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Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Rooms: 2022 Guide

Disclosure: This Art of Animation rooms page contains affiliate links. Read  full Disclosure Policy .

We’ve come to have the same general expectations out of the rooms at a value Disney resort – two queen beds or one king, living and sleeping space in one, split bathroom area with a door for the toilet and shower and a privacy curtain separating it from the rest of the room. You might have a murphy bed or a bit of hanging space, but for the most part it’s a standard hotel type situation.

One of the things of Disney’s Art of Animation that sets it apart from the other value resorts is the rooms.

While one section of the resort does have that standard value style room, the rest follow a model Disney calls family suites .

Originally at Disney’s All-Star Music resort, family suites provide extra space for those travelling with kids or a larger group, but at a more affordable price than some of the deluxe resorts or villas.

Now, that doesn’t make these rooms cheap, but it does cut the cost in half compared to a one-bedroom suite at a deluxe resort. You are also giving up some of the amenities of the deluxe resorts, and the rooms reflect that.

However, if you’re travelling with kids or not spending a ton of time in the rooms, Art of Animation is a perfect fit!

Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation

• Little Mermaid Standard Rooms
• Finding Nemo
• Conclusions

Standard Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

If you know the history of Disney’s Art of Animation, you know that originally was supposed to be the second section of Disney’s Pop Century Resort across the lake. However, with the attacks on September 11, the tourism industry in Florida took a hit. As a result, the project stalled out, leaving the partially completed buildings sitting there like a ghost town.

Around a decade later, after the success of the family suites at All-Star Music, Disney decided to revisit this area and convert it into a new resort – Disney’s Art of Animation.

However, since a section of the resort had already been built in the same value-room style over at Pop Century , rather than gut those buildings and begin again they keep a block of standard rooms. These rooms make up the Little Mermaid area over at Art of Animation.

Standard Room Amenities

Much like Pop Century , the buildings of rooms at Art of Animation have a T- shape, with the flat part of the T facing in towards one another. These rooms also have the exterior hallway seen at other Disney resorts, rather than entering a building and then coming to the door of your room. Because of this, the decoration on the outside of the buildings is a bit different, and again is similar to the Pop Century and All-Star buildings.

The Little Mermaid area has its own pool, the Flippin’ Fins pool, with a larger-than-life Ariel and all her friends surrounding the space. You feel like another fish or sea creature, splashing around and having fun under the sea! Some of the rooms do face the pool, with others facing the courtyards or parking lots. Unlike other resorts, Art of Animation does not have the choice of pool or preferred rooms when booking. If you want to request a particular room location, you will need to call 407-934-7639.

In the rooms themselves, you’ll find the following:

• Internet – Free WiFi Service
• Coffee Maker
• Telephone with voicemail
• In-Room Safe
• Iron & Ironing Board
• Mini-refrigerator

These amenities are standard for Disney’s value resorts, providing easy conveniences for the morning in terms of making a quick meal or coffee to get you out the door. You can also store items in the safe you don’t want to leave out or unattended – I know I’ve left my wedding rings off and in the safe while at a water park.

Again, in a value room at a value resort, you’re going to get what you pay for. However, that doesn’t mean you’re sacrificing comfort or quality.

Art of Animation Standard Rooms Layout

In the Little Mermaid standard rooms, you have the option between one king bed or two queen beds, sleeping a maximum of four adults. If you’re travelling as a single or a couple, I always recommend going with the king bed option. You get more living space and more bed space, so where’s the downside? Also in the living area you have a small table and chair set, your dresser with flat-screen TV, and a multi-peg hanging space (usually in the shape of a helpful octopus!).

We’re staying at Art of Animation, got the Little Mermaid room pic.twitter.com/b9XDGJiK91 — Nick (@Nick_HBS) June 7, 2021

In the bathroom, you’ll see the typical split-bath setup. The sink and vanity are in one area, separated from the beds by a privacy curtain. The bathroom mirror has plenty of light, and an attached backlit makeup mirror if needed. This is also where you’ll find the hairdryer should you need it, along with some small drawer space for your toiletries. Through the bathroom door you’ll find the shower and bathtub combo, as well as the toilet.

Fitting with the style of the rooms at Art of Animation, every aspect of the space fits with the Little Mermaid theme. The walls and floor have a beautiful blue tone to mimic the sea, while the other decorations incorporate seashells and marine life. A coral motif surrounds the bathroom mirror, and the furniture in the room has a vintage look as though they were found by Ariel in a shipwreck. Ariel herself is on the shower curtain, before revealing her grotto on the shower walls. If you have mermaid-lovers in your group, you might want to consider these rooms!

See a full view of the Little Mermaid rooms with this video!

Art of Animation Family Suites

The remaining three sections of rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation all use the family suite model. This type of room allows for a maximum of six adults all in one space, while providing living spaces that are more distinctive and additional bathroom space. Disney found success with these suites for families with younger children, or even older kids that need a bit more room. Additionally, the incredible theming of each area brings a beloved Disney film to life, perfect for your little Mousketeers.

Family Suite Amenities

All the rooms in the Art of Animation family suite blocks have the same basic amenities:

• Kitchenette

You’ll notice that they are similar to the amenities in the standard rooms, with the addition of a microwave and a kitchenette. At the same time, don’t underestimate what that extra sink and microwave can do for you. A microwave means that you can heat up quick meals in your room, leading to a hot breakfast or quick lunch. You can even bring leftovers back from a previous table service meal, and eat those! That is such a money saver, one that I personally have used, and it also cuts down on food waste.

Layout of the Art of Animation Family Suite Rooms

Even though the décor is different in each section, the layout of the family suites follows the same basic floor plan. When you walk in, there is a small eat-at table with chairs, which converts into another bed in the evening. Since it is a murphy bed, there are two bedside cubbies with chargers that you can use, or you can utilize them for extra storage.

To the right is the first of two full bathrooms with a separate sink and bathing area. This has a shower and tub combination, which is great for families with young kids. Both entrances to this bathroom have pocket doors, which helps save space and prevents your kiddos from whacking one another with the door.

Connected to the eating area and the bathroom is the living room, where you’ll find the kitchenette along with your sofa (which unfolds into a queen bed) as well as a TV. Other touches, like chairs and end tables, vary from section to section based on the décor. You also have a hanging space with drawers in the living room, so if this is where one or two people are sleeping they can unpack their things.

Finally, is the bedroom and attached second full bath. The bedroom has the only official bed in the suite, which is queen-sized, as well as its own TV and dresser. You also have a hanging area for clothes, although there isn’t a full closet. Connected to the bedroom is the bathroom, which replicates the decorative style of the first bath. However, instead of a shower and tub combo, you have a walk-in shower. The sink and shower are also all in one space here rather than separated, although the vanity is larger than in the first bathroom.

Lion King Family Suites

What really sets the suites apart from one another is the decoration. Again, the rooms at Art of Animation bring you into the world of the movie. Therefore, in the Lion King section, every aspect of the room is a rich color, using jungle and savanna plants along with your favorite characters. The showers both have gorgeous sunrise murals, an homage to the opening scene of the film, with Timon and Pumbaa on the shower curtain in the first bathroom.

Much of the furniture has a beautiful zebra wood quality, a neutral but fun contrast to the brighter elements of the room. When you fold down the table bed, Simba sleeps peacefully in a jungle hammock, watching over your little ones while they rest. The dresser tops look like leafy green foliage, and the headboard of the bed features a moment from the iconic song, I Just Can’t Wait to be King .

In the courtyard outside the rooms, statues of your favorite characters stand majestically on Pride Rock or skulk amongst the Elephant Graveyard. The Elephant Graveyard is also a play area, with tunnels and areas for your kids to run around. This is the only section without a pool, but the Big Blue Pool in the Nemo section is only a short walk away.

Check out this video to see a full walkthrough of the Lion King family suites!

Cars Family Suites

Over in the Cars section, you walk right into Radiator Springs to meet Lightening McQueen, Mator, and all their friends. Since the family suite buildings have internal hallways, the outside of the building has a flat canvas where the beauties of the Arizona landscape come to life. In the town, you’ll find places like Sarge’s Surplus Hut, Fillmore’s Organic Fuel, Luigi’s Casa della Tires, and even the Wheel Well Motel. In the center, the Cozy Cone Motel serves as the pool area, complete with cone-shaped cabanas where you can lounge in peace.

