How Disney’s Family Suites Finally Found Their Home at Art of Animation (Ep. 599)

Len Testa and Jim Hill dig into the long road that eventually led Disney to build Art of Animation Resort, from an abandoned Toontown-inspired family suites hotel near the Contemporary to the unfinished half of Pop Century. Along the way, they explore how the success of Nickelodeon’s family-suite hotel caught Disney’s attention, why Bob Iger brought Steve Jobs into the evaluation process, and how Finding Nemo, Cars, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid became the resort’s defining themes. Plus, Len and Jim discuss Lakeshore Lodge, Disney’s latest premium credit card survey, potential Epic Universe annual pass perks, and listener questions about fireworks, cruise ports, Star Tours, and monorail capacity.

NEWS

• Disney reveals new Lakeshore Lodge room categories ahead of its July 1, 2027 opening.

• A Disney credit card survey tests premium perks including Lightning Lane access, resort benefits, complimentary park tickets, and club-level access.

• Universal Orlando surveys guests about Epic Universe annual passes, reservations, Express benefits, parking, and Halloween Horror Nights perks.

• Epcot adjusts opening hours for select RunDisney Wine & Dine Half Marathon Weekend dates.

• Universal Orlando debuts the new Nightmare Fuel: Blood Noir show for Halloween Horror Nights.

FEATURE

• Disney once considered a highly exclusive Toontown-inspired family suites hotel beside the Contemporary Resort.

• The financial troubles surrounding Disneyland Paris helped derail Disney’s early family-suite plans.

• The success of Nickelodeon’s all-suite Orlando hotel convinced Disney there was significant demand for larger themed accommodations.

• Disney transformed the long-abandoned Legendary Years section of Pop Century into Art of Animation Resort.