Hi Tanya,
You absolutely can make a visit to the Art of Animation resort and walk Route 66 through Radiator Springs. The themed courtyard area among the buildings with the Cars suites is pretty spectacular. You'll find all the Cars favorites scattered about, including Lightning McQueen, Mater, Flo and -- my favorite -- Luigi.
To get a preview of what you will see in that section of the resort, check out this
post on the Disney Parks Blog from June 2012, when the Cars area opened.
If you are in one of the theme parks or Downtown Disney before your visit to Art of Animation, you can simply catch one of the free Disney buses to the resort. If you will be driving, just tell the attendant at the security gate that you are visiting the resort to see what it's like for a future visit. Once you see it, I know you will want to stay there next time.
While you're there, you also may want to grab a meal or a snack in the Landscape of Flavors food court and walk through the public spaces of the other themed areas: Finding Nemo, the Lion King and the Little Mermaid. They are all great, but my family likes Cars the best.
Thanks for stopping by the Disney Parks Moms Panel with your question, and enjoy your visit to the Walt Disney World resort.
Wilma