Disney's Art of Animation Resort: Disney's most themed hotel

The ideal Disney themed hotel for families in Orlando

When we think of staying at Walt Disney World Resort, one of the hotels that most surprises travelers with its level of immersion is undoubtedly Disney's Art of Animation Resort.

This resort is not simply a hotel within the Disney complex: it is an experience where every corner is inspired by some of Disney and Pixar's most beloved films. Walking through its courtyards, pools and buildings is like walking directly into the stories that marked the childhood of millions of people.

That's why we at Magic Holidays consider it one of the most themed and fun hotels for families visiting Orlando.

But in addition to its incredible setting, this hotel has another great advantage: one of the best transportation connections to the Disney parks, thanks to the resort's cable car and bus system.

A hotel inspired by the great films of Disney and Pixar

One of the most special features of Disney's Art of Animation Resort is that the entire resort is divided into four major areas inspired by iconic films.

Each sector recreates scenes, characters and landscapes with giant sculptures, vibrant colors and details that make guests feel like they are inside the movies.

The resort's themed areas are inspired by:

Finding Nemo
Cars
The Lion King
The Little Mermaid

Each has its own style, décor and in some cases themed pools, making the hotel a unique visual experience within Disney.

The 4 themed areas of Disney's Art of Animation Resort

The underwater world of Finding Nemo

The Finding Nemo inspired area is the most central and lively area of the resort, located near the lobby and food court.

Here guests are surrounded by huge sculptures of characters such as Nemo, Dory and Crush, which recreate a huge underwater reef full of colors.

The big star of this area is the Big Blue Pool, considered the largest pool among all Walt Disney World Resort.

This pool has a very special detail: when submerged underwater you can hear sounds and music inspired by the movie, something that surprises children very much.

There are also water playgrounds, recreational activities and areas for resting.

In addition, this area features some of the Family Suites most sought-after in the hotel, as they are located in close proximity to the resort's main services.

The colorful world of Cars

The Cars inspired area recreates the famous town of Radiator Springs along historic Route 66.

Walking through this area is like walking right into the movie: the buildings simulate roadside motels and the courtyards are filled with details with vintage signs, gas stations and giant sculptures of characters like Lightning McQueen and Mater.

In this section is the Cozy Cone Pool, a smaller and quieter pool than the main pool, but with a fun theme inspired by the famous cone stand in the film.

The umbrellas are shaped like giant cones, exactly replicating the aesthetics of the movie.

Family suites in this area are often chosen by families with children who are Cars fans.

The African savannah of The Lion King

The The Lion King inspired area transports guests to an African savannah filled with vegetation, sculptures and warm colors.

One of the most photographed points is the huge scene of Simba next to Mufasa on the rock, recreating one of the most iconic moments of the film.

This area has a very special atmosphere, especially at sunset, when the lighting brings out all the details of the landscape.

Here you will also find the Elephant Graveyard Playground, a children's playground inspired by the famous elephant graveyard from the movie.

Although this area does not have its own pool, it is located very close to the resort's main pools.

The classic world of The Little Mermaid

The The Little Mermaid inspired section is the one with standard rooms, making it the most economical option within the hotel.

The buildings are decorated with huge figures of Ariel, King Triton, Sebastian and Ursula, creating a colorful underwater environment.

In this area is the Flippin’ Fins Pool, a themed pool with decor inspired by the ocean and characters from the movie.

It is an ideal place to relax in a quieter environment within the resort.

The rooms are also fully themed, with Ariel-inspired décor that makes guests feel like they are inside the world of the movie.

Themed rooms that make you feel like you're inside the movies

One of the aspects that make Disney's Art of Animation Resort unique is that the hotel's theming doesn't just stay in the courtyards and pools: it also continues inside the rooms.

Disney designed each space to make guests feel like they are actually living inside their favorite movies.

Rooms inspired by The Little Mermaid

The resort also features standard rooms inspired by The Little Mermaid.

These rooms are located in buildings decorated with huge figures of Ariel, King Triton, Ursula and Sebastian.

Upon entering the room, the theme continues with:

rugs inspired by the ocean
headboards with seashell design
curtains and decoration based on the movie
colorful details recreating the underwater world

These rooms are usually the cheapest option within the hotel, making them an excellent alternative for those who want to stay at Disney while still having a themed experience.

Ink & Paint Shop: the hotel's store to take home Disney souvenirs

Inside Disney's Art of Animation Resort we also find the Ink & Paint Shop, an ideal space for those who want to take home a souvenir of their stay or buy official Disney products without having to go to the parks.

The store is located near the resort's main lobby and maintains the same artistic theme of the hotel, inspired by the creative process of Disney's animated films.

Here guests can find a wide variety of products, including:

MagicBand for use in the parks
Disney character plush toys
souvenirs and souvenirs of the trip
themed clothing and accessories
mugs, toys and household items
snacks and beverages

For many families, the store becomes a must-stop when returning from the parks or before starting the day at Walt Disney World Resort.

It is also a very convenient place to purchase a Last minute MagicBand, Many travelers prefer to do this when they arrive at the hotel to start their Disney experience fully equipped.

As is the case in many Disney hotels, the store also offers some exclusive resort items, allowing you to take home a special souvenir of your stay at Disney's Art of Animation Resort.

Excellent access to parks with Skyliner and buses

One of the strongest points of staying at Disney's Art of Animation Resort is its excellent connectivity to the Disney parks.

In front of the hotel is a station of Disney's cable car system, the Disney Skyliner.

This system makes it possible to reach quickly and conveniently:

In addition to being practical, the Skyliner became an experience in itself, offering incredible views of the Disney resort during the ride.

To visit other parks such as:

guests have free Disney shuttles departing consistently from the hotel.

This combination of Skyliner and buses allows you to get around Walt Disney World quickly and easily, without the need to rent a car.

A hotel that we highly recommend to families

At Magic Holidays, this resort is usually one of our favorite recommendations for families looking to stay within Disney.

It combines several points highly valued by travelers:

an incredible movie-inspired theme
spacious family suites
fun pools
excellent transportation to the parks

The experience of walking among giant characters, movie-inspired courtyards and themed pools makes staying here an essential part of the trip.

Because at Disney, the magic doesn't start when you enter the park... it starts at the hotel.