Disney's Art of Animation Resort

If you are planning a trip to Walt Disney World and want to stay on-property in a value resort, Global Wishes often recommends the Art of Animation. This Resort is certainly one of Disney's most colorful. Upon arrival and throughout their stay, guests are drawn into its storybook theming. Classics such as The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Little Mermaid are prominently depicted throughout the Resort.

Guests check in at the main building called Animation Hall. This is also where you will find the food court called Landscape of Flavors, a gift shop called the Ink and Paint Shop, and a video-game arcade called the Pixel Play Arcade. Also inside the Animation Hall Lobby is a small business center area with computers for guests to use.

The Art of Animation offers two types of accommodations: family suites and standard rooms. The Resort has a total of 1984 rooms, with 1120 family suites and 864 standard rooms.

• Suites can accommodate up to six adults and are 565 square feet. Themed to Finding Nemo, Cars, or The Lion King, the suites include a bedroom with one queen size bed; one double-size convertible TableBed; one double-size sleeper sofa; living room; TWO bathrooms and a kitchenette with either a mini-fridge or a beverage cooler (we've heard mixed messaging on this), microwave, and coffeemaker. The bedroom and the living room have flat-panel TVs. Tip: if you are wanting closer access to the main pool, main building, and transportation, then selecting a Finding Nemo suite might be right up your alley. Typically, Finding Nemo suites are a bit pricier then the other themed suites due to its preferred location.

• Another accommodation option are The Little Mermaid rooms. These standard rooms can accommodate up to 4 adults and are 277 square feet. These rooms include one king bed OR two queen beds and include a flat-panel TV, a beverage cooler, and a table and chairs. For guests deciding to stay in a Little Mermaid room, be forewarned that these rooms are the furthest away from Animation Hall. Global Wishes recently stayed in one of the Little Mermaid rooms. It was a bit cramped for our family, but we made it work as we were there primarily just to sleep as our priority was to save some money and spend most of our time enjoying the theme parks. Had we stayed longer than three nights, we might have considered splurging on a themed suite to spread out more.

The Art of Animation has the largest resort pool in Walt Disney World called the Big Blue Pool. Inspired by the Disney and Pixar movie, Finding Nemo, guests can soak up the sun and enjoy hearing the laughter of folks splashing around. There is also an interactive water play area, perfect for littles. The Drop Off Pool Bar is the place to go to grab a beverage or snack, and the nearby Landscape of Flavors has five quick-service counters if you want more options. Two more pools are also available to guests staying at the Art of Animation: Flippin' Fins Pool features the "Under the Sea Orchestra" conducted by Sebastian from The Little Mermaid and the Cozy Cone Pool, inspired by Cars.

The Art of Animation has lots of fun non-pool activities too. If you are looking to enjoy the resort in the evening, the Art of Animation offers nightly campfire activities near Pride Rock. On certain days of the week, the resort offers "Movies Under the Stars" near the Big Blue Pool. For kiddos wanting to burn off some energy, Righteous Reef playground is a fun place to climb and slide and is located in the Finding Nemo courtyard. For running and walking enthusiasts, one lap around Hourglass Lake is 1.28 miles. The Lake separates the Art of Animation from the Pop Century Resort. Generation Gap Bridge cuts through the middle of the course. There is no gym or fitness center at the Art of Animation.

A nice perk with the Art of Animation is that it is known as a "Skyliner Resort" because it has a Skyliner station on property. Guests can hop in aerial gondolas and be whisked away to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios. Only four resorts are on the aerial line: Art of Animation, Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, and the Riviera. Like other Value Resorts, the Art of Animation relies on Disney coaches for non-Skyliner destinations. Buses at the Art of Animation are not shared with another hotel (unlike the All-Star resorts) so this can be quite a time-saver.

Art of Animation has some dog friendly room options! For a nightly additional fee, up to two dogs are allowed in some Art of Animation Rooms. This needs to be reserved well in advance. Housekeeping will only enter the room while human guests are present and guests may be called to come to their room if their canine companion is being too noisy.

Resort Particulars:

Art of Animation Address: 1850 Animation Way. Bay Lake, FL 32830

Art of Animation's Building Icons:

• Building 1: Rooms 1501-1840. Cars Theme: Radiator Springs.

• Building 2: Rooms 2501-2840. Cars Theme: Radiator Springs.

• Building 3: Rooms 3501-3840. Cars Theme: Radiator Springs.

• Building 4: Rooms 4501-4840. Finding Nemo: Mr. Ray.

• Building 5: Rooms 5501-5840. Finding Nemo: Crush.

• Building 6: Rooms 6501-6840. Lion King: Simba, Timon and Pumbaa.

• Building 7: Rooms 7501-7872. Little Mermaid: Ursula.

• Building 8: Rooms 8501-8872. Little Mermaid: Ariel.

• Building 9: Rooms 9501-9872. Little Mermaid: King Triton.

• Building 10: Rooms 0501-0840. Lion King: Simba, Timon and Pumbaa.

Global Wishes highly recommends Disney's Art of Animation for anyone wanting to enjoy value accommodations that have fun theming and great access to the Skyliner. It might be a grand idea to grab some popcorn and spend some time rewatching movies like Cars, Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, and The Lion King before you head out the door for your Florida vacation!