Best Disney World Family Resorts – Art of Animation Review
I just took my blended family of six on an unforgettable trip to Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort, where we shared a room in the Cars Suite. Art of Animation is one of the most affordable and one of the best Disney World family resorts. For 6 of us, we found the suite was surprisingly spacious and comfortable. The Art of Animation hotel is considered an excellent value resort for larger families on a budget.
In this blog, I’ll not only dive into our experience at the Art of Animation but also highlight some other fantastic Disney World resorts that are perfect for families.
Art of Animation Resort Review
Lobby and Check in
The check-in process was super easy at the Art of Animation Resort. If you have the Disney World app installed, you can check in via your phone and use your phone as your room key. This made it so easy for us to hop off the shuttle and go straight to our room. Checking in and checking out was a great process if you are savvy enough to use your mobile device. The concierge service was great, and they provided whatever we needed (like extra towels) during our stay.
Family Suites
The resort offers a variety of rooms many of which can accommodate up to 6 people. We stayed in the Cars Family Suite, which accommodated our family of six perfectly. The main living area has a pull-out sofa bed that fits two kids and a table bed that also fits two. The table bed was convenient as it easily converted from a dining table to a bed. The master bedroom was spacious, with a queen bed, bathroom, and television. There is a second bathroom for the kids, with a shower and a separate sink area. There was also a small kitchen with a mini-fridge, sink, and microwave oven.
We ordered groceries for breakfast and snacks through Amazon Prime, which was delivered to the hotel. This was super convenient and saved us some money on food.
Other Suite & Room Types at Art of Animation
- Finding Nemo Family Suites
- Sleeps up to 6 Adults
- The Lion King Family Suites
- Sleeps up to 6 Adults
- The Little Mermaid Standard Room
- Sleeps up to 4 Adults
Dining
For dining, the resort has a food court restaurant called Landscape of Flavors. The food here was pretty good and offered a variety of options, from Chinese-style dishes to pasta, hamburgers, and salads.
My oldest daughter is gluten-free, and we were able to find some options for her. They even specially made a gluten-free pizza for her; just make sure you get the allergy menu and ensure it has the gluten-free symbol, then ask the staff. The chef even came out to talk to us about the pizza he made specifically for her.
Overall, this place was convenient and quick when you are tired and hungry after returning from the parks. They also offer a variety of desserts and beverages (both with alcohol and without alcohol).
Bar
The Drop-Off Pool Bar is a poolside bar offering cocktails, wine, beer, frozen drinks, and non-alcoholic beverages (my daughter loved the Piña Colada slushie!). They also offer snacks if you’re hungry. The bar has a nice atmosphere and is conveniently located right near the Big Blue Family Pool. The best Disney World Hotels have got to have a great pool bar!
Pools
The resort has three pools, including The Big Blue Pool, the largest hotel pool at Walt Disney World Resort. The Big Blue Pool is great for small kids, with a kiddie pool and splash pad.
Jellyfish at the Big Blue Pool 
Kids are at the Big Blue Pool
The next pool is the Cozy Cone Pool in the Cars area of the resort, a quieter, smaller pool that’s perfect for teens.
Lastly, the Flippin’ Fins Pool, located in the Little Mermaid section, features the “Under the Sea Orchestra” conducted by Sebastian and charming set pieces based on characters from the film.
Gift Shop
Between the lobby and the Landscape of Flavors, there is a nice gift shop. They have a lot of Disney souvenirs you can buy here (prices are about the same as in the park). My kids had fun trading Disney pins here on our last day! They also have snacks and some essentials you can buy (toothbrushes, medicine, baby supplies) in case you forget something.
Transportation to the Parks
Something that defines the best Disney World family resorts is the ease of transportation to and from the parks. The resort offers complimentary shuttles that run to and from the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. We found the buses were frequent enough that we never had to wait very long for one. The resort is also near the super convenient Skyliner, which provides a quick and scenic gondola ride to Epcot and Hollywood Studios.
Other amenities
Some other amenities that the resort offers, that make this one of the best Disney World resorts are:
- Onsite Laundry Rooms
- Arcade
- Playground
- Jogging Trail & Walking Path
- Nightly Campfire Activities
- Movies under the stars
- Dog-Friendly Rooms
Other Top Disney World Family Resorts
Best for Affordability
Best Mid-Range Accommodations
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
Best Deluxe Resorts
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge