Are you interested in the amenities at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort?
You have come to the right place! Below you will learn about all the amenities and benefits of staying at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
As you will see, this value hotel is themed after some of the most classic animated Disney and Pixar movies – Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. You will love the giant character statues, vibrant colors, and other themed areas around the resort! Art of Animation is a wonderful place to stay when visiting Disney World, especially for budget-conscious travelers.
Let’s get started!
23 Amenities at Art of Animation:
#1. Free BUS transportation to theme parks, shopping, and dining!
The complimentary bus transportation is one of the BEST amenities at Art of Animation. And the bus stop is easy to find as it’s located right outside Animation Hall, the main entrance to Art of Animation.
You can take the Disney buses at Art of Animation to go to the following locations:
- Magic Kingdom
- Animal Kingdom
- Disney Springs
- Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach
Bus service to the theme parks typically begins 45 minutes before the park opens and ends 1 hour after it closes. Once they start, the buses run continuously throughout the day. I have found that you can typically expect a bus to arrive around every 20 minutes.
As you can imagine, since this does not cost anything extra, it’s the most popular way to travel. However, at certain times of the day, such as the park opening, you might experience a bit of a line to board the bus. So make sure to give yourself plenty of time if you need to arrive somewhere for a reservation or show.
Keep reading to learn how to get to Epcot and Hollywood Studios from Art of Animation. 🙂
#2. Access to the Disney Skyliner!
One of the best things about staying at Art of Animation is that you can walk to a boarding station for the Disney Skyliner! Only a few Disney resorts have direct access to the Skyliner, so this is a great benefit.
In case you don’t know, the Disney Skyliner is a transportation system consisting of suspended cabins that move through the air. It gives some incredible views of Walt Disney World, along with being fun, convenient, and relaxing. My kids love riding in the Skyliner as opposed to the Disney buses!
The Disney Skyliner can take you to Epcot or Hollywood Studios from Art of Animation.
My guess is that no matter where you stay at Art of Animation, you have less than a 5-minute walk to the boarding area! Check out the map below to see exactly where the Disney Skyliner is located in relation to the Art of Animation:
Once you have boarded your cabin, prepare for a wonderful view as you rise over Hourglass Lake and ride to the connecting station at the Caribbean Beach Resort. Once you arrive at the Skyliner connecting station, you will get off and take a short walk around the corner to board another cabin that takes you to your final destination of either Hollywood Studios or Epcot.
- Learn more about the Disney buses and Skyliner: The 5 Transportation Options at Art of Animation
#3. The pools!
One of the best amenities of staying at Art of Animation is the pools!
The resort has THREE pools: The Big Blue Pool, the Cozy Cone Pool, and the Flippin’ Fins Pool.
Pool #1: The Big Blue Pool
The Big Blue Pool is the LARGEST pool at ANY resort at Walt Disney World at over 308,000 gallons! This feature is impressive, considering the number of resorts and pools here.
The pool is themed after Pixar’s movie Finding Nemo. Surrounding the ocean-themed pool are larger-than-life characters from the movie, such as Bruce the shark, Crush the sea turtle, Mr. Ray the stingray, and various other fish.
The Big Blue Pool is EASY to find! It is located right behind the resort’s main lobby, Animation Hall.
If you have little kids, you will be happy to learn there is a splash pad behind the pool called Schoolyard Sprayground! This area is perfect for younger kids, and they will definitely have a blast!
Pool #2: The Cozy Cone Pool
The Cozy Cone Pool is inspired by the Pixar movie Cars. The pool area is surrounded by life-size character cars Mater, Sally, Doc, and Lightning McQueen! There are some cone-shaped cabanas to go along with the Cars theme that is perfect for relaxing and finding some shade.
This pool is found in the Cars section at Art of Animation.
The Cozy Cone Pool is much smaller than the Big Blue Pool. As a result, it is usually quieter and less busy.
Pool #3: The Flippin’ Fins Pool
This pool is found in the Little Mermaid section of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. It is designed to resemble Ariel’s underwater grotto from the movie. Around the pool, you will find huge statues of the main characters, like Flounder, King Triton, and Sebastian.
