Hi Celeste,
Animal Kingdom Lodge is beautiful, and I'm envious of your stay at Art of Animation! It looks like a really fun resort!
Polynesian Resort is a family favorite. The atmosphere is so laid back, and transportation is a dream. You have easy access to Magic Kingdom via monorail, and you can walk to the Transportation and Ticket Center. It's great to hang out on the beach in the evening, especially for an amazing view of the fireworks.
Have you considered the
Cabins at Wilderness Lodge? They're great, and you can't be much more surrounded by nature. If you travel at Halloween or Christmas time, you're in for a treat. A lot of the campers decorate their sites. It's a lot of fun to see. The Meadow Swimmin' Hole is just as much fun as the pools at any of the deluxe resorts, and there are several play areas as well. Plus you can join in the nightly campfire/movie where Chip & Dale make an appearance.
If you liked your experience at AKL, then you might want to consider
Wilderness Lodge. The overall feel of the resort is very similar.
Whispering Canyon Cafe is located there and is one of my kids' favorite
restaurants. Magic Kingdom is a short boat ride away, and buses take
you quickly to the other parks. This would be my first choice for your family, except that the regular rooms only sleep 4, so you would need a one bedroom suite or a room on the concierge level.
Hope this helps. Have fun planning your next magical vacation!