Art of Animation vs Pop Century – Which Resort is Right For You?

Planning a Walt Disney World vacation is hard work – there are so many questions to answer! Where to eat, what to do, and one of the most important ones- where to stay! To answer that question, I must say that I HIGHLY recommend staying on WDW property (there are so many benefits that make it totally worth it!)

For me and my family (and probably a lot of you too!), it’s the WDW Value Resorts all the way, and I know the real question for us is: Do we stay at Pop Century or the new Art of Animation? These are WDW’s two newest Value Resorts, and they are definitely both very popular and unique, so the question really is, which one do you choose?

Let’s look at some of the similarities and differences between the two resorts (which will hopefully make your Resort decision easier!)

Cost – Since these are some of WDW’s “Value” Resorts, that means you’re getting some of the cheaper rooms on WDW property, and depending on the time of year, a standard room will cost around $100-$179 per night, and a family suite will cost around $250-$450 per night

Party Size/room types – When I say “standard” room, we are talking about a hotel room with one King or 2 double beds, and 1 bathroom area. Pop Century has only standard rooms, whereas Art of Animation is composed of 4 sections, 1 of which houses standard rooms, while the other 3 are all family suites. A family suite has 2 bathrooms, a master bedroom with a queen bed, and a living area with a table and couch that convert to sleep an additional 3-4 people. Additionally, the suites, have a mini kitchen, which includes a microwave, sink, coffee maker, and small refrigerator. The suites are a great option for a family of 5 or 6 with smaller kids, as it offers 2 bathrooms and more space to spread out than a standard room.

Party Age(s)/theming preferences – Another thing to consider is the age of the people in your party, if you are traveling with all adults, they might enjoy Pop Century, with its “remember when” nostalgic look back at the last 50 years. But if you have kids, they might like Art of Animation more, where there are 4 movies themed throughout the resort: Cars, The Little Mermaid, Finding Nemo, and the Lion King. Either way, resort theme is definitely something to take into consideration!

Food Choices – All WDW Value Resorts have similar dining options – a food court like setting where there are several stations serving different kinds of made to order dishes, as well as a selection of prepackaged meals/snacks/drinks etc. Some of the highlights of the Everything POP! Food Court include the “Mom’s Night Out” TV Dinners (which change nightly), the tie dye cheesecake, and some delicious made to order salads. Over at the Art of Animation’s Landscapes of Flavor food court, you will find some new and unique items including smoothies and gelato, Mongolian style stir fry, and Tandori roasted chicken. I don’t know about you, but food is a HUGE consideration when it comes to my vacations, I want to make sure I am trying new and delicious things, and both of these Resort food courts deliver on taste and quality

While there are a lot of differences between the Resorts, there are also some similarities. Both have similar transportation – WDW buses take you to the Theme Parks from the Resorts. The ameneties in the rooms, food delivery, mousekeeping, standard room size – these will all be pretty much the same at both Resorts as well.

Both Art of Animation and Pop Century really are a value – for the cost, you really do get a lot. There are differences which make them unique, and it’s definitely a hard choice to make between the two. For me? I LOVED Pop Century, and can’t wait to try out Art of Animation next year! It’s always fun to experience and explore a new Resort!

So what about you – where would you stay – Art of Animation? Pop Century? Or do you prefer another WDW Resort?

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