Speaking of cone-shaped, cones take on a central theme in the room itself. These rooms have interesting combination of car-themed amenities and nods to the three Cars films. The floor and furniture go with the idea of a car garage, while the bathrooms have a car-wash theme. The idea in these spaces is that you have become a car in this world, and so you would appreciate these components.

On the top of the nightstands and dressers, you might see postcards from Lightening and Mator as they travel around the country and to the World Grand Prix from the second film. Mator also is your sleeping companion in the table bed, snoozing under his towing and salvage sign. Don’t forget to look for artwork of your favorite Cars characters on the walls!

Finding Nemo Family Suites

The last of the Art of Animation rooms are the Finding Nemo family suites, which are the most expensive of the three sections. This is largely because of their central location within the resort and the proximity to the Big Blue Pool, which is the largest pool at Walt Disney World. If you were looking for some sort of preferred option, this would be your best bet.

From an amenity standpoint, the Finding Nemo space has the most to offer your kids. Not only is there an amazing zero-entry pool with fun sea creatures, but also at the one end of the pool complex is the Nemo splash zone. Your littles can stomp, splash, and play in the water and sprayers in this area without being overwhelmed by bigger kids in the pool. On the other end of the complex is Squirt’s Righteous Reef, an interactive playground perfect for an afternoon activity or your non-swimmers.

Finding Nemo Room Décor

These are actually the most subtle of the Art of Animation rooms, taking on a calmer atmosphere than the other two sections. Beautiful cool cools of blue and purple decorate the space, with pops of orange and other bright tones here and there. While you definitely see characters in the artwork, they don’t dominate the room. Predominately, the decorative features are ocean elements like coral and seaweed, although these take on more colorful hues than their real life counterparts.

In the bathroom, you shift into the submarine from the first movie, so it takes on more gray tones with some of the military components. No surprise, in the bathroom you find Bruce and his shark buddies – but remember, fish are friends, not food! Both bathrooms follow this theme, which is like the other suites.

Dozing above the table bed you’ll find Marling and Nemo, cozy in their sea anemone home. All the hard furniture, including the outside of the table bed, has a pretty blue background with coral and stylized versions of the characters in the foreground. Again, this makes you feel like you have become a fish yourself, swimming around in Nemo’s home.  

Take a look at this video to get the full Finding Nemo experience!

Which of the Art of Animation Rooms to Choose?

This is always the question – how do I know which of the rooms is right for me? At Disney’s Art of Animation, deciding between rooms boils down to three basic questions.

1 – Am I Travelling with Kids?

If this is a solid yes , we recommend the family suites, unless your kids are little or dying to stay in the Little Mermaid rooms. Growing up, if my parents could have had the ability to get their own room, give my sister and me our own beds, and had a bathroom all to themselves , I’m willing to bet they would have done it.

Family suites, with their incredible decoration, also bring that each bit of magic that kids love. They will only be into this sort of thing for a period of time, so take advantage of it while you can.

2 – How Much Time am I Spending in the Room?

One of the times I recommend a value resort is when you know you aren’t going to be in the room a lot. Whether that’s because you’re going to be out at the pool, shopping and dining in Disney Springs, or going hard at the parks, there’s no reason to spend big bucks on a nice room that you’re primarily using to sleep. Again, the family suites are still the better option if you have kids, but if you’re just going as a couple cut your cost in half and book the standard rooms.

3 – What is My Budget?

Normally I would put this higher on the list, but at Art of Animation, the previous two points rank higher in terms of rooms. However, you don’t want to forget this piece. Even with children, you might find that the family suites are a bit out of budget. We get it – they can get up to $500 a night, which is hefty for a value resort. If that’s the case, go with the standard room and bunk your kids in the same bed. Again, you can only put four people in a standard room, so that might make your decision for you. On the other hand, if you’re trying to save money and everyone is down to share a bed, the standard rooms are the way to go.

What about Theming?

The obvious question in this instance is whether or not it matters which movie you get to “inhabit.” If yes, then let that help make your decision. If no, use these other factors to help narrow down your choice. At the same time, I get it – your daughter is obsessed with Simba, so staying in the Finding Nemo section is not going to work for you. Think about your family and their preferences, use our tips , and you won’t go wrong.

Grace Hoyos, Staff Writer

Grace is a life-long lover of all things Disney, particularly the parks at Walt Disney World. She is also an avid Disney Cruise Line enthusiast who regularly dreams of the white sands of Castaway Cay. Grace loves the fact that her Disney trips give her time to spend with her family, enjoy incredible food, and try new experiences.

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Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Last updated: April 25, 2024

Disney’s Art of Animation is a highly-themed, value-level resort at Walt Disney World. Art of Animation includes both standard hotel rooms and “family suites,” which are indeed perfect for families.

$209 - $963

Lodging Area

Bus, Skyliner

Guest Overall Rating

Based on 376 surveys. (See our Ratings and Research page for details)

Lighting: B

modal#open click->video-modal#modalVideo">Resort Tour

modal#open click->video-modal#modalVideo">Lion King Suite Overview

modal#open click->video-modal#modalVideo">Cars Suite Room Tour

modal#open click->video-modal#modalVideo">Little Mermaid Standard Room Quick Tour

Exceptional theming, particularly Cars and Lion King areas

Skyliner connection to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT

Best pool of the Value resorts

Family Suites are innovatively designed and themed

Interior hallways in some buildings

Walking trail around Hour Glass Lake and connecting bridge to Pop Century

Just one bus stop

Most expensive Value resort

Terrible in-room mobile reception

The number of made-to-order meals available at the food court can mean long waits in line

The resort's standard rooms are rarely discounted

Poor soundproofing

Art of Animation was perfect for us in the Nemo Suites for 6.

February 4, 2020

As a family of six on a moderate budget, Art of Animation was our choice for a larger room. The Skyliner made travel to EPCOT and the Studios easy. And the bus ride to animal Kingdom was short, but the ride to Magic Kingdom could sometimes seem long.

As a family of six on a moderate budget, Art of Animation was our choice for a larger room. The Skyliner made travel to EPCOT and the Studios easy. And the...

November 23, 2019

We found Art of Animation's food court much nicer than Pop Century. AoA's was less busy, cleaner, and provided more dining options.

August 10, 2019

We booked a Little Mermaid standard room. It is woefully due for a renovation. We normally stay at Pop Century and have been spoiled by their revamp.

March 16, 2019

The bus service was great to AOA, and we could always hop on a Pop Century bus and walk across the bridge if needed. Resort was clean and very fun for our young children.

The bus service was great to AOA, and we could always hop on a Pop Century bus and walk across the bridge if needed. Resort was clean and very fun for our...

March 2, 2019

We enjoyed Art of Animation, and for the cost (one of the cheapest resorts but still on Disney property), we would totally stay there again

February 3, 2019

Slightly larger than comparable rooms at other Value resorts, standard rooms are around 277 square feet. All of these rooms are in the Little Mermaid section of the resort.

• Dresser with drawers
• Full-length mirror
• Wireless Internet (Wi-Fi)
• Flat-panel TV
• Coffee maker and starter supply of coffee pods
• Ironing board and iron
• Digital thermostat
• In-room safe
• Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and bar soap

A curtain divider separates the main sleeping area from sink/bathroom area, and a solid door separates the toilet and shower from these. This allows up to three groups to get ready at the same time.

The suites are a reasonably priced option which include two rooms, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette If you have a family of five or six, or if you just don't want to sleep in the same room as your kids, the Art of Animation family suites are one of the best lodging options at Walt Disney World.

• Room with Queen Bed(s) and en-suite bathroom
• Double-Size Sleeper Sofa
• Double-Size Table Bed (table with 4 chairs that converts to a full-size bed)
• Separate Bedroom with Door
• Open clothes hanger bar
• Starter supply of disposable kitchenware: paper plates, bowls, and cups; plastic forks, knives, and spoons

Family Suites at Art of Animation have two bathrooms. One is small and functional, nearly identical to the bathrooms in the standard rooms. The main bathroom is spacious, with a large glass-door shower.

