You’re standing in the middle of a desert. Rust-colored buttes rise up around you, and a bright yellow neon sign for the Cozy Cone Motel flickers in the distance. Except, you aren't in Arizona. You’re in Central Florida, and it’s about 95 degrees with 90% humidity. This is the weird, immersive magic of the Disney Art of Animation Resort Florida.
Most people think "Value Resort" and immediately picture cramped rooms and sad, grey hallways. Honestly? That's not the case here. This place is loud. It’s colorful. It’s basically a giant playground that happens to have beds. If you’re looking for a quiet, sophisticated retreat with a glass of Napa Cabernet by a marble fireplace, you are in the wrong place. Go to the Grand Floridian for that. But if you want to see your kid’s face melt when they realize they are literally sleeping inside Simba’s cave or Ariel’s grotto, you’ve arrived.
The Layout Is Kinda Huge
Let’s get the logistics out of the way first. This resort is massive. It’s split into four distinct "wings" based on iconic movies: The Lion King, Cars, The Little Mermaid, and Finding Nemo.
Here’s the thing most people miss: The "Value" label is a bit of a lie.
While the Little Mermaid section features standard hotel rooms (two double beds, exterior entries), the rest of the resort is made up of Family Suites. These aren't just rooms. They’re functional living spaces. You get a master bedroom, two bathrooms—which is a total game-changer when you’re trying to get five people out the door for a 7:00 AM Genie+ reservation—and a kitchenette.
The walk can be a beast. If you’re tucked away in the back of the Little Mermaid section, you’re looking at a 10-to-12-minute trek to the main building, Animation Hall. It sounds short on paper. It feels like a marathon when you’re pushing a double stroller through a sudden Florida downpour.
The Skyliner: The Real Reason People Book
Forget the pools for a second. The biggest selling point for the Disney Art of Animation Resort Florida right now is the Disney Skyliner.
Before 2019, you were at the mercy of the buses. And the buses are... well, they’re buses. Now, you hop into a gondola and glide over the treetops. It connects Art of Animation and its neighbor, Pop Century, directly to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
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It’s fast. It’s breezy. It’s basically a free ride.
Wait times are usually minimal, though the line can look intimidating right after the fireworks. Pro tip: if it's lightning within a certain radius, the Skyliner shuts down. When that happens, everyone rushes the buses. It becomes a bottleneck fast. Keep an eye on the weather apps; if clouds look nasty, leave the park 20 minutes early or you'll be standing in a humid bus line for an hour.
Let’s Talk About the Big Blue Pool
The Big Blue Pool is the centerpiece of the Nemo section, and it is the largest resort pool on Disney property. It’s over 300,000 gallons of water.
Back in the day, they used to have underwater speakers so you could hear Dory and Nemo talking while you submerged. Disney actually phased that out during some refurbishments, which is a bummer, but the vibe is still top-tier. It’s zero-entry, which is great for toddlers who just want to splash in two inches of water without the "big kid" splashes hitting them.
The Schoolyard Sprayground is right nearby. It’s a wet play area with pop-up jets. It’s loud. It’s chaotic. It’s exactly what a vacation should feel like for a six-year-old. If you want peace, head to the "Quiet Pools" in the Cars or Little Mermaid sections. They are significantly less crowded because everyone gravitates toward the giant blue one.
Eating at Landscapes of Flavor
Most hotel food courts are depressing. Landscapes of Flavor is actually pretty decent.
They don’t just do chicken nuggets and fries, though they have plenty of those. You can find things like tandoori chicken, Mongolian beef, and customized pasta dishes. They use real plates and silverware—or at least they did until the recent shifts toward more sustainable disposables—which makes it feel slightly less like a high school cafeteria.
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- Mobile Order is mandatory. Seriously. Don't walk up to the counter and expect to just order. Use the My Disney Experience app while you’re walking back from the Skyliner. By the time you get to the hall, your food will be ready.
- The Cup Factor. If you’re staying more than two days, buy the Rapid Fill refillable mug. You can use it at any Disney resort hotel (but not inside the parks). It pays for itself by the fourth soda or coffee.
- Seating. It gets crowded. If Animation Hall is packed, take your food out to the tables by the pool. The breeze is better anyway.
The Room Theming: Immersive or Tacky?
