The time has come, my friends! Disney’s Art of Animation Resort has officially opened. 

That means we can finally mark off another Disney Resort from the closed list, so we’re one step closer to a fully reopened Disney World. Let’s head inside to see what changes have been made in terms of health and safety.

Lobby

The lobby looks about the same as none of the artwork or decor has changed. Social distancing markers have been laid out for guests to check-in.

The line for the desk used to be in the center of the lobby, but now it is against the wall across from the Front Desk. There is a sign that says “The Next Available Concept Artist Will Be With You Shortly.”

In the lobby we saw a sign with balloons attached to it welcoming guests back to the resort. It also mentions that if guests have completed online check-in and already have their MagicBands, there is no need to visit the Front Desk. Guests will receive a message with the room number when the room is ready. This is the same online process as before the closures.

The large sitting area in the lobby is open to guests, however the television was off.

On the seats, there are several markings that indicate certain parts of the bench are unavailable. 

The Pixel Play Arcade that is located right off of the lobby is currently closed. There are signs on both doors telling guests of the closure.

Overall, the lobby was not too different besides some new distancing markers and signs!

Here are more details on Disney’s health and safety measures

Dining at Landscape of Flavors

Next, we headed over to Landscape of Flavors! This is the main dining location at Art of Animation and is a quick-service restaurant. 

On the screens near the entrance of the restaurant, the hours were listed as usual, but now there were also some reminders. One screen put up health and safety reminders such as wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distancing, and washing hands. The other screen asked guests to please use mobile ordering at this location. There was a QR code to scan that pulls up the mobile ordering menu.

As guests walk through the restaurant, there are arrows to keep traffic flowing one way, and physical distancing markers.

The arrows continue to where guests can pick up their mobile order. The different food stations that guests could usually walk up to are currently blocked off.

There are also station numbers to pick up your food and keep guests distanced.

As you walk from the pick-up area to the seating area, there are “exit only” signs to keep traffic going in one direction.

All condiments are self-serve and beverages will be filled by a Cast Member behind these tables.

None of the tables were blocked off. All tables are available to guests, however they are all very spread out to comply with physical distancing.

Overall, this was just like any other quick-service restaurant in Disney World right now. Guests are encouraged to mobile order outside of the restaurant, and when your order is ready, a Cast Member will let you in to pick it up. We are seeing self-serve condiments and beverages being filled by Cast Members all over Disney right now.

Check out how mobile ordering works in Disney World

Ink and Paint Shop

The Ink & Paint Shop was open to guests! We saw that it was already full of the holiday merchandise we have been seeing around the Disney Parks and online.

We spotted some of the new Holiday Minnie Ears…

…as well as plenty of Disney face masks.

At the checkout counter, there are numbers to keep guests distanced.

Something that is quite different is the direction of traffic. When guests enter the gift shop, they cannot go back to the lobby. Guests must follow the arrows to the exit doors in the gift shop.

These arrows keep guest traffic flowing in one direction and help maintain physical distancing.

Once guests exit the shop, they must walk to the main entrance to get back to the lobby.

Overall, the shop layout is pretty much the same. The biggest difference is the arrows and having guests go outside to get back to the lobby. It is a slight inconvenience, but will help traffic as the resort opens up to guests.

Read more about shopping in a reopened Disney World

Outdoor/Pool Area

The outdoor areas still have all of your favorite oversized characters and they are cuter than ever! Of course we had to stop by and say hello to Crush!

We arrived very early, so the pools were closed. But have no fear, they open at 10AM! The Big Blue Pool will undergo a refurb in January. You can read more about that here. 

The Drop Off Pool Bar was closed this morning, but is set to open at noon. Physical distancing markers are put in place for the bar.

There is also a QR code to scan that pulls up the menu for the day plus a hand sanitizer dispenser.

The Cars themed pool was also closed when we arrived, simply because it was early in the morning.

We noticed that the pool chairs were spread out in groups of three.

There are health and safety reminder signs all over the outdoor areas. This is similar to the digital sign we saw at Landscape of Flavors. They are reminding guests to wear a face covering and to physically distance.

Out front, we also noticed this COVID-19 Warning sign. We have seen this on Disney World property before, and now they have added it to this newly reopened resort. The sign gives details about how Disney is dealing with the current global health crisis and a warning that guests could be exposed.

Buses are now running to and from this resort. Physical distancing markers are also in the queues for the buses.

Overall, the outdoor areas look the same besides distancing markers and the pool closures. All of the iconic Disney character statues that make up this resort are still here and we definitely missed them!

Learn more about our first experience in a reopened Disney pool

And that’s a wrap on the reopening for the Art of Animation Resort! It was still the same resort we know and love, just with a few health and safety updates! We are so excited to see another Disney resort open up to guests as they continue the reopening process. We will be sure to update you on the latest Disney reopenings so stay tuned!

Find out when All-Star Movies will reopen here! 

When are you planning to visit Disney World? Let us know in the comments below.