Little Mermaid Bedroom

Litttle Mermaid Sink and Dressing Area

Little Mermaid Tub and Shower

View from Little Mermaid Room 7872

Art of Animation Little Mermaid Room Floor Plan

Lion King Suite Master Bedroom

Lion King Suite Fold-Down Bed

Lion King Suite Fold-Out Couch

Lion King Suite Microwave and Beverage Chiller

Cars Suite Second Bathroom

Lion King Suite Master Bath

Lion King Suite Second Bathroom

View from Finding Nemo Suite 5829

Art of Animation Family Suite Floor Plan

We’ve mapped and taken photographs of the views from every single room on Walt Disney World property! Our Room Finder helps you find the perfect room for you and then request that room from Disney.

There is no full-service restaurant at any Disney value resort, including Art of Animation. The food court, Landscape of Flavors, is organized like a food court at a mall.

Landscape of Flavors Landscape of Flavors offers made to order burgers, sandwiches, and pastas. You'll find an occasional upscale (for a food court) item here, like saffron seafood pasta, a tandoori chicken sandwich on naan, or the "surf and surf" (crab cake and fried shrimp) burger.

The Drop Off Pool Bar The pool bar at the Art of Animation Resort, The Drop Off sits next to the main Big Blue Pool. Despite the existence of some snacks and small bites this is mostly a place for drinks. Like all Disney bars the tropical-themed drinks are very sweet, but they are refreshing on a hot Florida day by the pool.

Ink and Paint Candy, snacks, and drinks.

Art of Animation In Room Delivery

Refillable Mugs Allows guest self-service soft drink refills from quick-service locations in hotels ( NOT in theme parks ) for $21.99 for the length of stay.

SWIPE TO EXPLORE

The largest (and our favorite), The Big Blue Pool, sits directly behind the main lobby and food court. All pools are heated and feature sculptures of characters from various animated films.

Located just off the Animation Hall lobby is the Pixel Play Arcade , which has a decent collection of relatively recent video and arcade games. Most games cost $0.50 to $2.00 per play.

Free Disney Movies Under the Stars are shown most evenings, weather-permitting.

A small business center offers computer and internet access, including printers.

One lap around Hourglass Lake is a scenic 1.20-mile/2 km course. You won't find a gym, fitness center, or spa at Art of Animation.

Disney resort guests get into each theme park 30 minutes earlier than off-site guests, every day.

Disney's Skyliner , an enclosed ski-lift-like gondola system, provides fast access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios with very pretty views.

Practical Matters

Check-in is 3:00pm Check-out is 11:00am

All Disney resorts participate in Disney’s Online Check-In program. If you’ve checked-in online and provided a mobile phone number or email address, you will receive your room number electronically. Then you can go straight to the room and use your smart phone or MagicBand to open the door, skipping the lobby altogether.

These rubber and plastic wrist bands can function as your room key, park admission, charge card, and more! MagicBands cost money, but if you'd like a free option you can use the official Disney World app on your phone or request an RFID-embedded card at the front desk.

Park tickets are best purchased online in advance either directly through Disney or via our Least Expensive Ticket Calculator . However, if you arrive without park tickets, head to the concierge desk in the hotel lobby.

Dining reservation are best made online in advance or on your phone or tablet during your visit. You can also use our Disney World Reservation Finder .

Washers and dryers are availabile in laundry facilities at each Disney World hotel. Cost is $3 per wash, and another $3 per dry cycle. A small selection of soap, fabric softener, and dryer sheets are also sold, for around $1 each. Only credit/debit cards can be used for payment. For more information, see our Disney World Laundry Facilities page.

If you lose something in a theme park or during your stay at a Disney-operated hotel, visit Disney's Lost and Found website or call (407) 824-4245.

Disney hotels have gifts shops near their lobbies with a decent collection of Disney-branded souvenirs. You will also find basic pharmacy items such as sunscreen, aspirin, allergy and cold medicine, baby diapers and formula, shampoo, and the like. Resort hotels with Deluxe Villa rooms offer an assortment of groceries, as well.

Disney recommends a third party company, Kid's Nite Out , to provide babysitting services at the resort hotels. See our Disney World Child Care page for more information.

Art of Animation is located in the Wide World of Sports Resort Area. All modern GPS apps, and Google Maps, will have clear driving directions to it. As a backup, look for Disney road signs directing you toward the Wide World of Sports once you're on property, and then look for signs for Art of Animation once you're close.

Disney Skyliner gondola system has a station on the bridge in between Pop Century and Art of Animation. From the station, the ride to Epcot's International Gateway entrance is about 20 minutes while the ride to Hollywood Studios is about 12 minutes (plus waiting time in line).

Disney provides free bus service from Art of Animation to the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs. Art of Animation's bus stops sit along the front wall of the Animation Hall lobby. Buses run about every 20 minutes, but varies through the day.

If you have your own car, it's faster to drive yourself to Disney's Animal Kingdom, the Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks, and Disney Springs. Disney's transportation system is faster to the Magic Kingdom, Epcot, and Disney's Hollywood Studios.

You can walk between the Art of Animation and Pop Century. The Skyliner can take you to the EPCOT resorts, Caribbean Beach, and the Riviera. For all other resort destinations, the fastest option is an Uber, Lyft, or taxi. Disney's bus service is free but slow, and will probably require you to use an intermediate destination like Disney Springs, to get to your destination. And that can take a couple of hours each way if you're unluckly.

if you have a car, the easiest way to get to Universal Orlando, SeaWorld, and other tourist destinations is to drive. Alternatively, Mears Transportation operates shuttle services between the Disney hotels and other theme parks.

tabs#change">Driving to the Resort

tabs#change">Getting to the Parks and Disney Springs

tabs#change">Getting to Another Hotel from Art of Animation

tabs#change">Getting to Universal Orlando

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Art of Animation Resort 

Disney’s Art of Animation 1850 Animation Way Lake Buena Vista, Florida 32830

OVERVIEW Disney’s Art of Animation is one of Disney’s Value Resorts for the Budget Friendly traveler that offers great amenities as well. The Art of Animation is home to the largest Disney Resort Pool with family suites and standard rooms themed to Lion King, Finding Nemo, Cars, and Little Mermaid. It is a family friendly destination to begin your Disney experience. With spacious rooms for family sizes up to 6, Dog-Friendly Accommodations and complimentary Wi-Fi, you are bound to feel welcomed and at home at this one of a kind resort.

ROOMS Disney’s Art of Animation has a total of 984 rooms which is comprised of four sections of Family Suites and one section of standard rooms.  

The Lion King, Cars and Finding Nemo themed Family Suites Family suites sleep up to six guests; they include a bedroom with one queen-size bed; one double-size convertible TableBed; one double-size sleeper sofa; living room; 2 bathrooms and a kitchenette.

The Little Mermaid section offers Standard rooms that sleep up to four guests and have a mini-fridge, however it does not have a microwave. Guests are welcome to use the microwave ovens in the food court if needed (about a 5-10 minute walk from the Little Mermaid rooms.

DINING Landscape of Flavors – Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, features 5 distinctive food shops serving fresh, made-to-order cuisine.

Lunch and Dinner Menu – $14.99 and under per adult

Breakfast Menu – $14.99 and under per adult

The Drop Off Pool Bar – After an afternoon of fun in the sun, pull up a chair and chill! Relax poolside with a thirst-quenching frozen cocktail, ice-cold draft or bottled beer or non-alcoholic beverage. Snacks are also available for those craving a quick nibble!

Pizza Delivery and Beyond – Get tasty classics like oven-fresh pizza, salad, chicken strips and more delivered directly to your room when staying at a select Disney Resort hotel. An 18% gratuity, $3.00 delivery charge and applicable sales tax will apply to all delivery orders.

RECREATION/AMENITIES Pools – The Big Blue Pool will be closed for refurbishment from January 11, 2021 through early April 2021. While this work takes place, other exhilarating pool and recreation offerings will remain open for your enjoyment – including Flippin’ Fins Pool, Cozy Cone Pool and the Schoolyard Sprayground.

Movies Under the Stars – Watch some of your favorite Disney films outside in the fresh evening air—located on the grassy area found between The Lion King building and Finding Nemo building.

Jogging Trail – Walk or jog around Disney’s Art of Animation Resort on a scenic 1.38-mile trail.

Playground – Children can climb and slide at Righteous Reef playground, located in the Finding Nemo courtyard.

Pixel Play Arcade – Catch up on video games both classic and new at this arcade located in the Animation Hall building. To play games, you must first purchase a Game Card and add game points using a credit card or cash at a kiosk inside the arcade. Game Cards are rechargeable and can be used at other Walt Disney World Resort arcades.

