You’re standing in the middle of a giant blue wasteland. It’s 95 degrees in Central Florida, your feet are throbbing from a twelve-hour stint at the Magic Kingdom, and all you want is a bed. But then you see it. A massive, towering statue of King Triton that makes you feel like an actual shrimp. This is the Little Mermaid Art of Animation section, and honestly, it’s one of the most polarizing places to stay on Disney property.
People love to hate on it.
They say it’s "too far" from the lobby. They complain about the double beds—though Disney finally swapped most of those for queens, thank goodness. But if you have a kid who thinks Ariel is the pinnacle of human (or mer-folk) achievement, there is literally nowhere else in the world that hits quite like this. It’s loud. It’s bright. It’s unapologetically "Disney." And yet, there’s a nuance to staying here that most travel bloggers miss because they’re too busy staring at the skyliner.
The Walk of Doom (and Why It's Overblown)
Let’s address the elephant in the room. Or the whale. Whatever.
The Little Mermaid Art of Animation buildings are the furthest away from the Animation Hall. That’s the main building where you find the check-in desk, the Landscape of Flavors food court, and the bus stops. If you get assigned to Building 7, 8, or 9, you’re looking at a 5-to-10-minute trek just to get a coffee. In the morning, that feels like a breeze. At 11:00 PM with a sleeping toddler draped over your shoulder? It feels like crossing the Sahara.
But here’s the thing people forget: the scenery is actually cool.
You aren't just walking past boring hotel doors. You’re walking past a 35-foot tall Ursula. You’re seeing Prince Eric’s castle. The "undersea" vibe is achieved through these massive, larger-than-life icons that Disney Imagineering perfected in the late 2000s. It’s an outdoor gallery. Plus, being further away means you don't get the constant thumping bass from the Big Blue Pool parties. It’s quieter. Mostly.
Little Mermaid Art of Animation Rooms: Small But Scrappy
These are standard rooms. Unlike the Cars, Lion King, and Finding Nemo sections—which are all family suites—the Ariel-themed rooms are for the "budget" traveler. I use "budget" loosely because, let's be real, it's still Disney. You're paying for the brand.
Inside, the attention to detail is kind of wild.
👉 See also: Weather at Lake Charles Explained: Why It Is More Than Just Humidity
The carpet looks like the ocean floor. The chairs look like bubbles. The vanity mirror is surrounded by "pearls," and the shower tile is designed to look like Ariel's grotto, complete with her collection of "thingamabobs." It’s immersive. It’s not "luxury" in the way the Grand Floridian is luxury, but for a five-year-old, it’s basically the Four Seasons.
One thing that’s genuinely great is the storage. Disney renovated these rooms to include lifted bed frames. You can slide your massive hardside suitcases right under the bed. It saves so much floor space. In a room that’s only about 277 square feet, every inch matters. If you've ever tripped over a stroller in the middle of the night, you know what I'm talking about.
The Bed Situation
For years, the biggest gripe was the double beds. Most of the Little Mermaid Art of Animation rooms have been updated to two Queen beds. This was a game changer. If you're a grown adult, sleeping on a double bed for a week is a recipe for a chiropractor visit. The Queens make the room feel tighter, sure, but the sleep quality is worth the trade-off.
The Skyliner Strategy
This is why you actually stay here.
Art of Animation shares a Disney Skyliner station with Pop Century. It’s located on the bridge over Hourglass Lake. If you’re staying in the Little Mermaid section, you’re actually closer to the Skyliner than some people staying in the Lion King suites. It’s a massive logistical win.
You can hop on a gondola and be at Hollywood Studios or Epcot in minutes. No waiting for a bus in a humid line. No folding up the stroller for the tenth time that day. You just glide. It turns a "Value Resort" stay into something that feels significantly more premium. Honestly, once you use the Skyliner, taking the bus feels like a chore.
Is the Food Court Worth the Hype?
Landscape of Flavors is often cited as the best food court at any Disney resort. Is it? It’s better than most.
They used to have real plates and silverware, which felt fancy, but most of that disappeared post-2020. Still, the menu is more diverse than your standard burgers and nuggets. You can get tandoori chicken or a decent surf-and-turf burger. If you’re staying in the Little Mermaid Art of Animation area, you’ll likely be eating here a lot.
