Disney’s Art of Animation Resort With Kids: Honest Review

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Oversized statue of Ariel and Flounder from The Little Mermaid, surrounded by colorful fish on the wall of the themed resort building. — From Cars to Little Mermaid, the theming at Art of Animation Resort makes even just walking around feel magical for kids.

I stayed at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort in spring 2024 with my 2 kids and my mother-in-law. At the time, my daughter was 1.5 and my son was almost 3.

We stayed in a Cars Family Suite, which ended up being a really good fit for our trip. My son was in a huge Lightning McQueen phase at the time, so the Cars section was an instant hit. But beyond the theming, the room layout made the stay much easier.

Art of Animation is one of the most kid-focused Disney resorts I’ve stayed at. The theming is bright, bold, and impossible to miss. There are giant characters, colorful courtyards, family suites, a large pool area, a splash pad, and Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.

But there are still a few things I would think through before booking.

The resort is fun and very family-friendly, but it is also busy, spread out depending on where you stay, and not every area worked equally well for us with toddlers.

In this review, I’ll walk through what Disney’s Art of Animation Resort was actually like with young kids, including the Cars Family Suite, Skyliner transportation, pool, splash pad, playground, food court, and the pros and cons I noticed during our stay.

Is Disney’s Art of Animation Resort a Good Fit With Kids?

Yes, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort can be a great fit with kids, especially if you want a Disney resort that feels exciting to young children right away.

This is not a subtle resort. The theming is big, colorful, and very character-focused. For toddlers and preschoolers, that can be a huge part of the appeal.

It’s a great fit if:

Your kids love Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, or The Little Mermaid
You want strong Disney theming at the resort
You need more space than a standard hotel room
You are considering a family suite
You want 2 bathrooms
You want Skyliner access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
You like the ease of a quick-service food court
You want a pool and splash pad that work well for little kids

It might not be the best fit if:

You want a quiet, relaxing resort feel
You want table-service dining at your hotel
You want monorail access or walking access to a park
You are booking a standard Little Mermaid room and want to be close to the main building
You need a contained playground for young kids
You prefer more understated Disney theming

For our trip, Art of Animation worked really well because the suite gave us space, the theming made the resort fun for the kids, and the Skyliner made EPCOT and Hollywood Studios easier.

The biggest surprise for me was that the room layout mattered just as much as the theming. The Cars characters were fun, but the 2 bathrooms, separate bedroom, kitchenette area, and sleeping options are what made the stay feel manageable.

🎨 If you’re considering Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, it may be worth checking current rates through Undercover Tourist before booking. Their Disney resort prices are often lower than booking directly through Disney, which can help if you’re trying to keep the trip budget more manageable. 🎨

Location and Layout: Colorful, Themed, and Connected to the Skyliner

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a Disney Value Resort located near Pop Century Resort, across Hourglass Lake.

The resort is divided into 4 themed sections:

Cars
Finding Nemo
The Lion King
The Little Mermaid

The Cars, Finding Nemo, and Lion King sections have family suites. The Little Mermaid section has standard rooms.

We stayed in the Cars section, and for our family, that location worked really well. My son was almost 3 and very into Cars at the time, so walking past Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally, Sheriff, and the other Cars theming was a big part of the fun.

This is one of the things Art of Animation does best.

The resort is not just lightly themed. The characters, colors, buildings, and courtyards are all very bold and very obvious. For little kids, that can make even walking back to the room feel exciting.

The Finding Nemo section is closest to the main building, the Big Blue Pool, Landscape of Flavors, and the Skyliner station. The Cars and Lion King sections are still very manageable, but the Little Mermaid rooms are farther away.

That is something I would think about before booking.

If you are choosing a family suite, I think the layout of the resort works well with kids. If you are booking a Little Mermaid standard room, I would just know going in that the walk to the main building and transportation may feel longer, especially at the end of the day with tired kids.

