I am not happy right now. I have somehow made a series or grave errors. I have not been to Walt Disney World in almost 3 months. And I have no upcoming plans to return. Like I said I am not happy.
I don’t know how this happened. I have been travelling to Walt Disney World at least once a year for the last 5 years. I have made multiple annual trips a few times in that span. But somehow right now, I don’t have anything on the schedule. I don’t even have any plans to make plans to go to Disney World. It is very depressing.
Many things have prevented me from making vacation plans at Walt Disney World. I have foolishly allowed other commitments to interfere with a necessary trip to my favorite destination. And despite having 2 amazing vacations in 2023 at Walt Disney World, I feel like I haven’t been there in forever. Walt Disney World holds that powerful draw for the people who love it (borderline obsession and addiction). As soon as I leave, I need to go back. I miss the feel of Main Street in Magic Kingdom. I miss the music as I enter my happy place. I miss the thrill of securing a virtual queue. I miss planning my vacation. I miss picking restaurants and creating my schedule. I miss the anticipation of how my next Walt Disney World Vacation will be unique and memorable.
I know this complaint will sound silly (or offensive) to those people that don’t get it. But for the audience that lives and breathes Walt Disney World, I know you feel my pain. I am not without hope, however. With 2024 approaching, I am hoping that the turn will bring new opportunities. I may not be able to pull together a long and adventurous extended vacation. I am still optimistic that there will be a chance for a quick escape to the happiest place on earth.
Disney’s Boardwalk is categorized as a Deluxe Resort and it certainly delivers. There are so many unique offerings I highly recommend staying here. We rented vacation points from a Disney Vacation Club third party website. You can read here for a post on how we did it. I was going to title this post as a review of the resort, but there was so much left unexplored, I can’t call it a full review.
First off, let’s talk about why we decided to stay here. The location is perfect. The hotel is within walking distance to EPCOT and Hollywood Studios and both parks are also accessible by boat. It’s also a short bus ride to Magic Kingdom and Animal Kingdom. Bus travel is definitely the least fun way to get around Disney World. With better options like a boat ride, the monorail and the Sky Liner, I really don’t want to be on a bus. Another reason we selected Boardwalk was because we have seen it from the Sky Liner and it just looks so fun. An added bonus is that being a Deluxe Resort, we were able to take advantage of extended hours at Magic Kingdom and EPCOT. The weather was also very hot, so having a quick way back to the resort allowed us a chance to recover for a bit before park hopping. We did that a few times and it didn’t feel at all like we were missing out on anything.
Boardwalk has so much to experience, we barely scratched the surface in a 6 night stay. We spent most of the days in one of the parks. But several nights we came back to a bustling entertainment venue. There are street performers on the Boardwalk with crowds watching. Then there is Jelly Rolls, which is a piano bar, Atlantic Dance Club and more places to grab a drink. We really were overwhelmed by the options. Late night food was served at the Boardwalk Deli and Pizza Window. Then there are 3 table service restaurants, Flying Fish, Big River Grille, and Trattoria al Forno. I kind of wish we ate at one of those places, but we just didn’t have the time.
Fantasia mini golf is also within walking distance. We really wanted to do this, but it was so hot all week we just could not get there.
The pool at Boardwalk is amazing. It’s large, there is a hot tub, and a large water slide the kids absolutely loved. We didn’t use the fitness center, but it looked solid with cardio equipment and weights including kettle bells. We stayed in a DVC villa room, which had a queen bed, queen pull out sofa and a wall pull down that is big enough for an older child.
So Walt Disney World has announced the closure of the Galactic Starcruiser Resort. The final adventures have been booked, and the experience will end in September of this year. Very briefly, the Starcruiser was an ambitious project by Disney. It was an entirely immersive resort experience. Guests would arrive at the resort for a 2 night stay. During their time, they would be able to remain completely inside the Star Wars universe. There was transportation directly to Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge at Hollywood Studios. For an ultimate Star Wars fanatic, there was nothing else like it in the universe.
Star Wars:Â Galaxy’s Edge
What Happened
Walt Disney World recently announced that the Starcruiser will permanently close in September. The cost of the experience proved to be too high, while the demand was too low. Disneyay have overestimated how many Star Wars fans would be willing to pay for the resort. Star Wars may not be the franchise they’re looking for. I wouldn’t think it was. The recent trilogy did not live up to expectations. And I think the success of the Marvel movies also damaged the Star Wars brand. As Marvel rose, Star Wars fell.
