It’s safe to say that Disney has the ability to make you feel transported to different worlds at their theme parks as well as their resorts. If some resorts take you elsewhere, for example – the Animal Kingdom resort – Africa, the Polynesian resort – the islands, then I can now say that the Art of Animation resort makes you feel like you are inside a Disney movie. I stayed at the Cars wing of the resort recently and was very impressed.
The Art of Animation resort has different sections based on Disney animated movies. Currently, the Finding Nemo wing and the Cars wing are open. The Lion King and Little Mermaid wings will open soon. The main building houses the check-in area, arcade, Land of Flavors food court and Ink and Paint store. Outside this building is also where you would take the Disney Transportation to the theme parks, other resorts and Downtown Disney. As you enter the building there are character sketches that progress from black and white to full color. The check in area and store are very bright and colorful, to match the colors in the character displays.
The large, main pool is part of the Finding Nemo wing and has Nemo and Marlin and their anemone home as a back drop. You will also find Crush and Dory on the side lines, and the jelly fish and other characters throughout. The buildings around the pool are blue and painted with sea creatures from the movie like Bruce the shark. Walking through this area does give you the feeling of being in the underwater world from Finding Nemo.
The Cars wing makes you feel like you are in the Cars movie. From the billboards welcoming you to Radiator Springs, to to the road leading up to the Cozy Cone Motel and Luigi’s House of Tires and all the cars lining the different buildings, Disney has done a fantastic job here. There is a smaller pool, located behind the Cozy Cone motel “lobby” which is actually a building that houses the laundry, snack machines and restrooms. This pool has cabanas which are cone shaped, have four chairs and a small table. They are free to use and come in handy if you need to escape the sun for a bit. Luigi’s Casa della tires, Tow Mater’s , and the Wheel Well Motel are all present, and the characters outside each building add to the landscape — and they make great photo ops! As you walk around the Cars wing, or “Radiator Springs,” you do feel immersed in the movie and its location and characters.
The rooms/suites are divided nicely and the decor contributes to the feeling of being in the movie. Artwork with scenes from the movie are on the walls. The theme of cones, cars, and Radiator Springs is ever present. As you walk in, there is a combination table with four chairs/murphy bed in one area, a bathroom to the other side, and a living room area with a convertible couch, television, a kitchenette with microwave, sink and small fridge. The main bedroom and bathroom are separate. Great for a family to share.
Both bathrooms have a car wash theme which was whimsical, even with bubbles in the tile surrounding the showers.
I found this resort to be a great addition to the Disney hotel properties and the rooms will work well for families. The atmosphere throughout the property keeps you in the Disney spirit for your whole stay.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort – photo gallery
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