Disney Value Resort Family Suites: Is Art Of Animation Worth £1500 More For A 2 Week Holiday
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There are only two Disney Value Resorts with family suites; Art of Animation and All Star Music. These value options offer the same amenities in rooms, but a different feeling overall. The questions for many UK visitors when it comes to Family Suites in Value Resorts is however, is it worth the extra cost? For a similar price a Villa is often possible, but if you’re looking for that Disney bubble experience the family suite option gives you better amenities and more space over standard and preferred room options.
Comparison of Family Suites: Art of Animation vs All Star Music
In terms of room amenities between both Value Resorts there is very little difference; the differences come down to theming, an extra transport option, and wider room choice.
Feature | All Star Music Family Suite | Art of Animation Family Suite |
|---|---|---|
Sleeps | Up to 6 adults | Up to 6 adults |
Main bed setup | 1 fixed Queen Bed (separate bedroom) 1 double sleeper sofa bed 1 single pull-out chair 1 single pull-out ottoman | 1 fixed Queen Bed ( separate bedroom) 1 Double-Size murphy bed from table living area 1 Double-Size pull-out sofa bed in living area near kitchen |
Bathrooms | 2 bathrooms | 2 bathrooms |
Kitchenette | Yes, full sized fridge | Yes, under counter fridge |
Separate bedroom | Yes | Yes |
Size | 520 sq ft | 565 sq ft |
Theming | Subtle theming in rooms with 1 suite option | Immersive Disney and Pixar theming in rooms, with 4 suite options |
Transport options | Bus only | Bus and Skyliner options |
There are a few key differences in the room styles, including the bed layout and the theming. In Art of Animation you get three double bed options, whereas at All Star Music you get 2 double beds and 2 single pull-out beds. If you are a group of adults, or a family with children who need to be given there own space, this is worth noting.
Another big difference lies in the theming; if you don’t want overt Disney in your face avoid Art of Animation. You can’t escape the theming both around the resort and in the rooms and in my opinion it can be a bit over stimulating. If you want the minimal theming experience, choose All Star Music.
The entrance to the rooms is also worth noting. In Art of Animation, you enter a building and have an indoor hall way leading to the room. In All Star Music, rooms are entered from the outside without that covered hotel entry way feel, which does make a difference to the overall feel of going into the room.
The other key difference worth considering is the free transport option. Art of Animation is a Skyliner hotel, so if you opt for a family suite here, you have that option.
Art of Animation feels like a more premium Value option. It feels more like a Moderate Resort rather than a Value Resort, especially with the level of choice for family suites and the difference in price.
Pet allergies impact choices
Art of Animation offer a selection of pet friendly rooms for dogs across all room categories. For UK visitors with any pet fur allergies, asthma or any conditions that could be impacted by an animal having been in the room, don’t take the chance on Art of Animation. All Star Music does not have any pet friendly rooms across the entire resort., so if you do suffer with allergies impacted by dogs, choose a family suite at All Star Music.
Art of Animation Family suite options: which theme is the best?
The best themed Art of Animation suite depends on whether you care more about theming, location, or price. There are three different themes to choose from when picking your family suite:
- Finding Nemo
- Cars
- The Lion King
Finding Nemo suites are usually the premium pick with a higher price tag. They are closest to Animation Hall, the food court, the main pool and the Skyliner, so they are often the most convenient choice for families who want everything nearby. Think of them as the preferred room option for family suites at Art of Animation.
Cars suites are often the best overall value. Normally cheaper than Finding Nemo, and offering immersive theming and access to the Cozy Cone Pool, which helps them feel like a smart middle ground between the most expensive and lest expensive suite options, without a compromise on experience.
The Lion King suites are usually the least compelling option unless you particularly love the theme. They are often priced below Finding Nemo, but they do not have their own dedicated pool, so they tend to feel less convenient and a little less distinctive than Nemo or Cars.
If theming does not matter, you can opt to book blindly and find out what theme you get when you arrive. In the example further down you can see that opting for any theme saves between £200 and £500.
What’s the price difference between Art of Animation and All Star Music family suites?
The price difference between the family suites at Art of Animation and All Star Music are significant. To best share the differences I am using an example booking for 14 nights in September 2027, through The Walt Disney Company in the UK.
An Art of Animation family suite, booked between 11th and 25th September 2027, costs:
- Lion King Family suite: £7,292.00
- Finding Nemo family suite: £7,704.00
- Cars family suite: £7,292.00
- any family suite (location chosen on arrival): £7,076.00
An All Star Music family suite booked between the same dates, 11th and 25th September 2027, costs £5,288.00
As holidays are priced dynamically and based on demand, prices can go up and down, but there is currently a big price difference difference between all classes of family suites in Art of Animation and family suites in All Star Music:
- The most expensive family suite at Art of Animation on these dates is the Finding Nemo Suite which is £2,416.00 more than an All Star Music family suite for a 14-night holiday.
- The middle ground would be a Cars or Lion King family suite, which is £2,004.00 more than an All Star Music family suite for a 14-night holiday.
- Choosing to have your family suite theme as a surprise on arrival at Art of Animation is £1,788.00 more than a 14-night stay in an All Star Music family suite.
Are Art of Animation family suites worth it?
Art of Animation family suites are not worth the extra £1,788 to £2,416 in this example. Here’s why:
- The fridge is smaller in comparison to at All Star Music
- You have to really like the theming, otherwise it gets tired after a few days when you’re there for 14 nights
- Villas have more space, more amenities and are a similar price point.
- You cannot properly cook in these suites so you will not save huge amounts on food to make savings there.
Art of Animation is a resort that feels a bit like it’s own bubble within the Disney World bubble. For fans of Finding Nemo, Cars and the Lion King the rooms add an extra special wow factor and it may be worth considering a family suite stay for a special occasion.
The Skyliner is worth factoring in, but again it’s balancing the cost differences. Considering a family suite for a short stay as part of a split stay if you have a family who need more space and to make use of Disney Perks can be worth it.
Art of Animation has the largest hotel pool at Walt Disney World Resort, and the theming is fun for children and adults, but this room option is not worth the extra cost for most UK families, who can find better options.
Are All-Star Music family suites worth it?
At All Star Music the family suites are already in a preferred location as they are located in Calypso and Jazz buildings which are near all the amenities. This means you get the same location benefits as a Cars family suite room without the extra £2,004.00 price tag.
The full size fridge and overall layout in All Star Music’s family suites offers more convenience than the Art of Animation family suites. When it comes to using a room for 14 nights, the All Star Music family suite functions better, you make less noise as the kitchen area is further away from the other people sleeping. It also makes better use of space, and suitcase storage is better here than at Art of Animation. But the cost is still significantly higher than a Standard Room in All Star Music, a Family Suite is over double the price of a Standard Room.
Two Standard rooms with an adjoining door can offer nearly the same amount of space, for less money. And if you book during the free dining plan offer, you get food options included for your 14-night holiday from the UK.
Why booking connecting rooms can be cheaper than a Value family suite at All Star Music?
Two standard rooms can offer even better value than a suite at All Star Music, here’s how it compares:
Features | Two Standard Rooms | 1 Family Suite Room |
|---|---|---|
Number of Bathrooms | 2 | 2 |
Numbers of beds | 4 | 4 |
Amenities | 2 drinks coolers, 2 sets of tea and coffee facilities | Full size fridge, |
Space | 520 sq ft | 520 sq ft |
Cost (using September 2027 example) | £4,820.00 | £5,288.00 |
It is however important to consider ages of children if your are a family, and whether this is right for your trip. For a group of adults travelling together or a multi-generational family with a toddler, this is definitely a more cost effective option to consider, however you loose amenities and useful space.
Is any Value Resort Family Suite worth the cost?
In our opinion Disney’s Value Family Suites offer minimal value for most UK families, especially if booking with an 18 month timeline. And given the availability of Family Suites it is the 12-18 month booking window you need to look at to guarantee one as they sell out quickly. Booking two standard rooms with an adjoining door and waiting to book the UK Disney dining plan offer often gives the best value for UK families and couples looking for a 14 night trip.
At the current price points for Value Resort Family Suites, off-site options provide better amenities. The only downsides are the additional parking costs and missing Disney Resort Perks. This is why these need factoring in, but you can get Villas at the price points for Art of Animation and include car hire and car parking for less in our experience.
In our opinion:
- All Star Music Family Suites are the best option for room amenities, room location within resort and comfort. The only benefit Art Of Animation has is the Skyliner access.
- If you are considering a Family Suite, weigh up going for two standard or preferred rooms with an adjoining door and booking during the UK free dining plan offer.
- Look at your off-site options but do the maths including car-parking and Disney Resort Benefit value.
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