You’re standing in the middle of a desert. To your left, a 35-foot tall orange cone is actually a pool cabana. To your right, a rust-bucket tow truck looks like it might actually start talking if you look at it long enough. This isn't a fever dream; it's just Tuesday morning at Disney's Art of Animation Resort.
Most people think of "Value Resorts" at Disney World and immediately imagine cramped rooms, screaming toddlers, and food courts that smell like wet cardboard. Honestly, that's fair. For years, the budget tier meant sacrifice. But Art of Animation, which opened back in 2012 on the bones of the unfinished "Legendary Years" section of Pop Century, flipped the script. It’s weirdly sophisticated in its execution. It’s also expensive.
Is it worth the extra $200 a night over its neighbor? Maybe. It depends on whether you value space over your sanity.
The Big Blue Elephant in the Room: Pricing and Value
Let’s get real about the money. Calling this a "Value Resort" is a bit of a lie. It’s technically in the value category, but the family suites often price out higher than a standard room at a Moderate or even some Deluxe resorts. You're paying for the floor plan.
Most rooms here are suites. We’re talking 565 square feet. You get a master bedroom, two bathrooms (crucial for getting to Rope Drop on time), and a kitchenette. If you’re a family of six, it’s a godsend. If you’re a couple? You’re basically paying for a lot of empty floor space and a dining table that turns into a bed.
The Little Mermaid section is the outlier. These are standard rooms. They are also a hike. If you stay in the Little Mermaid wing, bring your walking shoes. You are effectively living in a different zip code than the lobby. It’s a 10-minute trek just to get a refill on your soda. Disney fans often joke that you need a Sherpa to find building 7 or 9.
The Skyliner Factor Changes Everything
For a long time, the only way out of Disney's Art of Animation Resort was a bus. And Disney buses are... an experience. Usually a crowded, humid one.
Then came the Disney Skyliner.
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This gondola system is the literal "game changer" everyone talks about. You hop in a cabin and glide over the trees to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. No traffic. No waiting for a bus that may or may not show up. It’s actually peaceful.
Because of this, the resort’s value skyrocketed. You have "Moderate" level transportation at a "Value" resort. It makes the morning rush feel less like a cattle call and more like a scenic tour. But remember: if there’s lightning, the Skyliner shuts down. Suddenly, you’re back in the bus line with 500 other grumpy people. Always have a backup plan. Uber or Lyft (or Minnie Vans if you’re feeling fancy) are your friends during a Florida summer thunderstorm.
Exploring the Four Immersion Zones
Disney didn't just slap some stickers on the walls here. They went full "theming" mode.
Cars: The Best Land Nobody Talks About
Honestly, the Cars wing is the best-executed part of the property. It feels like you walked straight into Radiator Springs. The "pavement" has cracks in it to look like Route 66. The Cozy Cone Pool is actually quiet compared to the main hub. Most people don’t realize that the life-sized cars—Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally—are incredibly detailed. They aren't just plastic shells. They have character.
The Lion King: A Walk Through the Pride Lands
This area is a transition zone. You’ve got the "Elephant Graveyard" which is basically a playground. It’s cool, but it’s loud. The statues of Simba, Pumbaa, and Timon on the log are iconic for photos. It’s a vibe, but it lacks the structural immersion of the Cars section.
Finding Nemo: The Chaotic Heart
This is where the Big Blue Pool sits. It’s the largest pool in Disney World. It’s also the loudest. There are underwater speakers. Yes, you can hear Dory and Nemo talking while you’re underwater. It’s neat for five minutes, then it’s just a lot of noise. If you want a nap, do not book a "Pool View" suite in the Nemo buildings. You will hear "Baby Shark" or its equivalent at 110 decibels until the pool closes.
The Little Mermaid: The Budget Choice
This is the only section with standard hotel rooms. No suites. It’s also the only section that still feels like a traditional hotel. The walk is long. The rooms are a bit dated compared to the newly refurbished rooms at Pop Century. But, if you want the Art of Animation "feel" without the $500 suite price tag, this is where you land.
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Landscapes of Flavor: Better Than Average?
Food courts are usually the bane of a Disney vacation. However, Landscapes of Flavor actually tries.
They used to have real silverware and plates—a rarity for "Value"—but that mostly disappeared post-2020. Still, the menu is diverse. You can get a standard burger, sure. But they also do tandoori chicken, surf and turf, and some decent plant-based options.
- Pro Tip: Don’t eat at peak times. 8:00 AM is a war zone.
- Mobile Order: Use the My Disney Experience app while you’re still in your room.
- The Coffee: It’s Joffrey’s. It’s fine. It’s better than the "brown water" you find at some off-property motels.
The "Animation" Part of Art of Animation
The lobby is a masterclass in production design. It starts with white sketches on the walls near the entrance. As you walk toward the back, the sketches gain color and detail. It mimics the process of creating a film.
There’s an animation class usually held in the lobby area. Do it. It’s free. A Disney artist (or a very well-trained Cast Member) teaches you how to draw a character. It’s one of the few "free" things left that actually feels high-quality. You get a souvenir you actually made.
What Most People Get Wrong
People assume that because it’s a "Disney" hotel, it’s going to be quiet. It’s not.
The walls are relatively thin. You will hear the family next door getting ready for the Magic Kingdom at 6:00 AM. You will hear the toilet flush three rooms down. This is the reality of the construction style used for these buildings.
Also, the "Big Blue Pool" is exclusive to guests of this resort. You can't "pool hop" here from Pop Century. They check MagicBands at the gate. It’s a high-security zone for toddlers in floaties.
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Actionable Steps for Your Stay
If you’re actually planning to book Disney's Art of Animation Resort, don’t just click "confirm" on the first thing you see.
First, look at the calendar. Prices fluctuate wildly. A suite in mid-September might be $450; that same suite in December could be $800. If the price is over $600, check the rates for a standard room at Animal Kingdom Lodge. Sometimes, you can get a "Deluxe" experience for the same price as this "Value" suite.
Second, request a room near the Skyliner if you’re in the Nemo or Cars section. It saves steps at the end of a 20,000-step day.
Third, take the bridge. There’s a bridge called the "Generation Gap" that connects Art of Animation to Pop Century. If the food court at Art of Animation is too busy, walk across the bridge. Pop Century has a completely different menu and is often less crowded. Plus, it’s a nice walk over Hourglass Lake.
Finally, check the Skyliner refurbishment schedule. Disney usually does maintenance in January. If the Skyliner is down, the value of staying here drops significantly. You’re back to relying on buses, and at that point, you might as well stay somewhere cheaper.
The resort is a spectacle. It’s loud, it’s bright, and it’s unapologetically "Disney." It’s not for people looking for a quiet, sophisticated retreat. It’s for people who want to live inside a movie for a week. Just make sure you’re ready for the price tag that comes with that movie magic.
Your Pre-Arrival Checklist
- Download the My Disney Experience App: Everything from room entry to ordering chicken nuggets happens here.
- Verify Skyliner Status: Check the official Disney World website for any planned closures during your dates.
- Pack a Portable Charger: The Skyliner and the parks will drain your battery by noon.
- Order Groceries: Use a service like Garden Grocer or Instacart. Having milk and cereal in the suite’s kitchenette saves you $15 per person every morning.
- Set Your Expectations: It's a high-energy environment. If you need "quiet," request a room facing the lake, away from the pools.