The Pools at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

This article discusses the pools at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. Art of Animation has three pools for resort guests: The Big Blue Pool, Cozy Cone Pool, and the Flippin’ Fins Pool.

Disney’s Art of Animation is 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.

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. They each have charming elements.

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 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.

Please note that the 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 towels are provided in bins at each pool. This is standard at every resort pool at Disney World. 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 tubs. We have a separate list of Disney Hotels that have a waterslide. However, the resort has other recreational elements geared toward children, which we’ll discuss further below.

The Big Blue Pool

The Big Blue Pool is the feature pool at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. It contains over 308,000 gallons of water and is inspired by Disney’s Finding Nemo film.

The pool sits directly behind the resort’s lobby. It is centered between the Finding Nemo section of the resort. 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 of Art of Animation’s 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.

The Schoolyard Sprayground

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. You might want to watch some of the movies represented at the resort before your trip. 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. Per the sign, it’s designed as a play area for the enjoyment of children ages 5-12 years old.

Like everything else at the resort, this play area is designed with children in mind. You’ll notice that the slide is not intimidating. Also, 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. We post a recreation calender for the Disney Resorts 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 at night on one of The Big Blue Pool’s decks. A different movie is offered 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.

Cozy Cone Pool

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

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. King Triton, Ursula, and Sebastian also surround the pool.

Like the other pool areas, a laundromat and restrooms are available.

We see a similar shower and changing area with toiletries in the restroom.

Lastly, The Lion King section of the resort doesn’t have a pool. However, it does have a children’s play area. This playground is between the main lobby and The Little Mermaid section of the resort.

Final Thoughts

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 often found that the Cozy Cone Pool is the least crowded, and you can usually find an open cabana if you’re looking for shade.

Your children 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, we have a resort guide for Disney’s Art of Animation. Some of our favorite articles include:

• Disney’s Art of Animation Review
• Transportation Options at Art of Animation
• Art of Animation vs. Pop Century
• The Best Pools at Disney World

If you’re following along, we’ll have more updates for this resort in the coming weeks!

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?