Not All Is Lost
The Galactic Starcruiser was a risky and ambitious project. Those are great components of creativity and innovation. Those are things that make Disney great. They are always moving forward and pushing through limits. We want Disney to keep doing that. Disney executives also have a lot to learn from this project. There were things I’m sure that worked well, and things they would not repeat. They tried something that had never been done before, and can use those lessons learned for future endeavors.
A few days after the initial announcement of the closure, it was revealed that closing the resort was a tax write off thay would save Disney hundreds of millions of dollars. It is unclear at this time what will happen to the actual building of the resort. I don’t know if it has to be torn down for the write off, or if it can be repurposed.
There are many, many things that separate Walt Disney World from other theme parks. Walt Disney World is home to so many beloved characters and the universe of story telling is unmatched. With 4 distinct and unique theme parks, 2 water parks, and a shopping/dining/entertainment complex, Walt Disney World is a magnificent vacation resort destination. But what really makes the biggest difference are the employees.
Animal Kingdom
Firstly, Walt Disney World has absolute world class performers. There are so many amazing actors, comedians, singers and dancers. There are acrobats, gymnasts, and animal trainers. There are so many more specialists that it is actually astounding. EPCOT employs people from all around the world to showcase their culture.
Oga’s Cantina
What this post is truly about, though, are the countless cast members that cheerfully interact with thousands of people. These are the people at the park entrance, ride operators, bartenders and waitresses. They are so awesome. It is amazing there are so many cast members that obviously love what they are doing. In the above picture, the bartender at Oga’s Cantina offered to take a picture of us. She then took the selfie with us in the background. It was so fun she was great.
The difference is really noticeable. I have been to many amusement parks and nobody anywhere can do what Disney does. The cast members are so helpful, engaging and happy. I strongly suggest you take notice of this on your next trip to Walt Disney World. Interact with them and thank them for what they do. Keep the Magic strong.
Walt Disney World is truly the happiest place on earth. Thousands of people return year after year. Millions of people visit annually. There are beloved characters, amazing rides and world class entertainment shows. There is magic in the air. People seek the wonder and joy that makes them feel like a kid again. I love Walt Disney World. So I get annoyed when I read negative articles that are obviously just being contrarian and trying to get views to their website. This has been a theme I have tried to promote. I hate the idea of somebody reading one of these stories, and then altering their vacation plans.
I recently came across an article titled “9 Disney World Hotels You’ll Never Stay in Again”. Against my better judgement, I opened the story and started to skim through it. The “highlight” of my dismay, was reading that Pop Century and Art of Animation were on the list. These are two of my favorite resorts. They are value resorts but are both a major step up from the All Star hotels. They both allow for transportation on the Disney Sky Liner. Art of Animation is beautiful and has the most Disney characters on display. When we stayed here, my children absolutely loved wandering around and calling out the characters. The pool is great, the splash pad is awesome and there is even a small playground for the kids to play.
I’m getting annoyed again, looking at this story. The author grabs a few complaints and publishes an article ripping a resort based on them. The music and kids were too loud at Pop Century? The walk is too much at Art of Animation? These are ridiculous criticisms. I hate to think a family might avoid Art of Animation after reading this. So the walk from the lobby to the room is 10 minutes. That walk is usually made a few times a day, and is not a major inconvenience. And there are character displays along the way. People are on vacation to spend time with their family. We love the walk where we would talk about what we were going to do and what we did that day. I have a full review of Art of Animation available.
The reality is that Pop Century and Art of Animation are reasonably priced resorts that allow for a family to enjoy a Disney vacation on a smaller budget. These 2 resorts are absolutely wonderful for little kids.
Planning and booking a Walt Disney World Vacation is an experience in itself. There are many decisions to be made about things such as dining, park reservations, and ticket options. Perhaps the most basic and initial decision involves how to book the vacation. There are many different travel agents to be considered and then there is Disney’s own website. There is another option that is not as well known. And it might be the best way to save big on a Disney vacation.
So what is Disney Vacation Club?