One nice bonus is that Art of Animation is connected to Pop Century by a walking bridge over Hourglass Lake. We used that during our stay, especially when we wanted to use the playground at Pop Century instead of the one at Art of Animation.

That bridge also connects both resorts to the Disney Skyliner station.

Transportation: Skyliner Access Is a Big Perk, With One Stroller Caveat

One of the biggest advantages of staying at Art of Animation is the Disney Skyliner.

From Art of Animation, you can take the Skyliner to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. You do have to transfer at Caribbean Beach Resort, but it still makes those 2 parks much easier than relying only on buses.

For us, the Skyliner was very convenient overall, but the stroller logistics were not quite as easy as they might be for a family using a single stroller.

At the time, I was using a double stroller, and I had to fold it before getting onto the Skyliner. That made boarding harder with 2 very little kids, especially because you are loading from a moving platform while also managing the folded stroller, bags, and children.

So while I do think the Skyliner is one of Disney’s best transportation options, I would plan ahead if you are using a larger stroller. It is still much easier than relying only on buses in many situations, but it is not completely effortless with a double stroller.

Art of Animation also does not have direct Skyliner access to the parks the way Caribbean Beach does. Since Art of Animation shares a Skyliner station with Pop Century, you ride from Art of Animation to Caribbean Beach first, then transfer to the EPCOT or Hollywood Studios line.

It is still convenient. It just adds one extra step.

For Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the water parks, you will use buses.

Overall, I would think of Art of Animation as a strong transportation resort if EPCOT and Hollywood Studios are a big part of your trip. If Magic Kingdom is your main focus, the Skyliner will not help with that part of your stay.

The Room: The Cars Family Suite Worked Really Well for Us

A smiling toddler stands in front of the Sheriff character car from Disney Pixar's Cars, one of the many life-size displays at Art of Animation Resort with kids. — Every courtyard is a photo op. My son was obsessed with the Cars section and getting to “meet” Sheriff was a total highlight.

We stayed in a Cars Family Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

At the time, it was me, my mother-in-law, and my 2 kids, who were 1.5 and almost 3. The setup worked really well because it gave us separate spaces without making the room feel complicated.

The family suites at Art of Animation sleep up to 6 people. They have a living and dining area, a separate bedroom, 2 bathrooms, and a small kitchenette.

The 2 bathrooms were one of the biggest benefits.

When you are trying to get multiple people ready in the morning or cleaned up after a park day, having 2 bathrooms makes a noticeable difference. It was especially helpful with toddlers because we were juggling baths, pajamas, diapers, bedtime, and adults trying to get ready too.

The sleeping setup was also flexible.

White metal crib with gray and white Mickey Mouse sheets, shown next to a gray bed rail provided by the Disney resort—perfect for keeping toddlers safe during sleep. — The resort provided both a full crib and a sturdy bed rail which were huge perks when you’re trying to keep two toddlers safe and comfy without hauling gear.

In the living area, the dining table pulls down into a bed, and the couch converts into another bed. I slept on the pull-down bed, and it was sturdier and more comfortable than I expected. My son slept on the couch bed with bed rails that the resort provided, and my daughter slept in a crib that was also provided by the resort.

The separate bedroom gave my mother-in-law her own space, which was really nice. It also helped that we could close off part of the room instead of everyone sleeping in one open hotel room together.

The kitchenette had a sink, mini fridge, coffee maker, and microwave.

When we stayed, the room had a real mini fridge, which was helpful for milk and toddler snacks. I would still double check the current room details before your trip, because some Disney rooms now have beverage coolers instead of true mini fridges, and those may not stay cold enough for perishables.

The bathroom setup was also useful with young kids. One bathroom had a tub, which made bath time easier, and the second bathroom had a walk-in shower.

Overall, the Cars Family Suite felt like it was designed for families who need actual function, not just a cute theme.

The Cars theming made the room fun for my son, but the real value was the layout. The extra bathroom, separate bedroom, multiple sleeping surfaces, and kitchenette area made the stay much easier than it would have been in a standard hotel room.

