Are you a fan of classic Disney animation, heartwarming stories and timeless characters? Well, Disney's Art of Animation resort, the newest resort hotel at Walt Disney World, allows you to step right into you those stories and experience animation like never before. A Value Level accommodation that offers both standard rooms and family suites, this resort is a great option for larger groups traveling together, families with children, and animation lovers of all ages. Let's explore the resort together and find out if it's the right place for you stay during your next WDW vacation! Art of Animation is another Disney resort hotel that is made up of multiple buildings, including the main Animation Hall, which is the first building you'll see when you arrive and the epicenter of the resort. It's here that you'll find the main check-in area and guest services, a business center with phones, a large gift and sundries shop, an arcade, and Landscape of Flavor, the resort's main dining location. Animation Hall is adorned with tons of sketches, drawings, and art from the classic Disney and Pixar films Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid (these are also the films that come alive in each of the guest room buildings, but well get there in a second). The resort's WDW Transportation stop is just outside of the main entrance, and you'll also find the Magical Express bus stop there as well. No matter where your room is at the resort, you'll want to familiarize yourself with Animation Hall, because you'll be visiting many times during your trip! Landscape of Flavor is the food court-style eatery inside Animation Hall, and is the main dining location for the resort. It serves up everything from pasta to burgers, pizza to salads, and seafood to chicken, with backdrops of larger than life animated landscapes to view while you dine. You can also pick up and refill your resort mugs at the drink station and enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner. All of the stations change for each meal (very similarly to Everything Pop at the Pop Century resort hotel), so you don't have to worry about a lack of variety. I'd definitely suggest utilizing this dining location for breakfast before long days at the parks, and for a quick bite at the end of the day before bed. I can just taste the Mickey waffles now, can't you?! Art of Animation also offers in-room pizza delivery if you ever want to relax in your room and keep it simple for dinner. What makes this resort hotel unique are the themed areas of guest rooms you encounter when you step outside of Animation Hall. There are eight different buildings of guest rooms in four film-themed sections with both standard rooms and family suites: Cars, Finding Nemo, The Lion King, and The Little Mermaid. The Little Mermaid section is where you'll find the standard rooms (and standard rooms only) with all of the usual WDW resort hotel room features, including either two double beds or one King, a split vanity-bathroom area, and an in-room refrigerator. The other three sections offer family suites that sleep up to six adults each and include a small kitchenette, various bed types, and two bathrooms. Every guest room is intricately themed to the film section it's located in, with brightly colored furnishings, linen patterns, and wall icons of your favorite characters. The Little Mermaid and Cars sections are the furthest from Animation Hall, but any area is a good choice and fun for the whole family. The animated film themes extend outside of the guest room buildings into elaborate courtyards with larger than life character icon statues, specifically-chosen greenery and landscaping, and pool and recreation areas. The Finding Nemo area boasts the biggest and most advanced Big Blue pool, and is actually the largest pool of all the resort hotels at Walt Disney World. It even has underwater speakers! There's also a zero-entry area for little ones, plenty of chaise lounge chairs, and two play structures. Plus, you can grab a cold beverage at The Drop Off bar just steps from the pool. The Little Mermaid and Cars sections also have their own pools, which are smaller and typically less crowded and quiet, and The Lion King section has the Elephant Graveyard playground if the kids want to let out some energy. If you're looking for a little bit of fitness during your trip, you can run along the resort jogging trail, which totals 1.38 miles. And on select nights, you and your family can enjoy a movie under the stars in The Lion King courtyard. A nice offering for those nights when you want to stay at the resort and unwind. Disney's Art of Animation resort is a great place for larger parties traveling to Walt Disney World together, families with young children, and those looking to save a few dollars on their accommodations. All of the bright colors, characters, and animation create a unique world that puts you right into your favorite stories. And since it's the newest resort at WDW, there's plenty to land discover if you're a seasoned Disney veteran! For more information, be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/art-of-animation-resort/, and be sure to compare all of your options before making any reservations. Have you stayed at this resort hotel yet? Did you enjoy your stay? Tell me about it in the comments below! Until the next post, see ya real soon!
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The very first time I visited Walt Disney World in May of 1998, my family and I stayed at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort. A tropical paradise situated in the middle of WDW right by EPCOT and Disney's Typhoon Lagoon, it's one of my favorite places to stay on property. With countless recreation options, 200 acres of beautifully landscaped greenery, and six different "islands" to stay at, Caribbean Beach is a great accommodation option for families of all sizes with kids of all ages. Considering staying here during your next WDW vacation? Let's explore the resort together!
