Step into the delightful realm of Disney's Art of Animation Resort, where magic comes to life through 1,120 family suites and 864 standard guest rooms inspired by cherished Disney and Pixar classics. Ideal for larger families and groups, the family suites accommodate up to six or seven with a crib, boasting kitchenettes that balance comfort and savings. The highlight is the 308,527 gallon "Big Blue" pool in the Finding Nemo wing, where underwater melodies and characters delight swimmers. There are also two smaller pools (in the Cars & The Little Mermaid courtyards) and a children's water play area and dry play area. With the new Disney Skyliner gondola system seamlessly connecting to the parks, this resort offers not just accommodation but a gateway to an immersive journey. Discover the excitement that makes Disney's Art of Animation Resort a captivating choice for guests of all ages.

Top / Pro's & Con's / Amenities / Dining / Shopping / Rooms / Transportation / Book this resort / Newsletter

Exclusive Benefits Of Staying At An On-Site Disney Resort

• Early Theme Park Entry: Get in 30 minutes ahead of the general public every day at all four theme parks.

• Complimentary Transportation to the theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs, and more.

• Free Self-Parking at the resort and throughout Walt Disney World.

• Up to 10-Day Dining Advantage: Make dining reservations for up to 10-days starting on the first day of eligibility, putting you a step ahead of off-site guests.

• Early Access Individual Lightning Lane reservations: book at 7AM instead of at park opening.

• Proximity: Everything is easier when your hotel is close to all Disney World has to offer.

• Simplify planning with Vacation Packages that combine room, tickets, and even dining plans for a truly hassle-free vacation.

Let’s Start Planning A Great Vacation!

Before we dive into more details about this resort, if you’re already sure that Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is where you want to stay, take a moment to fill out our quote request form. This is the easiest way to start planning your trip. Just fill in as much or as little information as you know at this time and one of our travel advisors will be in touch soon. There’s never any pressure or obligation. Our team is here to help make your Disney vacation dreams come true!

Art of Animation Resort Overview Flier

Art of Animation Resort Map

Disney's Art of Animation Resort Pro & Con

Advantages - Clean, comfortable setting with a huge pool and incredible, colorful Disney/Pixar themed courtyards. The Family Suites can accommodate larger families and multi-generational groups at a price point that is much lower than the Deluxe resort villas. If you're looking for an immersive Disney/Pixar experience, this resort will certainly provide it. The dining here is limited to one quick-service food court but the Skyliner makes it easy to get to other resort based restaurants, including two character breakfasts. Disney hotels include genuinely helpful perks like early entry into the theme parks, complimentary transportation to the parks, free parking, and the ability to make most or all of your dining reservations online or in a single call 60 days prior to arrival.

Disadvantages - This resort is a more expensive than the other value resorts. This resort is truly delightful but, for those who don’t need a family suite, there is a limited number of Little Mermaid Standard Rooms and they are located in the buildings farthest from the main pool and services. We wish there were internal connecting doors between some of the family suites to create a space for up to 12 people.

Our Opinion - We wish this resort was open when we were raising our four kids because we always had to rent two connecting rooms and a well-themed suite like this would have been more fun. The theming of this resort is just fantastic, and this has quickly become one of the most popular hotels at the Walt Disney World Resort.  Each courtyard is scaled so that you "fit" into the scene so that you are IN the animation.  This charming hotel is probably the most "Disney" of any of the Walt Disney World Resort hotels, making it a delightful choice for kids and Disney fans.  A nice bonus is that you can see some of the higher Epcot fireworks from over by the lake, at the back of the Lion King area.

The Little Mermaid section has standard rooms with exterior walkways like the All-Star and Pop Century Resorts. The standard rooms have two queen beds and are 277 square feet.

The Finding Nemo, The Lion King and the Cars buildings feature family suites that have a bedroom with a queen-sized bed. The living room area has a kitchenette, table that converts to an Innova-bed, and a sleeper sofa. The family suites are 565 square feet.

The Finding Nemo, The Lion King and the Cars buildings differ from the other Disney World value resorts in that they have interior hallways

We'd like to point out that it isn't just beloved Pixar/Disney movies that are celebrated at this resort, it is called "The Art of Animation" for a reason and you'll see that reflected in the buildings. Note the giant sketch pad motif in the photo below and the simple line drawings of 'Mater on the white sheets of "paper" on the buildings. You'll also see the animation process honored in the names of the resort services: Animation Hall, Ink and Paint Shop (gift shop), and Landscape of Flavors. Computer Generated Imagery (CGI) Animation is the inspiration for the name of the Pixel Play Arcade.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort Amenities

Disney's Art of Animation Resort Dining

• Landscape of Flavor Food Court - a cafeteria style, quick service restaurant. This food court features 5 mini-shops: the Soup-Salad-Sandwich Shop / The World Flavors Shop / Pizza Shop / Burger Shop / "Grab'n Go Market Shop"

• Pizza Delivery - 4PM to Midnight

• The Drop Off Pool Bar - Specialty drinks, beer, sodas, etc.

• Hop on the Skyliner and head to Disney’s Caribbean Beach or Riviera resorts or the Epcot resort area which has many more restaurant offerings.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort Shopping

• Ink and Paint Shop in the Animation Hall Building for sundries and souvenirs.

• Groceries - You can save time and money by having snacks, and bottled water delivered directly to the resort by Garden Grocer - Click HERE for more information. Regular hotels rooms do have mini-refrigerators but do not have microwaves or coffee makers. Family Suites have mini-refrigerators, coffee makers and microwaves.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort Room Options

• Little Mermaid Standard Room – Sleeps up to 4 (or 5 with a crib). 2 queen beds or 1 king bed.

• The Lion King Family Suites – sleeps up to 6 (or 7 with a crib). Queen-size bed in the bedroom, Double-size Inova Table Bed, Double-size sleeper sofa. These suites also offer 2 bathrooms, a mini-kitchen, reading chair and table and chairs.

• Cars Family Suites – sleeps up to 6 (or 7 with a crib). Queen-size bed in the bedroom, Double-size Inova Table Bed, Double-size sleeper sofa. These suites also offer 2 bathrooms, a mini-kitchen, reading chair and table and chairs.

• Finding Nemo Family Suites – sleeps up to 6 (or 7 with a crib). Queen-size bed in the bedroom, Double-size Inova Table Bed, Double-size sleeper sofa. These suites also offer 2 bathrooms, a mini-kitchen, reading chair and table and chairs.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort Room Features

Disney's Art Of Animation Building Themes

For Guest with Accessibility Needs

• Disney's Art of Animation Resort includes accessible rooms, including wheelchair-accessible bathrooms and rooms designed for the hearing impaired.

• Guests who require wheelchairs are encouraged to bring their own equipment or make arrangements through your Build A Better Mouse Trip Travel Advisor prior to arrival at Walt Disney World Resort.

Disney Transportation

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has a Disney’s Skyliner station that whisks riders away directly to the main Skyliner hub at Disney’s Caribbean Beach where you can transfer to other routes that go to Disney’s Hollywood Studios or to Disney’s Riviera Resort and the International Gateway entrance of Epcot in the Epcot resort area which includes the Boardwalk recreation area.

TIP: Interested in a character breakfast? The Skyliner makes it easy to get to Topolino’s Terrace (Mickey & Friends) at Disney’s Riviera Resort or Cape May Cafe (Minnie & Friends) at Disney’s Beach Club Resort.

Disney buses are available to take resort guests to the Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme parks, Typhoon Lagoon & Blizzard Beach Water Parks, Disney Springs and ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. When the Skyliner is not running during regular transportation hours, bus service is provided to Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Epcot.

Complimentary transportation to the Walt Disney World golf courses is arranged through the resort concierge desk. Guests must have a tee time reservation with confirmation number and transportation should be arranged the day prior to your tee time.

Let us help you make a reservation and great memories at Disney's stunning Art of Animation Resort

At Build A Better Mouse Trip, we are dedicated to ensuring that your Disney vacation is nothing short of extraordinary. As your trusted travel partner, we offer a range of special services designed to make your trip the best it can be, leaving you with unforgettable memories to cherish for a lifetime.