Here’s a quick room tour of our Cars Family Suite so you can see how the layout works:

What It Actually Feels Like to Stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

Art of Animation feels playful, busy, colorful, and very kid-focused.

This is not a calm or subtle Disney resort. The characters are huge, the colors are bright, and the theming is everywhere. For young kids, that can be a huge part of the fun.

My kids loved walking around the resort. The Cars courtyard was the biggest hit for us, mostly because my son was so into Lightning McQueen at the time. But the Finding Nemo, Lion King, and Little Mermaid areas all make the resort feel like there is something to look at wherever you go.

In some Disney resorts, the room is the main thing and the walk to the room is just a walk. At Art of Animation, the walk can feel like part of the experience.

That was fun with toddlers because we did not always need a full plan. We could walk around, look at characters, take pictures, or let the kids point out things they recognized.

The tradeoff is that Art of Animation does feel busy.

It is a Value Resort, and it has a lot of families. The main areas can feel active, especially around the food court, pool, and Skyliner station. That did not bother me on this trip because the energy matched the age of my kids, but I would not choose this resort if I wanted a quiet or relaxing Disney stay.

For us, Art of Animation worked because we wanted easy, kid-friendly, and practical. The suite gave us space, the Skyliner helped with transportation, and the resort itself gave the kids plenty to look at.

Pool and Splash Pad: The Big Blue Pool Was a Great Fit With Toddlers

The main pool at Art of Animation is the Big Blue Pool in the Finding Nemo section.

It is the largest pool at Walt Disney World, and it is one of the biggest reasons this resort works well with young kids.

The zero-entry area made pool time much easier with toddlers. My kids could splash and play without needing to be held the entire time, which made it feel more manageable and more enjoyable for everyone.

There is also a splash pad near the pool, and that is where my kids spent a lot of their time.

For toddlers, splash pads can be easier than pools because they still get the fun of water play without the same level of constant holding and lifting. This one was a really good size for little kids, and it gave them a place to play that felt more manageable than a deeper pool.

There are also smaller pools in the Cars and Little Mermaid sections, but we spent most of our pool time around the Big Blue Pool and splash pad.

Like most Disney resort pools, there are activities throughout the day, especially near the main pool area. We did not do many of those on this trip, but this is the kind of resort where a pool break or slower resort day could still feel fun for kids.

Here’s a quick look at the Big Blue Pool and splash pad area so you can get a better feel for the setup:

The Playground: Fun Theming, But Hard to Manage With Toddlers

The playground was the one part of Art of Animation that did not work well for us on this trip.

And to be fair, the playground itself is really cute.

It has fun Finding Nemo theming, and my kids loved it immediately. With the rest of the resort being so kid-focused, I expected the playground to be an easy win.

But with toddlers, it felt harder to manage than I expected.

On this trip, my mother-in-law was resting in the room when I took both kids to the playground, so I was there alone with my 1.5-year-old and almost 3-year-old. That is what made the setup feel especially tricky.

The playground is located in a busy central area near the Finding Nemo section, and it is not fenced in. Once my kids were inside the play structure, it was hard to see exactly where they were or predict where they would come out.

That kind of setup can be fine for older kids, or if you have another adult helping you watch. But with 2 toddlers and only one adult, it felt like too much for me.

We tried it once and then decided not to go back.

Instead, we walked over the bridge to Pop Century, which is connected to Art of Animation by a short path across Hourglass Lake. The playground at Pop Century worked much better for us. It was quieter, more shaded, and more contained, which made it feel easier with little kids.

If you are staying at Art of Animation with toddlers or preschoolers and you want a more contained playground, I would absolutely consider walking over to Pop Century.

Here’s a quick look at the Art of Animation playground so you can see both the fun theming and why it was not the easiest fit for us on this trip:

And here’s the Pop Century playground we ended up using instead:

Dining: Landscape of Flavors Was Easy With Kids

Art of Animation does not have a table-service restaurant, but it does have a very good quick-service food court.

