Pop Century Resort vs Art of Animation Resort - How to Choose a Disney World Resort - Practical Tips for Traveling with Babies, Toddlers & Kids |

Disney’s Value Resorts are the most affordable resorts on Walt Disney World property. They are also some of the most “Disney” themed resorts, and you feel as if you are very immersed in your favorite Disney movies at two of the most popular Value Resorts – Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

These Value resorts make a great option for families on a budget, yet families who also want close proximity to some of the parks and great dining options.

Today, I am going to share some tips and information with you, in hopes that you will make either Pop Century or Art of Animation your home for your next Disney vacation.

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Where are Pop Century and Art of Animation located?

Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts are located in the Hollywood Studios area of Walt Disney World. This makes both of these resorts somewhat “close” to EPCOT as well, and centrally located overall.

Another “location perk” is that these two resorts are connected by a bridge. So you can walk between the two! While you cannot pool hop between the two, you can certainly enjoy the food court, shop, and walk around to explore the resort. This really opens up dining options for guests of each of these!

Who would enjoy Disney’s Pop Century Resort?

Disney’s Pop Century Resort is perfect for Disney guests who want proximity to the parks without the high price tag of the Deluxe resorts. Also, families with older kids may also enjoy Pop. Why? Because the theming is just right for the Disney fan, but not overly Disney like you’ll find at All Star Movies or Art of Animation. I would consider Pop Century a step up from the All Stars. Still a value resort and great nightly rates, but a better overall experience.

Who would enjoy Disney’s Art of Animation Resort?

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is the ultimate location for THE biggest Disney/Pixar fan. The entire resort is themed after Little Mermaid, Cars, Lion King, Finding Nemo and an overall animation feel all around. Disney’s Art of Animation is considered a “Value Plus” resort.

This means that it is priced a little higher than the Value Resorts because it offers more amenities, nicer rooms, and an overall more “luxury” feel than the other value resorts.

Dining Options at Pop Century and Art of Animation

Since they are a value tier resort, the only option for dining at either of these resorts is the food court area. These resorts do not have Table Service options.

At Disney’s Pop Century Resort , you will find the Everything Pop Food Court. This is literally everything…including the famous Tie-Dye Cheesecake that can only be found at Pop! See Everything Pop’s full menu here.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort boasts the best food court on Disney property, Landscape of Flavors. Guests will find several stations to choose from, including a panini station and gelato counter. So good! This food court also has plenty of seating. Check out Landscape of Flavors’ full menu here.

While these resorts do not offer full service dining, the really great aspect of their dining option is the variety. The food courts have multiple serving stations to give guests a huge variety of food. Burgers, sandwiches, pastas, as well as a deli-style market offer lots of variety for everyone in your family. Also, the proximity of these resorts to each other is to the advantage of guests who may want a different menu to choose from for some meals…as you can easily walk between the two.

Pools and Other Amenities at Pop Century and Art of Animation

Art of Animation and Pop Century also offer guests fantastic pool options. The Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation is the best pool on property, in line with Stormalong Bay at Disney’s Beach Club Resort. Here you can hear your favorite Finding Nemo friends and music under the water as you swim. This is also the largest pool on property, and it has a fun splash pad/playground area for kids. In each section of the resort, guests will also find a quiet pool, themed after that particular area.

Pop Century’s pool, the Hippy Dippy Pool, is shaped like a flower…very well themed with the rest of the resort! They offer fun flower water jets to spray your kiddos with water. Also, the Hippy Dippy Pool is only 3 feet 6 inches all the way around. That means it doesn’t get deeper until you get toward the middle. This makes it a great options for families with younger children since they can climb in from anywhere and still be in shallow water.

Rooms at Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Art of Animation

Disney’s Pop Century Resort just finished a massive room refurbishment. They are hardwood floors, a standard queen bed, and a pull down queen Murphy bed from the wall. They have updated fixtures, under bed storage, coffee maker, and a small refrigerator. These rooms sleep 4 guests, 5 if you have someone under the age of 3.

If your family needs a larger set up, Art of Animation offers Family Suites. These family suites can sleep up to 6 guests, or 7 if you have one in a crib. These family suites give guests a master bedroom with a queen size bed. Then the living area has a sleeper sofa, a sleeper chair, and an table that converts to a bed as well. Families also have a kitchenette with a microwave, sink, and small refrigerator, as well as two full bathrooms. This makes a great option for larger parties! The main draw of the suites, or of Art of Animation in general, is the theming.

Art of Animation offers guests the choice of Cars, Lion King, or Finding Nemo Family Suites. The Finding Nemo Suites are considered “preferred location”, so those are a higher nightly rate. Cars are the most centrally located. They also offer standard rooms with two queens, updated flooring and fixtures, similar to what you will find at Pop.

The standard rooms at Art of Animation are Little Mermaid themed. These rooms are adorable! However, the main drawback to them is that they are the farthest away from the main building at Art of Animation. Their proximity to the pool and food court is far compared to the buildings that house suites.

Keep in mind, if you are traveling with a larger group, and some would like Mermaid rooms and some would like suites, you should book Lion King Suites. The Lion King building is closest to the Little Mermaid building.

Transportation Options at Pop Century and Art of Animation

The transportation options at Pop Century and Art of Animation elevate them from “Value” status, in my opinion. These two resorts are on the Skyliner.

This means guests have access to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, as well as Caribbean Beach and the Riviera Resort for dining options. They also service the Disney parks via dedicated buses.

As opposed to the All Stars, or even some of the Moderate resorts, who share transportation amongst resorts sometimes. But Pop Century and Art of Animation run dedicated buses to and from Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Having two transportation options at a Value resort is very beneficial for guests.

Disney’s Pop Century and Disney’s Art of Animation are a great option for guests who want the onsite perks of Walt Disney World, but are willing to pay a slightly higher nightly rate for nicer rooms and better amenities than you will have at the All Stars resorts.

Overall, Disney’s Pop Century and Art of Animation have a lot to offer to Disney travelers. I would highly recommend these for guests who want that Disney feel on a first visit, or are craving the nostalgia of their favorite movies. These are both excellent resorts when you have young children, as well, as the theming really caters to them.

Would you choose Art of Animation or Pop Century for an upcoming trip to WDW? We’d love to hear your thoughts!