A few things to know about all the pools at Art of Animation:
- There are certain times that Disney Cast Members come out to play games (trivia, relays) with the kids!
- Since Art of Animation is a “Value Resort,” you won’t find any water slides or hot tubs at either of the pools.
- All pools are between 3 to 5 feet (1-1.5 m) deep.
- Towels and life jackets are available for free at each pool.
- Learn more! The 3 POOLS at Disney’s Art of Animation
#4. Delicious food!
Luckily, while staying at Art of Animation, you don’t have to go far to find food. 🙂
The main place to eat is called Landscape of Flavors. It’s a large dining area and food court located right inside Animation Hall.
- A large variety of options are served here for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
- There is also a grocery-type market that offers many “Grab and Go” options.
- Lastly, don’t miss the delicious treats and baked goods.
There is also an outside pool bar called The Drop Off. You can find it next to the Big Blue Pool.
- Here you can find lots of delicious alcoholic drinks to enjoy while sitting at the pool.
- They also offer a limited food menu, such as Mickey pretzels, salads, and sandwiches.
#5. Awesome amenities INSIDE your room at Art of Animation!
Standard rooms at Art of Animation are 277 square feet and include two double beds. In addition, here are the amenities you will find inside the room:
- Mini-refrigerator
- In-room safe
- Hairdryer
- Iron and ironing board
- Alarm clock with radio
- Telephone with voicemail
- Internet – FREE Wi-Fi
- Toiletries – includes soap, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash
- Coffee machine – includes creamer, sugar, coffee, tea, and paper products. It uses traditional coffee, not K-cups.
Each room at Art of Animation is uniquely themed after one of the following movies, depending on which section of the resort you stay at: Finding Nemo, Cars, The Little Mermaid, or The Lion King.
There are NO microwaves or toasters in the rooms at Art of Animation unless you are in the family suites. If you need either of these kitchen appliances, you can find them at the Landscape of Flavors food court.
Lastly, there is NO room service at Art of Animation since it is considered a “Value Resort.” But feel free to take food back to your room from the food court.
#6: Family suites are available!
We stayed in a family suite at Art of Animation Resort, and I couldn’t recommend it more. Having that extra space was wonderful!
If you are traveling with a party of six or fewer, you can stay in a family suite comfortably.
A family suite includes a bedroom with one queen-size bed; one double-size convertible Table Bed; one double-size sleeper sofa; a living room; two bathrooms, and a kitchenette.
Having two bathrooms was great because the adults had their own bathroom, and so did our kids!
#7. You can bring your dog to Art of Animation! 🙂
If you ask me, this is the best amenity at Art of Animation! Leaving our dog at home is the hardest part about going on vacation. But if you stay at this resort, you can bring them along with you. However, cats are not allowed.
You can bring two dogs per room, and the current additional cost is $50 per night.
If you want to book a pet-friendly room, you must call (407) 939-7539 and speak with a Cast Member.
Who will care for my dog if we are gone the whole day?
You are in luck! Best Friends Pet Care can help take care of your pet. However, there is a fee to use this service.
#8. Roast Marshmallows! (free)
Are you having a quiet evening and staying at the hotel? If so, a fun amenity at Art of Animation is roasting marshmallows by a fire.
If you want to try this fun activity, head to the campfire area near Pride Rock. The fun begins at 5:30 pm and ends at 6:30 pm (7 days a week).
- Times are subject to change, so please verify with a Cast Member upon arrival at the resort.
#9. Watch a Disney movie under the stars.
If you had a long day at the parks and want a fun way to unwind with the family, then you will love this amenity at Art of Animation!
Every night by the Big Blue Pool, you can sit and watch a Disney movie under the stars. Check out the movie schedule at the Front Desk so you don’t miss your favorite. 🙂
“Movies Under the Stars” is a popular activity at Art of Animation. Make sure to arrive early to find a good spot. And I recommend you bring blankets and snacks!
