Disney's Art of Animation Resort Review & Info

Looking for a Disney resort that makes you FEEL like you're in Disney?  Look no further.  Disney's Art of Animation Resort has everything you've been searching for and THEN some!  

Most Disney standard resort rooms sleep 4.  This is not a recommendation, it's actually the law.  You cannot lawfully sleep more than 4 in these rooms due to fire code.  At Disney's Art of Animation, you can sleep 6 in the wonderfully themed family suites!  There are three themes to choose from: Lion King, Finding Nemo & Cars!  These suites are very spacious with TWO bathrooms, THREE beds & a kitchenette.  

We stayed in a Cars Suite.  

Still want to stay at Art of Animation but you have a smaller family?  There ARE standard rooms here too!  Little Mermaid themed standard rooms feature two double beds.

Hungry?  Art of Animation features a very versatile food court where you can find anything from pizza to specialty sandwiches & pasta!  The Landscape of Flavors serves quick service meals for breakfast, lunch & dinner.  A convenient refill station is available here for your refillable mugs.  Pizza delivery is also available from 4pm until midnight.

I had a surf & surf burger that came with fries and it was delish!  The crab cake was super flavorful and who can go wrong with fried shrimp ON your sandwich?  YUM!

Eggs in a Mickey shape always taste better!

Check out the Ink & Paint Shop for all your souvenir desires!

The Pixel Play Arcade is also located in the main hall.

There are three swimming pools located at this resort including Disney World's biggest pool yet!  The Big Blue Pool is located right behind the food court and it also features an under water speaker system!

As if there's not enough to do around this resort already, you can walk around to each different "theme" and explore.  The statues are so much fun and GREAT picture opportunities!

This resort only has buses for their mode of transportation but they do not share with any other resorts which is a nice perk!

If you are interested in a Walt Disney World vacation, contact me today!!!  youcandreamittravel@yahoo.com

I charge absolutely NO fee for me to help with all of your vacation needs.  I will guarantee the very best price possible and your vacation will be out of this world!  Payment plans are available.

Going to Disney World? WEAR A PIN!!!

Seriously, one of my favorite souvenirs (and it's FREE!) is a pin from Walt Disney World! You can get these pins for almost ANY occasion AND they might just end up sprinkling pixie dust all over you and your vacation!

I swear this is the reason why my daughter has received a stuffed Duffy bear from a cast member (as a gift!) and why she was chosen to be in the Frozen parade at Hollywood Studios with Anna & Elsa!

I have received free desserts & free champagne because of these magnificent buttons. If you are going to Disney and it's your first time, be sure to wear a button!!!

Maybe you just got married... wear a honeymoon button or "Just Married" button or BOTH!  How about a family reunion?  Cast members will gladly personalize any of these to fit whatever you are celebrating!

Where can you get these?  You can get them at the front desk at your resort or guest services at any park... many of the stores also carry them - just ASK!

Disney Dining Review - Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party

Restaurant: Tomorrowland Terrace Fireworks Dessert Party
Location: Magic Kingdom
Character Meal? No characters here.
Meals Served: Desserts at Night Before & During Fireworks
Price Range: $21.99 for adults & $11.99 for children
Dining Credits: This meal cannot be paid for using credits.  You must pay out of pocket for it.
Difficulty to Reserve: Very, VERY difficult!
Perks? You have a CHAIR to sit in for the fireworks.. your own table and unlimited desserts, fruit, ice cream, beverages.
Why so special? It's the only place where you're guaranteed a seat to watch the fireworks and you also get to eat some very yummy desserts.  
Personal Experience: We did this experience in May 2011.  We got in line around 7:15 and at 7:45 they started letting people in.  Our table was right up against the railing.  Be forwarned, if you get a table farther back, you can move up to the railing for the fireworks (this can also block your view if you have a table close to the railings).. it's fair game once those fireworks start.  The desserts were fantastic.  Giant chocolate covered strawberries are your best value considering Disney sells these in the candy shops for $4.99 EACH!  I think I ate about 10!  There are many other items to choose from along with fresh fruit, ice cream, rice krispie treats and all of the beverages you can handle!  Ice cold white milk, lemonade, tea & coffee are all available.  There is a Photopass photographer there as well so we got our pictures taken.  The only set back is the view is a little off center BUT you get the added bonus of having Tinkerbell fly right over your head.  We loved it and can't wait to do it again!

Booking this is VERY, VERY difficult like I said.  Most Disney restaurants open up booking at 180 days out.  This one is different.  There is no rhyme or reason to the time that Disney opens up reservations for this event.  It averages to be around a month and a half before they open they next month's reservations so basically you have to check every single day.  I was fortunate enough to get mine immediately when it opened (I'm pretty sure that's why we had such a great table up front).  There are only 50 reservations available for each night!

This is another great reason to use a Disney travel agent!  Even if you think you can handle making the reservation yourself... would it really hurt to have another person trying along with you?  You're doubling your chances of getting a reservation!  Contact me today to get a free, no obligation quote so I can help you get this coveted dining experience booked for your next trip!



And onto the pictures:

Food & Wine Festival + Free Dining = BEST time to visit Disney World!!!

Disney's Food & Wine Festival.  I believe this to be the BEST time to visit Walt Disney World.  If you can time it right with a possible free dining offer from Disney, you can sample some amazing food from all over the world for NO extra cost!  Yes, you read that right, FREE FOOD!!!  Right now, Disney has a promotion out there for free dining.  If you can swing a trip in September, I highly recommend taking advantage of this offer!  You can upgrade to a deluxe dining plan for very little out of pocket and enjoy some great food in the happiest place on Earth!  

Epcot will be having their annual Food & Wine Festival between September 27th-November 11th.  During this time they have the Festival Center open with all sorts of goodies to buy and taste.  Seminars are also available to  attend.  There are world famous chefs that make appearances during this Festival as well.  More than 270 chefs are scheduled to make appearances including Disney chefs and celebrity chefs!  Ever want to meet Robert Irvine or Buddy Valastro?  This is your chance.  Not only do they feature food during this time but also MUSIC!  Yes, the Eat to the Beat concert series goes on during the Festival and it is NOT to be missed.  Some big names appear and the concerts are FREE!  This year Edwin McCain will be joining the list of performers.  Many repeaters will be back like Boyz II Men, Hanson, Air Supply & the Pointer Sisters.  

New this year to the booths will be Scotland inspired by the movie Brave.  Old favorites will return as well... the booths each feature a small sampling (not really that small to be honest) of that country/region.  There are multiple choices of food at each booth and of course, beverages as well.  Some are alcoholic and some are not.  Snack credits can be used to purchase most of the food items on these menus.  How fun would it be to walk around Epcot's World Showcase sampling all of these different foods from different countries and not have to pay a dime!?

I've personally been twice to this Festival and I can't wait to return.  It is a blast!  Of course I won't leave you without some pictures from my past experiences.. enjoy!

If you're interested in booking a trip, contact me here!  I will help you with all aspects of planning and get you the best deal possible.  All of my services are completely free, you pay NOTHING extra than if you book yourself.  What do you have to lose?  Talk to you soon!