by Amber Johnson
Disney’s Art of Animation is the newest resort at Walt Disney World. Since opening in the summer of 2012, it has become a popular Value resort for families. This resort offers two different room types – a standard room or a family suite. After my recent stay in a family suite, I am so impressed with this resport and highly recommend booking a stay at the Art of Animation Resort.
Photo Mural in the Art of Animation Lobby
Disney’s Art of Animation allows guests to enter into one of four movies, The Little Mermaid, Cars, Finding Nemo and The Lion King. They definitely accomplished their goal. I truly felt like I was in these movies! Disney really knows how to recreate the magic of the movies for their guests!! When you first arrive, you will enter the main building which houses the front desk, a gift shop and a food court. This building is very colorful and incorporates many Disney movies.
Once you step outside the back of the main building, you are instantly transported into the land of Finding Nemo. You will first notice the main swimming pool, The Big Blue Pool. Guest must use their MagicBand to enter the pool area. The pool gives you the feeling of being in the Great Barrier Reef. Special underwater speakers allow the voices of the characters to be heard within the water. There are two buildings on either side of the pool where the Finding Nemo Family Suites are located. The entrance of the buildings includes larger than life characters from the movie.
The Big Blue Pool – the main pool at the Art of Animation Resort
Turn to your right and you will be whisked away into the world of Cars. I absolutely loved this area of the resort! There are three buildings with three different Cars themed entrances, Tow Mater, Luigi or Lightning McQueen & Sally. In the center of the buildings is the Cars quiet pool. What I loved most about the pool were the Cones that surrounded the pool with lounge chairs. Just like the Cozy Cone Motel in the movie!
The Cozy Cone Motel at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
The Cars Family Suite is filled with large and little elements from the movie. A map of Radiator Springs can be found on the coffee table. The second bathroom is themed as a car wash. The light fixtures are orange cones. I loved all the small details. When you fold down the murphy bed over the dining table, you will find a large picture of a sleeping Mater.
The Master Bedroom in a Cars Family Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Let us travel back towards Nemo and head towards the other side of the resort. To the left of Nemo is The Lion King section. I honestly felt like I was transported to the Pride Land. Rafiki is there to welcome you to Pride Land and directs you towards Simba who is sitting on top of Pride Rock, watching over the his kingdom. Instead of a pool, you will find a play area themed to the Elephant Graveyard. I loved the texture ground they placed around all the play areas. It is soft, padded, and comfortable to walk on. One of my favorite parts of The Lion King area is where they recreated the scene from the movie where Simba, Timone and Pumba walk across a tree when they are singing Hakuna Matata. All of the Lion King rooms are Family Suites.
Simba, Timon, and Pumba want you to have a vacation full of Hakuna Matata
All of the Family Suites at the Art of Animation Resort offer the same size and layout. The only difference is the theme – either Cars, Finding Nemo or The Lion King. Each suite is 565 sq ft which includes a sitting room with a pull-out couch, flat screen tv plus a mini-kitchen with microwave, coffer maker, sink and small refrigerator. There is also a dining table which folds down into a double size bed (very comfortable!) and a full bath. The family suite also includes a bedroom with a queen bed and a full bath. There is so much room! The perfect size for a family with up to 6 people.
Once you walk beyond The Lion King section, you are instantly transported into The Little Mermaid. This section is so bright and colorful. There are three buildings of standard rooms – 277 sq ft with 2 full size beds and full bath. Each of the buildings welcome you with one of the characters from the movie – Ariel, King Triton or Ursula. They are definitely larger than life! In the middle of the buildings is the pool. A great way to travel under the sea. The pool is surrounded with your favorite fish from the movie and their conductor, Sebastian.
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- Ariel is Under the Sea, too!
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- King Triton smiles over the Little Mermaid section of the Art of Animation Resort
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- Sebastian is here to make sure everyone has fun Under the Sea at the pool.
I was amazed and impressed with Art of Animation and I recommend this resort to any family. Staying here leaves your family completely immersed in the Disney Magic from check-in to check-out.
Contact a Tiggerific Travels agent today to book your Walt Disney World vacation!