Disney's Art of Animation

Stayed for five nights in July in a Lion King Family Suite. I knew going into this that this was a value resort, so I wasn’t surprised by much. I anticipated the busy food court, the crowded pools, and the size of the room. I wasn’t ready for how “cheap” the room actually felt. Towels with holes, laminate from the headboard peeling off, stains on the carpets in the hallways. To be fair, I last stayed here six years ago and at the time I was pleased with everything. It just seems like they need to do a refresh of the rooms and the buildings. Outside everything is fine - the theming, the cleanliness, the Disneyishness. It’s just in the rooms where they need to step up their game. We were pleased with the bus service and the skyliner. Both were timely and easy to navigate. The food court was fine, though they could do a bit better with wiping down tables between guests. Everything just felt sticky all the time. All in all, this is a value resort, which means you get some of the perks of staying on Disney property, but you’re still staying in a Hampton Inn. (And one of the perks we didn’t qualify for was the extra late magic hours; only guests of non-value resorts qualify to stay later in the parks when it’s offered.)

I really wanted to love Disney's Art of Animation Resort, but it ended up being a disappointment. While the themed areas around the property are fun to look at, the actual accommodations didn't meet my expectations. The rooms felt very small, especially for a family, and there wasn't much space to move around or store luggage comfortably. The room also felt dated, and for the price, I expected something more modern and refreshed. Another downside was that the resort had more of a motel-style layout than what I typically expect from a Disney resort, with exterior room entrances that made it feel less comfortable and less upscale than anticipated. The Disney transportation and staff were great, as always, but overall I didn't feel the value matched the cost. There are other Disney resorts that offer a better overall experience, and I'd likely choose one of those for my next visit.

Pretty great experience at this hotel but it just wasn’t one of my favorites, just a personal opinion! I could definitely see younger family’s and their children enjoying this resort more, which is probably why theirs are SO many kids, but I just think I would prefer the theming of other Disney resorts to this one. I did enjoy their gift shop, eating options, and access to the skyliner!