One of my strongest Walt Disney World ‘hot takes’ is that one of the most immersively-themed areas at any hotel is actually at a Value Resort, the much-maligned tier that is (in)famous for having oversized icons that many fans deem tacky.
While I can understand why some people dislike the style of the Value Resorts, I also think some fans are a bit snobby and condescending. Oversized icons are fun and photogenic, kids absolutely love them, and variety is the spice of life. Not everything needs to offer a transportive theme like my beloved lodges (Wilderness and Animal Kingdom). But I digress.
The resort area to which I’m referring here is the Radiator Springs section of Disney’s Art of Animation Resort. While it’s no Cars Land (the superiority of which is a major source of criticism towards the area), the resort version of Radiator Springs is surprisingly well-executed for what it is. Emphasis on those last four words, as there’s obviously a world of difference between a marquee land and a subsection of a Value Resort.
Before we get to why the Radiator Springs section of Art of Animation is great (beyond the obvious fact that cars are cool), let’s start with brief background and a ‘sales pitch’ for the hotel as a whole. I don’t want to overdo it, as this is all covered in our standalone Disney’s Art of Animation Resort Review.
In short, this is a Value Resort at Walt Disney World that features 864 standard rooms in motel style buildings with exterior walkways and 1,120 family suites in newer buildings with interior hallways. That makes it the only Value Resort with interior hallways; expand that to Moderates and Gran Destino Tower is the only other option in both tiers with that ‘feature.’
Another selling point for Art of Animation is Airport Luggage Transfer. As of Spring 2026, only the Value Resorts offer this perk, which can be a huge advantage if you don’t want to hassle with handling your own luggage (and it’s now available from both your home airport and MCO).
On the other side of the lobby is the aptly-named Big Blue Pool, the largest at Walt Disney World. Directly beyond that, between Art of Animation and Pop Century Resort is the Skyliner station, where aerial gondolas glide over Hourglass Lake.
Art of Animation’s pools surpass some Moderates and Deluxes. Skyliner transportation rivals the monorail–it’s actually better, if you ask me. About the only thing Art of Animation is missing is table service dining, but you’re ~10 minutes from Caribbean Beach and Riviera Resort. It also doesn’t have access to Extended Evening Hours, but otherwise, it’s a resort that punches above its weight as a Value Resort.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has distinct sections themed to one for four Disney-Pixar films: Finding Nemo, Lion King, Little Mermaid, or Cars.
The Little Mermaid area consists of standard rooms, which are their own thing. There was a point at which we strongly disliked these, but we’ve softened on them in more recent years. Regardless, they’re not comparable to the Finding Nemo, Lion King or Cars Family Suites.
Of that trio, the Cars Family Suites are the ones you should book. Here’s why…
Not only is the Cars section the best, but it’s also, inexplicably, the cheapest.
Above is a look at nightly room rates for the Family Suites at Art of Animation this summer as part of the Deep Discount on Rooms Starting at $99 Per Night at Walt Disney World. Now obviously, these are not the $99 per night rooms–those are the standard options at All Star Sports (also an underrated Value Resort, if you ask me).
Those are not the deepest discount from a percentage perspective, however. That honor goes to the Cars Family Suites, which have a rack rate of $578 per night but are on sale for $248 to $269. Just look at the above screenshot showing the discounted rate for the Cars Family Suite versus the Lion King or Finding Nemo–Cars rooms are less than half the price of the alternatives!
Now in fairness, there are other discounts available that bring the prices of the Finding Nemo or Lion King rooms under $400 per night, but still, nothing anywhere close to Cars.
At nearly 60% off, this is the single best and biggest discount of any room in all of Walt Disney World. While rates this cheap are not the norm, they’re also not completely unprecedented. This same sale was offered last summer for Disney+ subscribers and again this winter for Disney Visa cardholders. And in both cases, the Cars Family Suites were included in the discount whereas the Lion King and Finding Nemo rooms were not.
This Disney+ deal is better than bouncebacks, Annual Passholder discounts, and Florida resident rates. For the Art of Animation Family Suites, the next-best discounts max out at 35% off. Below is the lowest nightly rate for APs, and this requires a minimum 4-night stay:
We haven’t the slightest idea why Walt Disney World is offering the biggest savings exclusively to Disney+ subscribers and only on the best rooms at Art of Animation, but hey, we’re not complaining!
Just a heads up because we highly recommend taking advantage of the Cars Family Suites at this price point, and also recommend watching for a reprisal of this deal in 2027 if you’re planning ahead.
In the here and now, it’s also worth noting that the ~60% off Cars Family Suites can be stacked with the 4-Park Magic Discount Walt Disney World Ticket or the Kids Eat FREE All Year in 2026 at Walt Disney World special offer. In order to take advantage of multiple discounts, you might need to call (or purchase the tickets separately).
