Is Disney's Art of Animation Resort worth it? Honest pros and cons
Yes — if you want a budget-friendly, family-focused Disney World stay with oversized character theming and multi-person Family Suites, Art of Animation is worth it. If you prefer quieter, more adult-oriented hotels, on-site table-service dining, or a fitness center/spa, a different Disney resort may suit you better.
In this guide
Location & getting around
Disney's Art of Animation Resort sits at 1850 Animation Way in Lake Buena Vista, inside Walt Disney World. The resort is a Value Resort and close to several parks and Disney Springs.
Complimentary Disney buses serve the major parks and Disney Springs from a stop outside Animation Hall, and the resort shares a Disney Skyliner gondola station (shared with Pop Century) providing access toward EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios with a transfer at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. Travel times can vary with waits and transfers.
- Disney's Hollywood Studios: about 1.6 miles (short Skyliner/bus ride or ~20-minute walk).
- Epcot: reachable via Skyliner with a transfer at Caribbean Beach Resort.
- Disney Springs: roughly a 10-minute bus ride.
| Nearby place | Typical route |
|---|---|
| Disney's Hollywood Studios | Skyliner or bus |
| Epcot | Skyliner with transfer |
| Disney Springs | Bus |
Rooms and Family Suites — who they fit
The resort is built around oversized themed Family Suites and standard rooms. Family Suites are designed for groups and include a queen bed, a double-size table bed, and a double-size sleeper sofa; they sleep up to six adults (plus one child under three in a crib).
Standard guest rooms are available as The Little Mermaid Standard Room and Standard View Room. Family Suite variants include Family Suite, Cars Family Suite, Finding Nemo Family Suite, Lion Family Suite, and The Lion Family Suite — each with distinct theming.
- Family Suite (beds: 1 Queen Bed and 2 Double Sofa Beds) — sleeps up to six adults.
- Cars Family Suite; Finding Nemo Family Suite; Lion Family Suite; The Lion Family Suite — themed layouts for families.
- The Little Mermaid Standard Room (beds: 1 King Bed or 2 Double Beds) and Standard View Room (beds: 2 Queen Beds) for smaller parties.
| Room type | Key sleeping layout |
|---|---|
| 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 |
Pools, play areas and kid-focused amenities
Art of Animation has three heated outdoor pools: the Big Blue Pool (Finding Nemo), Cozy Cone Pool (Cars) and Flippin' Fins Pool (The Little Mermaid). Pools are heated to about 82°F/28°C year-round and provide complimentary towels typically.
The resort also offers family play areas such as the Schoolyard Spray Ground and Righteous Reef Playground, plus a jogging/walking trail around Hourglass Lake.
- Big Blue Pool is the resort's main and largest hotel pool at Walt Disney World.
- Pools do not have water slides, but life vests and water wings are provided/allowed.
- Complimentary towels and poolside restrooms, showers and laundry facilities are usually available.
| Feature | Notes |
|---|---|
| Pool count | Three outdoor pools (heated) |
| Water slides | No slides at the pools |
| Safety gear | Free life vests; swim diapers required for infants in diapers |
Dining and on-site services
Animation Hall houses Landscape of Flavors — the resort's quick-service food court — plus the Drop Off Pool Bar by the Big Blue Pool. There is no table-service restaurant or on-site spa/fitness center.
Landscape of Flavors serves breakfast, lunch and dinner on a walk-up basis (hours published as 7:00 AM–11:00 PM) and accepts mobile ordering. The Drop Off Pool Bar serves drinks and snacks daily (hours published as 11:00 AM–10:30 PM).
- Landscape of Flavors: quick-service meals, multiple themed dining rooms, mobile ordering available.
- Drop Off Pool Bar: poolside beverages and light entrées/snacks; no reservations.
- No table-service restaurants or spa/fitness center on property; jogging trail around Hourglass Lake is an alternative for exercise.
| Venue | What it offers |
|---|---|
| Landscape of Flavors | Quick-service breakfast, lunch, dinner; mobile ordering |
| Drop Off Pool Bar | Poolside drinks and snacks; entrée items mid-day |
| Animation Hall | Check-in, gift shop, arcade and food court |
Who this resort is best (and least) suited for
Art of Animation is aimed at families and groups who want themed suites, kid-friendly activities, and direct Disney transportation at a value-level price point. If you travel with young kids who enjoy themed rooms, splash areas and animation classes, this resort is a strong fit.
If you prefer quieter, more adult-focused amenities (onsite spa, fitness center, multiple table-service restaurants, adults-only pools or an adults-only section), consider other Disney resort hotels instead.
- Good for: families needing space for 4–6 people, fans of character theming, guests using Skyliner/bus to parks.
- Less good for: couples seeking adult-oriented nightlife, travelers wanting an on-site fitness center or a range of table-service dining.
| Traveler type | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Families with kids | Recommended |
| Adults-only couples | Consider other Disney hotels |
| Budget-conscious Disney visitors | Good value option |
Practical notes: check-in, parking, pets and accessibility
Standard check-in begins at 3:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM. The minimum age to check in is 18, and guests must show a photo ID and a credit card at check-in.
Complimentary self-parking is available for registered Disney Resort hotel guests. The resort offers designated pet-friendly rooms that accept up to two dogs for an additional nightly fee; cats are not permitted.
- Payment: the property accepts major credit cards; cash is not accepted at the property for room charges.
- Pets: up to two dogs per designated room with a fee and Pluto's Welcome Kit; pet relief areas are on property.
- Accessibility: wheelchair-accessible rooms and accessible paths are available.
| Topic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check-in / Check-out | Check-in from 3:00 PM / Check-out at 11:00 AM |
| Parking | Complimentary self-parking for registered guests |
| Pets | Designated dog-friendly rooms with fee; cats not permitted |
