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Writer's pictureChrissa Karnes

A Complete Guide to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Updated: Jul 23



Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is one of five value-level resorts at Disney World, located in the Wide World of Sports Resort area. This resort celebrates Disney’s classic animated movies, featuring storybook landscapes from Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. With delightfully themed family suites and wondrously detailed courtyards, this resort “draws” you and your family into the magic of your animated favorites.


Table of Contents:


The Colorful Art of Animation sign in front of the hotel entrance with larger than life sized photos of Ariel, Nemo and Simba
Disney's Art of Animation Entrance

The main building, Animation Hall, houses the reception, gift shop, arcade, and dining hall.


The Themed Areas of Disney's Art of Animation Resort


The theming at Art of Animation is one of the most fun aspects of this resort. Starting with the area closest to Animation Hall, let’s explore the Finding Nemo area.


Finding Nemo Area


Feel Nemo-sized as you encounter giant statues of Crush the Sea Turtle and Mr. Ray.

four story tall version of the turtle Crush from Finding Nemo with Dory in his fin
The giant Crush statue

The Big Blue Pool, the largest pool at the resort and the largest hotel pool in all of Walt Disney World Resort, contains over 308,527 gallons of water and features set pieces from Finding Nemo.

The big blue pool with oversized statues of jellyfish coming out of the water
The Big Blue Pool

For kids, there’s the Schoolyard Sprayground, an interactive water play area, and Squirt’s Righteous Reef, a dry playground. Nearby, you’ll find The Drop Off Pool Bar for refreshing snacks and beverages.


Cars Area

entrace of hotel in cars area with the animated truch Tow-Mater posed beside a large sign with his name
Cars area building entrance

Next is the Cars area, where you can walk through a recreation of Radiator Springs with ¾ scale replicas of characters like Doc Hudson, Ramone, Flo, Tow Mater, and Lightning McQueen. This area also features the Cozy Cone Pool, perfect for families looking to cool off.

The pool area surrounded by cabanas in the shape of traffic cones
The Cozy Cone Pool

Lion King Area

statues of the characters Timon, Pumbaa and Simba walking across a log
Timon, Pumbaa and Simba statue in the Lion King area

In the Lion King area, everything is scaled to make you feel the size of Timon. Get photos with Rafiki, Mufasa, Timon, Pumbaa, and young Simba. This area also has a fire pit for nightly campfires and s’mores.

Chrissa standing and smiling at a statue of Rafiki
The Rafiki Statue

oversized statue of giant elephant bones with the statues of the hyenas looking down
The elephant graveyard area of the Lion King

The Little Mermaid Area


Finally, the Little Mermaid area makes you feel the size of Sebastian the Crab. You’ll find fun artifacts, statues of Prince Eric, Sebastian, King Triton, Ursula, and Ariel. The Flippin’ Fins Pool features the “Under the Sea Orchestra” conducted by Sebastian.

Chrissa standing in front of a giant 4 story size statue of Ariel
The giant Ariel statue

Animation Hall

a colorful hallway with disney animation on the wall opposite a colorful check in desk
The Animation Hall check-in area

Most amenities can be found at Animation Hall. Upon entering, you’ll see the front desk and art sketches from the featured films. The hall tells a story through its progression from black and white sketches to vibrant, colorful backgrounds.




Pixel Play Arcade


The colorful Pixel Play Arcade sign hanging above the door
The Pixel Play Arcade

The Pixel Play Arcade offers a variety of classic and new video games. Purchase an arcade card and enjoy hours of entertainment, perfect for hot or rainy days.


Business Center


Computer stand mounted to the wall with a complimentary sign above it and a phone on the wall to the right
One of the computers in the business area

The business center allows you to check in for flights and print boarding passes.


Ink & Paint Shop


Entrance to Ink & Paint Shop next to a wall full of scenes from Disney Animated movies
Ink & Paint Shot Entrance

The Ink & Paint Shop offers a wide range of Disney merchandise and Art of Animation-themed items, perfect for souvenirs and gifts.


What are the Room Types at Disney's Art of Animation Resort?

A hotel room with the little mermaid theming and blue walls
The standard Little Mermaid Room

  • Standard Rooms: Comfortable and well-themed, perfect for small families.

  • Family Suites: Larger suites in the themed areas, offering more space and amenities.


What dining options are available at Disney's Art of Animation Resort?

A dining area with lion king landscapes on the wall and tree animation on the light fixture
The Lion King Area of Landscape of Flavors

The Landscape of Flavors food court serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with five distinctive food shops offering a variety of fresh, made-to-order cuisine. We recommend the waffle bounty platter for breakfast, featuring character-themed waffles.

a plate of eggs, bacon, tator tots, and a waffle with the image of Dory on it next to a plate of tator tots covered in gravy and other toppings
The Waffle Plate and Loaded Totcho Bowl

Don’t miss the themed desserts like the Little Mermaid Cupcake and Nemo cheesecake.



A refillable Resort Cup is a great investment for unlimited beverage refills during your stay.

A wall of colorful resort cups with Disney designs on it
The Resort Cup

Is there transportation from Disney's Art of Animation Resort to Disney Parks?


Bus with Encanto wrap parked in front of a Magic Kingdom bus stop
Bus transportation in front of Animation Hall

You can enjoy free transportation to all Disney parks while staying at Disney's Art of Animation Resort. The bus stop in front of Animation Hall provides direct connections to Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, Typhoon Lagoon, and Blizzard Beach. For EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, use the Skyliner, an aerial gondola system offering a scenic route to the parks.


Are there any special activities for kids at Disney's Art of Animation Resort?


While you're here, kids can enjoy a variety of activities, including three themed pools, an arcade, nightly campfire marshmallow roasting, and Movies Under the Stars near the Big Blue Pool. There’s also a 1.38-mile walking/jogging trail around Hourglass Lake with fun facts about animated films.


Disney Play App Game

Chrissa playing a game on her phone standing in from of the animated wall in Animation Hall
The Disney Play App Game in Animation Hall

With the Disney Play App, kids can play Stories of the Enchanted Gallery, an interactive game that brings the lobby walls to life with stories from Finding Nemo, The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, and Cars.


How much does it cost to stay at the Art of Animation Resort?


When we stayed at the Art of Animation in March, we paid $265 for our standard double Little Mermaid room. However, that included an Annual Passholder discount. The room rates can vary depending on what time of year you are planning on visiting. You can find the most current prices on their website by clicking here.


What are the check-in and check-out times at Disney's Art of Animation Resorts?


Check-in at Disney's Art of Animation Resort begins at 3 p.m. However, if you arrive early, you can start enjoying the hotel's amenities right away. You can also leave your luggage at the bell desk until your room is ready.


If you plan to relax at the resort on your arrival day instead of heading straight to the parks, it's worth stopping by the front desk in person. They can check if a room is available immediately, though it's not guaranteed.


You'll receive a text and a notification through the My Disney Experience app once your room is ready.


Check-out time at Disney's Art of Animation Resort is 11 a.m.


Tips and Tricks for Your Stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort


  1. Book Early for the Best Rooms: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is very popular, especially the family suites. Booking early ensures you get the best room that suits your family’s needs.

  2. Utilize Mobile Check-In: Save time by using Disney’s mobile check-in service through the My Disney Experience app. This allows you to skip the front desk and head straight to your room when it’s ready.

  3. Take Advantage of Early Theme Park Entry: As a Disney Resort guest, you get access to the parks 30 minutes before the general public. This is a great time to enjoy popular rides with shorter wait times.

  4. Use the Skyliner Strategically: The Skyliner is a fantastic way to get to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. To avoid long lines, try to board early in the morning or later in the afternoon. It’s also a relaxing way to travel back to the resort after the nightly fireworks.

  5. Plan Your Meals: The Landscape of Flavors food court can get busy, especially during peak meal times. Consider eating breakfast early or late to avoid crowds. Also, mobile ordering via the My Disney Experience app can save you time.

  6. Participate in Resort Activities: Check the activity board for a schedule of events like arts and crafts, pool games, and movie nights. These activities are free and can add extra magic to your stay.

  7. Stay Hydrated with a Refillable Mug: The refillable resort mugs are a great investment. You can fill them up at any Disney resort, so bring yours along even when visiting other resorts for meals or exploring.

  8. Explore Nearby Resorts: Take some time to explore the neighboring Pop Century Resort. It’s within walking distance and offers a different themed experience that’s fun to check out.

  9. Pack for Comfort: The resort is expansive, so comfortable shoes are a must. Also, bring swimwear, sunscreen, and hats to enjoy the pools and outdoor activities fully.

  10. Consider a Grocery Delivery: If you’re staying for an extended period, consider having groceries delivered. Services like Amazon Prime Now or Instacart can deliver snacks, breakfast items, and other essentials directly to the resort.

  11. Use the Disney Play App: Download the Disney Play App for interactive games and experiences throughout the resort. It’s a fun way to engage with the Disney magic in a new way.

  12. Utilize the Laundry Facilities: Pack lighter and use the laundry facilities available at the resort. This is especially helpful for longer stays or if you have young children.

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