Disney's Art of Animation: The ULTIMATE Orlando Family Getaway!
Alright, buckle up, buttercups, because we're diving headfirst into Disney's Art of Animation Resort – the ULTIMATE Orlando Family Getaway! Forget those stuffy reviews – this is going to be real, raw, and relentlessly honest, because let's be real, planning a Disney trip feels like organizing a small army. And I'm here to tell ya, I've been through it. (and I may or may not still be recovering from the adrenaline.)
First Impressions & Accessibility: Not Too Shabby, But Watch Out!
Okay, so right off the bat, Art of Animation is HUGE. Like, ridiculously, awesomely HUGE. And the theming? Chefs kiss. Seriously, walking into the lobby is like falling into an animated movie. They've got all the big ones: Cars, Finding Nemo, Lion King, and The Little Mermaid.
Accessibility Check: They advertise accessibility, which is fantastic. Elevators are plentiful, and the walkways are wide enough to navigate a small parade (and trust me, you'll feel like you're in one at times). But here's the deal: Disney-level accessibility is often a little better than the absolute bare minimum. You'll find roll-in showers, grab bars, and accessible rooms. But the real test comes with the crowds and the long distances - which is… well, unavoidable at Disney. So plan accordingly, especially if you have mobility challenges.
Internet & Tech Stuff: Praise the Wi-Fi Gods!
- Internet Access: BOOM. Wi-Fi in all rooms is FREE! This is literally a lifesaver for keeping the kids distracted (I'm not judging - I'm just saying, a happy kid is a quiet kid), and for checking emails (if you need to).
- Internet Services: They tout internet services. Cool. Didn't see any crazy tech support options, but hey, I'm assuming their tech works as advertised.
- Internet [LAN]: Haven't used this. I'm guessing most folks are sticking with the Wi-Fi because… convenience, right?
Cleanliness & Safety: They're Trying!
Okay, let's talk COVID. Disney, like every other sane business, has implemented a slew of safety measures.
- Anti-viral Cleaning Products: Good.
- Daily Disinfection in Common Areas: Great.
- Hand Sanitizer: Everywhere. Like, your fingers will practically beg for it.
- First aid kit: Good
- Professional-grade sanitizing services: Seems legit.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: This gives me peace of mind.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: Fingers crossed they're sticking to it.
- Physical Distancing of at least 1 meter: Good luck. I'm not kidding… it's Disney – expect crowds.
- Sterilizing equipment: I'd assume they're doing something.
- Safe Dining Setup: Yes, but still remember crowds.
- Individually-wrapped food options: A good thing, definitely.
- Cashless payment service: Praise. Makes life so much easier.
- Hot water linen and laundry washing: They didn't specify the temperature. Hope it's hot.
- Hygiene certification: Hopefully.
- Rooms sanitization opt-out available: Never had to use it but it's there.
My Take: They're doing what they can. But remember, you're still dealing with a lot of people. Carry your own wipes, use hand sanitizer constantly, and try to remember that you are essentially in a germy, crowded wonderland.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: The Food IS the Adventure!
Oh. My. Goodness. Where do I begin? Food at Disney is its own experience.
- Restaurants: Yep, there are plenty. The main quick-service spot, Landscape of Flavors, is fantastic for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. And yes, there's a bar!
- Restaurants/Lounge Accessibility: They appear to be accessible. The crowds may be annoying though.
- Bars: Okay, the Big Blue Pool Bar is amazing. Great cocktails. Great theming. (Worth it for the pictures alone.)
- Coffee shop: Needed it.
- Breakfast [buffet]: Excellent!
- Breakfast service: Good.
- Coffee/tea in restaurant: Hallelujah.
- Desserts in restaurant: You're at Disney. Of course, there are desserts.
- Poolside bar: HEAVEN.
- Snack bar: Fuel for the fun.
- Asian and International cuisine: I'm not an expert but the options weren't bad.
- Western cuisine: Always a solid choice.
- Buffet in restaurant: Yes.
- A LA Carte in restaurant: Good.
- Happy hour: If you need a drink.
- Room service [24-hour]: No. If you require it, have a very strong reason.
- Alternative meal arrangement: Not sure…
- Soup, salad, bottle of water: Yes
The food, honestly, is part of the magic. And Landscape of Flavors, has good options for picky eaters like my children. Just remember, it's Disney. Prices are, shall we say, inflated. But, hey, you're only here once (maybe).
