Looking for a Disney’s Art of Animation Resort map? The most helpful landmarks are the Disney Skyliner station beside Hourglass Lake, Animation Hall near the front of the resort, and four themed room areas: Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. The right building can make a real difference to your walks, pool time, and how easy it feels to get everyone out the door.
OPEN THE RESORT MAP
View Disney’s Art of Animation map (PDF)
This is Disney’s published resort-overview brochure, not a live refurbishment map. For the most current location details, open your linked hotel reservation in the My Disney Experience app and select View Resort Map. You can also check room locations directly with the resort.
Art of Animation Resort Map at a Glance
The resort is laid out around Animation Hall and Hourglass Lake. On the official map, the Finding Nemo courtyard sits near the center, Cars is to the east, The Lion King is to the west, and The Little Mermaid rooms are farther toward the northwest edge. The Skyliner station is reached near the lake, while the bus stops are near the entrance in front of Animation Hall.
| HOURGLASS LAKE Skyliner station near the bridge toward Pop Century |
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| THE LITTLE MERMAID Buildings 7, 8, 9 Standard rooms · Flippin’ Fins Pool |
FINDING NEMO Buildings 4, 5 Family suites · Big Blue Pool |
CARS Buildings 1, 2, 3 Family suites · Cozy Cone Pool |
| THE LION KING Buildings 6, 10 Family suites · themed paths |
ANIMATION HALL Check-in · Landscape of Flavors · gift shop |
FRONT ENTRANCE Parking and arrival areas |
| BUS TRANSPORTATION Stops near the front of Animation Hall |
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Which Art of Animation Buildings Are in Each Section?
Building numbers are especially useful when comparing room categories or making a location request. You will not be able to choose an exact room number through this guide, and requests are never guaranteed. This table helps you understand what to look for on the property map.
| Themed area | Buildings | Room category | Best reason to choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finding Nemo | 4 and 5 | Family suites | Central convenience and the main pool |
| Cars | 1, 2 and 3 | Family suites | Immersive theming and the Cozy Cone Pool |
| The Lion King | 6 and 10 | Family suites | Themed surroundings, away from the main pool courtyard |
| The Little Mermaid | 7, 8 and 9 | Standard rooms | A traditional room rather than a larger suite |
The building grouping follows resort maps and building listings, while room descriptions should be confirmed against Disney’s current room inventory. Disney currently lists Little Mermaid standard rooms for up to four adults and family suites in the other three themed sections for up to six. Family suites include a separate sleeping area, two bathrooms and a kitchenette, which can be especially helpful for larger families.
Where Are the Skyliner Station, Buses and Animation Hall?
Disney Skyliner
On the map, look for the station by Hourglass Lake near the connecting bridge to Pop Century. The gondola service connects the resort with Disney’s Hollywood Studios and EPCOT, using the transportation network and transfers as appropriate. That makes it a useful perk for families who plan more time at those two parks. Always check current operating information in the Disney app, since weather and maintenance can affect service.
For many travelers, the important distinction is not whether the resort has Skyliner access—it does—but how far the room will be from the station when the family is tired at the end of a park day. Finding Nemo is generally the most convenient themed area to investigate for lake-side transportation access, but a particular room’s location and walking route still matter.
Disney buses
The bus area is near the front of Animation Hall, rather than at the far end of the Little Mermaid section. Families focused on Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom should consider how often they expect to walk to the bus stop. When gondola service is suspended, ask Disney about the transportation arrangements in effect that day; do not assume a fixed replacement-bus pattern.
Animation Hall
Animation Hall is your central landmark for arrival, check-in, the Ink & Paint Shop, and Landscape of Flavors dining. If your family is likely to make several stops for snacks, refillable drinks, or guest services each day, a room that reduces back-and-forth walking can be worth considering.
For broader Walt Disney World transportation questions, see our Disney World transportation guide.
What Are the Best Areas to Request for Your Family?
For families of five or six: start with the suite category
Before comparing building numbers, make sure you are searching for the right room type. Families who need a suite should focus on Finding Nemo, Cars or The Lion King. These aren’t interchangeable with the standard Little Mermaid room simply because they share the same resort address. In my planning process, the sleeping arrangement and number of bathrooms come before the building request.