And if you don’t want to watch the movie being played at Art of Animation, you can also head over to Pop Century Resort to see what they are watching. Pop Century is just a short walk away across the Hourglass Lake bridge.
#10. Run or walk on the jogging trail
The jogging and walking trail is a wonderful amenity at Art of Animation Resort! The official trail is approximately 1.38 miles (2.2 km) in length and goes around Hourglass Lake.
But you could make this much longer by exploring all the interconnected trails at Art of Animation, then crossing the bridge over Hourglass Lake and doing the same at Pop Century Resort.
#11. A playground your kids can’t resist
If your kids need to burn off extra energy, you will love the Righteous Reef playground in the Finding Nemo courtyard. It’s located directly behind the Big Blue Pool.
I don’t know about your kids, but mine can’t pass up a playground, even if it’s just for a few minutes! This is a great way for kids to play and unwind a bit, especially if the lines were especially long that day at the parks.
#12. You can shop without leaving Art of Animation.
Inside Animation Hall, you will find the Ink & Paint Shop. Here you can shop for various souvenirs, shirts, pins, Mickey ears, sports apparel, character merchandise, snacks, and many other goodies!
#13. Play at the Pixel Play Arcade
One really fun amenity at Art of Animation is the Pixel Play Arcade. Our son loves playing games at arcades, so he was incredibly excited that he could play right at the resort.
The Pixel Play Arcade is located in the Animation Hall building. There are many games at the arcade, and they are all age-appropriate!
If you want to play, you have to buy a Game Card and add game points using a credit card or cash at the kiosk in the arcade. These cards are rechargeable and can be used at other Disney Resort arcades.
The arcade is open daily! Check the Front Desk for hours of operation.
#14. FREE Parking
Seriously, how often do you ever hear “Free Parking” anymore? 🙂
And I don’t mean you just get free parking at Art of Animation. If you decide to drive yourself to any of the theme parks, you can park for FREE at that park, as long as you stayed at Art of Animation the night before.
FREE parking is one of the best amenities of staying at Art of Animation, as parking costs a minimum of $25 per day at the theme parks.
#15. VERY clean rooms!
Having a clean hotel room is something everyone wants when they enter their room!
Before you enter your room, your room will go through a complete cleaning with extra attention to high-touch areas. These include things like TV remotes and door handles. Your floors will be steam cleaned and vacuumed as well!
During your stay, you can choose to have your room cleaned every other day. If you don’t want your room cleaned, you can place the room occupied sign on the door handle to let Disney Cast Members know you wish not to have your room cleaned.
If you want your room cleaned, Disney Cast Members will empty the trash, give you new towels, clean the counters, and vacuum if needed.
#16. Clean your clothes at Art of Animation
One of my favorite amenities at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is its 24-hour laundry service. We have taken advantage of the washing machines on many of our trips. Plenty of times, we have needed to clean clothes because the kids spilled something on themselves or we didn’t pack enough shirts.
The laundry service is self-serve, with locations near The Big Blue Pool, Flippin’ Fins Pool, and Cozy Cone Pool. The cost is $3.25 per wash, and the dryers are $3.25 per 30 minutes. Luckily, you can use your credit card for payment.
If you need dry cleaning or valet laundry service, you can call “Housekeeping” on the phone in your hotel room. Please note that both of these services have additional costs.
There are three laundry rooms that are located in a building right next to each of the three pools. Below is a picture of the laundry area by the Big Blue Pool.
#17. Receive deliveries at Art of Animation (or mail a letter)
Are you looking to send magic to someone back home while visiting Walt Disney World? You can send letters, postcards, or pre-labeled packages with postage already applied at the Front Desk!
You can also receive packages during your stay at Art of Animation! I know we have had items shipped to our resort from Amazon after forgetting something crucial at home. Just have your delivery sent to the mailing address of Art of Animation. Disney also recommends that it says “Guest” and the date of your arrival stated on the package.
Here is the address of Art of Animation: 1850 Animation Way, Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830
#18. You won’t have to carry your souvenirs…
This amenity is one of my favorites when we stay at any Disney World Resort Hotel, but it is often ignored or overlooked.
