Hello, Amy!
We're thrilled to see you back at planDisney with another great question. I've had the pleasure of staying at both of these fantastic resorts and am happy to offer my perspective.
My family's very first visit to Walt Disney World Resort included a stay at
Disney's Art of Animation Resort. My kids were 4 and 6 at the time and loved every inch of the colorful decor from Ariel's "dinglehopper" to the Cozy Cone cabanas. If your teens are fans of
The Little Mermaid,
The Lion King,
Cars, or
Finding Nemo you won't find better theming. We picked this resort specifically for my
Cars-obsessed son, but we enjoyed exploring all of the resort grounds.
The Big Blue Pool is also the largest on property if you care to make a splash during your visit.
The Family Suites at Art of Animation are an excellent option if your crew wants a little more room to stretch out. They also feature two full bathrooms which makes getting ready each day a breeze. Though The Little Mermaid Standard Rooms are adorable, they feel a little small now that my kids are older. These rooms are also the furthest from the
Disney Skyliner.
If I were going for a standard room, I'd choose
Disney's Pop Century Resort instead. One of the beds folds up into a table to create more space, and the rooms offer ample storage. My nearly 14-year-old son would now choose Pop Century solely based on the welcome channel music in the 80s-section rooms. I stayed there with him last summer and he appreciated the vibes. I enjoyed the retro decor in that section as well, particularly the Rubik's Cube stairwells and Mr. & Mrs. Potato Head photo ops. The giant Mickey telephone in the 70s section was another favorite.
The best thing about these resorts is that they are within walking distance of one another, so you'll be able to experience all of the fun decor no matter where you decide to book. I'd recommend reviewing pricing for your travel dates as Pop Century sometimes offers a lower nightly rate.
Amy, if we can answer any additional planning questions please come back and let us know. Wishing you a magical stay later this year!
Magic and memories,
Amy