Landscape of Flavors is the main dining location at the resort. It is located in Animation Hall, near the lobby, gift shop, bus stops, and Big Blue Pool.

For this kind of trip, the food court setup worked well.

With young kids, I usually care more about easy than fancy for resort meals. I want food that is quick, predictable, and flexible enough that we can eat around naps, pool time, park plans, and tired kids.

Landscape of Flavors made that easy.

There were familiar kid options like pizza, pasta, and chicken nuggets, but also more variety than I expected from a Value Resort food court. You could find things like create-your-own pasta bowls, salmon, breakfast platters, plant-based options, and plenty of grab-and-go items.

That variety is one of the reasons I think Art of Animation works well for families. You can keep meals simple for picky eaters, but adults are not completely stuck with the same few basics every time.

Mobile order is also super helpful here.

If you know you are heading back to the resort hungry, I would order before you get there so the food is ready when you arrive. That can make a big difference when everyone is tired and you are trying to avoid standing around the food court with hungry kids.

The biggest thing to know is that there is no table-service restaurant at Art of Animation. If you want a sit-down meal, you will need to go to a park, Disney Springs, or another resort.

For us, that was fine. On this trip, the convenience of a quick-service food court mattered more than having a full-service restaurant at the hotel.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort With Kids: Pros and Cons

What I loved:

The family suite layout worked really well with young kids
Having 2 bathrooms made mornings and bedtime easier
The separate bedroom gave us more space and privacy
The Cars theming was a huge hit with my son
The resort felt fun and exciting for toddlers
Skyliner access made EPCOT and Hollywood Studios easier
We could roll the stroller onto the Skyliner without folding it
The Big Blue Pool had a zero-entry area
The splash pad was a great fit for little kids
Landscape of Flavors had easy meals and good variety
Being able to walk to Pop Century was helpful

What I didn’t love:

The Art of Animation playground did not feel manageable for us with toddlers
The resort can feel busy and high-energy
The Little Mermaid rooms are farther from the main building and transportation
You still need buses for Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and the water parks
There is no table-service restaurant at the resort
The kitchenette is helpful, but still very basic
You have to transfer at Caribbean Beach when using the Skyliner to EPCOT or Hollywood Studios

Is Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Worth It With Kids?

Yes, I think Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is worth it with kids, especially if you are booking a family suite and traveling with younger children.

This resort is built around families in a very obvious way. The theming is big, colorful, and exciting for kids. The family suites give you more space than a standard room. The 2 bathrooms make the day-to-day logistics easier. And the Skyliner access is a real perk if EPCOT or Hollywood Studios are part of your trip.

For us, the Cars Family Suite was the right choice.

My son loved the Cars section, but the room layout is what made the stay work. Having separate sleeping areas, a kitchenette, a bathtub, and 2 bathrooms made the resort feel much easier with toddlers.

That said, I do not think Art of Animation is the right fit for every family.

If you want a quiet resort, a more relaxing atmosphere, or table-service dining at your hotel, this probably is not the Disney resort I would choose first. It is bright, busy, and very kid-centered.

But if you want a Disney resort that feels fun for young kids and gives your family more room to spread out, Art of Animation is one of the strongest options.

I would stay here again with kids, especially if the suite pricing made sense for the trip. For a toddler or preschooler who loves Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, or The Little Mermaid, the resort itself can feel like part of the Disney experience.

If Art of Animation feels like the right fit for your family, you may want to check current rates through Undercover Tourist before booking. Their Disney resort prices are often lower than booking directly through Disney, which can help if you’re trying to keep the trip budget more manageable.

Have questions about this post or want help thinking through the logistics for your own trip? Join my free Facebook community for parents planning family travel. You can ask questions, share what you’re working through, and get real-life advice from other parents who understand how many little details go into traveling with kids.