If you purchase any souvenirs or merchandise while at the parks, you can arrange to have it delivered directly to Art of Animation! This perk is incredible because you don’t need to worry about carrying souvenirs all day!
Purchases will be delivered to the Ink and Paint Shop, where you can pick them up once back at the resort.
#19. Simple Online Check-In
Do you want to bypass the front desk at check-in time? If so, then use the online check-in service!
Here is how to take advantage of the Direct-to-Room amenity:
- First, link your Disney resort hotel reservation to your Disney account in the My Disney Experience app or Disney’s website.
- When you arrive, let Disney know you are there by using the online check-in service.
- When your room is ready, the My Disney Experience app will provide you with your room number and let you unlock your door! In addition, your MagicBand (if you have one and it is active) will work to let you in your room.
Check-in time at Art of Animation typically starts at 3:00 pm.
#20. Easy access to an ATM
If you need to get some cash for your day at the parks, there’s an ATM near the front desk, open 24 hrs.
The ATMs accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover/Novus, Cirrus, Plus, Star, and Honor!
#21. Currency Exchange
If you are visiting Disney World from outside the United States, a great amenity you will find at Art of Animation is the currency exchange.
If you are interested in exchanging foreign currencies, you can head to the front desk or concierge at the hotel.
#22. FREE Wi-Fi everywhere
Complimentary Wi-Fi is offered at Art of Animation Resort and throughout all Disney parks and resort areas!
#23. Designated Smoking Areas
For guests that smoke, you will be happy to hear about this amenity at Art of Animation. There is a designated outdoor smoking area for guests. You can ask a Disney Cast Member or check on the resort map to see where this area is located.
Please know that smoking is not allowed in hotel rooms or on balconies.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is there a coffee maker in the room at Art of Animation?
Yes, there is! In addition to a coffee maker, you will find creamer, sugar, coffee, tea, and paper products. And so you know, the coffee machine uses traditional coffee, not K-cups. If you need additional supplies, you can request them from housekeeping.
Does Art of Animation offer room service?
The short answer is no, as none of the “Value Resorts” at Walt Disney World offer traditional room service, where you can order food and have it delivered directly to your room. But you are welcome to mobile order from the Landscape of Flavors and take it back to your room! In addition, you can use Uber Eats or Door Dash to have food delivered to you from many local restaurants in Orlando.
Is there a gym at Art of Animation Resort?
Unfortunately, there is no gym or fitness center at Art of Animation as none of the “Value Resorts” at Disney World have a dedicated location for working out. But if the weather cooperates, there is a one-mile jogging/walking trail outside you can use!
Are there microwaves in the room at Art of Animation?
No, the standard rooms at Art of Animation do not include microwaves. If you need to use a microwave, there are a few you can use at the Landscape of Flavors Food Court. We often pop microwavable popcorn here to take as a snack to the parks.
The family suites at Art of Animation DO have microwaves in the room.
Are there refrigerators in the room at Art of Animation?
Yes, you will find a mini-fridge in the room, perfect for keeping snacks, drinks, medications, or other perishable items cool. But please be aware that there is no freezer inside the refrigerator.
Are there connecting rooms at Art of Animation?
Yes, some of the rooms at this resort have the ability to connect for larger parties. Before your arrival, contact Disney Reservations to request connecting rooms and have them add the request to your reservation. They are only available in the Little Mermaid section of Art of Animation.
It’s important to know that there is no guarantee that you will receive a connecting room. The cast members at Art of Animation will do their best to make sure you are next to your other party, but you won’t know for sure until you show up on the day of your check-in. My recommendation is to also call Art of Animation directly about one week before your arrival to request connecting rooms again.
What is your favorite amenity at Art of Animation?
It is absolutely magical to stay at Disney’s Art of Animation! Even though it is considered a “Value Resort,” I think you will be pleasantly surprised at the number of amenities and other benefits that the hotel provides.
Please tell us about your experience at Art of Animation. Or feel free to ask any additional questions! 🙂
