Review: The Little Mermaid Area and Rooms at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
By Dave Shute
For the first page of this review of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, see this.
LITTLE MERMAID ROOMS AT DISNEY’S ART OF ANIMATION RESORT
Note: guests at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are eligible for Disney World’s Early Entry program, and for early access to its paid individual system for access to certain rides, but NOT for its Extended Evening Hours.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has two very different types of rooms.
One room type, Family Suites, fills the seven most convenient buildings at Art of Animation.
These spaces sleep six in over 500 square feet, and cost $450 to almost $800 a night including tax. See this for more on these Family Suites.
The other room type, standard rooms in the Little Mermaid, is the subject of this page.
Standard rooms at Art of Animation are found in its three least convenient Little Mermaid buildings, and sleep 4 in full beds in about 260 square feet. These rooms cost $180-$330 a night including tax—less than half of what the Family Suites are going for.
These two room types are profoundly different—anyone reserving one but expecting the other is in for a shock.
And you can’t really compare them to each other. The relevant comparison for standard rooms at Art of Animation is standard rooms at the other four Value Resorts: Pop Century, All-Star Movies, All-Star Sports, and All-Star Music.
Based on this comparison, standard rooms at Art of Animation outshine the alternatives, (except possibly queen bed rooms rooms at Pop Century, All-Star Movies, and All-Star Music) and are this site’s most highly recommended value resort standard rooms. They have the highest kid appeal of any value resort—for both boys and girls—and this kid appeal outweighs for almost all families their slight deficits in convenience.
That said, Little Mermaid rooms average $80/night more than All-Star rooms, and $40/night more than rooms at Pop…and in the summer approach the prices of moderate resorts. So you are definitely paying for the kid appeal there rooms present.
Note that the long-time travel agent partner of this site, Kelly B., can help you book your Disney World vacation at Art of Animation or anywhere else–contact her at using the form at the bottom of this page
REVIEW: LITTLE MERMAID STANDARD ROOMS AT DISNEY’S ART OF ANIMATION RESORT
Resorts are ranked on this site for first time visitors based first on their kid appeal, and then on their convenience.
On this basis, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is the best value resort for first time family visitors.
Kid Appeal. Several of the deluxe resorts–notably, the Wilderness Lodge, Animal Kingdom Lodge, and Polynesian Resort–have spectacular kid appeal. None of the moderates do.
All of the value resorts–Disney’s All-Star Sports, All-Star Music, and All-Star Movies, its Pop Century Resort, and Art of Animation–have terrific kid appeal.
This appeal comes from the approach to theming they all share: bright and vibrant exteriors, framing much larger than life objects of interest to kids. These objects reinforce that these resorts were designed for the sake of kids…and not necessarily for adults!
While Art of Animation has taken this theming to a whole new level, both in exteriors and interiors, the exterior theming in the Little Mermaid area is similar in scope and scale to what you will find at the other value resorts.
As you walk into the Little Mermaid area, you are greeted by Prince Eric.
Then you’ll find three large accommodation buildings surrounding a pool.
Outside of each of the three buildings there’s a four-story statue of a character from the movie:
Triton outside of Building 9…
…Ursula outside Building 7…
…and Ariel herself outside of Building 8.
As at the other value resorts, attached to the facades of the buildings are other reminders of the theming.
What distinguishes the Little Mermaid area form the other value resort standard room areas is the pervasive theming inside the rooms themselves.
For example, the Little Mermaid Standard rooms are meant to be “under the sea.”
So the carpet mimics the sea floor, and the window curtain extends the sea floor and brings undersea plants to it…
As a result, Art of Animation has the deepest level of Disney theming ever created in a hotel. If your kids like the movies it represents–Nemo, Little Mermaid, Lion King, Cars–they are going to love this place.
Convenience. Convenience on this site means transportation convenience in carrying out its itineraries. By that standard, Art of Animation overall is tied with Pop Century Resort for being the most convenient value resort.
