8/5 First Look at Lion King Section, Disney’s Art of Animation Resort (& Little Mermaid)

Hi everyone!

This is a quick update with some photos I took tonight at Disney's Art of Animation Resort. The Lion King section has opened up for Cast Member test stays, and guests can walk through. We plan to do a full photo tour to share tomorrow, so come back to Mousesteps for more photos and videos! The Little Mermaid courtyard is also visible now, and I have some pictures to share.

Before I share the photos, I thought I'd mention that everyone in our group was underwhelmed with this section of the resort. It's nice and lush, but the Elephant Graveyard playground is pretty much non-existent (there is a "tunnel" for kids, that is about it). I enjoyed seeing the different characters, but it's not nearly as detailed and interesting to me as the Cars area is. I wrote an article a week or so ago on why I recommend Disney's Art of Animation Resort. It really is a terrific option for guests, and there is so much to see and enjoy throughout the resort.

We have a video from tonight that is uploading as I write, and more tomorrow. All will be added to our Art of Animation Resort YouTube playlist, which has videos from the beginning of construction to now!

We will be staying in a Lion King suite later this week, and will have photos and video of the room to share!

I thought it was interesting that more merchandise from Carsland at Disney's California Adventure is appearing in the Ink and Paint Shop. Not too much yet – but some.

 

 

This sign is new since the last time we visited the resort (a few days ago).

 

 

We've had plenty of photos of Rafiki, but now there is no fence.

 

 

 

Mufassa with a giant movie screen next to him, which soon played Lilo and Stitch.

 

 

 

The giant log with Timon, Pumba and Simba is next. I am guessing that Timon will eventually be carrying a plate grubs in his hand. 

 

 

 

There is already a "No Climbing" sign, though it doesn't look like a permanent one yet.

 

 

 

Next is the Elephant Graveyard, which is supposed to be a playground. Again, there is not much to do here – I'm not sure if anything is to be added….like something, anything. Hyenas aren't going to keep kids away as much as nothing to do right now.

 

 

Scar sits nearby:

 

 

 

Zazu:

 

 

The Little Mermaid Courtyard includes Ariel, Ursula, and King Triton now! We'll have more of this section also tomorrow.

 

 

Artwork inside the Little Mermaid rooms:

 

 

A Cast Member held a Pop Century menu, for those who were wanting something different to eat. The Pop Century Resort is pretty close – a 5 to 10 minute walk each way, but I think Landscape of Flavors could use a handful more options for dining (I like what the resort does have, but I'd like to see some more items added).

 

 

Menus on the wall:

 

 

 

Make sure to check out our video!  And two of our other recent updates might be of interest – Gaston and LeFou in Fantasyland, and my All Star Movies Resort Photo Walk.

The Lion King section is well situated, sandwiched between the soon-to-open Little Mermaid wings and Animation Hall/Finding Nemo. Really, everything is close at the resort, I can't imagine anything will be much more than a 5 minute walk from Animation Hall. The Little Mermaid rooms will be standard rooms, while all the other sections are family suites. Our travel partner is Fairy Godmother Travel, and they can help you figure out what section is best for you (and the best price). Just let them know that Mousesteps sent you!

Come back later tomorrow for more photos and video!