For easy access to the main pool and amenities: consider Finding Nemo
Finding Nemo is centrally located around the Big Blue Pool and places the main resort area and lake-side transportation within a generally convenient zone. That is attractive for a family planning midday pool breaks and frequent trips to the food court. If proximity is your main priority, talk through the trade-off between convenience and the busier activity around the principal pool.
For Cars fans: consider the Cars courtyard
The Cars buildings surround a distinct themed area with the Cozy Cone Pool. The room category is a family suite, so this can be a good match for a family that needs space and values movie-themed surroundings. Individual buildings within Cars won’t feel identical in relation to Animation Hall, so the location request should still be specific to your priorities.
For Lion King fans: consider the quieter themed paths
The Lion King section is west of the main Finding Nemo courtyard and has family suites. There is no separate Lion King pool in the resort’s pool lineup; guests can consider the Big Blue Pool and other resort pool areas subject to current rules. I would view this section as a choice for its theming, suite layout and overall feel—not as a guarantee of complete quiet.
For parties of up to four prioritizing a standard room: consider The Little Mermaid
The Little Mermaid section is the standard-room section and sits farther from the main building. The potential trade-off is a longer walk to some central facilities. That matters more if you use a stroller, return to your room regularly, have mobility considerations, or prefer to minimize walking after park closing. Compare the actual room category before assuming the lowest displayed rate will include the same space or amenities as a suite.
Art of Animation Pool Locations on the Map
There are three named pools to locate: the Big Blue Pool in Finding Nemo, the Cozy Cone Pool in Cars, and the Flippin’ Fins Pool in The Little Mermaid section. The Righteous Reef Playground is near the Finding Nemo pool area. A hotel map can help you judge the relative location of these areas, but exact pool operating hours, accessibility arrangements, and any refurbishment restrictions should be checked for your dates.
For more information about pool features and resort-day plans, read our Art of Animation pools and resort activities guide.
How to Find the Most Current Resort Map in 2026
- Link your Art of Animation reservation in the My Disney Experience app.
- Open your hotel reservation details and look for the resort map option. Disney’s planDisney guidance from September 2026 describes a View Resort Map button under Hotel Reservations.
- Zoom into the area you are comparing, and use Disney’s latest resort information to check walkways, transportation, pools and any construction or refurbishment notices.
- Use the linked Disney resort-overview PDF for an easy wide-angle look at the four themed areas, not as a promise that all operations remain unchanged.
2026 planning note: Disney’s current resort listing says Art of Animation is undergoing refurbishments. Locations, temporary access routes, room availability and amenity operations can change; check the current notices for your travel dates before making a room-location decision.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Art of Animation Map
Which Art of Animation buildings are closest to the Skyliner?
The Finding Nemo area, particularly its position near Hourglass Lake, is the central place to start. Exact walking convenience depends on the assigned room, the building’s entrance and the path in use. Ask about current access when you make a preference request.
Which buildings have the Little Mermaid rooms?
Buildings 7, 8 and 9 are in The Little Mermaid area. They are listed as standard rooms, not the six-person family suites located in other themed areas.
Where is the Big Blue Pool?
The Big Blue Pool is in the Finding Nemo courtyard near the center of the resort. The Cars section has Cozy Cone Pool, while The Little Mermaid has Flippin’ Fins Pool.
Is Lion King near its own swimming pool?
No separate Lion King-themed pool appears on the resort map. The resort’s main named pools are in Finding Nemo, Cars and The Little Mermaid areas.
Can I request an exact building?
You can communicate location preferences, but Disney does not guarantee a specific building or room. The category you book should meet your family’s sleeping and bathroom needs even if a preferred location is not assigned.
Should I book Art of Animation or a different Disney resort?
That depends on your party size, desired room layout, park priorities, and how much walking you want between your room, food and transportation. Start with our Art of Animation resort overview or compare the best Disney resorts for families before choosing based on a map alone.
Choose the Right Room, Not Just the Right Map
The map helps you ask better questions, but it can’t tell you which booking category fits your family, which room is currently available, or whether an upgrade is worth the cost. That’s where personalized planning makes a difference. Traveling Ears Vacations helps families compare resorts, room layouts, transportation and dining as part of a concierge-style Disney vacation plan.
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Sources & map accuracy: Disney resort overview and map; Disney room categories; planDisney map instructions; and TouringPlans building list. Resort facts and access arrangements may change. The orientation diagram is independently drawn for explanation and is not an official Disney map.