Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

About the Art of Animation Resort

We really enjoyed our tour of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort! Even if you aren’t staying at a particular resort, you can still tour the resorts. Disney World allows you to visit their resorts – many call it “resort hopping”. Each resort is unique with its own themes, decor, restaurants, and activities. One of our favorites to visit is the Art of Animation Resort.

Art of Animation is over-the-top Disney themed and young kids (and kids at heart) will love it. The kiddos will enjoy seeing the huge Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, Cars, and Lion King areas. Disney designed this resort to have “storybook landscaping” and they did a great job of making you feel immersed in the movies themselves.

The Rooms

This value resort is very popular with families because it offers standard rooms and suites. The suites all have two rooms, a kitchenette (with mini-fridge, coffee maker, and microwave), and two bathrooms – perfect for families. Here are the room themes:

• The Little Mermaid (standard room)
• Cars (suite)
• The Lion King (suite)
• Finding Nemo (suite)

All of the suite rooms are located closer to the lobby & restaurant (and the Big Blue Pool) area. The hallways and entrances to these rooms are also inside. The Little Mermaid standard rooms are the furthest away and the hallways and room entrances are outside. P.S. There are 1,120 suite rooms and 864 standard rooms.

We didn’t stay at the resort this time (we already had reservations elsewhere), but we toured the resort a few times, taken a few free art classes, and hopped on the gondola at this hotel.

I wasn’t able to get photos of all of the hotel rooms and suites, you can see photos of the rooms here: Disney’s Art of Animation Rooms, Rates, & Photos

Animation Hall

Animation Hall houses the lobby, the arcade, Ink & Paint, and Landscape of Flavors.

The Lobby

Usually, the hotel’s lobby is the most boring part of the hotel…but not at Art of Animation. It is bright, colorful, and full of Disney characters and drawings.

I loved seeing the giant reproductions of the Disney artists’ original sketches on the wall in the lobby.

FREE Art Classes (near Lobby)

When we were at Disney, we heard about a free art class at the Art of Animation. I called ahead and was told that we could attend the next classes, and we didn’t have to be staying at the Art of Animation to participate.

The Art Classes were being held at 11 a.m., 2 p.m., and 5 p.m. on the day we were visiting. Everyone participating gets a clipboard, pencil, and paper (and replacement paper if you feel you need to start over). My kids have learned how to draw Stitch, Minnie Mouse, and Olaf. The whole class lasts about 15-30 minutes.

Movies Under The Stars & Recreation

This resort shows popular Disney movies in the grassy area found between The Lion King building and Finding Nemo building. The resort also offers:

• An arcade (in the lobby area)
• A jogging trail
• Children’s playground

The Ink and Paint Gift Shop

We love looking for Disney treasures at the Ink & Paint Gift Shop. It is located right between the lobby and Landscape of Flavors. It has many of the usual Disney souvenirs – shirts, hats, Minnie Ears. But, we always find something new here!

Landscape of Flavors

Landscape of Flavors is a quick-service restaurant at Art of Animation. It is located toward the front of the resort (right next to the gift shop). This restaurant is considered one of the best (if not THE BEST) quick-service restaurants at the value resorts. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. 

What You’ll Find at Landscape of Flavors:

• Breakfast (including plant-based options)
• Dinner Specials (ex. fish, meatballs, Asian cuisine, quesadilla platter)
• Pizza
• Pasta
• Burgers
• Chicken
• Salads (For example Ceasar Salad & Power Salad)
• Sandwiches (Grilled Chicken & Pulled Pork for example)
• Plant-based Entrees (like “burgers”, sautee’s, and soups)
• Sides (soups, fries, macaroni and cheese, coleslaw, & breadsticks)
• Kid’s Meals
• Gluten-Free Snacks
• Bakery Treats (cookies, brownies, muffins, croissants)
• Snacks (fruit, yogurt, popcorn, Rice Krispy characters, etc)
• Specialty Coffees
• Beer & Alcoholic Beverages (including wine & cocktails)

See all of the Landscape of Flavors Menu Items HERE.

The Big Blue Pool (Main Pool)

Once you step outside the lobby, you will see the Big Blue Pool. The design of this pool was inspired by Disney & Pixar’s movie Finding Nemo. It is the largest resort pool in Walt Disney World Resort.

Behind The Big Blue Pool is a splash pad as well as a small playground for smaller children.

The Drop Off is the pool bar located by the Big Blue Pool. This restaurant/bar offers snacks and sandwiches as well as beer and specialty drinks.

The New Disney Skyliner

The Disney Skyliner at Disney World is the resort’s newest transportation system. This aerial gondola system is absolutely FREE for Disney World guests. You don’t have to have a theme park ticket or have to be staying at the resorts on the line. We checked it out recently and we loved it!

See more about our adventures on the Disney Skyliner HERE.

Directions from the lobby to the Skyliner: If you keep walking straight – past the main pool area – you will end up at a bridge that takes you to the POP Century Resort. This bridge is where you will find the Disney Skyliner.

Here is a map I made (don’t laugh) of the routes that the Disney Skyliner takes (sorry I didn’t get a pic of Riviera Resort but enjoy the black dot):

Finding Nemo Area

As you leave the main lobby (or Ink & Paint or Landscape of Flavors), you will find yourself at the Finding Nemo section of the Resort. These rooms basically surround The Big Blue Pool (which is also Finding Nemo-themed).

The Finding Nemo completely surrounds the Big Blue Pool and most of the theming and Disney characters are found there. You can refer to my photos of The Big Blue Pool to see the Finding Nemo theming in this area.

Cars Area

I think the Art of Animation Resort is the perfect place for Cars fans to visits. You really feel like you are immersed in Radiator Springs and kiddos and adults alike will love the experience. Even the sidewalks look like roads! It is an open area so you can take lots of pictures that make great souvenirs for scrapbooks!

The Cars Area Pool (Cozy Cone Pool)

I love that the cabanas at the Cars pool are similar to the rooms at the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars.

The Lion King Area

The Lion King area is a lot of fun to walk through and take pictures. I loved that they played music from the movie as you walked through this area.

The Little Mermaid Area

The Little Mermaid Area Pool (Flippin’ Fins Pool)

Have you visited (or stayed at) Disney’s Art of Animation Resort? What is your favorite part of this resort area?

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