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Review, Photos & Video: Cars Family Suite at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

The Disney's Art of Animation Resort offers themed family suites, with the Cars section being a notable highlight. This area of the resort is often compared to Cars Land at Disney California Adventure, though such comparisons are deemed unfair due to their vastly different scales and purposes—one being a blockbuster theme park land and the other a budget-friendly hotel. While Cars Land undeniably offers a superior experience, the Cars section at Art of Animation excels within its category as a Value Resort. The Art of Animation Resort is a Walt Disney World Value Resort featuring both standard motel-style rooms and newer family suites with interior hallways. Its central hub, Animation Hall, includes the front desk, food court, gift shop, arcade, and bus stop. The resort is also home to the Big Blue Pool, the largest at Walt Disney World, and is conveniently located near a Skyliner station connecting it to Pop Century Resort. The resort's various sections are themed to Disney-Pixar films: Finding Nemo, Lion King, Little Mermaid, and Cars. The Cars section is recommended for its immersive theming, assuming no strong preference for the other movie themes. Value Resorts at Walt Disney World are characterized by oversized characters and objects, and vivid colors on large hotel buildings. This style can be divisive, with some guests appreciating its comfort, whimsy, and fun, while others find it tacky or lacking the nuanced detail of traditional Disney theming. The Cars section's success lies in the inherent adaptability of its source material, as the movie's setting—a thoroughfare with shops and roadside attractions—translates well to a resort environment. The exterior design effectively simulates the barren Route 66 landscape, using paint to blend the buildings with the Cadillac Mountains and desert scenery, effectively making the large structures less imposing. Simple structures resembling iconic businesses from the film further enhance the theme, creating a convincing representation of Radiator Springs. Crucially, the Cars section features life-sized vehicle characters, which aids in maintaining a consistent scale and avoids the challenges of adapting characters from other films to an above-water, land-based setting. A standout feature is the Cozy Cone Motel Pool, praised for its clever layout, semi-circular quiet pool, and cone-shaped cabanas, providing an immersive and peaceful experience. The interior of the Cars family suites, approximately 565 square feet, are designed to accommodate a full family with good separation between sleeping areas for privacy. The living room features an eclectic mix of auto shop theming, mid-century modern furniture, and Cars motifs. Recent updates include larger wall-mounted televisions and the replacement of carpet with hard flooring, though some traditionalists might miss the carpet. The suites offer a master bedroom with an attached bathroom and a second bathroom. The overall design balances whimsy with tastefulness, appealing to a wide range of guests. Despite its appealing design and amenities, the primary drawback of the Art of Animation Resort, particularly the family suites, is the rising cost. The introduction of the Skyliner initially justified a price increase, but subsequent price hikes, attributed to demand, have made it a less budget-friendly option. While not officially a Deluxe-caliber resort, the Art of Animation boasts features such as spacious rooms, interior hallways (uncommon for Value or Moderate resorts), impressive pools, and excellent transportation via the Skyliner, comparable to or even surpassing some Deluxe amenities. The absence of table service dining is mitigated by its proximity to Caribbean Beach and Riviera Resort. The Cars Family Suites offer a top-notch themed experience and are worth considering for families despite the increased pricing, challenging preconceived notions about Value Resorts. #DisneyWorld #ArtOfAnimation #CarsFamilySuite #ResortReview #ThemedHotel #ValueResort #FamilyTravel #PixarCars #DisneyWorld #ArtOfAnimation #CarsFamilySuite #ResortReview #ThemedHotel #ValueResort #FamilyTravel #PixarCars

36 months ago

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