Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Pool Guide (Photos and Amenities)

If you’re planning a stay at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, this guide covers the resort’s pools with details of what to expect. The resort boasts three pools: the Big Blue Pool, the Cozy Cone Pool, and the Flippin’ Fins Pool. Below, we’ll discuss the basics, like pool hours, complimentary amenities, and changing areas. We’ll also 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.

For reference, 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.

Updated: February 19, 2026

Pool Hours at Disney’s Art of Animation

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.

The pools at Art of Animation are heated to 82 degrees, so they usually remain open in cooler weather. However, if the outside temperature drops to 55ish degrees or lower, the pools will close until warmer temperatures return. Lifeguards are usually on duty at all of this resort’s pools.

Note that the Big Blue Pool is the resort’s feature pool and the largest of the three. Since Art of Animation is a value resort, the pools do not have a water slide or hot tubs. We have a separate list of resorts at Disney with water slides if you want to learn more.

Complimentary Towels and Life Jackets

Complimentary pool towels are provided at each pool. This is standard at every pool at the Walt Disney World Resort. So you won’t need to pack them.

Additionally, complimentary life jackets are available at each pool. They come in a wide array of sizes.

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.)

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, you’ll find the Schoolyard Sprayground, an aquatic play area designed for children. This area features characters from Finding Nemo. It’s one of the cutest splash pads at the Disney Resorts.

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, this area is pretty evenly between 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, you’ll find Squirt’s Righteous Reef, one of the two playgrounds at Art of Animation. This play area is outside 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, the playground is designed with children in mind. The slide is not intimidating, and it has 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. For more details, we have a separate article with photos and details of the laundry facilities at Art of Animation.

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. However, if you want to enjoy a meal at the pool, you’d 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. Here is a photo of the beverage refill station near the pool. If you decide to purchase a mug, our guide to refillable mugs at Art of Animation provides an overview of the refill station locations and beverage options.

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-served 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.

Ariel 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! There isn’t any wonder this pool makes our list of best pools for toddlers at Disney World.

We hope this guide helps you plan a refreshing and relaxing visit to the pools at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. If you’re comparing pool options across properties, you might also want to browse our complete guide to all the pools at Walt Disney World. We hope this guide helps you plan a refreshing and relaxing visit to the pool!

In the Comments

What do you think of the pools at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort? Have you ever spent any time here? Let us know your thoughts, questions, or experiences in the comments below. And make sure to check back with Resorts Gal.