• Personalized Service from Start to Finish - When you book your qualifying Disney World vacation with us, you'll have a dedicated travel agent by your side from start to finish. Your agent will know your name, understand your priorities, and work tirelessly to help you have a wonderful experience. We believe in the power of personalized service and strive to make every aspect of your trip seamless and stress-free.

• “Best Days” Vacation Planning - Maximize the magic of your Disney vacation with our exclusive "Best Days" Vacation Planning. We'll assist you in choosing the best park to visit each day based on park hours and expected crowd levels, ensuring you make the most of your time at Walt Disney World. Additionally, we'll help you secure dining reservations and guide you on selecting the right Disney Genie+ and individual Lightning Lane options for your unique preferences.

• Saving Money While Enhancing Your Experience - Saving money is important, and we've got you covered. Our team diligently monitors and applies any available discounts or promotions to your reservation. Not only that, but we'll also help you navigate through various offerings, avoiding unnecessary up-sells and options that may not align with your plans.

• Fee-Free Planning - One of the best parts of booking your qualifying Disney World vacation through Build A Better Mouse Trip is that we are fee-free! Yes, you read that right – we never charge a service fee. You get all the benefits and perks that Disney offers, plus our exceptional services, all without any extra cost to you.

So why wait? Experience the magic of a tailor-made Disney vacation with Build A Better Mouse Trip. Let our team of experts craft an itinerary that caters to your desires and ensures a seamless and memorable trip. Click the "Get a Quote" button now and let's start planning your extraordinary Disney adventure together!

Disney's Art of Animation Resort Address & Phone Number

1850 Century Drive
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
Phone: 407-938-7000

Disney's Art of Animation Resort Trivia

• Disney's Art of Animation Resort is Disney World's 26th Resort. The resort plan was officially announced on May 12, 2010 with construction beginning in summer 2010.

• Disney's Art of Animation Resort is near Disney's Pop Century Resort. Originally, Pop Century was going to be built in two sections with the first section called “The Classic Years” (the current Pop Century Resort). The second section was to be called “The Legendary Years” and would be built on the spot now occupied by Disney's Art of Animation Resort. Construction had started on “The Legendary Years” but stopped when tourism dropped following the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York.

• Back in 1985 – 1992, Epcot had two afternoon shows – Skylaidescope (1985 – 1987) and Surprise in the Skies (1991 – 1992) that featured ultra-lights that took off and landed in the area that is now Disney's Art of Animation Resort.

• The Topping Ceremony for the Art of Animation Resort took place on July 21, 2011 on The Lion King wing, when the construction and engineering crews placed the highest piece of steel on a building's frame. The tradition dates back to the Vikings, who would place an evergreen tree on the top of a building to celebrate and wish for good luck.

• This resort celebrates two Pixar Films – 3 Cars buildings and 2 Finding Nemo buildings. The only other Disney World hotel featuring a Pixar movie is Disney's All-Star Movies which has two Toy Story buildings.

• The Art of Animation was also the name of an exhibit at Disneyland from May 28, 1960 to September 5, 1966. This exhibit presented artwork that had been part of a traveling display that promoted the release of Disney's animated feature film Sleeping Beauty.

• Hong Kong Disneyland has an Art of Animation exhibit on its Main Street, U.S.A. It features conceptual artwork from the 1920's to present, storyboards and background paintings of Disney characters.

•  The Art of Animation is also the name of a book by Bob Thomas that was released by Disney in the 1950's. That book influenced John Lasseter - Pixar's former chief creative officer and the director of Toy Story, A Bug's Life, and Cars; he said, "When I was in high school I read this book called, The Art of Animation, by Bob Thomas, it's all about the Walt Disney studio and the making of Sleeping Beauty. I read this and it dawned on me - wait a minute, people do animation for a living?"

• Disney's Art of Animation Resort is adjacent to Disney's Pop Century Resort, Disney's Hollywood Studios theme park and the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex.

All photos are our own

Check Out Other Disney Value Resorts

• All Star Movies

• All Star Music

• All Star Sports

• Pop Century

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