This week’s #MagicMonday we are taking a look at Disney’s best “All-Arounder” Resort.

Staying on Disney property adds so much to your family’s Disney trip, and there is an abundance of options to choose from. It seems like the entire 25,000 acre property is speckled with hospitality options ranging from the approachable All-Star Resorts, to the glamor of the Grand Floridian and beyond. Matching a resort to your stay can make a huge impact on the rest of the trip.

Today we are focusing on our favorite all-around resort (not to be confused with ‘all-star’), Art of Animation.

Art of Animation (AoA) provides guests with one of the best Disney World bang for your buck stays possible due to its in-depth theming, AMAZING transportation, room options, and price point.

Theming at AoA pulls no punches putting you into the movies that you love, as long as the movies you love are Cars, Finding Nemo, Lion King, or The Little Mermaid. The resort is split up into 4 sections matching these themes with the main building and transportation being located in the Nemo area, along with the largest resort pool in Disney World.

The theming here is LARGE. Huge characters line the pools and walkways around each of the 4 areas, as well as each building being painted to match too. This creates a huge pop of animated excitement everywhere you look, but definitely takes it out of the running for those looking for a more relaxed or subtle vacation destination. For many, it just adds to that Disney World magic.

The second, and in my opinion biggest, perk for Art of Animation is the direct access to the Skyliner transportation system. The Skyliner is a gondola system built across four Disney resorts connecting them to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT parks, without the need for any bus transportation. It is this direct access to two of WDW’s four parks that is such a game changer.

You can always shell out a little extra dough for one of the Monorail resorts or boat transport, but with AoA rooms starting around $250/night during non-peak seasons (Little Mermaid Standard Room), this direct access is a huge perk.

Depending on your room choice, the Skyliner stop might not be right outside your door. We stayed in the Little Mermaid section in early 2022 and ended up driving the car up to the main building to avoid the 10 minute walk in the mornings. Of course, an early request, by yourself or your travel advisor, can help you secure a room in the best location for your trip, whether that be by the pool, lobby, or Skyliner.

We haven’t even touched on food options, pools, or even the rooms yet! Stay tuned for future Magic Mondays or you can always reach out to us by phone or text at 303-381-1822 with any questions about your next stay at Disney World!