Disney Art of Animation Resort

Why This Disney Resort is a Family Favorite in 2025

Disney's Art of Animation Resort stands out as one of Walt Disney World's most imaginative value resorts. It combines affordable pricing with immersive Disney theming, making it a smart choice for families who want to stay surrounded by Disney magic without the premium resort price tag.

The resort brings animated stories to life through massive character sculptures, themed room designs, and attention to detail that rivals more expensive accommodations. Here's what makes Art of Animation worth considering for your next Disney vacation.

Themed Suites That Transform Your Stay

Art of Animation sets itself apart from other value resorts with its themed family suites. Each suite immerses guests in the world of beloved Disney and Pixar films across four distinct sections:

• The Lion King
• Finding Nemo
• Cars
• The Little Mermaid

The Finding Nemo and Cars suites are particularly impressive for their detailed theming, generous space, and ability to sleep up to six guests. With two full bathrooms and a kitchenette, these suites work well for larger families or groups traveling together.

The Little Mermaid rooms offer a more budget-friendly option while still delivering the themed experience Art of Animation is known for. These standard rooms sleep four guests and feature Ariel-inspired décor throughout.

The Big Blue Pool and Recreation Areas

Art of Animation is home to The Big Blue Pool, the largest resort pool in all of Walt Disney World. This Finding Nemo-themed pool features underwater speakers that let swimmers hear sounds from the ocean, multiple splash zones, and nearby playground areas for younger children.

The resort also includes themed pools in each section:

• Cozy Cone Pool in the Cars courtyard
• Flippin' Fins Pool near The Little Mermaid rooms

These pool areas provide excellent relaxation between park days. The theming and size make them destinations in themselves, particularly for families with children who need downtime during their vacation.

If you're considering Art of Animation as part of a longer Disney vacation strategy, you might want to explore how DVC ownership could expand your options. The DVC Resale Value Calculator can help you understand the long-term value of Disney Vacation Club membership.

Landscape of Flavors Food Court

Art of Animation's main dining location, Landscape of Flavors, consistently ranks as one of Disney's best quick-service restaurants. The food court offers variety that goes well beyond typical resort fare:

• Build-your-own pasta and burger stations
• International cuisine options
• Fresh grab-and-go selections for all three meals
• Specialty items and seasonal offerings

The quality and variety make it easy to find something everyone in the family will enjoy. The space is designed to handle large crowds efficiently, which matters during busy seasons.

Disney Skyliner Transportation

One of Art of Animation's biggest advantages is its connection to the Disney Skyliner gondola system. This aerial transportation provides direct access to both EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios, typically taking 15-20 minutes to each park.

The Skyliner runs continuously throughout the day and offers scenic views of the resort area and parks. It's particularly convenient for families, as you don't need to fold strollers or navigate bus loading with lots of gear.

For Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom, you'll use Disney's bus transportation system, which connects to all four theme parks from the resort.

How Art of Animation Fits Into Your Disney Strategy

Art of Animation works well as a standalone resort choice, but it can also complement a broader Disney vacation approach. Many families use it for longer stays when they want to maximize their Disney time without premium resort costs.

If you're interested in other resort options with different proximity advantages, consider looking at Bay Lake Tower for Magic Kingdom access or Beach Club Villas for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios walking distance.

DVC ownership can provide flexibility to try different resorts and room types over time, letting you experience various Disney accommodations as your family's needs change.

What to Expect During Your Stay

Art of Animation delivers on its promise of immersive theming. The character sculptures throughout the resort are impressive in scale and detail. Children often spend significant time just exploring the resort grounds and taking photos with the various displays.

The resort tends to attract families with children, so expect a lively atmosphere, particularly around the pool areas and food court during peak meal times. This energy is part of the resort's appeal, but it's worth knowing if you prefer quieter accommodations.

Room theming extends beyond just décor to functional elements like themed shower curtains, bedspreads, and even carpeting that matches each section's story. The attention to detail makes the rooms feel like part of the Disney experience rather than just a place to sleep.

Considering Your Long-Term Disney Plans

Art of Animation represents excellent value for Disney accommodations, but if you're planning multiple Disney trips over the coming years, DVC ownership might provide even better value and more flexibility.