✨ Don't miss: Entry Into Dominican Republic: What Most People Get Wrong
A pro tip: Mobile order your breakfast while you’re still putting your shoes on in the room. By the time you finish that "Walk of Doom" to the main building, your Mickey waffles will be ready and waiting. If you wait until you get there to order, you’ll be standing in a sea of hungry families for 20 minutes.
The Flippin’ Fins Pool
Every section of this resort has its own pool. The Finding Nemo section has the "Big Blue Pool," which has underwater speakers and a massive footprint. It's also incredibly crowded.
The Little Mermaid section has the Flippin’ Fins pool. It’s smaller. It’s basic. But it’s usually way less chaotic. If you want a "rest day" where you can actually see your kids while they swim, this is the spot. Sebastian is the "conductor" here, and the giant laundry-basket-sized musical instruments scattered around the deck are a fun touch. It feels like a neighborhood pool, just with more Disney magic.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Cost
There’s a misconception that Art of Animation is "cheap" because it’s a Value Resort.
It’s not.
Often, the Little Mermaid Art of Animation rooms are priced higher than standard rooms at Pop Century or even some All-Star rooms. You are paying a premium for the "Little Mermaid" IP (Intellectual Property). If your kid isn't obsessed with Ariel, you might actually be better off staying at Pop Century. You get the same Skyliner access, but the rooms are often slightly cheaper and have a more "modern" (if a bit sterile) feel.
But if you want that "Disney immersion" where you can't turn your head without seeing a movie character, this is the place. It’s high-energy. It’s loud. It’s very, very Disney.
Realities of the Bathroom
The bathroom setup is pretty standard for a Disney Value resort. You have a single sink outside the toilet/shower area. This is actually a good thing. It means one person can be brushing their teeth while another is showering.
🔗 Read more: Novotel Perth Adelaide Terrace: What Most People Get Wrong
The shower curtain in these rooms is a highlight—it features Ariel looking longingly at the surface. It’s these little touches that make the Little Mermaid Art of Animation experience feel cohesive. It doesn't feel like a motel with a few stickers slapped on the wall. It feels like a room designed from the ground up to tell a story.
Making the Most of Your Stay
If you’ve decided to pull the trigger on an Ariel room, there are a few things you should do to make it better.
First, request a room near the Skyliner. You can do this through the My Disney Experience app. While "near the Skyliner" and "near the lobby" are two different directions, the Skyliner is usually the more important one for park days.
Second, bring a pop-up hamper. These rooms are small. Dirty clothes pile up fast, and with four people in a standard room, you will lose the floor to "laundry mountain" within 48 hours.
Third, take a walk at night. The lighting in the Little Mermaid Art of Animation courtyard is spectacular. The way they light up the statues of Ursula and Triton makes for some of the best photos in the entire resort, and there are far fewer people around to get in your shot.
The "Little Mermaid" Walk-Through
Don't just stay in your room. Walk through the other sections. The Cars section is particularly impressive with its life-sized Cozy Cone Motel and characters. Even if you're staying in the "Value" section of the resort, you have full access to the "Suite" section’s amenities and atmosphere. It’s a great way to kill an hour on a non-park day.
Practical Steps for Your Trip
- Check the Refurbishment Schedule: Disney updates these rooms frequently. Before you book, make sure the Flippin' Fins pool isn't scheduled for maintenance during your stay.
- Pack an Extension Cord: While the renovated rooms have more USB ports, they are still somewhat limited. If you have multiple phones, watches, and cameras to charge, you'll want the extra outlets.
- Utilize the Luggage Service: On your last day, don't lug your bags to the lobby. Call Bell Services. They will come to your Little Mermaid room, pick up your bags, and store them for you while you hit the parks one last time. It saves you that long walk with heavy suitcases.
- Bring Your Own Snacks: The gift shop in Animation Hall is expensive. There is a small fridge in the room, but no microwave. Plan accordingly. If you need a microwave, there are several available for public use in the Landscape of Flavors food court.
- Walk Across the Bridge: Take the bridge over to Pop Century. Their food court (Everything POP) has different options, including some nostalgic items you can't find at Art of Animation. It's a nice change of pace for a quick lunch.
The Little Mermaid Art of Animation rooms aren't perfect. They are a bit of a walk, they can be noisy, and they aren't the cheapest option on property. But they offer a level of character immersion that is hard to find anywhere else. For the right family, that "under the sea" magic is worth every extra step.