Caribbean Beach is a Moderate Level resort hotel, and is another one that's made up of multiple buildings. The guest rooms are in buildings separated into six different islands, with six room buildings per island. There's Aruba, Jamaica, Trinidad South, Trinidad North, Martinique, and Barbados. All of the islands are scattered around Barefoot Bay, a picturesque 45-acre lake, and there's plenty of beach to comb in each island area. The islands all have a unique, tropical color scheme, as well as their own leisure pool (There's a larger, main pool for the resort - but we'll get to that in a minute). All of the rooms feature either two double beds or one King bed, with standard or water views (pool or lake). You can also request adjoining rooms if you're traveling with a larger party, as well as a Preferred Room to be closer to the main Custom House, buses, etc. Each room offers the same amenities that come with staying at a WDW resort hotel like a flat screen TV, free WiFi, a split vanity/bathroom setup, and an in-room safe, among others. Each island also has it's own WDW Transportation bus stop so you don't have to walk far to catch a bus to the parks! Perfect for getting to a bus quickly for morning Extra Magic Hours! A unique room option found only at Caribbean Beach are Disney's special Pirate Rooms. Intricately themed like the classic Pirates of the Caribbean attraction, the beds are fashioned into ships, and rich reds and golds illuminate the space. While I've never stayed in a Pirate Room, I think it would be a great choice for families with pirate fans and young children. Definitely adds extra magic! In addition to the six islands of guest rooms, there's the main Custom House, where you'll find the check-in area, Guest Services, and the Disney's Magical Express shuttle stop. You'll really only spend time here at the very beginning and end of your stay, but it's important to know where to find it. There's also Old Port Royale Centertown (found between Trinidad North and Martinique), which is pretty the much the central activity hub of the resort. Here you'll find the main Fuentes del Morro Pool, which features water slides, hot tubs, and the Banana Cabana Pool Bar for drinks and snacks. Old Port Royale also houses the resort's two main dining options: the sit-down Shutters at Old Port Royale and the quick-service food court. Shutters is open for dinner only, and features American and Caribbean cuisine in a casual atmosphere. The food court is normally open from 6:00 AM to midnight, and has great options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Perfect location to fill up before a day at the parks! Caribbean Beach also offers a ton of recreation options for families looking to spend time together away from the parks. In addition to the Fuentes del Morro Pool at Old Port Royale, there's also an arcade, beach area, bike rentals, and fishing found in the area. Plus, each island has it's own smaller pool and beach area if you want to relax in a quieter space, with beach volleyball available at Martinique. You can also run along the resort's 1.4 mile jogging trail, roast s'mores at the nightly campfire, and little buccaneers between ages 4 and 12 can set sail on a Pirate Cruise to search for treasure! Special reservations are required for this recreation option, so be sure to make yours before you leave home or visit Guest Services when you check in. Kids can also enjoy three different playgrounds found around the resort in Martinique, Jamaica, and Trinidad South. One of the biggest resort hotels found at Walt Disney World, Caribbean Beach is a great option for families looking to enjoy a tropical escape during their Disney vacation, buffer time in between park days with outdoor recreational activities, and indulge in an upscale hotel experience without breaking the bank. Plus, there are options to make your vacation more magical found only at Caribbean Beach. For more information, be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/caribbean-beach-resort/ and weigh your options before settling on your vacation accommodations. Until the next post, see ya real soon! My all-time favorite resort hotel at Walt Disney World has to be the beautiful Disney's Coronado Springs Resort! One of Disney's Moderate Level accommodations, it's a great place for families looking to stay at a higher-end hotel without breaking the bank and utilize all of the amenities that come with staying on property at WDW. Plus, Coronado Springs is located just minutes away from all of the theme parks, and is especially close to Animal Kingdom, Blizzard Beach, and Hollywood Studios. Is this Spanish-colonial Mexico themed resort hotel the right place for you? Let's find out!
Coronado Springs is another resort hotel that is made up of multiple buildings rather than one large high-rise, and features three separate areas of guest rooms (nine buildings in total), a building just for dining, and a recreational area. There's also a convention center adjacent to the resort, which is used throughout the year for various corporate and public events. While the map of the resort makes everything look spread out and far away, all buildings are easily accessible by walking. Plus you get to look at the spectacular Lago Dorado lake at every turn! The main building of the resort, El Centro, is where you'll find the check-in desk, Guest Services, a souvenir and sundries shop, and one of the resort's four different WDW Transportation stops. The Disney's Magical Express shuttle service stop for the resort is also found here. Right next door is the dining building, which features three different options to grab a bite: the sit-down Maya Grill, and the quick service Cafe Rix and Pepper Market. The quick service locations are perfect for breakfast before hitting the parks for the day, and the Maya Grill is a great place to unwind and relax at the end of a fun-filled day. We especially love visiting Cafe Rix in the morning for pastries, coffee, and juice, while the Pepper Market offers up a larger spread that's great for when we want a bigger breakfast. The three guest room areas at Coronado Springs are Casitas, Ranchos, and Cabanas. The nine buildings in total feature single rooms with either two Queen beds or one King, and suites with beds and pullout sofas. Rooms offer standard or water views (pool or lake), and preferred rooms are available for those willing to pay a bit extra to guarantee a room closer to El Centro. But don't worry, each of the three guest room areas boast their own bus stop so you don't have to walk to El Centro every day to catch WDW Transportation - Buses circle the resort so you can utilize a stop that's