Among the values it shares with Pop Century both the most convenient buses and the only value resort access to Disney’s new Skyliner gondola system, which–after a transfer at Caribbean Beach–offers fun, simple routing to Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
However, the standard rooms at Art of Animation are the least convenient of all this hotel’s offerings.
See the map. The standard rooms at Art of Animation are all in the Little Mermaid section, highlighted with the orange circle.
These rooms are by far the least convenient offerings at Art of Animation, being five minutes further away (at worst) from the Skyliner station, central pool, food court and bus stop than other (Family Suite) Art of Animation options.
For most families, this extra few minutes won’t matter; but those with mobility issues might want to consider Pop Century, the next most highly ranked value resort, especially if they are targeting a summer visit or need the queen beds or coffeemakers found in its refurbed rooms.
At Pop, as at the other value resorts, rooms can be found that are much more convenient to the central resort services.
THE LITTLE MERMAID ROOMS THEMSELVES
Little Mermaid room layouts at Art of Animation are pretty much identical what was formerly found in standard rooms in the other value resorts.
However, refurbs at Pop Century, All-Star Movies, and All-Star Music have added queen beds and coffeemakers to those resort. So the only clear comparable these days is All-Star Sports, which like these rooms still has full beds and no coffeemakers–but even All-Star Sports may be getting queens soon.
See the floor plan. These rooms have two full beds, a table and chairs, a dresser with a TV on top and a mini-fridge inside, and a divided bath.
And as in the other value resorts, this room is about as small as it can be and still fit two beds.
Note that some says that these rooms are slightly larger than other value resort rooms, at 277 square feet, rather than 260.
In fact, these rooms are no bigger than those at the other value resorts.
My tape measure got all the major dimensions as within an inch or so of those at Pop Century. For this room to have 17 more square feet, it would need to have been a foot and a half longer, or nine inches wider, or 6 inches more in both dimensions, or some such, than All-Star Music.
My measuring isn’t perfect, but I would have noticed that big a dimensional difference…so I’ve got it as 260 square feet, same as the other value resorts.
BEST AND WORST PLACES TO STAY IN THE LITTLE MERMAID AREA OF ART OF ANIMATION
The Little Mermaid Section of Art of Animation has three buildings, numbered 7, 8 and 9.
Seven is the best, and 8 the worst. Specifically, ask for an Hourglass Lake view room in building 7 closer to the Lion King area. This will give you the shortest walk, least pool noise, and best views.
Distance. Building 8 is furthest from the Skyliner, central services and bus stop, Buildings 7 and 9 closer.
Noise. Unlike in the Family Suites at Art of Animation, corridor noise is not much of an issue in the Little Mermaid section. This is because there are twice as many corridors, none is walled on all sides, none is air conditioned, and thus none has a real draw as a pathway to the resort’s central services.
Noise, to the extent it is an issue, comes from the pool. One-third of rooms in building 8, and one-sixth of rooms in each of 7 and 9, face the pool.
Views. Two thirds of the rooms in both buildings 8 and 9 have parking lot views; there are no bad views in building 7, though as noted above the pool-view rooms in 7 can be noisy.
Art of Animation and Pop Century are the only value resorts on a lake—Hourglass Lake separates the two. While there may be some obtuse views of Hourglass Lake from a few of the pool-facing rooms of building 8, a third of building 7 rooms have a view of the lake.
All in, building 7 is the best and 8 the worst of the Little Mermaid buildings. So ask for a lake-facing building 7 room, as near the Lion King area as possible. This will give you the shortest walk, least noise and best view!
The best rooms specifically are 7513-7524, 7613-7624, 7713-7724, and 7813 to 7824.
The long-time travel agent partner of this site, Kelly B., can help you book your Disney World vacation at Art of Animation or anywhere else–contact her using the form below:
A PHOTO TOUR OF A STANDARD LITTLE MERMAID ROOM
This review continues here.
