Welcome to planDisney, Ricki!
You've asked lots of great questions here. It sounds like you're trying to decide whether to stay at
Disney's Art of Animation Resort or
Disney's Pop Century Resort for your next trip. The good news is that you can't go wrong with either choice. I've spent time at both resorts and they're both fantastic.
The standard rooms at Disney's Art of Animation Resort have a delightful Little Mermaid theme that is "practically perfect" for kids. In these rooms, you'll find two queen beds, allowing up to four people to sleep in one room. However, these rooms are very small and are quite a walk from Disney Skyliner. Therefore, they're not my favorite rooms on property. If it fits within the budget, I'd much rather stay at one of the family suits, particularly the Cars or Finding Nemo Family Suits.
The standard rooms at Disney's Pop Century Resort also have two queen beds, however, these rooms are slightly larger. Having just stayed at Pop Century with my family of four, I much prefer the size of these rooms to the standard rooms at Art of Animation. Most of the standard rooms at Pop Century tend to be closer to Disney Skyliner too. The Murphy Bed mattresses are wonderful! They're super comfortable (no different than the mattresses on normal beds). Also, having a family of four, it's so nice being able to push the bed into the wall to both have more space and have a table for our kids to eat at.
Both hotels have quick-service food options that, in my opinion, are more or less equal to one another in food options and quality.
Landscape of Flavors at Art of Animation has slightly better theming than
Everything Pop Shopping and Dining at Pop Century though. Also, both hotels have poolside bars that are comparable.
If I had to choose Ricki, when it comes to standard rooms, I personally prefer Disney's Pop Century Resort over Disney's Art of Animation Resort for the price point, distance to Disney Skyliner, and room size. However, the theming and pools are Art of Animation are superior, in my opinion. But as I said, you can't go wrong. Both are excellent choices.
I hope that's helpful, Ricki. Thanks for choosing to be our Guest.
Mike