My friends and I recently stayed in a Finding Nemo Family Suite at Disney's Art of Animation Resort for the first time, and I have so many thoughts to share! Keep reading for my full honest review, including the good, the not so good, and who I think this resort is really best for.

Why We Chose the Art of Animation Resort

When we were deciding where to stay during our runDisney Springtime Surprise weekend, we decided to splurge a little and book a Finding Nemo Family Suite at the Art of Animation Resort. The two main reasons? Two bathrooms and three separate sleeping spaces! There were three of us, which meant we each had our own bed. And having an extra bathroom for early morning race prep and post race showers sounded absolutely amazing.

If you are not familiar, Art of Animation has four different sections: Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid rooms are all standard hotel rooms, while the other three sections are family suites. The main building, called Animation Hall, houses the food court, front desk, and resort store. Just outside you will find the bus stops for the parks and Disney Springs, as well as runDisney transportation on race weekends.

Why We Picked Finding Nemo Specifically

I will be honest with you: Finding Nemo was not my first choice for theming (I am more of a Lion King fan myself!), but we chose this section for one very important reason: location.

The Finding Nemo section is the closest to the main building and transportation, which meant we were steps away from the bus stops and our personal favorite, the Disney Skyliner. When you are running a race and working with an early morning schedule, saving your steps really matters! Our room location ended up being perfect. We were near the staircase at the end of the building, which put us steps away from the Big Blue Pool and Animation Hall, and it was a short walk to the Skyliner station.

Pro Tip: The Finding Nemo suites do typically cost a little more than the Cars and Lion King suites because of their prime central location, so keep that in mind when comparing prices.

The Finding Nemo Family Suite Layout

The room itself is set up really well for groups. Here is what you get:

The Bedroom: A main bedroom with a queen size bed, a flat screen TV, and its own private bathroom. The door closes off completely, which is wonderful for privacy.

The Living Area: A table that converts into a full size bed, a sitting area with a pull out sofa bed, a flat screen TV, a real mini fridge (not just a beverage cooler like the standard resort rooms have now!), a microwave, a small sink, and a second full bathroom.

Three sleeping spaces, two full bathrooms, and a little kitchenette setup. For a group trip or a family vacation, it really does solve so many logistical problems all at once.

The bathrooms were well set up and the beds were comfortable enough for a few nights. Overall the room felt spacious and functional, which is exactly what you want after a long race day!

My One Complaint About the Room

I do want to be upfront with you because I always want to adequately prepare you for what to expect! My one complaint about the room was the flooring. I completely understand that they wanted it to feel like the ocean floor, but the plastic-like texture underfoot was not my favorite. The coral and seaweed painted on the floor also looked a little disorienting in the dark. I genuinely thought I was stepping on discarded clothes when I got out of bed in the middle of the night! It is a small thing, but worth knowing before you arrive.

The Food Court at Art of Animation

The food court at Art of Animation is called Landscape of Flavors and it is one of my favorites on Disney property. I love all of the options available! There is a good variety of choices for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and it is easy to find something for everyone in your group. For a value resort food court, it really does punch above its weight. The only downfall? No Mickey shaped waffles. Instead, you get character waffles (round waffles with Lion King, Little Mermaid, Cars, or Nemo characters).

Landscape of Flavors Waffle Bounty Platter (mobile ordered, so it came in a to-go container)

A Note About Bus Transportation

My other caution about staying at Art of Animation is the bus stop situation at the actual theme parks. The Art of Animation buses tend to be located much farther away from park entrances than the buses for many other resorts, which means a bit more walking on the back end of a long park day. I do not think this is a reason to avoid the resort at all. I just like to give you the full picture so you can plan accordingly and not be caught off guard after a day on your feet!

The Pools at Art of Animation

The Big Blue Pool is the main pool for the resort and it is absolutely massive. It is the largest resort pool on all of Walt Disney World property and has a zero entry design that makes it especially great for families with young kids. Right next to it is the Schoolyard Splashground splash pad, which is a huge hit for little ones. There are also quieter pools in the Cars and Little Mermaid sections if you want to escape the crowds.

Who Is the Art of Animation Resort Best For?

Art of Animation is definitely one of my favorite Disney World resorts for the right group! It is best for:

Families with young kids who love Disney animated films and want to be fully immersed in the magic. There is nothing subtle about the theming here. It is colorful, larger than life, and absolutely in your face in the best possible way. Seeing your child's face light up when they walk through this resort is worth everything.

Groups of adults or friends who need separate sleeping spaces and two bathrooms without springing for a deluxe villa.

Anyone who wants to feel fully inside the Disney experience every moment of their stay, not just in the parks.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Art of Animation Resort

Is the Art of Animation Resort worth the price? For the right group, absolutely. The family suites solve a lot of real problems, from extra bathrooms to separate sleeping areas, that make a Disney vacation significantly more comfortable. If you will genuinely use the space and both bathrooms, the value is there.

What is the difference between the Finding Nemo, Cars, and Lion King suites? The layout of all three family suites is identical. The difference is the theming and the location. Finding Nemo suites are the closest to the main building, the Big Blue Pool, and the Skyliner, which is why they tend to cost a little more. Cars suites are known for incredibly detailed theming that rivals Cars Land at Disneyland. Lion King suites are a bit farther from the main building but offer a fun and colorful alternative.

Can the Finding Nemo Family Suite sleep more than three people? Yes! The suite sleeps up to six guests, with a queen bed in the bedroom, a pull out sofa bed in the living area, and a table that converts to a full size bed. Children under 3 can also use a crib upon request. I do not think you should have more than 4 adults tops in these, rooms, though, due to the fact that there are 2 full size beds.

How far is Art of Animation from the Disney Skyliner? If you are staying in the Finding Nemo section, the walk to the Skyliner station is very short. The Skyliner connects Art of Animation to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, making it one of the most convenient transportation options on property.

Final Thoughts on the Art of Animation Finding Nemo Family Suite

Would I stay here again? Yes. Would I recommend it for the right family or group? Absolutely.

Art of Animation is one of those resorts that truly delivers on the Disney promise of being fully immersed in the magic. It is not subtle and it is not trying to be. From the moment you step onto the property, you are surrounded by characters and color and creativity, and there is something really special about that.

Have you ever stayed at the Art of Animation Resort? What were your thoughts? If not, would you want to try it or do you prefer something with a more subtle Disney theme? I would love to hear from you! And if you are thinking about booking this resort for your own family trip or runDisney weekend, let's chat. I would love to help you plan it!

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Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Review: Finding Nemo Family Suite