Art of Animation is a wonderful place to stay when visiting Disney World. We recommend this resort to our clients frequently, especially for budget-conscious travelers who want access to the Disney Skyliner.

Whether you’re swimming in a Finding Nemo-themed pool, grabbing a bite at the food court, or walking through life-sized sets from The Lion King, Cars, and The Little Mermaid, this resort is bursting with immersive touches that bring the magic to life.

In this guide, I’ll share everything you need to know about staying at Art of Animation—what the rooms are like, where to eat, how transportation works, and a few tips to make the most of your stay.

Art of Animation Guide:

Art of Animation Picture Gallery

Click below to see over 90 pictures from Art of Animation!

#1. Overview + Theming

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is one of the most visually stunning and imaginative places to stay at Walt Disney World. As soon as you arrive, you’re greeted by bold colors, giant sculptures, and larger-than-life scenes that bring some of Disney and Pixar’s most beloved films to life.

This resort is all about immersive storytelling, and each section is themed to make guests feel like they’ve stepped into the middle of an animated movie.

The resort is divided into four distinct themed areas: Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. Each section has its own buildings, courtyards, and décor, all carefully designed to reflect the unique style of its movie.

At the center of the resort is the Finding Nemo section, which features the main lobby (Animation Hall), the Landscape of Flavors food court, and the largest pool on Disney property—The Big Blue Pool. Here, you’ll find oversized statues of Crush, Mr. Ray, and a giant jellyfish.

To the right of Nemo is the Cars area, designed to look like Radiator Springs. Life-size models of Lightning McQueen, Mater, and the rest of the crew line the sidewalks, and the buildings are themed like cozy roadside motels.

To the left of the Nemo section is The Lion King area, with lush greenery, towering rock formations, and statues of Simba, Timon, Pumbaa, and Scar. The theming here is a bit more natural, evoking the African savanna and jungle scenes from the movie.

Farthest from the main lobby is The Little Mermaid section, which features standard hotel rooms rather than suites. Ariel, Ursula, King Triton, and Sebastian stand tall in the courtyards, surrounded by seashells, starfish, and under-the-sea details.

Walking paths connect each area, making it easy to explore and enjoy the different themes. Animation Hall serves as the hub of the resort, with check-in, the food court, an arcade, and the gift shop all located here.

Whether you’re staying in a suite or just exploring the grounds, the theming at Art of Animation creates a fun environment that celebrates the art and magic of Disney animation at every turn.

#2. Room types + Suites

Standard rooms at Art of Animation are 277 square feet and include two double beds.

In addition, here are the amenities you will find inside the room:

Mini-refrigerator
In-room safe
Hairdryer
Iron and ironing board
Alarm clock with radio
Telephone with voicemail
Internet – FREE Wi-Fi
Toiletries – includes soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
Coffee machine – includes creamer, sugar, coffee, tea, and paper products. It uses traditional coffee, not K-cups.

Each room at Art of Animation is uniquely themed after one of the following movies, depending on which section of the resort you stay at: Finding Nemo, Cars, The Little Mermaid, or The Lion King.

There are NO microwaves or toasters in the rooms at Art of Animation unless you are in the family suites. If you need either of these kitchen appliances, you can find them at the Landscape of Flavors food court.

Lastly, there is NO room service at Art of Animation since it is considered a “Value Resort.” But feel free to take food back to your room from the food court.

Family suites are available!

We stayed in a family suite at Art of Animation Resort, and I couldn’t recommend it more. Having that extra space was wonderful!

If you are traveling with a party of six or fewer, you can stay in a family suite comfortably.

A family suite includes a bedroom with one queen-size bed; one double-size convertible Table Bed; one double-size sleeper sofa; a living room; two bathrooms, and a kitchenette.

Having two bathrooms was great because we had our own bathroom, and so did our kids!

