Disney Tips Your Guide To A Great Disney Vacation
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has become one of the most popular Value Resorts at Walt Disney World, especially for families. Between the oversized Disney character theming, spacious family suites, and direct access to the Disney Skyliner, it’s easy to understand why the resort books up so quickly throughout the year.
But if you’re thinking about staying there in 2027, you may want to look a little closer at the calendar before making your reservation.
Unlike many Disney Resort hotels that only have one temporary project taking place, Art of Animation is set to deal with multiple disruptions throughout the year. Some guests may only experience one inconvenience depending on when they visit, while others could find themselves dealing with transportation changes or construction during their vacation.
None of these changes mean the resort should be avoided entirely, but they are worth considering if you’re spending thousands of dollars on a Walt Disney World trip and want everything to go as smoothly as possible.
The Year Starts With the Loss of the Skyliner
The first disruption arrives before February even begins.
Disney has confirmed that the Disney Skyliner will close for its routine annual refurbishment from January 24 through January 30, 2027. During that time, guests staying at Art of Animation, Disney’s Pop Century Resort, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, and Disney’s Riviera Resort will temporarily lose access to one of Walt Disney World’s most convenient transportation options.
Disney will continue offering complimentary bus transportation to EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, so guests won’t be stranded. However, replacing the Skyliner with buses changes the experience considerably.
One of the biggest advantages of staying at Art of Animation is walking a short distance to the Skyliner station and gliding directly toward two of Disney’s most popular theme parks. The gondolas typically move guests continuously throughout the day, helping reduce long transportation lines while offering beautiful views across Walt Disney World.
When that transportation disappears, the resort temporarily loses one of its strongest selling points.
Instead of boarding a gondola every few seconds, guests will return to traditional bus transportation alongside everyone else staying at the resort. That often means larger crowds at bus stops during rope drop, longer waits after nighttime spectaculars, and less predictable travel times depending on traffic and park crowds.
For families who specifically paid to stay at a Skyliner resort, that one-week closure could noticeably change the value of their vacation.
Then Construction Begins
If you avoid late January, you might think you’ve escaped the biggest inconvenience.
Unfortunately, Art of Animation has another major project waiting later in the year.
Beginning in late spring, Disney plans to launch a phased refurbishment that will update both the resort’s standard hotel rooms and its popular family suites. The resort will remain open throughout construction, allowing guests to continue booking rooms while renovations take place.
Disney has handled countless hotel refurbishments over the years, and construction teams generally work hard to keep disruptions to a minimum. Even so, renovations are difficult to hide completely.
Guests staying during the project could encounter construction walls, work vehicles, temporary fencing, blocked walkways, or crews actively working throughout different sections of the property. Depending on where your room is located, daytime noise may also become part of the experience.
While Disney generally schedules louder work during daylight hours, that’s often when many families return to their hotel for a midday break after spending the morning in the parks.
Parents with young children may especially notice the difference if they’re hoping to squeeze in an afternoon nap before returning for evening entertainment.
Multiple Disruptions Make 2027 Different
Most Disney Resort hotels undergoing refurbishment have one primary issue affecting guests.
Art of Animation is different because it will experience two separate disruptions across different parts of the year.
Guests visiting in January lose the Skyliner.
Guests visiting later in the year could find themselves staying during an active construction project.
That combination makes 2027 somewhat unique for one of Disney’s most popular Value Resorts.
For first-time visitors who selected Art of Animation because of everything they’ve heard about the Skyliner and immersive resort atmosphere, arriving during one of these periods could lead to a vacation that feels slightly different from what they expected.
Why So Many Families Choose Art of Animation
That’s especially important because Art of Animation appeals to a very specific audience.
Unlike many Disney hotels, this resort was designed with families in mind. Its Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid themes make the entire property feel like an extension of the Disney parks themselves.
The family suites remain among the largest accommodations in Disney’s Value category, making them especially attractive for larger groups who want to stay together without paying Deluxe Resort prices.
The Skyliner has only made the resort more desirable since opening, offering quick transportation to both EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios while avoiding some of the longer bus rides found elsewhere around Walt Disney World.
Because transportation plays such a large role in why guests book Art of Animation, even a temporary shutdown can influence whether the resort remains the best choice for certain vacations.
The Good News for Future Guests
There is one important thing to remember.
Everything happening at Art of Animation is temporary.
The Skyliner refurbishment is routine maintenance that helps keep one of Disney’s newest transportation systems operating safely and reliably throughout the year.
Likewise, the room refurbishment is designed to improve the guest experience. Once completed, visitors will benefit from refreshed accommodations that should keep the resort looking modern for years to come.
Construction projects are rarely exciting while they’re happening, but they’re usually worthwhile once the work is finished.
Should You Stay Somewhere Else?
The answer depends entirely on your travel dates and priorities.
If you’re visiting between January 24 and January 30, 2027, and chose Art of Animation primarily because of the Skyliner, you may want to consider another week or another resort altogether.
If your vacation falls later in the year, ask yourself how much active construction would bother your family. Some guests barely notice refurbishment projects, while others would rather avoid even the possibility of construction noise during a Disney vacation.
Art of Animation will almost certainly remain one of Walt Disney World’s busiest Value Resorts throughout 2027. Its popular themes, family-friendly rooms, and overall value aren’t changing.
Still, few Disney Resort hotels will experience as many temporary disruptions over the course of a single year.
For guests who want the full Art of Animation experience exactly as it’s intended, waiting until both the Skyliner maintenance and room refurbishment have passed may ultimately be the better choice.
