Disney’s Art Of Animation Resort, the Newest Property, Opens in May!

Warning, many pictures ahead! As part of the Disney Social Media Moms conference, we were invited to preview Walt Disney World’s newest value property:  Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. This property is opening in several phases:

“Opening in phases, each of the four wings celebrates rich storytelling, spirited characters and playfulness with colorful icons and whimsical theming inspired by each beloved film depicted. Three family suite wings will showcase Finding Nemo opening May 31, Cars opening June 18 and The Lion King opening Aug. 10, with elaborate storytelling both inside and out. Standard guest rooms make up The Little Mermaid wing, the final phase to open on Sept. 15.”

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A value property at Walt Disney World in this situation means rooms can start at as low as $94 (can sleep 4). A suite can start at $248 (can sleep 6):

You walk into your suite and are greeted with a desk for the kids to hang out at that also hides a murphy bed (above). As I said the suite sleeps 6 and has 2 bathrooms. In my home we only have 1 bathroom, so this has to be a top amenity! And, complimentary transportation, Extra Magic Hours and other benefits available to a Disney Resort guest are also available here, after all that is why you stay on the Disney property, and how it becomes so affordable, time wise and financially.

So what about the water features? Whenever I write about our vacations, I always talk about the importance of the pools, it is the other huge treat for my son who loves to spend a day touring and then a few hours before dinner in the water. Below is the “Big Blue” pool, the largest resort swimming pool at Walt Disney World Resort measuring 11,859 square feet.

And that’s just the starter. “Guests enter scenes from the animated world and can explore the colorful reef with a giant-sized Mr. Ray whose wings span 27 feet, pose for a picture with Crush or frolic with Squirt in the Righteous Reef, a children’s play area. An arcade and two additional pools round out the fun.” We entered by Nemo, his dad, and their Sea Anemone home!

I did not have any prior information on this evening’s festivities and was completed unprepared for my son to go into the water. Not the pool, that was closed. He and his friend, the daughter of my “blog wife” Linda, took off their shoes and headed out for the evening. And this is the real essence of my review, I can tell you how pretty it all was, the amenities available, and the gorgeous animation scenes that surround you. But for me, the best review comes from watching my son. He was gone for so long in the children’s play area getting soaked that he never ate dinner. And there were more than 6 buffet tables all around us (and dessert!). We never miss a meal in my family, so that speaks volumes! My son had a blast. And then, when he might have stopped to eat, he found the game room. That’s where he stayed until the buses drove us home. As a parent, the real review comes from watching the honest interests of our kids. I’m thinking 5 out of 5 stars.

Disclosure: I visited Walt Disney World at a greatly reduced price as part of the Disney Social Media moms conference. I was not required to write this post. All opinions are always 100% honest and our own.