#3. Free Transportation (Skyliner, Bus)

One of the best things about staying at Art of Animation is that you can walk to a boarding station for the Disney Skyliner!

One of the best things about staying at Art of Animation is that you can walk to a boarding station for the Disney Skyliner! Only a few Disney resorts have direct access to the Skyliner, so this is a great benefit.

In case you don’t know, the Disney Skyliner is a transportation system consisting of suspended cabins that move through the air. It gives incredible views of Walt Disney World, along with being fun, convenient, and relaxing. My kids love riding in the Skyliner as opposed to the Disney buses!

The Disney Skyliner can take you to Epcot or Hollywood Studios from Art of Animation.

No matter where you stay at Art of Animation, you have less than a 5-minute walk to the boarding area! Check out the map below to see exactly where the Disney Skyliner is located in relation to the Art of Animation:

Once you have boarded your cabin, prepare for a wonderful view as you rise over Hourglass Lake and ride to the connecting station at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Once you arrive at the Skyliner connecting station, you will get off and take a short walk around the corner to board another cabin that takes you to your final destination of either Hollywood Studios or Epcot.

Keep reading to learn how to get to Animal Kingdom, Magic Kingdom, and Disney Springs from Art of Animation. 🙂

There’s also Free BUS transportation to theme parks, shopping, and dining!

The complimentary bus transportation is a great benefit of staying at Art of Animation. The bus stop is easy to find as it’s located right outside Animation Hall, the main entrance.

Click to download a printable PDF map of Art of Animation!

You can take the Disney buses at Art of Animation to go to the following locations:

Magic Kingdom
Animal Kingdom
Disney Springs
Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach

Bus service to the theme parks typically begins 45 minutes before the park opens and ends 1 hour after it closes. Once they start, the buses run continuously throughout the day.

As you can imagine, since this does not cost anything extra, it’s the most popular way to travel. However, at certain times of the day, such as the park opening, you might experience a bit of a line to board the bus. So, make sure to give yourself plenty of time if you need to arrive somewhere for a reservation or show.

#4. A wide variety of food to eat

The main place to eat at Art of Animation is called Landscape of Flavors. It’s a large dining area and food court located right inside Animation Hall.

A large variety of options are served here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

There is also a grocery-type market that offers many “Grab and Go” options.
Lastly, don’t miss the delicious treats and baked goods.

Outside, there is a pool bar called The Drop Off. You can find it next to the Big Blue Pool.

Here you can find lots of delicious alcoholic drinks to enjoy while sitting by the pool.
They also offer a limited food menu, such as Mickey pretzels, salads, and sandwiches.

#5. Three unique pools to enjoy

One of the best amenities of staying at Art of Animation is the pools!

It has THREE pools you can use, which is more than most other resorts: The Big Blue Pool, the Cozy Cone Pool, and the Flippin’ Fins Pool.

Pool #1: The Big Blue Pool

The Big Blue Pool is the LARGEST pool at ANY resort at Walt Disney World at over 308,000 gallons!

The pool is themed after Pixar’s movie Finding Nemo. Surrounding the ocean-themed pool are larger-than-life characters from the movie, such as Bruce the shark, Crush the sea turtle, Mr. Ray the stingray, and various other fish.

The Big Blue Pool is EASY to find! It is located right behind the resort’s main lobby, Animation Hall.

If you have little kids, you will be happy to learn there is a splash pad behind the pool called Schoolyard Sprayground! This area is perfect for younger kids, and they will definitely have a blast!

Pool #2: The Cozy Cone Pool

The Cozy Cone Pool is inspired by the Pixar movie Cars. The pool area is surrounded by life-size character cars, Mater, Sally, Doc, and Lightning McQueen! There are some cone-shaped cabanas to go along with the Cars theme that are perfect for relaxing and finding some shade.

This pool is found in the Cars section at Art of Animation.

The Cozy Cone Pool is much smaller than the Big Blue Pool. As a result, it is usually quieter and less busy.

