The spa and fitness situation at Art of Animation
There is no on-site spa or dedicated fitness center at Disney's Art of Animation Resort. Active guests use the three heated outdoor pools and the roughly 1.4-mile jogging/walking trail around Hourglass Lake, plus poolside activities and the arcade for low-key exercise.
In this guide
- Animation Hall: where check-in, arcade and services land
- Pools, splash areas and safety
- Poolside dining and the Drop Off Pool Bar
- No on-site spa or fitness center — what to use instead
- Jogging trail, outdoor exercise and family play areas
- Family services that support active parents
- Practical tips for planning spa and fitness time
Animation Hall: where check-in, arcade and services land
Animation Hall is the resort's main building and where you’ll handle arrival tasks and find key guest services.
It houses the front desk, Landscape of Flavors food court, a cashless video-game arcade, luggage storage and a small gift shop.
- Front desk / 24-hour assistance and check-in (check-in begins at 3:00 PM).
- Landscape of Flavors quick-service dining and mobile ordering.
- Video-game arcade that uses a rechargeable swipe card system (cashless).
Pools, splash areas and safety
Art of Animation has three heated outdoor pools that are open to all guests: the Big Blue Pool (Finding Nemo), the Cozy Cone Pool (Cars) and the Flippin’ Fins Pool (The Little Mermaid). Pools are typically heated to 82°F/28°C.
There are no water slides at these pools, but pool areas provide restrooms, showers, storage lockers, laundry facilities, complimentary life vests in a range of sizes and typically complimentary towels.
- Infants/children in diapers must wear swim diapers to use the pools.
- Water wings are allowed; complimentary life vests are provided.
- Poolside rules and lifeguard presence may vary by time and location.
| Pool | Section |
|---|---|
| Big Blue Pool | Finding Nemo (main, largest resort pool) |
| Cozy Cone Pool | Cars |
| Flippin’ Fins Pool | The Little Mermaid |
Poolside dining and the Drop Off Pool Bar
For food and drink around the pools, the Drop Off Pool Bar near the Big Blue Pool serves frozen specialty cocktails, beer, wine, sangria, non-alcoholic drinks and snacks. It accepts Mobile/quick-service ordering and participates in the Disney Dining Plan (Quick Service credit).
The resort’s main quick-service venue, Landscape of Flavors in Animation Hall, serves breakfast, lunch and dinner daily (typical hours 7:00 AM–11:00 PM) and offers mobile ordering through the My Disney Experience app.
- Drop Off Pool Bar hours are typically published as 11:00 AM–10:30 PM.
- Entrée items at the pool bar are usually available from about 11:00 AM–6:00 PM; snacks and drinks all day.
- Landscape of Flavors has multiple themed dining rooms and grab-and-go options.
No on-site spa or fitness center — what to use instead
Art of Animation does not have a spa or a dedicated fitness center. This is consistent with its classification as a Value Resort within Walt Disney World.
If you want a formal gym, you’ll need to visit another Disney resort or an off-site fitness facility; the resort’s built-in active options are the pools and the jogging trail around Hourglass Lake.
- No on-site fitness center or spa at Art of Animation.
- Alternative options available nearby include jogging around Hourglass Lake or exercising at another resort (check that resort’s access policies).
- You can also use in-room bodyweight workouts or bring compact fitness gear.
Jogging trail, outdoor exercise and family play areas
A roughly 1.4-mile jogging and walking trail loops around Hourglass Lake; it’s the resort’s primary outdoor option for running, walking or stroller-friendly outings.
On-property family play areas include the Schoolyard Spray Ground and the Righteous Reef Playground, which are useful for active play with kids and informal movement breaks between parks.
- Hourglass Lake loop: about 1.4 miles.
- Play spaces and splash ground are free to use for guests and suitable for children.
- Pools are heated year-round, so swimming is an option through most seasons.
Family services that support active parents
The resort offers in-room babysitting through third-party providers (Kid’s Nite Out) with advance reservations; this can free up time for adults to exercise off-property or visit a fitness facility. Advance booking and minimums apply.
Rooms and suites at Art of Animation are designed for families: Family Suite, Cars Family Suite, Finding Nemo Family Suite, Lion Family Suite, The Lion Family Suite, The Little Mermaid Standard Room and Standard View Room each provide layouts that let adults split childcare and activity time more flexibly.
- In-room childcare (Kid’s Nite Out) requires advance reservations and has a minimum booking window.
- Family Suites sleep up to six and include a queen bed, a double-size table bed and a double-size sleeper sofa (useful for staggered bedtimes or early-morning workouts).
- Complimentary Wi‑Fi helps with coordinating childcare, fitness meetups or mobile orders for food after exercise.
Practical tips for planning spa and fitness time
If a traditional gym or spa is a must for your trip, plan to visit another Disney resort or an off-property facility and check that facility’s access rules before you go.
Pack or rent what you need: swim diapers for little ones, a running watch or app for the Hourglass Lake loop, and resistance bands or a jump rope for in-room workouts.
- Check pool hours and lifeguard schedules on arrival; they can change seasonally.
- Landscape of Flavors and the Drop Off Pool Bar operate on a walk-up basis—use mobile ordering to save time after workouts.
- If you’ll use childcare, reserve Kid’s Nite Out well in advance and confirm pick-up/drop-off details.
