Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a value resort in Walt Disney World boasting four unique and elaborate themed Disney/Pixar areas. You’ll be swept into some of your favorite family movies during your vacation here.
Besides the larger-than-life theming focusing on Finding Nemo, Cars, The Little Mermaid, and Lion King, guests will have use of three different pools and playgrounds - including the largest pool in Walt Disney World, The Big Blue Pool!
This resort also houses both standard resort rooms, sleeping up to four, and family suites, sleeping up to six. It makes this a great resort option for larger families and groups traveling together.
Here are my ten tips to make your next stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort even more magical!
1- Become familiar with resort transportation.
• Getting to the theme parks, water parks and Disney Springs -
o Disney Skyliner - there is a station to the bridge between Disney's Art of Animation Resort and Disney's Pop Century Resort. The hub station is located at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, so you have to take the Skyliner there first and then switch to either the Epcot or Hollywood Studios line. From the station, the ride to Epcot's International Gateway entrance is about 20 minutes, while the ride to Hollywood Studios is about 15 minutes.
o Disney provides free bus service to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, water parks, and Disney Springs. The bus stops sit along the front wall of the Animation Hall Lobby. Buses run a little slower from 11 am - 3 pm. Evening buses are scheduled around park closings, with your wait to return to your resort averaging around 20 minutes.
o You can also drive yourself if you have your own car.
• Getting to Another Resort
o If you have dining plans at another resort, the least expensive option is to take a Disney bus to Disney Springs and then take another bus from Disney Springs to your resort destination. While it is free, it will take around 90 minutes - 2 hours.
o Consider a ride service. Download the Lyft app before you leave home. Disney even offers Minnie Vans through it! You can find info here!
2- Explore!
Whenever you're staying at a themed resort like Art of Animation, you’ve got to wander around and check it out! Not only will you have a chance to see all the amazing décor, artwork and pool areas, but also you can figure out exactly where everything is located for your stay.
3- Pack swim shoes!
With a large kids' water play area, swim shoes can help with little ones' footing. Plus the Righteous Reef Playground is right next to the large water play area and kids really enjoy getting to quickly run between the two.
4- Free Cabanas
The Cozy Cone Pool has 8 cone-shaped cabanas, which are complimentary on a first-come, first-served basis.
5- Artwork
Animation Hall is meant to represent the creative process that goes into making Disney and Pixar animated films. To showcase this as you walk down the hall, the sketches become more and more like the finished product. You can see some of the real concept artwork and original sketches that were drawn during the creation of your favorite movies!
6- Snack time!
If you’ve ever been to Disney Springs, you may have stopped by the vegan and gluten-free treats shop called Erin McKenna’s Bakery NYC. You can also find these treats at Disney’s Art of Animation’s Landscape of Flavors. There are only a few Disney hotels that sell packaged desserts, and this is one of them as they sell the Brownie Cupcakes from the bakery in the refrigerator area!
7- Hidden Lightning McQueens
That’s right - the main character of Cars is actually hidden in the clouds on the tops of the Cars buildings!
8- Underwater Music
The largest resort pool at Walt Disney World is The Big Blue Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation. The pool is themed after the movie Finding Nemo and has many themed photo spots in the pool area. One of the coolest parts of this pool is that when swimming underwater, you can hear music and sounds from Finding Nemo!
9- One of a kind
You’ll find a chandelier made from art sketches in front of Ink and Paint, the resort’s gift shop. Many of the sketches are actually signed by some talented geniuses. There is a Cars sketch signed by John Lasseter, a drawing of Crush signed by Finding Nemo director Andrew Stanton, a picture of Ariel and Prince Eric signed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and a drawing of Ariel that is signed by Jodie Benson.
Lastly, this isn’t a Disney’s Art of Animation Resort-specific tip but I’d be remiss to not mention this general Disney resort guest tip every chance I get!
10- Early Theme Park Entry
Early Entry can be a great way to enjoy theme parks with lower crowds. Guests staying at Disney Resort hotels and select other hotels can take advantage of a 30-minute early entry into Walt Disney World theme parks every day. Please note, not all Walt Disney World attractions are available during early theme park entry. Early theme park entry schedules and available attractions are subject to change without notice.
As you can see, there are many magical moments awaiting you during your next stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort!
Jade is the owner of Rope Drop Travel, a full-service travel agency specializing in Disney destinations. She lives with her husband and seven little ones' ages twelve and under. She enjoys helping with her children’s school PTOs and all things Disney.
