Disney's Art of Animation Resort vs Walt Disney World Dolphin

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Photo: Disney's Art of Animation Resort
Value ESPN Wide World of Sports Resort Area
Walt Disney World Dolphin

Photo: Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort
Deluxe Epcot Resort Area
Alex Young
Alex Young
· Updated · 5 min read

At a Glance

Tier

Art of Animation

Value

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Deluxe

Area

Art of Animation

ESPN Wide World of Sports Resort Area

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Epcot Resort Area

Transportation

Art of Animation

Skyliner, Bus

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walk, Boat, Bus

Table-Service Dining

Art of Animation

None

Walt Disney World Dolphin

7 restaurants

Quick-Service Dining

Art of Animation

2 locations

Walt Disney World Dolphin

3 locations

Pool Amenities

Art of Animation

Pool

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Pool

Extended Evening Hours

Art of Animation

No

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Yes

Top Highlight

Art of Animation

Disney Skyliner gondola access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios

Overview

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

A value resort themed to Pixar and Disney animation, with family suites, Little Mermaid rooms, and a Skyliner station shared with Pop Century.

Walt Disney World Dolphin

A large Marriott-operated convention resort on Crescent Lake with Disney benefits and direct access to the Epcot-area walkway network.

Amenities

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

Recreation

  • Pool
  • interactive water play area
  • Playground
  • Arcade
  • Running Trail (1.3 miles around Hourglass Lake)

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Business Center

Walt Disney World Dolphin

Recreation

  • Pool
  • Tennis Courts
  • Jogging Trail
  • Arcade
  • Playground
  • Camp Dolphin for children ages 4-12 from 5pm to midnight with themed activities, video games, arts and crafts
  • Swan paddleboat rentals on the white sand beach

Wellness

  • Fitness Center
  • Spa

Rooms

  • Club Level

Other

  • Laundry Facilities
  • Child Care
  • Business Center
  • Boat launch courtyard between Swan and Dolphin; Friendship launches to Epcot and Hollywood Studios
  • Gift Shop

Transportation

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

  • Skyliner

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walk

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Boat

    EPCOT, Disney's Hollywood Studios

  • Bus

    Magic Kingdom Park, Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, Disney Springs

Pros

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

  • Disney Skyliner gondola access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios
  • Family suites sleep up to 6 with two bathrooms and a kitchenette
  • Does not share bus service, giving it the best bus reliability of Value Resorts
  • Landscape of Flavors food court is best among Value Resorts
  • Big Blue Pool is the largest hotel pool at Walt Disney World

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Walking distance to EPCOT and Disney's Hollywood Studios
  • Can be booked with Marriott/SPG hotel points for potentially free nights
  • Crescent Lake location with boat service and BoardWalk access
  • Shula's Steakhouse and Il Mulino are top-tier dining options on property
  • Often cheaper than equivalent Disney-owned Deluxe resorts

Cons

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

  • Family suite prices are double to triple standard Value Resort rooms
  • Little Mermaid standard rooms are very small and far from lobby
  • Theming is bold and loud, not appealing to all adults
  • No table service restaurant on property
  • Long walk to Skyliner station from some room sections

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Not a Disney-owned resort, so no Early Entry or advance booking perks
  • Resort and parking fees are high in addition to the nightly rate
  • Dated exterior design with the iconic dolphin statues divides opinion
  • Rooms were historically smaller and less updated than Disney Deluxes
  • Bus service to non-walkable parks is less reliable than Disney buses

On-Site Dining

Disney's Art of Animation Resort

  • Landscape of Flavors

    Quick Service

    American

    breakfast

    View menu

  • The Drop Off Pool Bar

    Quick Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

Walt Disney World Dolphin

  • Bourbon Steak - A Michael Mina Restaurant

    Table Service

    American, Steakhouse

    dinner

    View menu

  • Bourbon Steak Lounge

    Quick Service

    American, Steakhouse

    snack

    View menu

  • Cabana Bar and Beach Club

    Table Service

    American

    snack

    View menu

  • Fuel

    Table Service

    American, Quick Service - Coffee

    snack

    View menu

  • Phins

    Table Service

    American

    dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano

    Table Service

    Mexican

    breakfast · lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Rosa Mexicano Lounge

    Quick Service

    Mexican

    snack

    View menu

  • The Fountain

    Table Service

    American

    lunch · dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo

    Table Service

    Seafood

    dinner

    View menu

  • Todd English's bluezoo Lounge

    Quick Service

    Seafood

    snack

    View menu

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