MATERIAL IN THIS REVIEW OF DISNEY’S ART OF ANIMATION RESORT
- Overview of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- The Little Mermaid Area and Rooms
- Photo Tour of a Little Mermaid Room
- Overview of the Family Suites Areas
- Accommodations in the Family Suites
- Photo Tour of a Finding Nemo Family Suite (plus bed dimensions, storage, etc)
- Photo Tour of a Lion King Family Suite
- Photo Tour of a Cars Family Suit
- Amenities at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- The Pools at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
OTHER KEY PAGES FOR WHERE TO STAY AT DISNEY WORLD
- Where to stay–the Basics
- Where first-timers should stay
- Reviews of all the Disney World resorts, based on my 150+ stays in them
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144 comments
Tom…..I forgot to says thanks!!
hey Dave Love the site, super informative!
planning my first trip with my gf in the middle of may and was wondering if AofA has package pick up for items bought in the parks from gift shops?
also we made a special request for a king size bed when we booked in early november. i heard you say that they are normally reserved for the handicapable, does that mean we dont have a good chance of getting the king size bed?
thanks in advance!
Jeff
Hi Jeff and thanks! Yes, AofA does have the package pick-up service! And if there’s a king available when you check in, you’ll get it!
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You’re welcome Scott! Right now I am staying on building #7 and it is quite a walk to the lobby or food court, but I don’t complain. I like AoA very much!
awsome! thanks for the help dave!
You bet Jeff, good luck with the king!
Tom,
The walk will not bother us either. When we were there in December we took the Pop Century bus back on at least one occasion and walked over the bridge back to the Art of Animation.
Grandma need help. I will be at AoA June 2013 with 9year old Granddaughter. What building/ room request should I request? I have no mobility issues, but I would like a good view.
Hi Towana! My recommendations are at the top of this page: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/10/23/review-standard-little-mermaid-rooms-disneys-art-animation-resort-p3/
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PS We will be in Mermaid room
Im staying in the Little Mermaid Rooms with family in 24 days!! Approximately, how long is the walk from the room to the transportation area? My dad has a torn meniscus so I’m trying to figure out how much time it will take to get from the room to transportation area each day. Thanks!
Hi Greg, see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/09/19/little-mermaid-rooms-art-animation-not-girly-not-far/
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Thanks Dave! That definitely helps with planning!
Hi Dave,
I was wondering if the Little Mermaid Standard rooms at AoA would be too “girly” for my 2 boys (7 and 5). It is only the 4 of us, so we don’t really need the family suite that the Cars suites offer. Also, if we stay at the Little Mermaid, can we wander over to Cars to take a look at Route 66? And, do you think the dining plan is really worth it? Thanks.
Hi Jocelyn! No, I don;t think they are too girly at all—see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/09/19/little-mermaid-rooms-art-animation-not-girly-not-far/ And yes, you can walk around and explore all parts of the resort, including the Cars section!
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Can I buy a microwave from Walmart for my standard room in art of animation little mermaid when I come in August . Thank you Matt
Matt, factually I don’t know, but I’d guess that deep within Disney’s room contract with you it says no. This would be for fire code reasons. So if you do do it, there’s a chance a kind Disney message will tell you to take it out of your room…
Note that the minifridge in your room has no freezer compartment, but also that there’s a microwave in the food court seating area that you can use…
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First of all: Great, great site Dave. I’d like your advice please: i’m traveling in October with my wife, mom, and 3 kids (7,4,1). We’ve booked a Cars Suite for 8 nights. I realized that, alternatively, I can pay the same price that week for a one-bedroom at Old Key West. My kids have been to WDW before (AKL, WL) and will again, so I’m trying to balance their excitement with our own relaxation/appreciation for amenities. Which would you suggest I choose: AoA (Cars) or OKW?
Mike, first thanks, and second that’s a bit of a tough call!
OKW has everything going for it but kid appeal, convenience, elevators, and the second bath. Given where you’ve stayed before, you’ll miss the kid appeal if at OKW but love the space itself, but with your mom along, the second bath at AofA might come in handy. If it were me I’d do OKW in a heartbeat, while worrying about the baths.