Go Fish? – Fishing is not allowed on Hourglass Lake—but you’ll get hooked by the bass fishing at our other nearby marinas! Guided excursion and dockside fishing are available on select waterways in Walt Disney World Resort and are fun for guests of all ages, call 407-WDW-BASS for more information.

TRANSPORTATION Disney Skyliner Transportation – This complimentary, new gondola transportation system offers a bird’s-eye view as it whisks you and your family away to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.

Disney Minnie Van™ Service Connected by Lyft —Discover a whimsical way to dash about! Getting to select locations around Walt Disney World Resort—or traveling to and from Orlando International Airport—is easy when our private vehicles whisk you off in delightful Disney style.   The base rate is of $15 per pick-up, plus a per mile fee that varies based upon demand, but will typically be around $2.75 to $3.00 per mile

Disney’s Magical Express -Enjoy complimentary transportation to and from Orlando International Airport. Advance reservations are required. Please note: Disney’s Magical Express service will no longer be providing luggage delivery for those arriving to and departing from the airport. The resort airline check-in service is also no longer available. The Disney’s Magical Express bus stop is located just in front of the lobby. Please note, Disney’s Magical Express service will no longer be offered starting with arrivals January 1, 2022. The service will continue to operate for new and existing reservations made at Disney Resort hotels for arrivals throughout 2021.

PARKING Standard overnight self-parking is available to registered Guests for a $15 per night, which will be applied to the guest’s hotel folio upon check-out. All parking fees include applicable tax.

Complimentary standard self-parking is available while you enjoy select dining, shopping, entertainment and recreation experiences at this Resort.

ATM A 24-hour ATM, presented by Chase, is located near the front desk and accept the following cards and services: American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Discover/Novus, Cirrus, Plus, Star and Honor, although they are subject to change. Be sure to confirm the cash withdrawal limit with your card’s issuing bank. Some ATMs include a maximum transaction limit, above and beyond the cash withdrawal limit associated with your card. In addition, if your card is not issues by Chase you will incur a withdrawal fee, which will be added to the withdrawal amount, is in addition to any fees that may be assessed by the cardholder’s financial institution. A fee will be charged for a cash withdrawal to any cardholder using a card not issued by Chase. This fee, which will be added to the withdrawal amount, is in addition to any fees that may be assessed by your financial institution.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE Be sure to visit the front desk or Lobby Concierge if you are interested in exchanging foreign currencies. CHILD CARE/BABYSITTING Kid’s Nite Out is an independent childcare provider, they offer one-to-one babysitting in the comfort of your Walt Disney World Resort hotel room. They will organize activities for children 6 months to 12 years of age such as arts and crafts, reading and playing. Rates Number of Children Price (per hour) 1 $20 2 $23 3 $26 4 $29 There is a surcharge of $2 after 9:00pm that will be added per hour. Additionally, a one-time transportation fee of $12 is also required. Rates are subject to change without notice. The independent childcare provider also offers childcare to accompany you and your family during your visit to the parks

To contact Kid’s Nite Out, please call (407) 828-0920, 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, 7 days a week. Guests under 18 years of age must have parent or guardian permission to call. LOST CHILDREN A child who becomes separated from his or her parents while in the park will be escorted by a Cast Member to the Baby Care Center. Once there, the child will be looked after until the parent comes to claim the child. If you are unable to locate your child, alert a Cast Member and then check the Baby Care Center. DESIGNATED SMOKING AREAS At Disney Resort hotels, smoking is permitted in designated outdoor smoking areas. Smoking is not permitted in Guest rooms or on balconies. Guests can request location information upon check-in. If you have questions about our smoking policy please ask a Disney Cast Member. Smoking marijuana is not permitted at any time, even in designated smoking areas. HOUSEKEEPING Prior to your arrival, your room will undergo comprehensive cleaning with added attention to high-touch areas, like TV remotes and door handles, floors, which are steam cleaned and vacuumed between Guests. During your stay, your room will receive light housekeeping service every other day (unless you choose to decline the service). This service will include: Removal of trash and used towels, replenishment of towels and amenities throughout room and bathroom, wiping and cleaning of the vanity and counter surfaces as well as vacuuming, if needed. In addition, housekeeping tools will be cleaned between rooms. LAUNDRY AND DRY CLEANING SERVICES You can find 24-hour self-service laundry rooms available near The Big Blue Pool, Flippin’ Fins Pool and Cozy Cone Pool. For dry cleaning and valet laundry service, please select “Housekeeping” on your Guest Room phone. MAIL SERVICES If you intend to receive mail during your stay, be sure to have the mail sent to the mailing address of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, make sure to include the word “Guest” and the date of your arrival at the hotel clearly on the package. Postcards, letters and pre-packed, pre-labeled packages with postage already applied can be mailed at the Front Desk or Concierge Desk.

MERCHANDISE DELIVERY AND PICKUP You will be able to enjoy the parks without extra baggage with this convenient service! You can shop in-store at select Walt Disney World shops and through the Shop Disney Parks mobile app (valid for merchandise in stock at Walt Disney World Resort). Merchandise delivery to your Disney Resort hotel is complimentary. You can arrange to have your merchandise delivered to Ink & Paint Shop at the Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, where it will be available for pickup later.

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PHOTOS! Tour a Lion King FAMILY SUITE at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!

By Quincy Stanford 2 Comments

If you’re headed to Disney World soon, you might be wondering where you should stay!

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

There are a LOT of options for accommodations in the Most Magical Place on Earth and we want to make sure you stay at the spot that’s best for YOU. What better way than to take you on tours of the rooms? Well, if you’re traveling with the fam, you’re going to want to see inside the rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort … .

We stayed the night at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort in one of the Lion King Family Suites . Other room types include the similarly-laid-out Cars Family Suites and Finding Nemo Family Suites, and the standard Little Mermaid rooms.

These family suites sleep a whopping six guests comfortably!

Family Suite

When you walk into the room, you’ll see that it’s laid out with a dining area …

…a living area …

…a bathroom …

…a bedroom …

…and another bathroom !

As you can see, these rooms are SPECTACULARLY themed, but we know what you’re thinking: If there’s only one bed, how are six guests staying here? Well, surprise! The dining table converts to a murphy bed …

…and the sofa is a pull-out double bed too!

But let’s get into the nitty-gritty, starting as you enter!

The family suites at this resort are off of interior hallways and open into that dining area. In this space, you’ll spot the murphy bed, complete with a dining table and chairs .

Of course, you’ll spot some birds on the murphy bed, plus bugs and grubs on the table! Typically, we wouldn’t be too fond of bugs where we eat…but they did look pretty tasty in The Lion King .

The overhead lights even look like clouds!

The chairs are a cool, cartoon leaf design.

The wall has a bird art piece here as well.

Pull those chairs out of the way and the murphy bed down…

…and you’ll be greeted by a sleeping Simba!

Either side of this bed has a bedside table complete with a drawer .

This is probably about the time that you’ll notice that the floor has a cool pebble texture.

Next, let’s head into the first bathroom!

This room has a single vanity with plenty of counter space.

Under the sink, you’ll spot some extra supplies in case you need them.

There’s plenty of lighting, and the mirror has a cool themed design too!

Past a sliding door, you’ll find the toilet and shower room.

The shower curtain is a VERY fun print of Timon and Pumbaa washin’ up!

And pull the curtain back to reveal a beautiful Circle of Life sunrise tile wall!

This bathroom is equipped with refillable Disney toiletries …

…and expect a wider showerhead with decent pressure .

Ok, back to the common area! The main space has a living area and a kitchenette .

This room is also where you’ll spot the thermostat which was set to 60 degrees when we arrived.

The kitchenette is a cabinet in the corner of the room that features several amenities.

The top shelf has an ice bucket with cups …

…and microwave with accompanying supplies .

The countertop features a good amount of counter space, a sink, a paper towel roller …

…and a coffee machine with everything you need for your cup o’ joe (or tea).

The cabinet under the sink has a fire extinguisher and additional paper towels.

Then there’s the mini-fridge which is a larger size than the ones featured in standard Disney World hotel rooms!

Next to the kitchenette is a trash and recycling bin .

The sofa has a neat orange print on it and a whole tower of giraffes standing over it.