closest to your room. For a small, always on-the-go family like mine, I suggest a standard view room with two Queen beds. You can save a little bit of money and still get to experience the resort and all WDW resort hotel amenities! Coronado Springs also offers many recreation options for families looking to enjoy extra activities during their vacation, including swimming, jogging, and volleyball, among others. The Dig Site serves as the main recreation area at the resort, with the Lost City of Cibola pool (the largest pool on site), Explorer's Playground and volleyball court, and Iguana Arcade. The pool even features a 50-foot water slide and the largest hot tub found at Walt Disney World - Enough to fit 22 people at once! Plus there's the Siestas Cantina to enjoy a beverage and light snack after a day of play, and a campfire every night to enjoy s'mores! There's also a 0.9 mile jogging trail around the resort for those who want to stretch their legs in the morning, three other pools, and La Vida Health Club to get a full workout. Clearly, Coronado Springs is a great place for active families and those looking to spend extra time at their resort during their vacation! We love Disney's Coronado Springs Resort for many reasons, but more than anything, it's an upscale accommodation offered at a reasonable price that's right in the middle of Walt Disney World. It boasts great dining and recreation options, is always clean, and has a beautiful theme unlike any other resort hotel at WDW. For more information on Coronado Springs, be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/coronado-springs-resort/ and do your research to make sure it's the right fit for your family or travel party before booking. Have you ever stayed at Coronado Springs? Share your stories in the comments below! And don't forget to email me if you have any questions about planning your WDW vacation. Until the next post, see ya real soon! With so many resort hotel options at Walt Disney World, it's hard to decide where's the best place to stay during your vacation. It's most important to consider your budget and the time of year you're looking travel before you start narrowing your hotel search, and then there's also the decision to either stay on Disney property or off. To offer some insight on these options, I want to share some information and reviews of my favorite Disney resort hotels in a series called WDW Resort Hotel Spotlight. First up is my favorite Value Level resort: The Pop Century!
The Pop Century resort is one of my family's favorite places to stay when we visit Walt Disney World, and I've stayed there three times. It's the perfect place for us on-the-go vacationers to rest our heads and decompress in between park days. And since it's a Value Level resort, you're saving money on your accommodations that you can then allocate for airfare, food, souvenirs, and extra fun! It's always clean, offers adjoining rooms for larger travel parties, has multiple swimming pools, and features larger-than-life icons from classic decades. The resort is made up of multiple buildings as compared to one, large high-rise, and the guest rooms are separated into ten different buildings that are grouped together by decade. There's the 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's, and 90's, and Classic Hall, which boasts a counter service food court, souvenir store, arcade, and check-in desk/Guest Services. Classic Hall is easily accessible from each guest room building by a short walk, and the 90's is the furthest away. Just outside of Classic Hall is the WDW transportation stop for the resort where you can hop on a bus to each theme park, water park, and Downtown Disney. I personally enjoy staying in the 50's section, which is very close to Classic Hall and not as busy or loud as the other sections, since it's close to the outer edge of the resort. The resort features three swimming pools in the 50's, 60's, and 90's areas, with the Hippy Dippy pool in the 60's being the largest. You can also visit the Petals poolside bar at the Hippy Dippy pool, which features specialty alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to cool off with. Lifeguards are present at each pool during most operating hours, and there are plenty of chairs and tables available if you prefer to stay out of the water and relax. Pop Century also offers a jogging trail around the resort and a playground in the 60's area as additional recreation options, and Disney movie nights on the grounds are offered on select nights, free of charge. The Everything Pop food court inside Classic Hall is the main dining option available at the resort, which is usually open between 6 AM and midnight each day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The menu changes for each meal and normally includes waffles, pancakes, omelets, and cereals for breakfast, and pastas, pizzas, burgers, and salads for dinner, among other options. There's also a full service beverage station where you can fill up your refillable mugs during your stay, get coffee, and purchase bottled drinks. It's the perfect place to get a quick bite before heading out for a day at the parks. You can also visit the main resort souvenir store inside Everything Pop, which sells classic Disney items like stuffed animals, t-shirts, and pins, among others. There are a couple of different room options available at the Pop Century which all sleep up to four people. Each room has the option of two double beds or one King bed, and you can even request which type of view you'd like (pool view vs. standard view, etc.). Each room offers free WiFi and quick in-room pizza delivery if you ever get a late-night craving. You can also request adjoining guest rooms if your family requires two rooms during your stay, so you can make sure everyone is nearby. Other resort amenities include free parking if you're bringing your vehicle in your vacation, an ATM, laundry services, locker rentals. I'd definitely recommend the Pop Century resort to any family traveling to Walt Disney World, but especially to those on a budget, planning to spend most of their time on the go, or are coming for a quick stay. For more information on all of Disney's on-property resort hotels, be sure to visit https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/resorts/ and check back for more WDW Resort Hotel Spotlight posts right here! Until the next post, see ya real soon! |
About MeA twenty-something alumni of the Disney College Program looking to help others plan the Disney vacations of their dreams! Living that Disneyland AP dream in SoCal. Archives
February 2018
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