress through the hall, the art progresses from beginning sketches to the more finished product. It is meant to represent the creative process animators go through. If you look up at the chandelier in front of the Ink and Paint Gift Shop, you’ll see that it is made up of sketches, but those sketches are also SIGNED by some pretty famous people!
Location and Room Types
Located near Hollywood Studios, Art of Animation is a Value Resort. Its sister resort, Pop Century, is a short walk away and there is a bridge that connects the two. And this is where you will find the Skyliner station. The Skyliner will carry you to both EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, and buses will take you to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom.
The Layout
Animation Hall, which is the Main Building, is where you will find the lobby. You can check-in at the main desk (that is, of course, unless you take advantage of the online check-in on My Disney Experience), visit the Concierge and Bell Services, shop, eat, and play. This is also where you will go to catch the buses or Lyft/Uber or taxis, etc.
Landscape of Flavors, the cafeteria for the whole resort, is found here. It is an excellent food court, featuring 5 different quick-service counters serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can also refill your refillable mug here, assuming you purchased one. And, of course, you can use mobile ordering and order from your room, then walk down and pick up your order. You can also shop in the Ink and Paint Shop, which is actually one of my favorite gift shops!
Heading out towards the pool, you’ll find the Pixel Play Arcade. To play games, you will need to purchase a game card with either cash or a card. Games range in cost from $.50-$5 but MOST games are in the $.50-$1.00 range. Arcade cards are able to be used at all the arcades at all the resorts that offer arcades, so if you or one of your guppies is a gamer, keep that in mind for rainy day activities: ARCADE HOPPING!
Pools & Recreation
As you exit Animation Hall at Disney’s Art of Animation, you will see the Big Blue Pool, the largest pool in ALL of Walt Disney World! It is themed to Finding Nemo and has a zero gravity entrance. Since this is a Value Resort, there is no water slide. But there is a splash pad play area featuring some of Nemo’s friends for your little Squirts. There is also a playground in the Nemo Courtyard, behind the pool and splash pad. Head to the Left for the Lion King area, which has a playground area, and the Little Mermaid area, which is where the quiet pool is located. Head to the right to get to the Cars Section, including the Cozy Cone Pool.
Finding Nemo Family Suites
Disney’s Art of Animation is only one of two areas to offer Family Suites. These suites feature sleeping for 6, including a master bedroom with it’s own full bathroom, a table that pulls down into a Murphy bed, a SECOND full bathroom, a kitchenette, and a living area with a sofa bed. These Family Suites, along with the newly refurbished Family Suites at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort, are the only rooms on property that offer two full bathrooms, unless you get a 2-bedroom villa.
The preferred suites are the Finding Nemo Suites. They are the closest to Animation Hall and the Big Blue Pool. They are the closest to both the buses and the Skyliner station. That does not at all mean the other locations are bad, this is just the preferred area, and, as such, you will pay more for these.
Cars Family Suites
The Cars Area at Disney’s Art of Animation is amazingly themed. This is perfect for all Cars fans! Swim in the Cozy Cone Pool, which also offers Cabanas that are first come, first serve. Unlike the Finding Nemo and Lion King areas, Cars has 3 buildings, so chances are high these will be the most readily available. It’s just simple math!
Lion King Family Suites
I have heard many complaints over the years that the Lion King Suites are “too far away,” but being completely honest, I didn’t feel that at all. We LOVED the Lion King Suites when we stayed there, just as much as the other suites. There is no pool in the area which actually makes for a quieter “neighborhood,” in my opinion.
Little Mermaid Rooms
Continuing on past Lion King, you run into the Little Mermaid section. These are standard rooms for smaller families that are looking for the Value part of a Value resort. In the middle of the Little Mermaid section is the quietest pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the Flippin Fins pool. You will need to walk a little bit further for busing and food, but, in my opinion, the overall resort is completely worth it, especially now with the addition of the Skyliner.
Additional Recreation and Amenities
Other amenities found at Art of Animation include movies under the stars. Check in the lobby or the app for times, but when they are shown, they are in the grassy area between the Nemo and Lion King sections. Art of Animation also offers 3 24-hour laundry facilities, one at each pool. The laundry facilities at Walt Disney World now take credit/debit cards for machines and soap vending. You can also check the app, and you can see how many machines are available and how much time is left on your machine. Check that here.
You can also call “Housekeeping” from your room phone to have dry cleaning and valet laundry. WiFi is also available, along with complimentary Walt Disney World busing and Skyliner access. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort features a 1.38 mile jogging trail, for running and walking, too!
Final Thoughts
Disney’s Art of Animation is a great place for bigger families to stay. You get a lot more room than the 5th sleeper rooms and the theming is wonderfully adorable. The Drop Off Pool Bar at the Big Blue Pool is a great snack bar (with alcohol for the Big Fishes) for everyone to enjoy on a pool day. Once you compare the price of two rooms vs a family suite, you might see the VALUE of this newest Value Resort.
Have you and your family enjoyed this resort? Let’s hear about it! Need help planning your trip? Contact me today to get started for free!
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