Remove the cushions and pull the handles, and you’ve got yourself another double bed !

In the corner, there is a flower-themed standing lamp with a table and one of the hotel phones.

In front of the couch, you’ll find two stools adorned with Lion King lyrics and designed like tree stumps!

The curtains have a standard privacy curtain…

…and a blackout curtain with a jungle design.

As for your view, you could end up looking out towards a parking lot, courtyard area, or some of Art of Animation’s awesome character sculptures.

Hey, Simba! We can see all of Pride Rock!

The living area has ANOTHER chair too, a green scoop seat.

Then, you’ve got a full dresser that looks like it was pulled right from the jungle.

It has four drawers with plenty of space…

…and built-in outlets.

Above the dresser is a standard, flat-screen TV (tuned to the Disney info channel of course!).

The corner of this room features a storage cubby with a spare pillow and blanket as well as some hangers.

The large drawer here has pillows for use on the sofa bed.

Annnnnd on to the bedroom!

This room features a queen bed with Zazu sitting above (with much aplomb we might add).

The side tables each feature a flower-inspired lamp…

…plus a drawer and cubby space.

You’ll find the same curtains on another window in this room.

Plus the same dresser and TV.

By the door, there’s a small closet-designated space with more hangers, an ironing board, iron, safe, and a luggage rack. Plus another extra pillow.

The final bathroom is a one-room space off of the bedroom.

It has another single vanity with a themed mirror.

You’ll find added supplies in here too!

The shower here does not have a tub and is instead a glass door walk-in .

It has the same refillable toiletries…

…and the same AWESOME Circle of Life wall.

Whew! And there you have it! That’s a full tour of a Lion King Family Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. As always, stay tuned to DFB for the latest Disney coverage and updates!

Click here to check out some of the construction at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!

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What do you think of these rooms? Tell us in the comments! 

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November 21, 2021 at 12:03 am

Any idea how big the windows are in the suites? We love decorating our windows when we stay.. the windows at AoA seem shorter than Pop or All-Star.

November 22, 2021 at 9:04 am

Cyndi, great question. They are shorter than the All-Star windows. I don’t have the exact measurements, but based on photos and my own stay in the Suites, I am guessing 6′ wide (at most) by 4′ tall. I wish I had more specific dimensions for you. Have fun decorating!

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Disney's Art of Animation Resort Photo Tour

Live in your favorite Disney film

zannaland/Flickr/CC-BY-SA-2.0 

Although there are 864 standard rooms at The Little Mermaid wing of Disney's Art of Animation Resort , the 1,120 themed family suites — Finding Nemo with 320 suites, Cars with 480 suites, and The Lion King with 320 suites — that comfortably sleep up to six, offers an exciting alternative for vacationing families. The four distinctly designed wings showcase Disney and Disney-Pixar films with original sketches, colorful icons and whimsical theming.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort is expansive and not only features regular guest rooms and family suites, but also three pools, a food court and poolside concessions, playgrounds, and a family game room. Staying at the resort, guests can benefit from the best Disney perks, including transportation to Disney theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs and Extra Magic Hours . For those that like to stay connected, all Family Suites and Standard Guest Rooms include free WiFi!

Animation Hall

Step into Disney's Art of Animation Resort and you'll see a wall filled with larger-than-life sketches of popular animated Disney characters by some of Disney's most talented artists. Animation Hall is where guests of the resort will check-in and get their room assignment in one of four themed wings — Finding Nemo , Cars , The Lion King and The Little Mermaid .

Also, inside Animation Hall you will find a whimsical chandelier composed of 77 animation storyboards and a colorful wall of lighted animation slides depicting action scenes from Disney and Disney-Pixar movies represented at the resort.

Located off of Animation Hall is the Ink & Paint Shop, where you can pick up all those souvenirs before heading home; and, the Landscape of Flavors food court.

Landscape of Flavors Food Court

Landscape of Flavors , Disney's Art of Animation Resort food court is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and features items such as fresh smoothies, hand-scooped gelato, and Mongolian barbecue. It is located in the Animation Hall building at the front of the resort.

Tip: Save money when you stay in a Disney resort by purchasing a refillable mug.

Finding Nemo Wing

Crush from the Disney-Pixar animated film, Finding Nemo , is just one of the larger-than-life icons that adorn the courtyards at Disney's Art of Animation Resort. Crush looks like he's ready to make a splash at the "Big Blue" pool, the centerpiece of the resort and the largest swimming pool at Disney World Resort. Also see a giant Mr. Ray, whose wings span 27 feet!

Other characters you'll find include Nemo's mates — Pearl, Tad, and Sheldon making a splash at the Schoolyard Sprayground, a wet play area with refreshing sprayers.

Finding Nemo Family Suites

The Walt Disney Company

The spacious 320 Finding Nemo Family Suites are decked out with jellyfish lampshades, a coral reef-themed headboard and cheerful color scheme. The Suites, which sleep a family of six (6) easily, are just steps away from the "Big Blue" pool with lots of action, day and night — hula hoop contests, ping pong, and nighttime movies.

All the Family Suites at Disney's Art of Animation Resort feature kitchenettes with microwaves, mini-fridges and a sink. Family Suite units throughout the resort feature tables for dining and activities and then easily fold-up to make a Murphy bed at night. Sleeping arrangements for six include a queen bed in a separate bedroom (with a door), the double-size table bed and one double-size sleeper sofa. The bedrooms also include a dresser and a door for privacy. There are two (2) bathrooms per unit as well!

Big Blue Pool

Hey, Dude! Crush is calling kids of all ages that are sure to have a splish-splashing good time in the "Big Blue" pool at Disney's Art of Animation Resort. The zero-entry pool is the centerpiece of the resort and it's the largest resort swimming pool at Disney World Resort — measuring 11,859 square feet. As guests explore the colorful reef and East Australian Current with a giant-sized Mr. Ray, underwater speakers occasionally pipe in music and messages from film characters, so guests will feel like they're in scenes from the animated world.

Tiny tots will enjoy frolicking with Squirt in the Righteous Reef, a dry children's play area nearby; and, making a splash at the Schoolyard Sprayground, a wet play area with sprayers.

Righteous Reef Playground

Righteous Reef is one of several play areas at Disney's Art of Animation Resort. Kids will enjoy frolicking with Squirt and playing hide-and-seek with each other (and parents too).

Tip: This playground is located near the Big Blue pool, so parents should use caution and closely monitor their children.

Unique Photo Opportunities

All of Disney's Value Resorts feature larger-than-life icons, but Disney's Art of Animation Resort provides nearly unlimited photo opportunities in four separate themed areas — Finding Nemo , Cars , The Lion King and The Little Mermaid . It's like taking a trip through Disney's most celebrated animated films and photos will surely bring back memories for years to come.

Cars' Radiator Springs Wing

Welcome to Radiator Springs. Cars fans will delight in Lightning McQueen, Mater, Flo and other characters from the popular Pixar film Cars leading the way down a paved road to 480 family suites and the 60's-style Cozy Cone Motel with Sheriff and Doc Hudson parked at the entryway.

Cars' Family Suites

The Cars-themed family guest suites sleep up to six (6) and are high-octane fun — from the orange cones imprinted in the carpeting and adorning the light fixtures to the pull-out bed in the living room sofa that whimsically appears as the back seat of an old hot rod. Add the tool chest that is actually the dresser and the bathroom design inspired by a car wash, and you're sure to rev up some super-charged vacation adventures.

Outside, guests can pose with their favorite characters from the film or backdrops of Luigi's Casa Della Tires, Tow Mater Towing, and the Wheel Well Motel. At the Cozy Cone Motel, orange cone-shaped cabanas invite guests to relax and then take a dip in the Cozy Cone Pool.​

The Lion King Wing

Simba's journey is celebrated in The Lion King wing with landscape and theming that reflect both playful and poignant scenes from the Academy Award-winning Disney animated film "The Lion King." Scenes from the movie play out in every turn of the courtyard with King Mufasa towering atop Pride Rock while his evil brother Scar slinks in the shadows beyond the elephant graveyard. Then there's Pumbaa and Timon with Simba dancing across a long bridge in true carefree "Hakuna Matata" fashion.

