Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is open for business!

Earlier this morning, Meg Crofton, president of Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Operations, U.S. & France, officially dedicated this new resort while surrounded by a cast of colorful characters from the films that inspired the resort’s animation theme.

For anyone who ever dreamed of being a Disney animator – myself included – this place is a dream come true. Let’s take a tour:



Starting at Animation Hall, the resort’s lobby boasts decor that reflects animation in various stages, from pencil sketch to final product.



To the left are the Ink & Paint Shop and Landscape of Flavors food court. Check out this fun light fixture, which includes pencil sketches of “The Little Mermaid,” “The Lion King,” and more. If you visit, be sure to search for the John Lasseter signature on one of the “Cars” sketches.

Just through the doors, guests are swept into the story of “Finding Nemo,” and are reduced to the size of a fish at The Big Blue Pool. Here, they can splash alongside Nemo, Crush, the jellyfish, and other ocean friends. Walt Disney Imagineering really thought of everything in planning this under-the-sea adventure – they even have audio from the film piped into the pool that guests can hear when they’re under the water.

Here are some additional sights you can see around this Big Blue World:

Read more about Disney’s Art of Animation Resort in the posts below: