Disney's Art of Animation Resort Guide

Some Disney resorts whisper.

Art of Animation sings at full volume.

Giant characters, bold color, music in the courtyards and buildings themed to films you probably know by heart. This resort doesn't hint at its identity. It celebrates it.

It is playful, a little loud and completely unapologetic about it.

It is a Value resort, but the theming punches well above that label, and the family suites make it a favorite for bigger groups.

This is Disney with wide eyes. If you want to remember why you fell for this place in the first place, it is a pretty good reminder.

Art of Animation at a Glance

Art of Animation sits on Hourglass Lake, across the water from Pop Century, and shares a Skyliner station with it. Much of the resort is made up of family suites, with standard rooms in the Little Mermaid section.

• Category: Value
• Area: EPCOT area (on the Skyliner line)
• Transportation: Disney Skyliner (to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios), plus buses
• The vibe: bright, joyful and full of story

Who It's Best For

Families With Kids

This is the obvious one. The theming is aimed squarely at children, and kids tend to lose their minds over it in the best way.

Larger Groups

The family suites give bigger families more space and more sleeping spots than a standard room.

Multi-Generation Trips

Grandparents, parents and kids can share a suite without anyone drawing the short straw on sleeping space. The colorful setting gives every age something to smile at.

Skyliner Fans

EPCOT and Hollywood Studios are a gondola ride away, which makes park days easier.

Who May Prefer Another Resort

If you want sit-down dining or a proper lounge, this isn't the place. Caribbean Beach is a short Skyliner hop and has both. If you want something quieter and more adult, Coronado Springs or Riviera Resort will suit you better. If you are just looking for the lowest price on the same Skyliner line, compare Pop Century.

The Vibe

The energy here is playful, colorful and emotionally charged.

Mornings feel optimistic. Afternoons hum with motion and laughter around the pool. Evenings soften, with storybook silhouettes lit up against the dark.

Nothing hides here. Every path feels like a page from a film you already know.

Each section has its own personality. Finding Nemo wraps around the big pool, Cars feels like a road trip, The Lion King brings savanna warmth, and The Little Mermaid section is all bright, under-the-sea color.

The big character sculptures are made for photos, and you will see families lining up for them all day. At night the lighting softens everything, and the resort feels surprisingly calm once the pool quiets down.

This is Disney for people who still feel wonder, and aren't embarrassed about it.

Dining, Bars & Lounges

Dining here is built for ease, not occasion. There is no table-service restaurant on site, so think of this as a fuel-up-and-go resort.

Casual & Quick Service

Landscape of Flavors is the resort's food court and the heartbeat of the place. It serves breakfast through late evening, with a wide spread of options and grab-and-go items. Not fancy, just welcoming and easy.

Bars & Lounges

The Drop Off Pool Bar sits by the Big Blue Pool and handles the sunshine-and-something-cold part of the day. Casual, breezy and a nice place to let the afternoon slow down.

That's the whole bar scene. If you want a real lounge evening, ride the Skyliner over to Caribbean Beach or Riviera Resort, or see my guide to the best Disney resort lounges.

Visiting as a Local

I'll be honest: Art of Animation works best as a place you stay, not a place you visit.

Since June 2026, Disney has restricted resort access for people who aren't staying on property, including resort parking. And because there is no table-service restaurant here, there isn't a dining reservation that naturally brings you in.

That isn't a criticism. It is just the honest shape of the resort under the new rules.

If you are a local who loves the theming, the realistic options are a short staycation here, or an evening built around a dinner reservation at a nearby Skyliner resort such as Caribbean Beach or Riviera.

Either way, the Skyliner at dusk is one of the nicest rides at Disney. If fireworks matter to your night, my fireworks without a park ticket guide has better bets than a Value resort courtyard.

Tiki Tim's Take

Art of Animation makes the most sense for families who want big theming, extra space and easy access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios without Deluxe pricing.

It also pairs well with the Skyliner. A morning at EPCOT, a midday swim back at the resort and an evening at Hollywood Studios is an easy rhythm from here.

The family suites are the real draw. They solve the "six people, one hotel room" problem in a way few Disney resorts can at this price point.

Adults traveling without kids, or anyone who wants long dinners and a cocktail lounge, will be happier elsewhere.

But if you want your kids to walk out of the room and straight into a movie, this is the one.

It's not about refinement. It's about feeling it.

Keep exploring: Pop Century, Caribbean Beach, Riviera Resort and all our Disney resort guides.