Lion King Family Suites

The Lion King-themed family suites are great for families with small children. They will love the bright colors and animal-theming and feel right at home with their favorite characters. Zazu takes center stage on the headboards, while Pumbaa and Timon decorate the shower curtain. Young ones can rest on a leaf-shaped chair or sleep alongside Simba, who is slumbering at the head of one of the beds. The suites comfortably sleep up to six (6).

The Little Mermaid Wing

Ariel reins supreme over The Little Mermaid wing and at the Flippin' Fins pool at Disney's Art of Animation Resort. Standard guest rooms are colorful retreats themed to one of the most celebrated films of all time, "The Little Mermaid." The sea-inspired colors and aquatic motif plunge guests into the "under the sea" world of Ariel's secret grotto.

The Little Mermaid Standard Guest Rooms

The Little Mermaid wing was the final phase opened in September of 2012, with 864 standard guest rooms taking families on an under-the-sea adventure. The standard rooms sleep four (4) and feature either two double beds or one king, a television and small round table with two chairs. Additionally, the bathroom is divided from the bedroom with an under-the-sea-styled curtain with Ariel appearing as big as life on the shower curtain.

Outside, guests will find the Flippin' Fins pool and pose in the courtyard alongside characters from the film — Ariel, Ursula, King Triton and Sebastian.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort features a large arcade that all ages (even Mom and Dad) will enjoy, but will particularly make the teens in the family happy.

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Review, Photos & Video: Cars Family Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

I still remember the first time I stepped foot in Radiator Springs. It was over a decade ago, but it’s so vivid in my mind that it feels like yesterday. Walking down Route 66 was like entering the set of  Cars… if computer animated Pixar movies had sets.

From the glow of the oversaturated neon signs bathing the street in a sea of color to the lavishly-detailed shops lining the main thoroughfare. The only giveaway that this was a re-creation of Radiator Springs in a theme park was the trash cans dotting Route 66. Well, and my knowledge that I had entered a theme park that day. But otherwise? Complete suspension of disbelief.

Everything about Cars Land is pitch-perfect. From the layers of organic details to the Pixar Easter Eggs, the land truly feels inhabited (by vehicles, I guess?), rather than an artificial theme park environment. It’s the pinnacle of Imagineering, right up there with New Orleans Square and Tokyo DisneySea as exemplars of themed design that every Walt Disney World fan should see.

Of course, Cars Land does not contain any family suites and it isn’t at Walt Disney World. So, why did I just ramble about it for a few paragraphs? Partly because Walt Disney World fans are the presumptive audience of this post, and while I have you as a quasi-captive audience, I want to implore you to visit Cars Land.

More importantly, to underscore the excellence of Cars Land because it’s often brought up as a contrast (of sorts) to the Cars section of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. There’s a certain subset of Disneyland fans who take pleasure in “dunking” on this area of the Florida hotel as not measuring up to its California counterpart. Most are likely doing this not due to sincerely-held beliefs but for the sake of scoring points in some manufactured rivalry. Nevertheless, they are wrong.

They’re not wrong that Cars Land is nicer than the Radiator Springs section of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Without a doubt, that is true. Where they’re wrong is in comparing the two. One is a blockbuster theme park land–the cornerstone of Disney California Adventure’s reinvention–whereas the other is a budget hotel.

We don’t compare Port Orleans French Quarter to New Orleans Square, Contemporary Resort to Tomorrowland, Polynesian to Adventureland, or Paradise Pier Hotel to Dino-Rama (its most logical counterpart–not the nearby pier). Even my beloved Wilderness Lodge doesn’t hold a candle to Old Faithful Inn and its surrounding “IRL” setting. Resorts are different beasts and should be judged accordingly. When making apples to apples comparisons, the Cars section of Art of Animation performs surprisingly well.

Before we get to why this section of the hotel is great (beyond the obvious fact that cars are cool), let’s start with brief background. I don’t want to overdo it, as this is all covered in our standalone Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Review . In short, this is a Value Resort at Walt Disney World that features 864 standard rooms in motel style buildings with exterior walkways and 1,120 family suites in newer buildings with interior hallways.

Art of Animation’s main lobby (Animation Hall) features the front desk, Landscape of Flavors food court, Ink & Paint gift shop, Pixel Play Arcade, and the bus stop outside. Outside of this is the aptly-named Big Blue Pool, the largest at Walt Disney World. Directly beyond that, between Art of Animation and Pop Century Resort is the Skyliner station, where aerial gondolas glide over Hourglass Lake.

Guest rooms, common areas within each section, pools, playgrounds, etc. at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are themed to one for four Disney-Pixar films: Finding Nemo, Lion King, Little Mermaid, or Cars.

As intimated above, the last of these is the best, with the Cars section being the one you should book. (Well…unless you have fans of Finding Nemo, Lion King, or Little Mermaid in your family. Then you might want to opt for one of those!)

While it’s very different from the All Stars or even nearby Pop Century, it’s worth noting that Art of Animation still follows the familiar formula of “big box” Value Resorts you might be used to at Walt Disney World. Most of the ‘theming’ is window-dressing consisting of oversized characters and objects, and vivid colors on these large, big box hotel buildings.

Consequently, Art of Animation is a love it or hate it hotel. We’ve previously likened Value Resorts to Crocs and think that comparison holds up. People love Art of Animation because it’s comfortable and cozy, with a sense of whimsy and fun that just makes them happy. Those who dislike Art of Animation feel that way because it’s tacky, loud, and abandons traditionally-nuanced Disney theming and detail in favor of something that gets by on clunky looks and characters.

As someone who loves both Crocs and Art of Animation, I can still see both perspectives. If you want something sophisticated and stylish, look elsewhere. If you want a resort that evokes the essence of iconic animated films and their characters, Art of Animation is perfect for you. Kids are almost guaranteed to love it, which is a big reason why  Art of Animation ranks highly on our list of the Best & Worst Value Resorts at Walt Disney World .

It may not be the pinnacle of themed design and it doesn’t hit the same high notes as Cars Land or one of the iconic lands of Magic Kingdom…but it is better than Dino-Rama, and that counts for something! But seriously, the short and simple of it for me is that Art of Animation is a fun resort thematically.

As for why Cars is the coolest section at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, a big reason is because the concept lends itself well to adaptations. Not to diminish the exemplary work of Imagineers, but this is also why Cars Land excels. As it turns out, a movie that takes place along a thoroughfare with shops and roadside attractions lends itself to a theme park land with…a big walkway, shops, and attractions.

It’s not quite so simple to simulate the savanna or various under the sea settings above water. (Although I do think the Lion King section does a pretty good job.)

So you start with the environment itself, which creates Radiator Springs by converting the walkways into a road. It simulates the barren Route 66 landscape with some arid plants, rocks, and other desert stuff. Rather than decorating the buildings with vehicles and the like, Imagineering cleverly makes the big boxes “go away” by painting the Cadillac Mountains plus blend-in blue and clouds on them.

As it turns out, the decommissioned stretch of road in the quiet Carburetor County works well at this once-abandoned resort.

But that’s not all. The Cars section then adds a few simple structures that resemble the businesses along the main drag. There aren’t a ton of these–it’s certainly not stepping into a 1:1 version of the movie “set” of Radiator Springs–but it’s enough to effectively convey the idea.

Heck, some of these businesses are even hotels themselves. That’s right, a hotel themed to a hotel. It’s like shooting fish in a barrel!

Finally, there are the vehicles that inhabit Radiator Springs.

This is another inherent advantage. The other areas have to figure out a way to make giant under the sea characters “work” on land and alongside of one another. A gigantic Ursula makes sense…until you see her alongside an equally-sized Ariel! There is no such challenge with the Cars section. They’re all cars, built to scale!

All of this is very tongue in cheek, but again, I’m not trying to diminish the work of the design team.

It’s often hard work to make things look so easy, and that’s almost certainly the case here. I don’t doubt that there’s an unbuilt version of a Cars motel that looks awful. If Dino-Rama taught us anything, it’s that low-hanging fruit concepts thematically can be butchered beyond belief.

To that point, one of my favorite examples of design done really well is the Cozy Cone Motel Pool. The layout is really clever, with the check-in building functioning as the entrance with a semi-circle quiet pool surrounded by cone-cabanas ( conebanas? ). No matter which direction you look from the Cozy Cone Motel Pool, you’re immersed in Radiator Springs. It is by far the top ‘scenic’ view at Art of Animation Resort, and one of the best at any resort.

