The Lion King family suite at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is a good choice for families who need more room than a standard hotel room provides. After staying here, I came away appreciating the practical layout even more than the Disney theming.
The separate bedroom, two bathrooms, and additional sleeping spaces made our stay easier, especially when everyone needed to get ready or take a break between park visits. I also liked the Lion King courtyard, which felt a little calmer to me than some of the other themed sections at Art of Animation.
There are drawbacks, particularly the price and the walking involved at a large resort. Here is what I liked, what I would change, and what I think families should know before booking a Lion King suite.
What I liked most about the Lion King suite
My favorite part of staying in the Lion King suite was having enough space for everyone to follow their own routine without getting in each other’s way.
Disney World trips can involve early mornings, long afternoons, and the occasional return to the hotel to rest. A standard hotel room starts feeling small when several people are trying to shower, change clothes, organize park bags, or sleep at different times.
The Lion King suite handled those situations well. Having a separate bedroom meant that someone could rest while the living area was still in use. The second bathroom also made a noticeable difference in the mornings.
I liked the resort’s theme, too. The Lion King section has oversized characters and scenery inspired by the movie, but I found its atmosphere a little less visually intense than the Finding Nemo and Cars courtyards. After spending the day in crowded parks, I appreciated that.
Lion King family suite layout, beds, and bathrooms
Disney’s Lion King family suites sleep up to six guests. They have a separate bedroom, a living area with two additional sleeping spaces, two bathrooms, and a kitchenette.
| Feature | What the Lion King suite includes |
|---|---|
| Maximum occupancy | 6 guests |
| Main bedroom | 1 queen-size bed |
| Living area beds | 1 double-size sleeper sofa and 1 double-size pull-down TableBed |
| Bathrooms | 2 |
| Food preparation | Kitchenette with microwave, beverage cooler, and coffee machine |
| Resort category | Disney Value Resort |
| Park transportation | Disney Skyliner and complimentary buses |
This arrangement is particularly useful for families of five or six who would otherwise need to consider booking two standard rooms. You can keep everyone in one suite while still having separate spaces for sleeping and relaxing.
The queen bedroom and convertible beds
The bedroom has a queen-size bed and is separate from the main living area. That privacy is one of the biggest advantages of this type of accommodation over a regular hotel room.
The living area has a sleeper sofa and a pull-down TableBed. During the day, the TableBed functions as a dining surface. At night, it converts into a double-size sleeping space.
For our stay, I found the arrangement much more convenient than having everyone share one open room. We had space to put down bags, keep drinks and snacks nearby, and get ready without the entire group needing to move around at once.
If you want to see how the different sleeping spaces connect, my Art of Animation family suite floor plan guide takes a closer look at the layout.
Are the two bathrooms worth it?
For a larger family, absolutely. I would consider the second bathroom one of the suite’s strongest features.
It made mornings easier because one person could shower while someone else used the other bathroom. That flexibility matters when you want to leave early for the parks or have people returning to the room at different times.
The kitchenette also helped. It is not a full kitchen, so you should not expect to cook regular meals there, but the microwave and beverage cooler are convenient for simple breakfasts, drinks, and snacks.
What the Lion King section feels like
Art of Animation is one of Disney World’s most heavily themed hotels. Each section is designed around an animated movie, with oversized characters and colorful outdoor spaces.
In the Lion King area, the walkways and courtyard make you feel as though you are moving through scenes from the movie. I enjoyed that immersive atmosphere, especially returning to the resort after a park day.
Compared with the busier central areas, I found the Lion King section a little more relaxed. That is a personal preference, though. Families who want to spend much of their resort time near the main pool may prefer a different section.
One thing to understand is that the Lion King section does not have its own pool. You can use the resort’s swimming pools, including the Big Blue Pool in the Finding Nemo area, but you will need to walk to them.
Transportation: The Skyliner is a major advantage
One of the reasons I enjoyed staying at Art of Animation was the Disney Skyliner. Being able to travel toward EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios by gondola made those park days more convenient.
That was especially helpful when we wanted to return to the suite during the day. Having a comfortable place to rest is valuable, but it becomes much more useful when the trip back to your resort feels manageable.
The Skyliner station sits near the bridge connecting Art of Animation with Disney’s Pop Century Resort. It is not directly outside the Lion King buildings, so you should expect a walk to reach it.
For Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Art of Animation uses complimentary bus transportation. The resort’s bus stop is outside Animation Hall, near the main lobby.
If your vacation will focus mostly on Magic Kingdom, I would weigh that transportation arrangement against resorts closer to the park. If you plan to spend considerable time at EPCOT and Hollywood Studios, the Skyliner is a strong reason to consider Art of Animation.
How much does a Lion King suite at Art of Animation cost?
