Grab your goggles for the most animated sleepover imaginable . When you stay at Disney ’ s Art of Animation Resort , you ’ ll have four themed areas to choose from — including The Little Mermaid , The Lion King , and Cars — but the show-stopping center of the resort is home to Marlin , Nemo , Dory , and all your pals from Finding Nemo .
JUST KEEP SWIMMING Art of Animation is the newest Value Resort at Walt Disney World , celebrating its 10th anniversary this month . It lives up to the larger-than-life fun of the other Value Resorts on property but introduces highly themed rooms that put guests right inside the movies in a way Disney ’ s never done before .
When you arrive at Animation Hall , you ’ ll find a glowing rainbow check-in area that flows seamlessly into the Ink & Paint gift shop , which has sundries , souvenirs , and resortexclusive items . On your way there , stop to admire the artwork , which shows how animated films go from concept sketches to full-color film cells .
When you visit the lobby , check out the Stories of the Enchanted Gallery game on the Play Disney Parks app , which brings the lobby to life .
BY STEPHANIE SHUSTER
ABOVE : The Big Blue Pool is the largest pool at any Walt Disney World Resort .
Each themed area sets the tone for what guests can expect in their rooms ; in the Finding Nemo section of the resort , you are seemingly shrunk down to the size of a fish . The surrounding plants have an aquatic quality , and the buildings and pool create the illusion that you ’ re swimming along with your favorite characters .
The Big Blue Pool is one of three pools at the resort , and at 308,527 gallons , it ’ s the largest resort pool at WDW . It has a zero-entry area , which is fantastic for little ones or anyone with mobility issues . The pool has jellyfish that sprinkle you as you walk by and hosts daily pool parties that Crush would love . The Schoolyard Sprayground and Righteous Reef Playground are located in the same area so that families can spend the day together in one expanded recreation space .
You ’ ll find restrooms , laundry ( hear me out : pool time is the best time to wash up a few things while you ’ re on vacation !), and the Drop Off Pool Bar here . This poolside drinkery has two exclusive sips for the bigger fish in your party : the vodka-based Big Blue Ocean and piña colada-like Seafoam Refresher .
YOUR EXIT ’ S COMING UP Look up from the pool : On the right , you ’ ll see recovering fishaholic Bruce , and to the left , you ’ ll spy Crush with his
PREVIOUS PAGE : Explore concept art for your favorite films in the lobby of Art of Animation . PHOTOS BY DANNY SHUSTER