For an OKW floor plan, see this: https://yourfirstvisit.net/2010/01/17/review-disneys-old-key-west-resort/
Hope this helps, and if so…
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Do any of these rooms have 3 beds for adults?
Tom, no not in these rooms.
Great site thankyou .how big are the suites we are staying in LM in november.
Hi if by LM you mean Little Mermaid, those rooms aren’t suites–they are tiny standard rooms. The suites are twice as big–see this https://yourfirstvisit.net/2012/06/10/review-the-family-suites-at-disneys-art-of-animation-resort/
I just got home from a 4 night stay at this hotel. My 5 yr old daughter loved it and so did I . My only issue I had with this hotel was the walk to the front of the hotel to get the shuttle. I really feel they catered more to the families in the suites with location on this one. After walking the parks for 12 hours the last thing you want to do is another long walk to your room. Other than that the staff was awesome especially Cam at check in she really was FANTASTIC with my little girl. When we checked in my daughter was terrified of the electric toilets and Cam told her they were magical from Mickey and Minnie and that if she got brave the princesses would bring her a surprise to the room. This worked like a charm and when we got back are 2nd night we had signed pics and balloons from the princesses and a coloring book. Thank you again Cam you saved us on are trip. 🙂 Stephanie and Katelyn
Hi Stephanie, and thanks for the great story, and calling out Cam!
The history of this hotel is not that it was desinged to cater to the suite families. It’s that two of the three Little Mermaid buildings were built for standard rooms more than a decade ago, and then Disney stopped working on this location. When attention to it returned, Disney decided it need a deeper offering of suites, so 7 of the 8 added buildings–all more convenient–were built as suites…
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Hi Dave!
I tried to get into Art of animation for the first week of December and the Standard rooms are already booked. So we are going for the Pop Century. My son has mobility issues and it will be just he and I. Any suggestions on the building? I saw you recommend building 2 & 5, but is this convenient when you have a wheelchair? Also, I can’t seem to find much information on hot tubs – are there any? We’re going in December and he loves the water… Thanks!
Hi Heather! You want to pay for a preferred room, and request a 60s building near transportation…And none of the values have hot tubs…
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Hi! I’ll be staying in the Little Mermaid room this June. I’ve been searching for any info on if the rooms have a small coffee maker in them or not. Also, when I originally booked my room I was told the rooms didn’t have any fridge, and that I could rent one for $10 a day. I’m glad to see that you say they have one but now I’m confused. Thanks for all of the great info!
Hi Kevin, all the rooms at WDW now comes with a fridge at no extra charge. There is no coffeemaker in the Little Mermaid rooms…
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Hey I seen a lot of bad comments about people complaining how far it is from main building to Littel mermaid room,
Well me and my partner have booked up to go here in August 2013 we both think how can people complain your gonna be walking round disney the full day everyday what the hell is a extra 5/10min gonna do walking to your room ??
am looking forward to my visit can’t wait and see you all soon 🙂
🙂 Steve. Let me know what you think after you’ve stayed there! I’m with you..so used to walking that another long walk doesn’t matter much. But families with mobility challenges–or even pushing a bunch of strollers–may well be looking to avoid another hike…
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Hi Dave,
I am booked to arrive at AoA with my two kids this Sunday 30th June ’13. I have mobility issues ( renting an ECV) which won’t arrive at hotel til the morning of 1st July ( Monday). I understand from my travel agent we will be staying in a Little Mermaid room, which I can see from the comments is a bit of a distance from everything. I won’t be able to manage the walking. The other issue I am worried about is the fact the ECV will need to charge overnight. Will there be space in the room?
If you haven’t done online check in yet, do it now, and request a room “Near Transportation.” Then call the front desk at AofA and explain your situation and request a room in buildings 7 or building 9 as close to Animation Hall as possible…
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