Do yourself a favor and get up early one morning, grab a conebana, and just savor the scenery from the Cozy Cone Motel Pool. Seriously. In my opinion, this peaceful pool is better than the Big Blue Pool, and I will die on this hill. (You may disagree, but at least humor me and give it a try early in the morning or late at night!)

Now let’s take a look inside the Cars rooms, which are likewise the coolest family suites at Walt Disney World.

This photo was taken from the door to the room to give you a rough idea of the family suite’s layout. To the left is a portion of the living room, then the main bedroom with its attached bedroom, and on the right is the kitchen table, which converts to a pull-down queen bed.

Turning to the left, we have a full view of the living room, minus the flat screen television above the dresser.

This photo highlights the floor, which previously had orange checkered carpeting with cones (similar to the curtains). That was replaced with a hard surface. I know some people find carpeting to be unsanitary, especially in hotel rooms, but I do not care. I prefer it. To each their own, though.

An unequivocal upgrade to the room comes via the larger, wall-mounted television. Not only is this TV bigger, but it frees up surface space on the dresser below it.

I recently saw a chart showing increases and decreases in goods & services affordability over the last two decades. Unsurprisingly, TVs have dropped in price more than anything else. I told Sarah we should buy a few OLEDs to do our part in fighting inflation. She was not amused. (In her defense, this was after I had already purchased one new television. But you can never have enough!)

Another look at the main living area. It’s an eclectic mix of auto shop theming, mid-century modern furniture, and Cars motifs. Somehow, it all comes together really well.

I would say the style of this room “works” and for a wide range of guests. I know my mom and dad would both like it, as would a small child. All for different reasons.

Here’s a look at the Murphy bed and table combo pulled down. Note the the two nightstands flanking the bed/table, with USB ports and outlets above each.

For some reason, I’ve arranged the kitchen chairs adjacent to the bed in this photo. Perfect for those who enjoy an audience while they sleep, I guess.

In the opposite direction of the kitchen table/bed is the first bathroom in the family suite.

This continues the fun  Cars  character visuals, but it’s starting to show its age. To my knowledge, these bathrooms have not been updated at all since the resort opened a decade ago.

Here’s the updated main bedroom.

Mostly the same changes in here. Larger wall-mounted television and carpet is gone. The bedspread was also removed at some point, and the bedframe is elevated to allow for storage underneath.

Don’t call me a traitor, but I think that it’s okay for these family suites to lose their themed comforters.

There was  a lot  going on visually, to the point that it was a bit busy. I’d still favor a bed runner, but there’s enough going on here that these suites look well-themed and not sterile.

The main bedroom also has an attached bathroom with a walk-in shower.

The other bathroom has a door separating the toilet and tub/shower, but that’s not the case in here. This setup works and makes sense.

Here’s our video tour of the Cars Family Suite to give you a better bearing on the relationship of the rooms.

The room layout is one of the strong points of the Art of Animation family suites. There’s good separation between each of the beds, so everyone has some degree of privacy and their own space.

All in all, I think the  Cars  family suite looks really good. It strikes a great balance of whimsy and tastefulness and is appealing to more than just children or hardcore Disney fans.

In total, the room is about 565 square feet, which is just over twice the size of a standard room. However, it doesn’t feel like it’s simply two connected rooms. The space is used incredibly well in these rooms, and every aspect of it is purposeful. It truly feels like a suite, with plenty of room for the full family.

As always, the biggest downside to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is the pricing of the suites. Unsurprisingly, this has only gotten worse in the last few years. First thanks to the introduction of the Skyliner, the addition of which more than justified the premium pricing, in my opinion.

Following that, prices have shot up along with all the other price increases at Walt Disney World. There’s nothing that justifies this other than demand, unless you want to count scaled-back menus at Landscape of Flavors as an “improvement.” I do not.

With that said, if Walt Disney World were to re-classify Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, it might pass muster as a Deluxe-caliber resort. The rooms are tastefully-done, spacious, and modern. Interior hallways are atypical of the Value or Moderate Resorts, save for Gran Destino Tower (another outlier).

Art of Animation’s pools surpass some Moderates and Deluxes. Skyliner transportation rivals the monorail–it’s actually better, if you ask me. Even Landscape of Flavors is starting to bounce back, and is a superior food court to most of its counterparts.

About the only thing Art of Animation is missing is table service dining (I’m honestly surprised a buffet hasn’t been added), but you’re literally ~10 minutes from Caribbean Beach and Riviera Resort. It also doesn’t have access to Extended Evening Hours, but that’s something that Walt Disney World could fix, if they so desired.

We aren’t suggesting that you should compared Art of Animation to a Deluxe when determining whether you should book it (we do not think it’s Deluxe-caliber), just pointing out that the argument could be made.

Ultimately, this review and tour is a long-winded way of saying the Cars Family Suites at Art of Animation and the hotel as a whole are really cool. Obviously, this resort is not for everyone–either in terms of party size or budget–but it may be one that some of you have dismissed out of hand due to preconceived notions about Value Resorts. We’re simply suggesting that you be open-minded, as Art of Animation has a lot going for it.

While this resort’s version of Radiator Springs does not hold a candle to Cars Land, that’s also an unfair and absurd comparison. For what it is, the  Cars  section at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is absolutely top-notch and a great example of a certain type of themed design. Consider giving it a test drive on your next trip to Walt Disney World!

Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews . To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!

Your Thoughts

If you’ve stayed at or visited Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, which section did you like the most–Cars, Lion King, Finding Nemo, or Little Mermaid? Think these are the best family suites at Walt Disney World, or overrated? Do you agree or disagree with my assessment that Radiator Springs is the coolest area of any Value Resort at Walt Disney World? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!

Written by Tom Bricker

the theming of the area is great, but guests should know this pool is deep compared to the other pools at AoA, little ones will be urged to use a life vest at all times. The cozy cones are a great touch for a totally free mini cabana.

We stayed at AofA, Cars suite , cool yes , value resort , no

We have stayed at Mermaid, Lion King, and Cars. I much prefer the Lion King for theming. I am not at all fond of 50s -60s style because I lived through it. I find it sterile and plastic. But we did enjoy taking the dogs to the Cars suites. They had a great doggie run area. The suites are really not as good as adjoining rooms if you desire to have any table area. We had six in our suite and missed not having a table area when someone was in bed there. I hate this feature in all the “upgraded” remodels. We like the food court at POP much better than at AoA. We like basic comfort food and very little Asian . They need more Mexican!!

I think Tom mentioned that he also liked The Lion King suites in the AoA review post.

For my own experience, I like both the Cars and TLK outside/grounds theming in between the buildings better than Nemo and TLM. It’s not so much preference about the subjects – I like the ocean and those movies! – but because my opinion is that the level of theming in those first two areas feels more immersive than the “giant character statues” of the other two. Because of that, the Cars and TLK sections of AoA are the most interesting areas of any Value Resort to me.

When we went to Cars Land I was amazed – it was like walking into the movie. Several years later we arrived at Zion National Park in the middle of the night. Woke up the next morning and walked out of our cabin – and it was just like being in Cars Land! Makes me a little sad there are only 3 of us and we have no need for a family suite.

I think that’s definitely the order to do them—Cars Land first and then the Utah (or other) National Parks. The land probably doesn’t have quite the same impact when going in the opposite order!

The Cars section of AoA is the scene of my most cherished family vacations, and the backdrop for my favorite family Christmas card photo of all time. We did two extended trips, the first only months after the resort debuted, when my kids were toddler/preschooler and then preschooler/school aged. My son used to jump up and down next to the door of our room each morning, straining to get outside so he could “hug” Lightening McQueen and Mater. We tried to talk ourselves into a different section for the second trip, but we couldn’t justify it. I think you nailed it Tom, in calling out the scale as a major factor for why this section works so well. The other areas of AoA do convey that “this is intentionally large” loudness of an All Star or Pop Century resort, but the Cars section just feels perfectly proportional to how you’d imagine yourself relating to the animated version of those characters. The resort, overall, has so much going for it, from the lobby animation classes, to the awesome pools, to the additional dining and bus options you can use at the Pop Century. We haven’t opted to stay here again in the past 6-7 years, though, because the prices have skyrocketed. During both our trips, our average nightly room cost was in the $200’s, but for our recent trips family suites priced out $500-$600 a night. My now tween/teen kids are more engaged at Fort Wilderness, and it’s been a bonus that the cabins were priced significantly lower during our dates. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Cars suites to families with means.