This is where the debate happens. Some people find the decor "garish."
In the Cars suites, the end tables look like oil drums. The sofa looks like the backseat of a vintage Chevy. The bathroom tiles in the Nemo suites look like bubbles.
It’s not "subtle." It’s "In-Your-Face-Disney."
The Little Mermaid rooms are the only ones that feel a bit dated. They haven't had the full "hard goods" refurbishment that some other resorts have seen recently. They still have those older, thicker carpets and double beds instead of queens. If you’re a couple traveling without kids, you might find these rooms a bit cramped. But for a family on a budget who wants to stay "in the bubble" of Disney magic, they’re the cheapest way to do it at this specific resort.
The "Value Plus" Pricing Reality
Historically, Art of Animation was the crown jewel of the Value category. But let's be real: the pricing often creeps into Moderate territory.
You can sometimes find a room at Caribbean Beach (a Moderate resort) for the same price as a Family Suite at Art of Animation. At Caribbean Beach, you get a sit-down restaurant and a slide at the pool. At Art of Animation, you get more square footage and a second bathroom.
It’s a trade-off. Do you want "resort vibes" or "functional space for a family of six"? Most parents choose the second bathroom every single time.
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Walking the Generation Gap Bridge
There is a bridge connecting Art of Animation to Disney’s Pop Century Resort. It’s called the Generation Gap Bridge.
It crosses Hourglass Lake. This is a great spot for a morning jog or a sunset stroll. It’s also a strategic advantage. If the food court at Art of Animation is too busy, you can walk five minutes across the bridge and eat at Everything POP. Their tie-dye cheesecake is a cult classic for a reason.
Specific Tips for a Better Stay
Don't just show up and wing it. The Disney Art of Animation Resort Florida rewards people who know the layout.
- Request a room near the Skyliner. If you’re in the Lion King wing, you’re centrally located to both the food and the transport. It’s the "sweet spot" of the resort.
- Check the activities board. They do "Movies Under the Stars" on the lawn. It’s usually a Disney flick projected on a big screen. It’s free, and it’s a great way to wind down after a chaotic park day without spending more money.
- The Animation Classes. Sometimes they have actual artists or CMs teaching you how to draw characters in the lobby. It’s a nice nod to the resort’s name.
- Laundry. There are laundry facilities by the pools. They use a system called LaundryView so you can check from your phone if machines are open. This is a lifesaver if a kid gets sick or you just don't want to pack 14 outfits.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a myth that you can’t get a good night’s sleep here because it’s a "kid hotel."
Actually, the soundproofing in the suites is surprisingly solid. Since the suites have interior hallways (unlike the Little Mermaid rooms), you don't hear as much "outside" noise from people walking past your window. However, the walls between rooms aren't vault-thick. If the neighbors are having a 6:00 AM meltdown, you might hear a muffled version of it.
Another misconception: "It's just for kids."
While the decor is definitely kid-centric, the convenience of the Skyliner makes this a legitimate choice for adults who want easy access to the World Showcase at EPCOT for "Drinking Around the World" or the Food and Wine Festival. You don't have to worry about an Uber; you just glide home.
Final Actionable Steps for Your Trip
- Download the Map. Seriously, look at a map of the resort before you arrive. If you have mobility issues, call Disney ahead of time and request a room near the elevators or Animation Hall.
- Pack a Power Strip. These rooms have improved their outlet game, but with five people in a suite all charging phones, tablets, and MagicBands, you’ll run out of plugs fast.
- Utilize Grocery Delivery. Use a service like Garden Grocer or Kroger Delivery. Have cases of water and snacks delivered to the Bell Services desk. It will save you $4.00 per bottle of water at the parks and keep the kids happy in the room.
- Do a Photo Op Walk. Even if you aren't staying in the Cars wing, walk through it. The life-sized replicas of Lightning McQueen and Mater are incredible for photos. The attention to detail—like the "dust" on the cars—is peak Imagineering.
Staying at the Disney Art of Animation Resort Florida is about embracing the chaos of a Disney vacation. It’s bright, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetically themed. If you lean into that, it’s one of the most functional and fun experiences on the entire property. Just remember to bring your walking shoes; those giant statues of Ursula and King Triton are bigger than they look on the website.