Art of Animation was A. MAZE. ING!

Be prepared for a TON of photos!

When we originally booked this trip, way back when, we were booked for Pop Century. But then my parents needed to postpone. I was really bummed...but then I realized something awesome. Art of Animation would be open for the new date! SWEETNESS! So we rebooked for a Cars suite. And then my parents needed to back out completely. Bummed again. We couldn't afford the suite on our own....well...we probably could have, but it cut $1200 off our package to switch to a standard value resort room. And that's just too much of a savings not to. I was bummed to not be able to stay at the new resort. But then, they changed the projected opening date for the standard section at Art of Animation! The Little Mermaid rooms were supposed to open mid December 2012, but then it changed to mid September! Woo Hoo!!! I made the switch and I was so so excited!!

We arrived and were simply blown away. Even the lobby is breathtaking with all the drawings on the wall and the way the front desk area is lit up.

Our room was ready, so we headed over. The walk wasn't exactly short, but we didn't care. Room was so fun!

The resort is breathtaking. SOOOO much attention to detail. Every morning and evening, we had to walk through The Lion King section. Very very cool with the character statues, elephant graveyard, and foliage. Really felt like we were somewhere else.

The Little Mermaid section was so bright and colorful. We loved posing with Ariel's treasures and of course, the statue of Prince Eric!

The Cars section was amazing...like walking into the movie. We were instantly transported to Route 66 and Radiator Springs. Cars is one of our family's favorite movies, and we were in heaven!

And lastly, Finding Nemo. Very colorful and fun. The pool was awesome. Loved the giant scuba mask!

We had lunch at Landscape of Flavors and it was so so good. The variety of meals was wonderful. I had the portuguese sausage and it was really good. The decor in the food court was really pretty. A really great place to eat!

I think the only downside to staying there was the buses. Maybe it's because the resort is new and filled to capacity when we were there, but the buses were crazy packed. Our first night at Magic Kingdom, we took one look at the never ending bus line and hopped in line for Pop Century. We had a bit of a walk, but it wasn't bad. If you walk through Pop and take the Generation Gap bridge over (if that's even what they're still calling it.....), it's pretty convenient. In our opinion, far better than standing in line for an hour waiting for a bus. We did this several nights. It was just easier. And the views from the bridge were so so pretty :)

FREE DINING!!!!!!!!!!

This is one of my most favorite days of the year! When Disney announces their free dining promotion!!!!!

I knew it was coming. Rumors started a couple weeks ago when people were starting to get pin codes for fall free dining. Then some more solid rumors were circulating last week....Disney was set to announce free dining on July 12th. Well, lo and behold, today while checking Twitter, I found that they'd announced it today for Disney Visa holders!! I wanted to jump and scream and woo hoo! Until I read the fine print......The Little Mermaid section of the new Art of Animation resort was not included.

I was devastated. I have been waiting to stay at this resort since they announced it's plans. It stunk to have to downgrade from the Cars suite, but we were still so jazzed to at least stay at the resort. So glad The Little Mermaid section of standard rooms will be opening 6 weeks early on September 15th.

But hubby said we had to switch. The savings is too good to pass on...just for a room. As heart-breaking as it was, I did agree.

So I got on the phone and called Disney...but I kept my mouth shut. The CM was great. She made the change and upgraded us to free dining promo with an upgrade from quick service to basic dining, since we were staying at a value resort. NOT ONE MENTION of the room being restricted for the promo. We finished up, she said she'd email me a confirmation, and then wished me a magical day!

WE STILL GET TO STAY AT ART OF ANIMATION!!!!!!!!!

There must have been some Disney magic sprinkled on us today and I am so so thankful!!!! Now I can relax and just be excited for our trip!

REBOOKED!!!!!

Last week I called Disney Travel and canceled our reservation for November 2011 and rebooked for November 2012!

I've been posting about my dad's medical issues and the lack of knowing what is actually wrong and if/when it will be fixed. So they decided it best to cancel our trip to Disney this coming November. It was going to me me and my hubby and our two kids and my mom and dad...dad's first trip ever I was so super excited that he'd FINALLY agreed to try it out.

When I originally called to change the dates, I couldn't because the booking window had not reached our dates yet. My mom really wants to go when it's all decked out for Christmas, but her job will not allow her time off in December. So the week before Thanksgiving it was. So we kept the same week.

AND the most exciting part....we get to stay at the brand spanking new Art of Animation resort!!!!!!! I booked us a Cars suite!! So so excited!! It's costing us about $530 more versus two single rooms at Pop Century, but I am so so excited. And since we have to wait an entire year, it gives us more time to pay it off.