The Resorts Gal Guide to Disney’s Art of Animation Pools
We’ve stayed at Disney’s Art of Animation many times. It’s a fun hotel, especially for children and those who remain young at heart. That fun extends to the resort pools, where you can choose between themed areas to enjoy during your vacation.
During our last stay, we spent some time at the pools at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Art of Animation has three pools for resort guests: The Big Blue Pool, the Cozy Cone Pool, and the Flippin’ Fins Pool. You might relax by the Flippin’ Fins pool, take a plunge in The Big Blue Pool, or hang out in a cabana at the Cozy Cone Pool. Each has charming elements.
When we stay at a resort at Walt Disney World, we take photos of everything, including the pools. Below, we’ll preview the pools and what you can expect. Additionally, we’ll discuss the Schoolyard Sprayground, Squirt’s Righteous Reef, the Drop-Off Pool Bar, changing areas, and other things you’ll need to know to plan some time at the pool.
Pool Details for Planning Your Vacation
During our latest stay at Art of Animation, the pools were open the following hours:
- The Big Blue Pool: 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
- Flippin’ Fins Pool: 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
- Cozy Cone Pool: 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.
*After Labor Day, the pool hours usually run between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Please note that pool hours adjust from time to time throughout the year. So you’ll want to check the hours during your visit. They are posted at the main entrance to each pool.
Before we look at each pool in detail, I wanted to mention that complimentary towels are provided in bins at each pool. This is standard at every pool at the Walt Disney World Resort. So you won’t need to pack them.
Since Disney’s Art of Animation is a value resort, the pools do not have a waterslide or hot tub. We have a separate list of Disney Hotels that have a waterslide. However, the resort has other recreational offerings geared toward children, which we’ll discuss further below.
The Big Blue Pool Photos
The Big Blue Pool is the feature pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Hotel. It contains over 308,000 gallons of water and is inspired by Disney’s Finding Nemo film.
The pool sits directly behind Animation Hall, the resort’s lobby. It is centered between the Finding Nemo section of the resort and the Disney Skyliner. A zero-depth entry area is available on one end of the pool.
A few pool rules are posted, including the maximum pool depth, which is 4′ 11″ (4 feet, 11 inches). (This is the maximum pool depth at all Art of Animation pools.)
Complimentary life jackets are available at the Big Blue Pool and other pools. Lifeguards are also on duty at all of Art of Animation’s pools.
Here are a few photos of The Big Blue Pool.
Per Disney, pool lifts and other access options are available for guests with disabilities or limited mobility. Pool hours and lifeguard availability vary by pool and are subject to change.
The Schoolyard Sprayground (Art of Animation Splash Pad)
Directly behind the pool, the Schoolyard Sprayground is an aquatic play area designed for children. This area features characters from Finding Nemo.
It looks like tons of fun for children. Before your trip, you might want to watch some of the movies represented at the resort. For reference, those movies are Finding Nemo, The Little Mermaid, Cars, and The Lion King.
Unfortunately, The Lion King section of the resort does not offer a pool. However, it is within close proximity of The Big Blue Pool and Flippin’ Fins Pool. Here are a few more photos of the splash pad at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.
Squirt’s Righteous Reef Playground
Directly behind the Schoolyard Sprayground, Squirt’s Righteous Reef is one of the two playgrounds at Art of Animation. This play area is outside of the fenced pool area. So you don’t have to worry about children getting wet.
Squirt’s Righteous Reef is an excellent place for children to run off extra energy. According to the sign, it’s designed as a play area for children ages 5-12. Like everything else at the resort, this play area is designed with children in mind. The slide is not intimidating, and the playground has rubber flooring.
Crush sits nearby, reminding everyone to chill-ax.
Other Recreation at The Big Blue Pool
While at The Big Blue Pool area, you might notice a few other daily activities. The resorts post a recreation calendar each month if you want to preview the entire schedule.
Other things include a kiosk that offers hair braiding, airbrush tattoos, and Henna. These items all have an additional fee. A laundry facility is available in each of the pool areas. Unfortunately, the family suites do not have washers and dryers.
Inside the pool restrooms, you’ll find two shower stalls where you can easily change or shower. A few lockers are also available. Body wash, shampoo, and conditioner are available in the shower area. This area is convenient for those who have a late flight on their check-out day. You could spend the day at the pool, shower, and freshen up before you leave.
A few tabletop games surround the pool area.
The cast members set up a large blow-up movie projection screen on one of The Big Blue Pool’s decks at night. A different movie is shown each night.
The Drop-Off Pool Bar
The Drop-Off pool bar is immediately opposite The Big Blue Pool’s main entrance. They offer Disney’s standard cocktail and beverage menu, snacks, and sandwiches. You can preview the Drop-Off’s menu with prices on Disney.com.
However, if you want to enjoy a meal at the pool, you’ll do better to mobile order something from the resort’s food court, Landscape of Flavors. They will have a better variety, and when your order is ready, you can pick it up and bring it back to the pool.
If you have a Rapid Fill mug, a soda refill fountain is available on the far right side of the Drop-Off pool bar. So don’t forget to bring your mug to the pool.
Regular Coca-Cola products are available.
Related: Refillable Mugs at Art of Animation
Cozy Cone Pool Photos
The Cars Section at Art of Animation is home to the Cozy Cone Pool. This area is designed to look like the entrance to the Cozy Cone Motel. You’ll walk through what appears to be the lobby entrance.
A few rules are posted along with the pool hours.
The pool sits on the opposite side. It’s the shape of a wheel well.
Additionally, the Turbo Wash Laundromat is located beside the pool.
Inside the restroom, you’ll find another area with showers, toiletries, and a place to change.
Eight Cozy Cone Cabanas surround the pool area. They are available to guests on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Here are a few more photos of the Cozy Cone Pool at Disney’s Art of Animation.
Flippin’ Fins Pool Photos
Lastly, the Flippin’ Fins Pool is on the opposite end of the resort in The Little Mermaid section. This resort area is home to standard-value hotel rooms, while the other sections comprise family suites.
Pool rules are posted near the entrance.
Years ago, this pool had a special underwater music feature. However, that has long been removed for safety concerns.
Ariels sits at the back of the pool area, and King Triton, Ursula, and Sebastian surround it.
Like the other pool areas, a laundromat and restrooms are available.
We see a similar shower and changing area with toiletries near the pool bathrooms.
Lastly, the Lion King section of the resort doesn’t have a pool. However, it does have a children’s play area between the main lobby and the Little Mermaid section.
The Resorts Gal Spin on Art of Animation’s Pools
Overall, the three pools at Disney’s Art of Animation are equally fantastic! You’ll have fun regardless of your choice, or visit all three throughout your vacation!
You’ll also want to remember that while The Big Blue Pool is the largest, it is often the most crowded. After that, the Flippin’ Fins pool is also reasonably busy. Over my visits, I have found the Cozy Cone Pool to be the least crowded, and you can usually find an open cabana if you’re looking for shade.
Your kids will likely love the pools at Disney’s Art of Animation and the hotel. Don’t be surprised if they want to spend more time at the pool than in the theme parks!
For more information about Disney’s Art of Animation. Some of our favorite articles include:
- Disney’s Pop Century vs. Art of Animation
- Disney’s Art of Animation Review
- The Little Mermaid Rooms at Art of Animation
- Art of Animation Transportation Options
- How Far Are The Little Mermaid Rooms?
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In the Comments
Now that we’ve looked at the pools at Art of Animation, what do you think? Is there one that you might prefer? What are your thoughts on this resort?
