Disney's Art of Animation Resort

1850 Animation Way, Bay Lake, FL 32830, Bay Lake, United States

3-star hotel

Guest rating: 4.6 / 5

Overview

Disney's Art of Animation Resort is a 3-star, animation-themed value resort located within Walt Disney World in Bay Lake, Florida. The property is built around the artistry of classic Disney and Pixar films, with bold, large-scale decor themes based on movies like The Lion King, Finding Nemo, Cars, and The Little Mermaid. It holds a strong public rating of 4.6 from over 25,000 reviews, reflecting its popularity as a family-oriented base for Disney park visits.

Rooms & Suites

Rooms are brightly decorated with movie-inspired artwork and furnishings, and include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and minifridges. Family suites go further, offering kitchenettes and two bathrooms to accommodate larger groups, along with pull-down beds in some configurations. Room service is available for added convenience.

Dining & Services

An on-site food court covers casual dining needs, and pizza delivery service is available for meals in-room. Guests also have access to laundry facilities and childcare services, both for an additional surcharge, along with a free shuttle service connecting to the theme parks and airport.

Amenities & Recreation

The resort features three outdoor pools, including one enhanced with underwater speakers, plus a kids' playground, an arcade, and nightly outdoor movie screenings. These recreational touches are designed to keep younger guests entertained without leaving the property.

Location

Set inside the Walt Disney World Resort, the hotel is roughly a 6-minute drive from Disney's Hollywood Studios (1.3km) and about 3.5 miles from Epcot (2.9km), with Disney Springs, Disney's Animal Kingdom, and both Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks all within a few kilometers. Magic Kingdom Park is the most distant major attraction at roughly 8.3km away.

Best for

This resort suits families with children, especially those visiting Walt Disney World for multiple park days, thanks to its themed suites, playground, arcade, and proximity to Hollywood Studios, Epcot, and the water parks. It's also a fit for budget-conscious Disney travelers who want an on-site, value-tier resort with a free theme-park shuttle rather than a luxury experience.

Travel tips

Take advantage of the free theme-park and airport shuttle to avoid renting a car, but budget extra time if using the Skyliner gondola system during peak entry hours, as queues can build up. Given the resort's size and multiple themed sections, allow extra walking time to reach the food court or bus stops, and pack your own pool towels as availability at the pools has been inconsistent. Afternoon storms in summer months can temporarily close outdoor pool facilities, so plan pool time earlier in the day when visiting during Florida's rainy season.

What guests say

Guests consistently praise the resort's vivid, movie-inspired theming, describing the exterior and lobby areas as visually impressive, along with generally good service and enjoyable food court options. On the downside, several reviewers note that standard accommodations feel fairly basic compared to other Disney resorts, with recurring complaints about thin bed linens on pull-down beds, small or unavailable pool towels, and noticeable noise transfer between rooms at night. A few guests also flagged concerns about pet-friendly rooms causing allergy issues and strong cleaning-product odors upon arrival, alongside general comments about park-level pricing for food and rooms.

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