Which Disney Resort is Best? Art of Animation vs. Pop Century

Choosing the perfect place to stay at Walt Disney World Resort can be a magical decision, especially when considering two iconic value resorts-Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort. Both properties offer a blend of immersive Disney theming and affordability, making them excellent choices for families, couples, and Disney enthusiasts alike.

Whether you’re seeking the enchanting world of Disney’s animated classics or a trip down memory lane through the decades of pop culture, each resort provides a unique atmosphere and a range of amenities that can enhance your Disney vacation.

But which is right for you?

In this blog post, I’ll take a detailed look at both resorts, highlighting their differences and similarities to help you decide which one best suites your needs for your next magical stay.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort: A Disney Fan’s Dream Stay

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a standout choice for families and Disney fans, thanks to its immersive Disney theming and affordable pricing. Although it’s the priciest option among the Value Resorts at Walt Disney World Resort, it offers an experience that truly captures the magic of Disney. Every corner of this resort is filled with iconic Disney characters, ensuring guests are constantly surrounded by vibrant displays inspired by beloved animated films.

One of its most celebrated features is The Big Blue Pool, the largest swimming pool at Walt Disney World Resort. Additionally, the resort is home to one of the top-rated food courts, offering a variety of dining options for every taste.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort’s connection to the Disney Skyliner provides a convenient way to travel between the resort and select theme parks, cutting down on the reliance on buses. The resort’s playful, energetic atmosphere, complete with larger-than-life Pixar characters and themed areas, makes it an exciting destination for guests of all ages. Whether you’re a fan of The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, or Cars, the colorful and creative design of this resort makes it a place where Disney stories come to life.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort: A Retro Adventure Through the Decades

Disney’s Pop Century Resort is a lively tribute to the pop culture of the 1950s through the 1990s, making it a nostalgic favorite for guests of all ages. The resort is divided into sections, each themed to a different decade, with vibrant exterior decor that reflects the iconic trends and fads from each era.

With three pools available for guests to enjoy, there’s plenty of space to cool off and relax. Like Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, Disney’s Pop Century Resort is connected to the Disney Skyliner, offering convenient transportation to nearby parks and other resorts, minimizing the need for bus rides.

Throughout the resort, you’ll find larger-than-life memorabilia, from decades gone by including massive Rubik’s cubes, oversized cell phones, and even a giant foosball table. These playful details create a fun and immersive environment that captures the essence of decades past, making every stroll though the resort an entertaining experience.

Comparing the Themes: Disney Magic vs Nostalgic Pop Culture

When it comes to theming, both Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort offer fun, immersive experiences, but they cater to different tastes in Disney magic.

At Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, theming revolves around beloved Disney and Pixar films, making it a paradise for fans of animated classics. With areas inspired by The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars, the resort brings these stories to life with larger-than-life characters, detailed landscapes, and vibrant colors. Each section feels like stepping into the heart of the movies, perfect for families, especially those with young children, or anyone looking to dive into Disney’s animated worlds.

In contrast, Disney’s Pop Century Resort takes guests on a nostalgic journey through the pop culture of the 1950s to the 1990s. The resort celebrates these decades with bold, oversized icons from each era-think giant yo-yos, huge Rubik’s cubes, and retro cell phones. Every corner of Disney’s Pop Century Resort reflects the quirky trends and memorable fads that defined these decades, creating a fun and playful, atmosphere that appeals to those who appreciate a bit of retro flair. It’s an exciting place for adults to reminisce about their childhoods.

While Disney’s Art of Animation Resort leans heavily into Disney storytelling, Disney’s Pop Century Resort taps into the broader cultural touchstones of music, movies, and everyday life. The choice between the two ultimately depends on whether you want to be surrounded by Disney movie magic or relive the iconic moments of decades past. Both resorts are visually striking, offering guest s a truly unique experience, no matter which them resonates with them.

Winner: It’s a draw!

Dining Options: Flavorful Finds at Both Resorts

Both Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort offer convenient food court dining options, perfect for fueling up before a day at the parks or winding down after a long adventure. Guests can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at both resorts, with classic favorites like Mickey waffles, burgers, and pizzas, which you can even take back to your room to enjoy.

At Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, the Landscape of Flavors food court offers a wide variety of quick-service options, from well-loved staples like pizza and seasonal cupcakes to more adventurous dishes. For lunch and dinner, guests can savor items such as seared salmon, shrimp and grits, tandoori chicken, and pulled pork sandwiches, adding a bit of flair to the typical theme park fare.

Disney’s Pop Century Resort’s dining location, Everything POP!, provides a similar selection of family favorites-burgers, pizza, and Mickey waffles-but tends to stick to more traditional, comfort food options. While you’ll find plenty of delicious meals here, it doesn’t offer as many of the globally inspired or unique dishes that Disney’s Art of Animation Resort does.

