Top things to do nearby: parks, mini-golf and Disney Springs
Nearby at Disney's Art of Animation Resort you can enjoy on-site family pools and play areas, take the 1.4-mile Hourglass Lake jogging/walking trail, play nearby mini-golf at Disney's Fantasia Gardens, and ride complimentary Disney buses or the Skyliner to Disney Springs, EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
In this guide
Pools, splash zones and on-site play areas
The resort has three outdoor pools: the Big Blue Pool (Finding Nemo), the Cozy Cone Pool (Cars), and the Flippin' Fins Pool (The Little Mermaid). All three are heated year-round and are open to every guest.
Pool areas include restrooms, showers, storage lockers and laundry facilities nearby; complimentary towels are typically provided, and free life vests in a variety of sizes are available at each pool. Infants and children in diapers are welcome if they wear swim diapers.
- Big Blue Pool — main, largest resort hotel pool at Walt Disney World (Finding Nemo section)
- Cozy Cone Pool — themed to Cars
- Flippin' Fins Pool — themed to The Little Mermaid
- Schoolyard Spray Ground and Righteous Reef Playground — smaller play areas for younger kids
| Feature | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Pool heating | Pools heated to about 82°F (28°C) year-round |
| Safety gear | Complimentary life vests; water wings allowed |
| Towels | Complimentary towels typically provided |
Mini-golf and nearby family attractions
Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course is listed as a nearby option and is a short drive from the resort. It is a separate attraction off-property from the resort and provides a casual mini-golf experience for families.
Other nearby family destinations include the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and the Walt Disney World theme parks; check operating hours and transportation options before you go.
- Disney's Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf Course — nearby mini-golf option
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex — local sports events and competitions
- Make a plan for transportation since some venues require a short drive or Disney bus/Skyliner connections
| Nearby spot | Notes |
|---|---|
| Fantasia Gardens Miniature Golf | Short drive from the resort; separate ticketed attraction |
| ESPN Wide World of Sports | About a 5-minute drive |
| Disney's Hollywood Studios | Around a 5-minute drive or Skyliner/bus ride |
Disney Springs: shopping, dining and evening plans
Disney Springs is roughly 3 miles from the resort and is served by complimentary Disney buses; published information lists it as about a 10-minute bus ride. Disney Springs offers shopping, dining and entertainment separate from the resort's on-site offerings.
Plan to use the Disney bus service from the stop outside Animation Hall; service to Disney Springs typically runs from park opening until about an hour after closing. Travel times can vary with traffic and time of day.
- Complimentary Disney buses run between the resort and Disney Springs
- No resort-provided walking route to Disney Springs — bus is the common option
- Allow extra time in evenings when buses may be busier
| Tip | Why it helps |
|---|---|
| Head to Animation Hall early | Buses depart from the stop outside the main building |
| Check return bus times | Service typically runs to about one hour after Disney Springs closes |
| Consider Minnie Van for direct rides | Point-to-point service via the Lyft app for a fee |
Getting around: Skyliner, buses and other transport
Art of Animation shares a Disney Skyliner gondola station with Disney's Pop Century Resort, providing service to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios (the Skyliner route may require a transfer at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort and travel time can vary).
Complimentary Disney buses run from a stop outside Animation Hall to the theme parks, including scheduled service to Disney Springs. Minnie Van rides (via Lyft) are an option for point-to-point trips for an additional fee.
- Skyliner — direct-ish gondola access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios (may require transfer)
- Disney buses — stop outside Animation Hall with routes to parks and Disney Springs
- Minnie Van — app-based paid service for point-to-point trips within Walt Disney World
| Mode | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Skyliner | When heading to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios and you don't mind transfers/wait times |
| Disney bus | For direct luggage-friendly travel or when loading the whole family |
| Minnie Van | For direct, paid door-to-door trips |
Where to eat at the resort before you head out
Landscape of Flavors in Animation Hall is the resort's quick-service food court, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner on a walk-up basis. Mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app is available to skip lines.
The Drop Off Pool Bar near the Big Blue Pool serves beverages and snacks daily with no reservations accepted. There are no table-service restaurants on-site; Landscape of Flavors and the Drop Off Pool Bar are the resort's dining options.
- Landscape of Flavors — open 7:00 AM–11:00 PM; multiple themed dining rooms and a Grab 'n Go market
- Drop Off Pool Bar — poolside drinks and snacks, operating hours published for the kiosk
- No on-site table-service or signature dining at the resort
| Venue | Hours (published) |
|---|---|
| Landscape of Flavors | 7:00 AM – 11:00 PM |
| Drop Off Pool Bar | 11:00 AM – 10:30 PM |
Room types and family setup for planning outings
Family Suites (including Cars Family Suite, Finding Nemo Family Suite, Lion Family Suite and the Family Suite general type) include a queen bed, a double-size table bed and a double-size sleeper sofa and sleep up to six guests; these layouts make it easier to return to the room for naps or regrouping between activities.
Standard rooms are available in The Little Mermaid Standard Room and Standard View Room types, with typical bedding arrangements of 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds (The Little Mermaid Standard Room) and 2 Queen Beds (Standard View Room). Choose a suite if you plan on longer rest breaks or need kitchenette-style space.
- Family Suite — 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Sofa Beds (sleeps up to six)
- Cars Family Suite, Finding Nemo Family Suite, Lion Family Suite — themed family-suite options
- The Little Mermaid Standard Room — 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds
- Standard View Room — 2 Queen Beds
| Room name | Typical bedding |
|---|---|
| Family Suite | 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Sofa Beds |
| The Little Mermaid Standard Room | 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds |
| Standard View Room | 2 Queen Beds |