Pool #3: The Flippin’ Fins Pool

This pool is found in the Little Mermaid section of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. It is designed to resemble Ariel’s underwater grotto from the movie. Around the pool, you will find huge statues of the main characters, like Flounder, King Triton, and Sebastian.

A few things to know about all the pools at Art of Animation:

There are certain times that Disney Cast Members come out to play games (trivia, relays) with the kids!
Since Art of Animation is a “Value Resort,” you won’t find any water slides or hot tubs at either of the pools.
Towels and life jackets are available for free at each pool.

#6. Additional Resort Amenities

Run or walk on the jogging trail

The jogging and walking trail is a wonderful feature at Art of Animation Resort! The official trail is approximately 1.38 miles (2.2 km) in length and goes around Hourglass Lake.

But you could make this much longer by exploring all the interconnected trails at Art of Animation, then crossing the bridge over Hourglass Lake and doing the same at Pop Century Resort.

A playground your kids can’t resist

If your kids need to burn off extra energy, you will love the Righteous Reef playground in the Finding Nemo courtyard. It’s located directly behind the Big Blue Pool.

I don’t know about your kids, but mine can’t pass up a playground, even if it’s just for a few minutes! This is a great way for kids to play and unwind a bit, especially if the lines were especially long that day at the parks.

Buy souvenirs at the Ink & Paint Shop.

Inside Animation Hall, you will find the Ink & Paint Shop. Here you can shop for various souvenirs, shirts, pins, Mickey ears, sports apparel, character merchandise, snacks, and many other goodies!

Play at the Pixel Play Arcade

One really fun thing to do at Art of Animation is the Pixel Play Arcade. Our son loves playing games at arcades, so he was incredibly excited that he could play right at the resort.

The Pixel Play Arcade is located in the Animation Hall building. There are many games at the arcade, and they are all age-appropriate!

If you want to play, you have to buy a Game Card and add game points using a credit card or cash at the kiosk in the arcade. These cards are rechargeable and can be used at other Disney Resort arcades.

Clean your clothes

I love using the 24-hour laundry service at Art of Animation. We have taken advantage of the washing machines on many of our trips because the kids spilled something on themselves, or we didn’t pack enough shirts.

The laundry service is self-serve, with locations near The Big Blue Pool, Flippin’ Fins Pool, and Cozy Cone Pool. The cost is $3.25 per wash, and the dryers are $3.25 per 30 minutes. Luckily, you can use your credit card for payment.

If you need dry cleaning or valet laundry service, you can call “Housekeeping” on the phone in your hotel room. Please note that both of these services have additional costs.

#7. Entertainment

Roast Marshmallows! (free)

Are you having a quiet evening and staying at the hotel? If so, a fun thing to do at Art of Animation is roasting marshmallows by a fire.

If you want to try this fun activity, head to the campfire area near Pride Rock. The fun begins at 5:30 pm and ends at 6:30 pm (7 days a week).

Times are subject to change, so please verify with a Cast Member upon arrival at the resort.

Watch a Disney movie under the stars.

If you had a long day at the parks and want a fun way to unwind with the family, then you will love this amenity at Art of Animation!

Every night by the Big Blue Pool, you can sit and watch a Disney movie under the stars. Check out the movie schedule at the Front Desk so you don’t miss your favorite. 🙂

Make sure to arrive early to find a good spot. And I recommend you bring blankets and snacks!

And if you don’t want to watch the movie being played at Art of Animation, you can also head over to Pop Century Resort to see what they are watching. Pop Century is just a short walk away across the Hourglass Lake bridge.

#8. Special Perks

You can bring your dog to Art of Animation 🙂

Leaving our dog at home is the hardest part about going on vacation. But if you stay at this resort, you can bring them along with you. However, cats are not allowed.

You can bring two dogs per room, and the current additional cost is $50 per night.