Services & Conveniences: What's Available (And What You Probably Need!)
Okay, let's get practical.
- Concierge: Helpful.
- Daily housekeeping: Essential.
- Laundry service, Dry cleaning: Also essential.
- Cash withdrawal: Good for cash runs.
- Convenience store: Useful for snacks and last-minute essentials.
- Currency exchange: Handy.
- Elevator: Critical.
- Facilities for disabled guests: Good.
- Food Delivery
- Luggage storage: Yes.
- Meeting/banquet facilities
- On-site event hosting
- Safety deposit boxes
- Smoking area: Hidden away.
- Terrace
- Wi-Fi for special events: Don't need it.
- Xerox/fax in business center
The stuff you actually need? Laundry service, extra towels, and a good concierge. Seriously, plan for laundry! And a good concierge can solve basically any Disney-related crisis.
For the Kids: Where The Magic Truly Happens!
- Family/child friendly: DUH! It's Disney!
- Kids facilities: Yep. Plenty.
- Kids meal: Of course.
- Babysitting service: I'm pretty sure they can arrange it. I'd be careful.
Theming is KEY. My kids LOST IT over the Finding Nemo pool area. Like, straight-up melted down with joy. The playground, the characters, everything. Pure. Disney. Bliss. So yes, definitely for the kids.
Things to Do & Ways to Relax: You'll NEED a Break, Trust Me!
- Swimming pool: Amazing. The Big Blue Pool (Nemo!) is the star, but there are other pools too.
- Swimming pool [outdoor]: YEP!
- Fitness center: If you have the energy, you're better than I am.
- Spa: Nah. Disney is a spa for your wallet.
- Spa/sauna/steamroom: Too much stress already, maybe next time?
- Pool with view: Kind of, more like pool surrounded with fun.
Here's the reality: you're not really going to relax at Disney. You'll be running from ride to ride, trying to get FastPasses, and battling the crowds. The pool is your best bet for actual downtime.
Available in All Rooms: The Nitty-Gritty
- Additional toilet
- Air conditioning
- Alarm clock
- Bathroom phone
- Bathtub
- Blackout curtains
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker
- Complimentary tea
- Desk
- Extra long bed
- Hair dryer
- Ironing facilities
- Linens
- Mini bar
- Non-smoking
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Safety/security feature
- Satellite/cable channels
- Shower
- **
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this ain't your sanitized travel brochure. This is Art of Animation, Orlando: The Hot Mess Express Edition. My itinerary? More like a suggestion box filled with delightful disasters and questionable life choices. Let's GOOOOO!
Day 1: Arrival and the (Almost) Magical Check-In
Morning (6:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Oh sweet, sweet adrenaline! My flight landed. I’m already running late. Not the best start, considering my pre-vacay mantra was "chill vibes only." (LIES).
- Pro-tip (that backfired): Thought I'd be clever and download all my park tickets and dining reservations onto my phone. Tech, you were my enemy.
- Reality bites: The Disney app is fighting me. And my phone screen is cracked. Wonderful. I am definitely, already, an absolute mess.
Mid-Morning (9:00 AM - 11:00 AM): Arrive at Art of Animation. The theming is genuinely impressive - the Finding Nemo pool area is a blast of colors and the Cars section literally looks like you stepped into Radiator Springs. (They even have a pool shaped like a big ol' tire. Cool, I guess, but I wish I had a tire right now… because my rental’s flat!)
- Check-In Debacle: The lines! The heat! The sheer volume of toddlers wielding melting Mickey ice cream bars… I'm pretty sure I aged a decade while waiting. The front desk cast member was lovely, bless her heart.
- Room Revelations: Finally got to my room! And it's…a family suite. With two bathrooms. Yes. TWO. I'm alone. I laugh and cry at the same time. I'm immediately overwhelmed, but also, this is what I live for.
Afternoon (11:00 AM - 2:00 PM): Pool Time! (Attempt). The Big Blue Pool. Drowning my pre-park-ticket dread in chlorine. Kids splashing, happy adults… I can't quite shake the feeling that I'm being watched by oversized clownfish. I ordered a frozen margarita. (For the record, alcohol is totally necessary for this trip.)