We've helped hundreds of families evaluate their Disney vacation patterns and determine whether DVC makes financial sense for their situation. The DVC Listings page shows current resale availability across all Disney Vacation Club resorts, often at significant savings compared to purchasing directly from Disney.

DVC resale contracts typically cost 30-50% less than buying directly from Disney, while providing the same ownership benefits and access to the same resorts and room types.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What makes Disney's Art of Animation Resort different from other Disney value resorts?
Art of Animation focuses on immersive storytelling through its themed family suites and larger-than-life character displays. Unlike other value resorts that have more generic theming, Art of Animation dedicates entire sections to specific animated films. The family suites with kitchenettes and two bathrooms also set it apart from standard Disney value accommodations. If you're comparing room options across Disney resorts, our guide on choosing a studio or one-bedroom for your next DVC stay covers the differences between accommodation types.

Q2: Can DVC members book stays at Art of Animation Resort?
Art of Animation isn't a Disney Vacation Club resort, so DVC members can't use points to book rooms there directly. However, DVC members have access to numerous themed resorts throughout Walt Disney World where points can be used. To understand the full range of benefits that come with DVC membership, check out what advantages come with using DVC points.

Q3: How many people can stay in Art of Animation accommodations?
The Little Mermaid standard rooms sleep up to four guests, while the themed family suites (Lion King, Cars, and Finding Nemo) accommodate up to six guests. The suites include a separate bedroom, living area with convertible furniture, and kitchenette facilities. For more information about how room capacity works across different Disney accommodations, our guide to room capacity in DVC resorts explains the options available.

Q4: How convenient is transportation from Art of Animation to Disney parks?
Art of Animation connects to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios via the Disney Skyliner gondola system, providing quick and scenic transportation to both parks. Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom are accessible via Disney bus service. The Skyliner connection makes Art of Animation particularly convenient for guests planning to spend significant time at EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. If you're planning a shorter visit and want to maximize your time, our article on how to see Disney World in 3 days offers efficient touring strategies.

Q5: Does Art of Animation offer good value for families watching their budget?
Yes, Art of Animation provides significant theming and amenities at value resort pricing. The themed suites offer more space and amenities than standard Disney hotel rooms at a lower cost per night than deluxe resorts. For families considering multiple Disney trips, exploring DVC on a budget can reveal additional ways to make Disney vacations more affordable over time through strategic point purchasing and usage.

The Real Cost Difference Between Art of Animation and a DVC Villa

Art of Animation is a value resort. That matters because the price gap between a value resort room and a DVC villa is not as wide as most families assume, especially once you account for the full trip over time. A standard room at Art of Animation during a moderate-demand week in March runs $250 to $350 per night. A family suite that sleeps six runs $400 to $550 per night during the same period. Book a family suite for seven nights and you're looking at $2,800 to $3,850 for that one trip. That's a cash transaction with nothing to show for it when you leave.

A DVC resale contract at a Walt Disney World resort costs roughly $14,000 to $22,000 for 100 to 150 points, depending on the resort. At a moderate resort like Saratoga Springs, 150 points gets a family into a one-bedroom villa for most of the year. That villa has a full kitchen, separate bedroom, and a living area that's a significant step up from a value resort family suite. Annual dues on a 150-point contract run approximately $1,200 per year. The math works like this: if you're spending $3,000 per year on Disney hotel rooms, your DVC membership pays for itself in seven to eight years, and everything after that is essentially free lodging plus annual dues.

The upgrade from a value resort to a DVC deluxe villa isn't just about square footage. You're moving from a theming-heavy room with two queen beds into a villa with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, private living space, and access to resort amenities that value resorts simply don't offer. BoardWalk Villas gives you a private pool, the BoardWalk entertainment district outside your door, and walking distance to EPCOT. Beach Club Villas gives you Stormalong Bay, consistently ranked the best hotel pool in the country. Those experiences aren't available at Art of Animation at any price. DVC Sales helps families make that upgrade permanent rather than paying rack rate year after year. Call us at (407) 205-1435 to find out what a resale contract would cost for the resort that fits your family's travel style, or browse active listings at dvcsales.com/dvc-resale-listings.