Recently I had the great opportunity to go and stay at the new Art of Animation Resort in the Walt Disney World Resort. The resort is located in an area adjacent to the Pop Century Resort. It actually once occupied unfinished buildings that were intended to be part of the Pop Century featuring the early 20th century. When the economy crashed it was left unfinished and abandoned for years, and yet in plain view of guests staying at the Pop, complete with a bridge leading across the pond to it. These former buildings are now what will become the Little Mermaid section of the new resort (as of yet unfinished) and will look similar in style to those of the Pop and All Stars. The finished sections of the resort are the suites, which can accommodate up to 6 individuals.
These three areas are Finding Nemo, which is the smallest of the three.
It houses the largest resort pool on property and has hyrdophonic speakers where you can hear music underwater, including occasional characters from the movie talking.
I heard clips from the Nemo ride at Epcot, and "Fish are Friends" from Finding Nemo the musical. What I found interesting is that even after hours, when the music outside is all shut off as of 2am in the morning the music and effects were still going strong under the water.
It a lot of fun including giant jellyfish water showers, and a splash play area around Nemo and Marlins anemone.
The second area is that of Cars and the Cozy Cone. The Cozy Cone houses a small private quiet pool.
The third area, which opened the day before I arrived, is the Lion King area. The Lion King area has no pool but a large elephant graveyard play area.
When checking in the desk attendant did an excellent job telling about where we would stay by keeping in in the story of the suites that we were in. Using terms and cheesy puns that relate to that movie. I had the pleasure to stay in Cars, and more specifically Matters Tow yard.
Each building has an Iconic character/location that welcomes you into the building. Mine just happened to be Matter. The others were Luigi and Guido at their tire shop and Lighting and Sally at the Wheel Well Hotel.
I'm honestly glad I got to stay in Cars, I've seen photos of the Nemo suites and in my opinion they are just to loud and busy for my liking. the Cars rooms were very simple and utilitarian and all themed to be the Cozy Cone.
The lights lining the hallways were upside down cones, and the room numbers were on interstate symbols. Inside the rooms the carpet had cones on them.
and all the lamps and lampshades were cones.
the tv stand and kitchenette were done to look like a tool chest that you would find in garage.
the coffee table was a map to Radiator Springs. the Sofa looked like a seat you would find in a classic sports car.
Built into the counter tops on in the master bedroom are postcards that fooled me more than once trying to pick them up.
The room is divided into four sections. The main living area , the master bedroom, the master bathroom and the guest bathroom.
The living area feature a dining area that has a table as well as a living area that has a coffee table, tv sofa and kitchenette.
Here is the cool part. the table is designed to look like Maters garage. it has a thick tall section it's attached to on the wall. the reason for this is, if you pull down this section with the provided handles you will discover a bed.
When lowered the reading lights automatically turn on and an image of a sleeping Matter on the backboard.
In the living area the couch also converts into a bed. I did not have the chance to sleep on the couch bed, but I did on the table. I found it to be very comfortable, But not nearly as comfortable as the master bed. The guest bath is in the main living area with a sliding door to close off from the main area and a door to close off the sink from the toilet and shower.
The mirrors in this bathroom and in the master feature a very fun carwash sign around the mirror. This bathroom also features the Tub/shower complete with a fun shower curtain showing Red the firetruck washing off Lightning.
The Master bedroom features it's own tv and one of the most comfortable beds i've slept on in a hotel. There isn't anything fancy in this room besides the saftey cone lamps and the painting of lightning and sally driving through the countryside.
The master bath is larger and is one room with no dividers like the guest. The shower here features a sliding glass door.
The area between the three buildings that made up cars features a road complete with powerlines street lamps and all the major characters of Radiator Springs, sans Red, and The Model T.
I enjoyed walking through this area. It really set a fun tone and made you feel like you were really there.
The center area was the offices for the Cozy Cone that led into the pool area.
At night the neon was all lit and It looks amazing. The Cozy Cone sign rotates as well at night and it's neon lights up the area.
Overall I really enjoyed my stay here and really enjoyed the story that they set for their guest. I would defiantly stay here again and would recommend it. It is a bit pricer to stay in the suites than your usual value resorts. It cost me 250 per night. But if you go with a group of six you can easily split that up and make it affordable.
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