Art of Animation Resort – An Honest Review
Spoiler alert: Here’s why I think Disney’s Art of Animation is the absolute best Disney World value resort and our honest experience of staying there
TRAVEL
Best Value Resort at Disney World and our Honest (Humble) Opinion
We just returned from our first trip to Disney World and while it was our first, I did about 8 months of dooms planning and have a sneaking suspicion we will be repeat offenders.
Here I am just acting like we don’t have a mountain house to freaking finish by the end of the year.
My personality is an over-researcher by nature and so don’t let the fact that we have only physically been once fool you.
I’ve got the down low from ex-cast members that I know, our Disney travel agent, and some of the best known Disney gurus around.
What Value Resorts Are At Disney World?
Disney World has several value resorts listed on their site, and they all are really fun themed!
- Pop Century
- All Star Sports
- All Star Music
- All Star Movies
- Art of Animation
Because we were a family of 5 with a finicky sleeper baby and older 2 who do not get along most of the time, we were limited on our options.
Art of Animation was honestly the only resort that could hold us all – the others only have room for 4 and we needed to be able to at least close off 1 bedroom, although it would have been preferable to have 2 bedrooms to close off.
The type of room we stayed in is considered a family suite which means that everyone sleeps in one space – it’s not 2 rooms with an adjoining door.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Art of Animation is split into 4 different themed buildings:
- The Little Mermaid
- Lion King
- Cars
- Finding Nemo
We were in the Finding Nemo section and it was hands down the best option for us.
The doors right behind this giant stingray were the doors into our room and we were right on this main floor so we were seriously about 15 steps inside, right near the pool.
Although we went in October, it was still plenty warm enough to enjoy the pool!
I got to chase this little one around in the splash pad while dad held on to the other 2 in the bigger section of the pool.
Fun fact: Did you know that the pool at Disney’s Art of Animation resort is the largest in ALL of Disney World? That’s another HUGE plus to this value resort option!
Dining Options at Art of Animation
There was only one food court, but it had everything we needed!
We ate there the first night and the prices weren’t super outlandish.
Dad and I sprung for the $23 cups that you could get free refills for the duration of your stay because we knew we would use them. And we did.
You can get free refills of coffee or soda in those cups at any time!
Transportation to Parks from Art of Animation
The transportation options are great from this resort.
Behind baby girl you can see the buses that run to all parks and Disney Springs which is a giant outdoor shopping mall with restaurants and entertainment.
However, our most favorite mode of transportation was definitely the skyliner that we got to take to Hollywood Studios.
2 of Disney’s value resorts – Pop Century and Art of Animation are connected by a little walking bridge and both have access to the skyliner that can take you to Hollywood Studios!
The kids LOVED this option! It was a hit for sure!
Of course you can also take an Uber or Lyft, which we took advantage of when we had our breakfast reservations at Ohana.
We splurged for the Minnie Van which is a branded large SUV and comes with 2 car seats and a Disney cast member driver.
It’s a splurge at around 3 times the price of a normal Lyft, but since we flew we only had one car seat, so it was our best option.
Finding Nemo Family Suite Photos & Video Tour
When you first walk in, you’re met with a murphy bed that’s set up like a table with 4 chairs which I love!
The you have the first (and only) bedroom which is where Jordan, the baby and I all slept.
We had a kitchenette that had a mini fridge/freezer combo, microwave and sink that was incredibly handy!
To the side of that was the living space which had the sofa that folds out into a bed which is where Charlotte ended up sleeping since Josiah was sick the first day and a half of the trip.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Disney’s Art of Animation Value Resort
Of course if your family is smaller or you only have one little one, the best Disney World value resort for you may be something like Pop Century or any of the All Star resorts.
However, since we have the gaggle of kids that we do and since we have to do what we can to keep everyone separated to avoid huge fights or meltdowns, Art of Animation was absolutely the best Disney World value resort for us!
Everything was branded really well and Charlotte being the little budding artist that she is LOVED to see all the drawings on the walls from some of our favorite movies!
In conclusion, I think it’s safe to say that Disney’s Art of Animation resort hasn’t seen the last of the Smith crew anytime soon!