This is huge for young families. Last year’s version of this deal offered the best Walt Disney World discount since 2019, and we suspect the same will be true this year once the dust settles. This year adds Magic Kingdom to the 4-Park Ticket and the free DDP for kids, but takes away the 50% off kids ticket deal. Which combo is superior is probably circumstantial.
If you want to help with stacking discounts, maximizing your savings, and booking your trip, we highly recommend requesting a quote from Be Our Guest Vacations, a no-fee Authorized Disney Vacation Planner. The agents there will do the math for you, and will offer personalized planning assistance.
As hinted at above, Art of Animation is a love it or hate it hotel. Guests who dislike Art of Animation feel that way because it’s tacky, loud, and abandons traditionally-nuanced Disney theming and detail in favor of something that gets by on clunky looks and characters. If you want something sophisticated and stylish, look elsewhere.
Fans like Art of Animation thanks to all of the aforementioned objective selling points. On top of that, it’s comfortable and cozy, with a sense of whimsy and fun. Although I can see both perspectives, we love Art of Animation. That was true even before we became parents, but especially now that we have a toddler.
If you want a resort that evokes the essence of iconic animated films and their characters, Art of Animation is perfect for you. Kids are almost guaranteed to love it, which is a big reason why Art of Animation makes the top 10 in our Rankings of ALL Resort Hotels at Walt Disney World from Worst to Best. Not an easy achievement when the comparison includes Deluxe Resorts!
Cars is the coolest section at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort because the concept lends itself well to adaptations. Not to diminish the exemplary work of Imagineers, but this is also why Cars Land excels.
As it turns out, a movie that takes place along a thoroughfare with shops and roadside attractions lends itself to a theme park land with…a big walkway, shops, and attractions. It’s a similar story with a hotel complex that has some of the same features.
It’s not quite so simple to simulate the savanna or various under the sea settings above water. The other sections do admirable jobs, and kids who are fans of those films might favor them. All of these areas are fun and well-done, but none is as objectively well-themed or immersive as Radiator Springs.
The environment itself approximates Radiator Springs by converting the walkways into a road. It simulates the barren Route 66 landscape with arid plants, rocks, and other desert stuff. The decommissioned stretch of road in the quiet Carburetor County works well.
Rather than decorating the buildings with vehicles and the like, Imagineering cleverly makes the big boxes “go away” by painting the Cadillac Mountains plus blend-in blue and clouds on them.
Sure, dimensional rockwork would be more convincing and superior for suspension of disbelief. But tell that to the guests with no windows in their rooms because Imagineering chose immersion over practicality. They tried that experiment once, it was called Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser. We already know how that movie ended. (Spoiler: it was not a rousing success.)
The Cars section then adds a few simple structures that resemble the businesses along the main drag.
There aren’t a ton of these–it’s certainly not stepping into a 1:1 version of the movie “set” of Radiator Springs–but it’s enough to effectively convey the idea. Heck, some of these businesses are even hotels themselves. That’s right, a hotel themed to a hotel!
What separates the themed design here from other Value Resorts is that Radiator Springs isn’t simply a grabbag of oversized icons with no sense of purpose or place. We keep calling this Radiator Springs as opposed to the Cars section because it is effectively setting that scene from the films.
Finally, there are the vehicles that inhabit Radiator Springs.
This is another inherent advantage. The other areas have to figure out a way to make giant under the sea characters “work” on land and alongside of one another. A gigantic Ursula makes sense…until you see her alongside an equally-sized Ariel! There is no such challenge with the Cars section. They’re all cars, built to scale!
One unanticipated “downside” of these scale vehicles that I didn’t appreciate until having kids is that a toddler cannot quite comprehend that these cars are simply props. They do not “meet” guess, they do not talk, and you cannot sit in them.
It’s a little thing, but given that two of our daughter’s favorite phrases are “I want to meet him” and “I want to ride that,” it can pose its own challenge. I also really, really wish there were a photo op simply for sitting in here. One of our daughter’s favorite “attractions” are stationary ride vehicles. We’ve spent half an hour (no joke) outside Goofy’s Kitchen at Disneyland Hotel “driving” the Autopia car. Ditto the Dumbo sample seat.
I mention this because I know that this is not a “problem” unique to us. While taking a new set of photos for this article, I had to wait my turn for these photo spots, which are quite popular at all hours of the day. Many children completely disregard the no climbing signs near the cars, or perhaps view them as a challenge. Can’t say I blame them–who among us hasn’t dreamed of standing high atop Lightning McQueen’s head?! (The cars are, in fact, quite climbable!)
One of my favorite examples of design done really well is the Cozy Cone Motel Pool. The layout is really clever, with the check-in building functioning as the entrance with a semi-circle quiet pool surrounded by cone-cabanas (conebanas?).
No matter which direction you look from the Cozy Cone Motel Pool, you’re immersed in Radiator Springs. It is by far the top ‘scenic’ view at Art of Animation Resort, and one of the best at any resort.