In short, both resorts deliver satisfying dining experiences, but if you’re craving a little more variety and are open to trying something new, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort may have the edge in terms of adventurous flavors. However, if you prefer to stick with familiar favorites, Disney’s Pop Century Resort won’t disappoint.

Winner: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort! But it’s important to note that you can absolutely walk from Disney’s Pop Century resort to Landscape of Flavors to enjoy and sample the food if you’d like.

Pool Time Fun: Which Resort Makes a Bigger Splash?

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort both offer three distinct pools, each with its own unique theming.

At Disney’s Pop Century Resort, the pools reflect the decades the resort celebrates, with the 1960s Hippy Dippy Pool as the centerpiece, offering a playful, flower-power vibe. You’ll also find the 1950s Bowling Pool, shaped like a giant bowling pin, and the 1990s Computer Pool, featuring fun, retro tech-inspired decor. While the pools at Disney’s Pop Century Resort are enjoyable and fit the resort’s overall theme, they are smaller and more laid-back compared to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort’s offerings.

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort’s pools are a highlight of the resort, particularly The Big Blue Pool, inspired by Finding Nemo. as the largest pool in all of Walt Disney World Resort, it’s an immersive experience, complete with vibrant underwater theming and a fun splash pad area. The resort also features the Cozy Cone Pool, located in the Cars section, where guests can relax in cone-shaped cabanas, and the Flippin’ Fins Pool, set in the Little Mermaid area, offering a whimsical under-the-sea atmosphere.

One important note: while both resorts are within walking distance of each other, guests are not permitted to pool hop between them. So, if pool time is an important part of your vacation, you’ll want to choose the resort whose pool theming and size best match your preferences. Disney’s Art of Animation Resort’s larger, more elaborately themed pools make it ideal for those looking for a more immersive aquatic experience, while Disney’s Pop Century Resort offers a more low-key, nostalgic poolside vibe.

Winner: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

Getting Around: Transportation Made Easy at Both Resorts

Transportation at both Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Disney’s Pop Century Resort is nearly identical, as they share a dedicated Disney Skyliner station. This convenient gondola system offers a direct route to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, making it a major selling point for guests staying at either resort. The Skyliner’s ease and efficiency are big reasons why these Value Resorts are priced slightly higher than other properties in the same category.

For guests who prefer to stay on the ground or if the Skyliner is temporarily unavailable, there’s still the option of Disney’s reliable bus transportation. Busses run regularly from both resorts to Magic Kingdom Park, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park, and Disney Springs Marketplace, ensuring you can easily reach any part of Walt Disney World without hassle.

So, whether you enjoy the scenic views from the Skyliner or prefer the classic Disney bus service, both resorts have you covered when it comes to getting around.

Winner: It’s a tie!

Room Comparison: Disney-Themed Suites or Sleek, Functional Design?

The rooms at Disney’s Pop Century Resort are designed with functionality in mind. There are two types of rooms, one which comes with two queen beds-one is a Murphy bed that can be tucked away into a table for more space during the day. For those seeking a bit more room, King bed options are also available. While the room does feel cozier when the Murphy bed is down, particularly when it comes to finding space for the chairs, there’s still plenty of storage, including space under-the-bed.

The theming in Disney’s Pop Century Resort rooms is subtle, offering a clean and streamlined look with tasteful Disney touches, like character art and extra USB ports for convenience. However, it’s important to note that Disney’s Pop Century Resort only offers standard rooms-there are no suites available for larger groups.

On the other hand, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort fully embraces Disney theming in every corner of its rooms. Each section of the resort is inspired by a different animated film-Cars, The Lion King, Finding Nemo, and The Little Mermaid-and the rooms reflect those themes with immersive decor. If you love being surrounded by Disney magic throughout your stay, Art of Animation is the place for you.

This resort also offers family suites, perfect for larger groups, with spacious accommodations themed after Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and Cars. For smaller parties, The Little Mermaid rooms, while heavily themed, are the standard room option. Though slightly larger than Disney’s Pop Century Resort’s standard rooms, they are located farther from the main buildings and the Big Blue Pool, which may be something to consider if proximity is important.

Ultimately, the biggest difference between the two resorts comes down to room theming and available space. If you prefer subtle Disney details and functional design, Disney’s Pop Century Resort is a great option. But if you want a fully immersive Disney experience and the option for a family suite, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort might be better fit.

Winner: You decide! It entirely depends on the size of your group and how immersed in the Disney experience you want to be at all times.

Ultimately, both Disney’s Art of Animation Resort dazzles guests with its vivid depictions of Disney and Pixar films and offers spacious family suites, Disney’s Pop Century Resort charms with its nostalgic journey through iconic decades.

Whether your preference is for Disney storytelling or retro vibes, both resorts promise and unforgettable stay. No matter which you choose, you’ll be stepping into a world of fun, creativity, and endless Disney magic, ensuring that your stay at Wald Disney World Resort is nothing short of extraordinary.

Email me today to discuss which resort is right for you!

Tracey@CastleBoundTravelCo.com