Introduction
It’s that most wonderful time where you’re planning your next trip to Disney World. Yay! You’ve determined that it’s going to be a more budget-oriented trip and will be staying at one of the Disney value resorts. In favor of saving yourself some time and energy in getting to and from the parks, you’ve also determined that you’d like to stay at one of the Skyliner resorts. That means it’s either the Disney Pop Century Resort or the Art of Animation Resort. But which one is better? Even though Art of Animation tends to be a little pricier, that doesn’t necessarily mean that Pop is the better pick. This post compares the two and offers some suggestions about which of these Disney value resorts would be the most beneficial for you and your traveling group.
The Room Breakdown
Pop Century – The All Star Upgrade
On our last visit to Disney World, we stayed at the Pop Century Resort. You can take a look at our detailed review on this post. In a nutshell, the layout of each room is 260 sq. ft. with the standard queen Murphy bed set-up. This set-up is identical to what you find in all of the rooms at the All Star resorts. That’s right – it’s the exact some room, albeit with some aesthetic differences. They’re simple, no-nonsense rooms. That being said, we had zero complaints about this Disney value resort. We also visited with our toddler, and their pack n’ play fit nicely in the room – we didn’t feel cramped.
Art of Animation – The Immersive Choice
At the Art of Animation, there are several different room options. The standard rooms are Little Mermaid-themed, and are clock in at 277 sq. ft. These rooms have two fixed double/queen beds. While we don’t feel there’s a significant distance added, the standard rooms are the farthest from the Skyliner.
Alternately, Art of Animation offers themed family suites. These are 565 sq. ft and are themed after Cars, The Lion King, or Finding Nemo. Each sweet had 3 beds, 2 full bathrooms, and a kitchenette.
Winner for Budget Room
If visiting with a smaller group like us, 2 adults and a toddler, Pop Century makes the most sense. If visiting with a larger group, like 5 adults and a toddler, one of the Art of Animation family suites is actually more cost effective. As fun fact we also shared on our planning a multi-generational trip guide, we had originally planned for one of the Lion King family suites, but my father-in-law was paranoid about the Murphy beds. So we caved, spent $300 more on a Pop Century room (yes, $300 MORE), for him to fully realize that the Murphy beds were in all rooms.
Theming & Atmosphere
Pop Century – Nostalgia
The whole Pop Century Resort is themed by decade, from the 1950s to the 1990s. We stayed in the 1980/90s block with Roger from Who Framed Roger Rabbit at the front of our building. There were big Yo-Yos and Play-doh, too!
Art of Animation – Immersion City
Walking through the Art of Animation resort can really feel like walking through a real movie. The buildings and figures everywhere look like they’re straight from the movies they represent. It’s bright and super vibrant. It’s kind of next level for a Disney value resort. For this reason, the Disney magic is super present.
Winner for Theme
If you’re traveling with a large family, and especially one with littles who LOVE one of the theme movies (Cars, Finding Nemo, or The Lion King), the vibes of Art of Animation can be a game changer.
Transportation & Amenities
Both resorts have access to the Disney Skyliner. They, in face, share the same Skyliner station. The Skyliner means guest staying at Pop Century and Art of Animation can take gondolas to either EPCOT or Hollywood Studios. That means they don’t need to take the bus to either of these resorts!
Pools
Both resorts also have pools. The Pop Century Resort has a couple of pools, the biggest of which is the Hippy Dippy Pool. It’s very 1970s in vibes with bright colors and flowers. The Art of Animation has The Big Blue Pool, which, you guessed it, is Finding Nemo-themed. This is is a gorgeous pool adjacent to the cutest splash pad. It’s honestly amazing for a Disney value resort. Both are great pools. If you’re planning on prioritizing an off-day at the resort, and are traveling with a little, we recommend the Art of Animation with the Big Blue Pool. The splash pad is awesome, and the Big Blue Pool has a long shallow end with seating. So you can sit with your feet in the water while your little trounces around.
Dining
Both resorts offer big, food-court style dining options. Pop Century has the Everything POP Shopping and Dining and Art of Animation has the Landscape of Flavors. We’ve heard people report that they feel that the Art of Animation has better food options, but we feel like they’re options are pretty similar? To each their own!
Pros and Cons: At a Glance
| Feature | Pop Century | Art of Animation |
| Pros | Lower price point; Murphy beds create extra space; shorter walks to the Skyliner. | Incredibly immersive; Family Suites sleep 6; better pools. |
| Cons | Theming feels “old school” rather than “Disney”; only standard rooms available. | Standard (Mermaid) rooms are often excluded from discounts; more pricey in general. |
Final Verdict: Which should you book?
- Book Pop Century
- If you are a couple, solo traveler, or a family of fewer than 4 on a strict budget who wants the best “bang for your buck.” We loved our time here!
- Book Art of Animation
- If you have a party of 5–6 (Suites), or your kids are die-hard fans of the specific movies represented.
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