Hi Kristen!
Both
Disney’s Pop Century Resort and
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort are fantastic options for your stay, especially with their shared access to the Disney Skyliner, which makes getting to
EPCOT and
Disney’s Hollywood Studios incredibly easy and convenient.
Disney’s Pop Century Resort is known for its vibrant theming, highlighting pop culture through the decades. It's a great value resort with standard rooms that are perfect for smaller groups, plus you get access to everything from fun pools to quick-service dining at Everything POP Shopping & Dining.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, on the other hand, offers family suites themed after beloved Disney and Pixar films, making it a great choice if you're traveling with a larger party or want more space. The family suites are located in the Lion King, Finding Nemo, and Cars sections, and you can enjoy the largest pool in Walt Disney World at The Big Blue Pool.
As for upgrading from Disney’s Pop Century Resort to Disney’s Art of Animation Resort upon arrival, it’s possible that you may be able to upgrade if there’s availability, but it’s not guaranteed. In my experience, I’ve tried to upgrade at check-in and found that prices were higher than anticipated, and sometimes availability was limited.
If your heart is set on staying at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort, I recommend booking ahead of time, especially if you can take advantage of a
Special Offer or promotion. It’s always better to secure the stay you want rather than relying on a last-minute upgrade.
~Heather