There is no single nightly price for the Lion King family suite. Rates change depending on your travel dates, room availability, and any applicable Disney hotel discounts.
Although Art of Animation is officially classified as a Value Resort, its family suites generally cost more than a standard room at a Disney Value Resort. You are paying for additional sleeping space, two bathrooms, and a separate bedroom.
To find the price for your dates, visit Disney’s official Art of Animation room rates page, enter your travel dates and party size, and select The Lion King Family Suites when available.
Make sure you are looking at the Lion King category rather than a generic family suite. Disney also offers a family suite category where the theme is assigned at check-in.
Before booking, I would compare three totals for the same dates:
- One Lion King family suite: Best if keeping everyone together and having two bathrooms matters most.
- Two standard resort rooms: Worth pricing separately, especially if the suite rate is high. Connecting rooms may be requested but are not guaranteed.
- Another Art of Animation family suite: Finding Nemo and Cars suites have the same basic sleeping capacity and layout, so theme and location may influence your choice more than the room configuration.
For me, the Lion King suite’s value came from making the stay easier for the group. But I would not assume it is the cheapest way to accommodate six people without checking the actual rates.
The drawbacks I would consider before booking
I enjoyed the Lion King suite, but there are several reasons I would not recommend it for every Disney World trip.
You will do a fair amount of walking
Art of Animation is spread across several themed areas. Depending on your building and room location, getting to Animation Hall, the buses, the Skyliner, or the main pool can involve a noticeable walk.
This may not bother you much at the beginning of the day, but it can feel different after spending hours in the parks. Families traveling with very young children or anyone who wants minimal walking should keep that in mind.
The hotel feels busy and family-oriented
Art of Animation is designed around a playful, larger-than-life Disney atmosphere. You can expect plenty of families, children, and activity around the main resort areas.
That atmosphere worked well for our trip, but I would choose somewhere else for a quiet, adults-focused vacation. The Lion King section felt calmer to me, yet the resort as a whole is still lively.
It is functional rather than luxurious
The Lion King family suite is not a substitute for a Disney Deluxe Resort. The room is designed around practical sleeping arrangements, family-friendly theming, and convenient amenities.
If you care most about upscale finishes, fine dining, or a quieter hotel environment, I would put that budget toward a different resort. If you want space and a memorable Disney setting, the Lion King suite makes much more sense.
Lion King vs. Finding Nemo suites: Which would I choose?
The Lion King and Finding Nemo family suites offer essentially the same sleeping setup: a separate queen bedroom, a pull-down double bed, a double sleeper sofa, and two bathrooms.
The bigger difference is the atmosphere and location within the resort.
I would choose the Lion King suite if I preferred its movie theme and wanted a section that felt a little less hectic. I enjoyed the courtyard and found it pleasant to return to after a long day.
I would choose a Finding Nemo suite if being near the Big Blue Pool and Animation Hall were the priorities. That central location can be more convenient for families who expect to use the main pool, dining area, and lobby frequently.
I have a separate Finding Nemo suite review if you are deciding between the two.
My booking tips for the Lion King family suite
Request a location that suits your plans
Think about which resort facilities your family will use most. If you plan to take the Skyliner frequently, proximity to that side of the resort may be more important than being near the buses or Animation Hall.
Room location requests are not guaranteed, but it is worth making one if walking distance is an important factor for your group.
Check scheduled work and transportation closures
Disney has announced phased room refurbishments at Art of Animation from mid-June 2027 through October 2028. The resort’s Skyliner service also has scheduled refurbishment closures, including January 24–30, 2027, and January 24–February 2, 2028. Complimentary bus transportation is planned during those Skyliner closures.
If you are booking during those periods, check Disney’s official resort information for the latest details before making your reservation.
Do not choose solely based on the movie theme
The Lion King decorations are fun, but you will probably appreciate the suite’s layout long after the novelty of the theming wears off.
Consider how many people are traveling, who will use each bed, whether two bathrooms are important, and how much time you will spend at the resort. Those factors had a bigger effect on my stay than the decorations alone.
Would I stay in the Lion King suite again?
I would, especially for a trip with family or a larger group. The Lion King suite gave us the breathing room that a standard hotel room often lacks, and I liked having the Skyliner available for EPCOT and Hollywood Studios.
It would not be my first pick for a couple looking for a peaceful resort or for someone whose only goal is finding the lowest nightly rate. But for up to six people who want to stay together, have two bathrooms, and enjoy a heavily Disney-themed hotel, I think it is a strong option.
My advice is to compare the actual nightly total with your alternatives, then decide how much the extra space and convenience are worth to your group. That is where the Lion King family suite really earns its place.
For more about the pools, dining, transportation, and the other themed sections, see my full Art of Animation Resort review.
