Quick Question - Visiting the Art of Animation Cars "Exhibit"

[kaci105]

First off, hello all, I'm new here and just beginning to plan a trip next May. My family consists of me, my husband, and my son who will turn 6 while we're at WDW.

We had basically settled on staying at Port Orleans French Quarter. My son is a HUGE Cars fanatic, but I just couldn't justify the extra cost of a Cars suite at Art of Animation. We do, however, want to visit and see the Cars setup they have there. Not the rooms, of course, just the outside stuff.

I had assumed this was allowed, but now I'm wondering if you have to be a Guest there to see this? Or do you have to setup a tour??? Please help. I can't find an answer anywhere...

 

[ToTBellHop]

You can stop by. Grab a bite at their food court, too. It's great!

 

[DisneyJoe]

Just go to the resort and walk around, you just can't enter the room buildings or the pool area, as it is gated and only opens with a Magic Band by guests of that resort.

You can visit any WDW resort. If you are driving, you can tell the guard that you are going to eat or shop or just to look around.

 

[kaci105]

Thank you! We can live without going to the pool, we just want to be able to see the Radiator Springs stuff in the area. There's actually disappointingly little Cars themed things at WDW, from what I can find, so we definitely want to do anything we can!

 

[MMDVC]

Yes anybody can walk around. Be sure to enter the lobby to see the artwork and the food court and then the exterior scenes are larger than life and spread out all over the place. Not to make it difficult but it is fun to see the "scenes" day and night time so you will have to make 2 trips!!! The pool is surrounded with a fence and need to be a guest to enter. Sorry. I think the playground is open to everybody next to the pool area.
I usually stay at POP and walk over. You would enjoy walking around POP Century also if you have the time. The lobby is kind of a "history" of Pop culture from 50s to 90's ( ? ) so you will see all the popular toys and clothing of different eras. I love to see this collection every time I check in. Its very interesting. Plus it is fun to walk across the bridge...
The food court at AoA does look really good but I have never eaten there.

 

[JiminyandTink]

Thank you! We can live without going to the pool, we just want to be able to see the Radiator Springs stuff in the area. There's actually disappointingly little Cars themed things at WDW, from what I can find, so we definitely want to do anything we can!

It's very cool, but there is not a ton to see there, so you might want to temper your (and your son's) expectation a little bit. You will get some great photos with the statues though.

And don't for get the Lightning and Mater meet and greet at Hollywood Studios!

 

[kaci105]

Yes, but do you know how often they do the meet and greet? It doesn't look like it's a regularly scheduled thing from what I can see.

My son will be overwhelmed with everything, so I'm sure whatever Cars we can find will be good. And, frankly, I'm sure there's plenty of Cars merchandise to buy, and we'll be spoiling him for sure, so he will be fine, lol!!

 

[WorldDad]

It's not really a meet and greet. Just an alcove that you stand in to get your picture taken with them.