Is Disney's Art of Animation Resort Worth the Hype? An Honest Review

My Adventures at Disney World: Disney's Art of Animation Resort

While Disney World is often hailed as "The Most Magical Place on Earth," our recent stay at Disney's Art of Animation Resort left us with mixed emotions, ranging from ecstatic excitement to mild disappointment.

We initially chose to stay on-site with the primary aim of maximizing our visiting hours at the parks. However, in retrospect, that decision seems questionable. Undoubtedly, the advantage of early access to the parks was attractive. Yet, the actual time benefit we gained did not justify the premium price we paid.

Disney's Art of Animation Resort is a feast for the eyes, especially for the kids. The prevalent Disney themes, from Cars to Finding Nemo, certainly sparked enthusiastic reactions from our children.

I must confess, though, my personal preference was Disney's Riviera Resort, an option overturned by majority vote. Interestingly enough, by the end of our trip, other adult members also expressed their wish to have stayed at the Riviera.

Disney's Art of Animation "Value" Resort

Disney's Art of Animation is categorized as a "value resort", but do not let the labeling fool you. The "value" aspect is quite elusive with no tangible discounts or sizable benefits, unlike what one might expect while staying at the resort. Our premium "family suite" in the Cars-themed area felt less "Disney magic" and more "Motel 8".

Unfortunately, the noise level within the resort was another factor that dampened our experience. The rooms lacked adequate soundproofing, and with tired adults and young children in our group, the constant echo of footsteps and chatter in the hallways was far from ideal.

Despite our requests, the cleanliness of our rooms was inconsistent which was disheartening to discover after a long day spent exploring the parks. While the rooms were indeed pricey, it seemed the price tag was more towards the resort's external appeal and less towards essential comforts and services.

A Park Within a Park

Despite our minor setbacks with the accommodation, the resort itself felt like a mini amusement park. The exterior was an explosion of Disney allure with various opportunities for photo ops.

But with our schedule chock-full of park visits, we hardly had any time left to fully explore the resort's inviting premises. We did manage to have a splash at the themed pools like The Big Blue Pool, which provided a nice respite from the Florida heat.

Disney's Art of Animation Family Activities

We were also intrigued by the bevy of family activities available at the resort like the Art of Animation Campfire Activities and Movies Under the Stars. However, by the end of each day, the exhaustion kicked in leaving us with little energy to partake.

Disney's Art of Animation Family Dining

Just a stone's throw away from our accommodation was the resort's dining spot, Landscape of Flavors. Unfortunately, the dining experience left much to be desired. The food was reminiscent of standard cafeteria offerings which led us to resort to DoorDash for most of our meals.

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Overall Thoughts on Art of Animation?

In conclusion, if our Disney adventures were to have a sequel in the future, I would book off-resort accommodation instead. The premium paid for Disney's Art of Animation Resort does not match the "value" it promises.

At best, the resort provides a brilliant backdrop for photos with its charming theme, but fails to deliver in terms of service, room quality, and dining experience.