Do yourself a favor and get up early one morning, grab a conebana, and just savor the scenery from the Cozy Cone Motel Pool. Seriously. In my opinion, this peaceful pool is better than the Big Blue Pool, and I will die on this hill. (You may disagree, but at least humor me and give it a try early in the morning or late at night!)
Finally, let’s take a quick look inside the Cars rooms, which are the most fun family suites at Walt Disney World.
This above photo was taken from the door to the room to give you a rough idea of the family suite’s layout. To the left is a portion of the living room, then the main bedroom with its attached bedroom, and on the right is the kitchen table, which converts to a pull-down queen bed.
Turning to the left, we have a full view of the living room, minus the flat screen television above the dresser.
These rooms have larger, wall-mounted televisions, freeing up surface space on the dresser below it.
Another look at the main living area. It’s an eclectic mix of auto shop theming, mid-century modern furniture, and Cars motifs. It all comes together really well.
Here’s a look at the Murphy bed and table combo pulled down. Note the the two nightstands flanking the bed/table, with USB ports and outlets above each.
In the opposite direction of the kitchen table/bed is the first bathroom in the family suite.
This continues the fun Cars character visuals, but it’s starting to show its age. Art of Animation is probably due for a hard goods refurbishment in the next couple of years.
Here’s the main bedroom. Pretty straightforward. Large flatscreen television mounted on the wall above the dresser, plus side tables, and the bed frame is elevated to allow for storage underneath.
The main bedroom also has an attached bathroom with a walk-in shower.
The other bathroom has a door separating the toilet and tub/shower, but that’s not the case in here.
The room layout is one of the strong points of the Art of Animation family suites. There’s good separation between each of the beds, so everyone has some degree of privacy and their own space.
It’s also huge to have two bathrooms. Most of the other family suites at Walt Disney World entail more compromises than do those at Art of Animation. And those that don’t require more compromises instead cost a lot more (a different type of compromise).
Stylistically, the Cars family suite looks sharp. It strikes a great balance of whimsy and tastefulness and is appealing to more than just children or hardcore Disney fans.
In total, the room is about 565 square feet, which is just over twice the size of a standard room. However, it doesn’t feel like it’s simply two connected rooms. The space is used incredibly well in these rooms, and every aspect of it is purposeful. It truly feels like a suite, with plenty of room for the full family.
The biggest downside to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is usually the pricing of the suites, which have unsurprisingly gotten more expensive over the years. First thanks to the introduction of the Skyliner, the addition of which more than justified the premium pricing, in my opinion.
Following that, prices have shot up along with all the other price increases. It does seem like Walt Disney World has hit a ceiling on room prices for the Family Suites at Art of Animation; anecdotally, we hear from a lot of guests who simply trade down and do two rooms at the All Stars or even Pop Century because a single Family Suite is prohibitively expensive.
The good news is that, aside from the Little Mermaid rooms, discounts for Art of Animation have become more abundant.
While sales as spectacular as the summer one mentioned above are still rare, we’ve managed to pay around $350 per night or less for the Family Suites on multiple occasions, and that’s not bad at all given the size of the rooms and slate of amenities.
To answer a question you did not ask, yes, we would strongly recommend the Cars Family Suites at Art of Animation for ~$249 to $268 per night over the standard rooms (x2) at All Star Sports for $200. Obviously, you know your own circumstances and whether a two-room or family suite set-up might be superior, but if you’re just wondering what we’d book, it’s this. And I say that as someone who likes All Star Sports!
Ultimately, this is a long-winded way of saying the Cars Family Suites at Art of Animation and the hotel as a whole are really cool and we strongly ‘endorse’ these rooms during the ~60% off sale. For what it is, the Radiator Springs region of the resort is absolutely top-notch and a great example of a certain type of themed design.
If there’s a “reason” why the Cars Family Suites routinely offer the biggest and best discounts at Walt Disney World, I don’t know what it is. I guess some people have poor taste and don’t appreciate the finer things! That could explain why so many Walt Disney World fans wear [redacted] and also buy [redacted]. 😉
Planning a Walt Disney World trip? Learn about hotels on our Walt Disney World Hotels Reviews page. For where to eat, read our Walt Disney World Restaurant Reviews. To save money on tickets or determine which type to buy, read our Tips for Saving Money on Walt Disney World Tickets post. Our What to Pack for Disney Trips post takes a unique look at clever items to take. For what to do and when to do it, our Walt Disney World Ride Guides will help. For comprehensive advice, the best place to start is our Walt Disney World Trip Planning Guide for everything you need to know!
Your Thoughts
Have you booked the Cars Family Suites for $248 per night? Think that’s a steal of a deal given the quality of the resort and these rooms? If you’ve stayed at or visited Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, which section did you like the most? Do you agree or disagree with my assessment that Radiator Springs is the coolest area of any Value Resort at Walt Disney World? Any questions we can help you answer? Hearing your feedback—even when you disagree with us—is both interesting to us and helpful to other readers, so please share your thoughts below in the comments!