If you want to book a pet-friendly room, you must call (407) 939-7539 and speak with a Cast Member.

Who will care for my dog if we are gone the whole day?

You are in luck! Best Friends Pet Care can help take care of your pet. However, there is a fee to use this service.

Click here to review Disney’s pet policies.

FREE Parking

When you stay at Art of Animation, or any Disney Resort, you get free parking at both the resort and the theme parks.

Free parking is a great benefit, as parking costs a minimum of $30 per day at the theme parks.

Receive deliveries at Art of Animation (or mail a letter)

Are you looking to send magic to someone back home while visiting Walt Disney World? You can send letters, postcards, or pre-labeled packages with postage already applied at the Front Desk!

You can also receive packages during your stay at Art of Animation! I know we have had items shipped to our resort from Amazon after forgetting something crucial at home. Just have your delivery sent to the mailing address of Art of Animation. Disney also recommends that it says “Guest” and the date of your arrival stated on the package.

Here is the address of Art of Animation: 1850 Animation Way, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Simple Online Check-In

Do you want to bypass the front desk at check-in time? If so, then use the online check-in service!

Here is how to take advantage of the Direct-to-Room amenity:

First, link your Disney resort hotel reservation to your Disney account in the My Disney Experience app or Disney’s website.
When you arrive, let Disney know you are there by using the online check-in service.
When your room is ready, the My Disney Experience app will provide you with your room number and let you unlock your door! In addition, your MagicBand (if you have one and it is active) will work to let you in your room.

Check-in time at Art of Animation typically starts at 3:00 pm.

Convenient Money Services

Access to an ATM

If you need to get some cash for your day at the parks, there’s an ATM near the front desk, open 24 hrs.

The ATMs accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover/Novus, Cirrus, Plus, Star, and Honor!

Currency Exchange

If you are visiting Disney World from outside the United States, a great amenity you will find at Art of Animation is the currency exchange.

If you are interested in exchanging foreign currencies, you can head to the front desk or concierge at the hotel.

FREE Wi-Fi

Complimentary Wi-Fi is offered at Art of Animation Resort and throughout all Disney parks and resort areas!

Designated Smoking Areas

For guests who smoke, you will be happy to hear there is a designated outdoor smoking area for guests. You can ask a Disney Cast Member or check on the resort map to see where this area is located.

Please know that smoking is not allowed in hotel rooms or on balconies.

Here’s what you won’t find at Art of Animation:

Disney’s Value Resorts, including Art of Animation, are a great way to stay on Disney property without spending a fortune, but there are a few benefits and features that are not available compared to Moderate and Deluxe resorts.

Fitness Centers and Spas:

You won’t find gyms, fitness centers, or spas at Value Resorts. Guests looking for wellness amenities will need to stay at a Moderate or Deluxe resort.

Table-Service Restaurants:

Value Resorts do not offer sit-down dining or table-service restaurants. Instead, they have large food courts with quick-service options. If you’re looking for a more upscale or themed dining experience, you’ll need to visit a Moderate or Deluxe resort—or head to the parks or Disney Springs.

Water Slides and Hot Tubs:

Pools at Value Resorts are themed and fun, but they do not have water slides or hot tubs. These features are available at Moderate and Deluxe resorts only.

Club-Level Service or Concierge:

Value Resorts do not offer club-level rooms, concierge lounges, or personalized planning services.

Despite these omissions, Value Resorts offer excellent perks like early park entry, free transportation, themed pools, and all the Disney magic—at a more affordable price.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is so much more than just a place to sleep—it’s an experience all on its own.

From the larger-than-life character theming to the convenient Skyliner access and spacious family suites, it’s designed with fun, comfort, and convenience in mind.

Whether you’re traveling with little ones who love Cars and Nemo or you’re a lifelong Disney fan who wants to soak in all the details, this resort delivers a truly memorable stay.

I hope this guide has helped you get a better feel for what to expect.