Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Nisha Depp

I was really impressed with this hotel. It was probably the best value hotel at Disney. It was only about $50 more a night than the All-star. We stayed in a Cars suite. It has a replica of Radiator springs outside. The lobby was impressive. My husband didn't care for the food in the cafeteria. I thought it was fine. Easy to get and grab a quick meal at the end of the day when you're exhausted.

SRQ GRL

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a vibrant, imaginative place that truly brings animated classics to life. The fun, themed design across the property is a major plus. We love the oversized characters, colorful backdrops, and immersive details that make every corner feel like a scene from a beloved film. The pools were another standout, spacious, fun, and thoughtfully designed. Bonus points for being dog-friendly it’s great to have a place that welcomes furry family members. That said, there are a few drawbacks that are hard to overlook, especially in the Little Mermaid rooms. These standard rooms come with a premium price tag, but the experience doesn’t quite justify the cost. The rooms are very small and cramped, with minimal space to store belongings or move around comfortably. Noise levels were also a serious issue we could hear doors shutting, toilets flushing, and movement from other rooms and hallways, making it tough to get restful sleep. The beds are unusually high off the ground, which isn’t ideal for young kids, and they were not particularly comfortable. The dining area, while conveniently located, felt more like a school cafeteria than a resort dining experience. Food was served grab-and-go style and came at prices that didn’t match the quality. It had a rushed, impersonal vibe more like herding people through than treating them like guests on vacation. Overall, Art of Animation nails the whimsical Disney atmosphere, but when it comes to comfort and value, especially in the Little Mermaid rooms, it falls short. Great for a photo op and pool day, but maybe not the best pick if you’re looking for a restful, quiet stay.

Jordan Gary

If you can splurge a little I recommend the Lion King suites over the Little Mermaid rooms. They are a hell of a lot closer to the rain building and gives you plenty of room to spread out with a separate bedroom and 2 extra beds (sofa & Murphy) and 2 bathrooms. The best part of this resort is the Skyliner services to Disney Studios & Epcot. The pool bar needs some extended hours and faster service considering it’s the only bar on property. The restaurant onsite is dependable and turns out decent enough food. If you’re in the lobby between 2:30-3:30 each day, you can run into some characters which is typically checkin time.

John Cogswell

It would be easier for me to identify areas of potential improvement here, rather than what works well. The culinary staff shows a moderate lack of experience, based on how they cook their food. There was a lack of dairy added to the eggs for breakfast, and a lack of salt, which would dramatically improve texture and taste. Many of the recipes that call for garlic had so much garlic added that they bordered on inedible. Otherwise, the food was not terrible. If you're looking for a good value and a key location that provides ready access to the parks, staying here at the resorts is a solid choice. The layout and style is unmistakably similar to military barracks, or university dormitories, but with some pleasant Disney touches added. In short, it serves the purpose as a value choice, but may feel a little lacking if any significant time is spent in the lodgings. The coffee is terrible. Flat out. It gave me something to look forward to returning home to Boston, to. 4/5 solid choice. I grumble around the margins, and they are small margins.

Rabbi Yisroel Bernath

If your inner child has been quietly humming “Hakuna Matata” for the past two decades, this place is going to feel like home. We were here recently, and let me tell you… it’s not just a hotel, it’s like walking into a living cartoon. From the minute you step into the lobby (which is a literal art gallery of Disney sketches), everything screams, “Come on, let’s play!” What can you actually do here that’s fun and free? 1. Movies Under the Stars – Every evening, they set up a big screen right outside, and you can just sprawl out on the grass with your kids and watch a Disney movie under the open sky. Totally free. Totally magical. 2. Character Walkabouts – You won’t see Mickey here, but you will get to “meet” gigantic statues of Simba, Lightning McQueen, Ariel, and more. These are life-size. Great photo ops. Bring snacks, roam the resort, and make a game out of who can spot the most characters. 3. Animation Sketch Class – Yup, they offer free art classes right in the main building! You learn to draw your favorite characters—no talent required. I looked like I drew Olaf blindfolded, but it was still a blast. 4. The Big Blue Pool – It’s the biggest pool in all of Disney World, themed after Finding Nemo, and it has underwater speakers. (Yes, Dory’s voice actually speaks to you while you swim.) There’s also a splash pad and a toddler area nearby if you’ve got little ones. 5. Resort Scavenger Hunt – Not officially on the map, but we created our own. You walk through different areas of the resort—Cars, Lion King, Little Mermaid, Nemo—and challenge each other to find hidden Disney details. It’s wholesome, hilarious fun. 6. Free Transportation – The Skyliner gondolas are a ride in themselves. They’re completely free to hop on, and you can soar through the sky to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios, even if you’re not going into the parks that day. We did it just for the view. 7. Nighttime Vibes – After sunset, everything lights up. The paths, the statues, even the pool area glows. Take a nighttime stroll—it’s peaceful, playful, and just really sweet for a family wind-down walk. Soak it in, snap some photos, and let your soul smile a little wider.