- Lunch Disaster: Quick Service food at the resort - Landscape of Flavors. I get the chicken tenders. They are… fine. Honestly, I could have eaten a shoe. (But maybe not while swimming.)
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 5:00 PM): I'm exhausted and need a nap. This is not just a nap; it’s a strategic maneuver in the War on Jet Lag. I fail miserably. I wake up 10 minutes before park reservation time. Panic ensues.
Evening (5:00 PM - 11:00 PM): Head to Magic Kingdom (the real reason I'm here) (and the reason I’m now running even later).
- Park Antics: Ran directly for the Haunted Mansion. It's my favorite. I went on Space Mountain and nearly lost my lunch. Got soaked on Splash Mountain. Waited for the fireworks and cried. (I'm such a sucker for Disney fireworks.)
Day 2: Park Days (and a Near-Meltdown)
Morning (7:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Breakfast at Landscape of Flavors. I over-ordered. I now have way too much Mickey Waffles. The line was short though. Win!
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 1:00 PM): Head to Epcot and ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Cosmic Rewind. I’m gonna be sick for a week. Still, it's awesome. I spend a solid two hours strolling through World Showcase… and buying a ridiculous amount of souvenirs. My credit card is going to hate me.
Afternoon (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM): So. Much. Walking. My feet are screaming. I have a sudden, overwhelming urge to just…sit on a bench and eat ice cream. I do exactly that. (Don’t judge me).
Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): My phone battery dies. Panic. Can't show my park ticket or dining reservations. What to do? This is where my "chill vibes" really went south in a hurry. I start muttering, "This is it, this is how I die, a smartphone-less traveler alone in Epcot."
- The Miracle: Luckily I'm saved by a nice family. And a charging station.
Evening (5:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Dinner at Le Cellier Steakhouse in Canada. Expensive. Worth it. I order a delicious steak and have a glass of wine. I'm actually enjoying myself. (For now).
Evening (10:00 PM - on): Hit the sack. Tomorrow, it’s Hollywood Studios. And I need to ride Rise of the Resistance.
Day 3: Hollywood Studios and Existential Dread
- Morning (7:00 AM - 9:00 AM): Realizing I forgot to buy Mouse Ears. I debate whether to buy them now or tomorrow. I decide I have to have them, so I run back to Disney Springs as soon as the park opens. (Pro Tip: Don't do this).
- Mid-Morning (9:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Hollywood Studios!
- Rise of the Resistance: I finally ride it. And it is mind-blowingly brilliant. I shed a tear during the pre-show. (I am a deeply emotional person, okay?)
- Afternoon (12:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Try to eat some food at the park to keep me going. They have a place that sells the famous "Ronto Wrap". Delicious.
- Afternoon (3:00 PM - 5:00 PM): More rides: Tower of Terror (it's still terrifying). So much screaming.
- Evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM): Dinner at Woody’s Lunch Box (Retro. Delish food).
- Evening (8:00 PM - 10:00 PM): Fantasmic! (Another tear-jerker. I feel like a blubbering mess at this point. But I love it.)
Day 4: Art of Animation and the End (Probably)
Morning (7:00 AM - 8:00 AM): Pack! (The dreaded chore. I haven't even started).
Morning (8:00 AM - 10:00 AM): Pool time! (Because I need to actually enjoy the resort before I leave.)
Mid-Morning (10:00 AM - 12:00 PM): Last-minute souvenir shopping at the resort gift shop. I buy way too many things. (I am a sucker for a good souvenir.)
Afternoon (12:00 PM - 2:00 PM): Farewell Lunch at Landscape of Flavors (again). This time I get the pasta. (It's okay).
Afternoon (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM): Check-out. I avoid crying while handing over the keys. (I probably failed).
Afternoon (3:00 PM - onwards): Head to the airport.
- Final Thoughts: I'm exhausted. And my bank account is weeping. But it was worth it. Disney World is a magical, overwhelming, overpriced, and utterly bonkers experience. And I can’t wait to plan the next one.
- Final Recommendation: Take the trip. Be prepared to be stressed. Embrace the chaos. And for the love of all that is holy, get the park hopper ticket.
Okay, that's it. I'm spent. I'll be needing a vacation from my vacation. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to start planning my next trip… (send help).
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