When we stayed at Pop Century ~5 years ago, I took my son over to that area of the resort one evening. He absolutely loved it. It was gloriously uncrowded, and a nice reprieve from the theme parks for a bit. It was definitely a fun diversion for part of the evening, and I think any younger Cars fan will get a huge kick out of it. We got to experience Cars Land at DCA this summer, and couldn’t agree with your assessment more. That land is amazing.

We are big fans of the Art of Animation because those family suites perfectly fit our immediate family of four plus my in-laws. It’s especially nice that they have two full bathrooms. We usually stay in the Finding Nemo suites for convenience, as they are closer to the Skyliner and lobby area, but we will definitely take some time to walk through this part of the resort and go to the pool there for my Cars-obsessed five-year old.

How many does this room sleep? Does the couch pull down to a single bed?

It sleeps 6. Two on the queen in the bedroom, two on the table pull down and two on the fold-out couch.

We find that the pull-down bed and sofa bed are perfect for an adult + a child. My husband and I haven’t tried both of us in one of them yet!

We stayed at AoA almost 10 years ago and absolutely loved it. We are a family of 7 and at the time our youngest 2 were still in pack n plays so we still could fit in the family suites. Our kids ranged in age from 2-10 that trip and we stayed in the Nemo section. We did spend significant time enjoying the resort as a whole and since that stay I have suggested visiting AoA as something to do with younger children on a break day. The theming is just so so good and for preschoolers that it can be a destination all on its own. The big blue pool was really great, but I totally agree that the Cars section was kind of jaw-droppingly awesome, especially the cozy cone pool area. We were really immersed in the Cars universe! We spent a lot of time playing and taking pictures in the Cars area in the late afternoon as the sun was setting. That golden hour is one of my all time favorite Disney trip memories.

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FULL TOUR of the ‘Cars’ Family Suites at Disney’s Art of Animation Hotel

Ka- chow!  We hope you’re ready to start your engines because we’re about to race our way through one of Disney World’s most iconic hotels — Art of Animation!

This resort brings animated favorites into a larger-than-life format , creating distinct environments as seen in some of our favorite Disney and Pixar films . There are  Lion King, The Little Mermaid,  and  Finding Nemo-themed  areas, but we’re taking you on a tour of a  Cars  Family Suite this time around.

This highly themed Disney World hotel is known for its colorful lobby, over-the-top Disney theming, HUGE Finding Nemo -inspired pool,  access to the Disney Skyliner , and  family suites. It can be a great choice for families looking to visit on a budget — though it isn’t the most affordable Value Resort .

The family suites sleep up to six adults, which means you can probably squeeze even more kiddos in than that. There’s a primary bedroom and a living space with a pull-out sofa bed, along with a pull-down bed and two full bathrooms. But enough about the room, let’s actually see it!

Welcome to a Cars Family Suite! Here’s a look at what you see when you enter the room and walk into the main living area, with a table and chairs — but that’s not all.

Have you ever stayed at Disney’s Art of Animation Cars Suite? This room sleeps 6 people and has two full bathrooms! pic.twitter.com/GB8sa7z3O6 — AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) July 6, 2023

The table and chairs actually fold out to become one of the three beds in the room.

You’ll also find a decent-sized closet area, with plenty of drawer space and places to hang your clothes. This is also where you’ll find the television in the main living space and an extra pillow and blanket.

The main area is also home to a couch and coffee table that looks like a map. We love that the couch looks like a bench seat from an old car! Oh, and did we mention…

…that this couch also turns into a double-sized bed?! That makes two out of the three. These rooms can be a great value for families or folks traveling in groups, though we will say they don’t offer too much privacy.

The couch also folds out into a bed! And we see you, HeyDisney! 👋 📍Disney’s Art of Animation Resort pic.twitter.com/lLZCerSy1c — AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) July 6, 2023

As we said, this room offers a good amount of space for larger groups.

Next to the couch is an end table with some iconic  Cars  theming — cones! We love the cone lamps and the base of the table. This is where you’ll find the room’s telephone for anything you might need from the front desk, and it’s also where you’ll find…

…the Amazon Alexa Hey Disney voice assistant! Read more about this addition to Disney World hotel rooms here .

There are two full bathrooms in this hotel, and each features the same theming and decor — check it out below!

Here’s a closer look at one of the bathrooms! Get spiffy in a jiffy! 🫧 📍Disney’s Art of Animation Resort pic.twitter.com/lDjONcG0g5 — AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) July 6, 2023

There are lots of amenities in the bathroom, like those coveted H2O products…

…magnifying mirror and soap…

…large, well-lit mirror and vanity…

…plus a hairdryer and trash can.

One of the best features of the family suites at this hotel is the kitchenette complete with a sink!

There’s an in-room coffee maker if you don’t feel like visiting the on-property food court…

…and a refrigerator for any leftovers and goodies you bring back to the room!

There’s a primary bedroom with a door separating it from the main living area and the other two beds in the room, and you’ll find a queen-sized bed with two nightstands in here — with more cones! There’s another telephone in here as well.

What’s a Cars-themed room without the cones? 🚘 pic.twitter.com/P8ubj89Tc9 — AllEars.Net (@AllEarsNet) July 6, 2023

You’ll find a second closet with more space in here, too — there’s a full ironing board and iron, safe, dresser, hangers, and another extra pillow and blanket if you need it. The dresser has a good amount of space and the second TV is also in this room (for any late-night Disney movie marathons, of course!)

Will you be booking a stay in these rooms? We’re ready to race to the finish line for our next trip. Art of Animation can be a great resort for families looking to save some money while looking for some of that iconic Disney World theming.

Be sure to stay tuned to AllEars for the latest Disney World news!

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Have you stayed at Art of Animation? Tell us in the comments.

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2024 Art of Animation Room Rates & Season Dates

Disney’s art of animation resort room rates for 2024, disney’s art of animation resort notes.

• Return To Main Resort List
• If you are considering a stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort , be sure to check out our tips and discount info for room-only bookings and vacation package bookings . Not sure about the pros and cons? Check out our guide to packages vs. room-only bookings .
• This resort shares property and amenities with another resort: Disney’s Pop Century Resort .
• Rates listed are full price, also known as “rack rates,” including tax of 12.5% , rounded to the nearest dollar. There are often ways to get discounts for these rates.
• Where there are two prices for a period (i.e. $111 · $222), the first price is usually for Sundays – Thursdays and the second is usually for Fridays & Saturdays.
• Where there are three prices for a period (i.e. $111 · $222 · $333), the first price is usually for Mondays – Wednesdays, the second is usually for Sundays & Thursdays, and the third is usually for Fridays & Saturdays.
• Disney will sometimes deviate from the normal weekend/weekday pricing pattern by using the “weekend” price for a Thursday or Sunday, just for a few weekends per year.
• The specific season names (New Years, Value, etc.) are no longer provided by Disney. For convenience, we have chosen names that were used for similar date ranges in previous years.
• We occasionally see short (1-2 day) seasons that may or may not match the prices of the seasons near them and don’t correspond to any obvious holiday or event. We have labeled these Special .

The room rates and season dates on this page were accurate at the time they were compiled. (Originally gathered in mid 2023.) Disney has been known to change rates and policies without notice, though it’s fairly unusual. The information on this page should be used as a general guide only.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a Value resort. Rates are per room, per night, based on two adults (age 18+) maximum per room. A charge of $15 per night plus tax applies for each additional adult (age 18+) in the room after the first two. There is no charge for children under 18. A single child under 3 in a crib does not count toward maximum occupancy.

• The Little Mermaid Standard Room : Sleeps up to 4. Bed configuration: 1 King Bed or 2 Queen Beds. Views of the Courtyard, Pool or Parking Area.
• Family Suites : Sleeps up to 6. Bed configuration: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Double-Size Table Bed. Views of the Courtyard, Pool or Parking Area.
• Cars or Lion King Family Suites : Sleeps up to 6. Bed configuration: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Double-Size Table Bed. Views of the Courtyard, Pool or Parking Area.
• Finding Nemo Family Suites : Sleeps up to 6. Bed configuration: 1 Queen Bed and 1 Double-Size Sleeper Sofa and 1 Double-Size Table Bed. Views of the Courtyard, Pool or Parking Area.