Disney Vacation Club (DVC) is basically a time share at Walt Disney World Resorts. There are some DVC only properties, like the new Riviera Resort. There are also villas within other resorts, like at the Grand Floridian. DVC members are allotted points each year that are used to make reservations. Members can carry over points, but can never have more than double their annual budget. DVC members can “sell” their points on a secondary market. They might do this if they want to help pay for the cost of their membership or if they need to unload points they were unable to use. Vacationers can book these DVC resorts by “renting” those points. The cost is much lower than booking the same resort on Disney’s website.
My experience renting DVC points
In the summer of 2022, I began planning a trip to Walt Disney World for my wife’s 40th birthday. I decided to leave the kids at home, and make it a romantic adventure. I reasoned this was the perfect opportunity to try booking a DVC rental. I had looked into it in the past, but I didn’t want to risk a new endeavor on a family trip. However, travelling without kids provided additional flexibility so I took the chance and it paid off. I booked a room at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary resort. This is an all DVC property. I have no affiliation with any of the companies that rent DVC points. I chose dvcrentalstore.com. They had the best website and seemed to have a solid business. The process was a little confusing and stressful at first. I completed a request on their website for the dates I wanted to go. I first chose the Polynesian as the resort, but changed it to Bay Lake Tower after corresponding with the helpful staff of DVC Rental Store. I learned that the Polynesian only has a small number of DVC rooms and is always in high demand, making it difficult to secure a reservation. The process is to send in the requested booking, and DVC Rental Store attempts to secure the booking with one of their members. The member then books the reservation and DVC Rental Store creates a contract for you to rent the reservation. There is a $100 deposit to begin the process. The deposit makes sense as they need to ensure some level of commitment before they begin. The deposit is then applied to the cost when the reservation is secured. Once secured, the initial payment of 25% of the cost is paid, and the rest is due at a later date. DVC Rental Store has all of their policies (including cancellations) on their website and it is very transparent. There are also “Confirmed Reservations” available. These are reservations already booked, that a DVC member is selling for some reason. This is even easier, less stressful, and can be cheaper.
Bay Lake Tower Bay Lake Tower View From the Balcony
Another One Booked
I found myself checking DVC Rental Store periodically to see what prices were looking like. We were considering a summer vacation, and we wanted to stay in one of the EPCOT area resorts. Well as luck would have it, we stumbled on a confirmed reservation for Boardwalk around the dates we wanted to go. The reservation was for $2700 for 6 nights. We quickly checked Disney’s website, and the same room would have cost $3900. Needless to say, the deal was too good to pass up and we secured it immediately.
Conclusion
Renting reservations from Disney Vacation Club members can save serious money for your upcoming trip. These DVC rooms are more expensive than moderate and value resorts. But it saves a lot if you really want to stay in a deluxe resort. And the rooms are really nice, and most, if not all, include a fridge and small kitchen area.
There are so many resorts to choose from at Walt Disney World. Art of Animation is classified as a value hotel. It is the least expensive category at Walt Disney World. But it is one of my favorites and my top pick for traveling with the youngest children. It is also one of the newer resorts. Be aware, it sells out fast!
Walt Disney World hotels increase in cost from value to moderate and to deluxe. Every resort has a pool, gift shop, quick service cafeteria and access to free transportation around Disney World. As the price increases, the amenities at the resort get nicer and nicer. The more expensive resorts have table service dining options and more elaborate pool and recreation areas. These resorts are generally closer to the theme parks. The moderate and deluxe hotels have various themes and are decorated with splashes of Disney Magic. The theme of Art of Animation is obviously Disney and Pixar animation and the resort if covered in art and the characters you know and love. For first time vacations or trips with toddlers, this is a perfect destination. Other features of the resort include an arcade and a jogging or walking trail.
Art of Animation has standard rooms that are themed to The Little Mermaid. These rooms are spectacular and remain my favorite in all resorts. They are studio rooms with 2 queen beds. Art of Animation also offers 3 different themed family suites. These rooms are adorable. They feature a queen bed, plus a smaller room with another bed. There is also a sofa bed if needed. These are perfect for bigger families with more than 2 children. These rooms are pricey though and can be a little more than double the cost of a standard room. They are probably too expensive for a family of 4 where The Little Mermaid room will do just fine.
Playground
Disney designed Art of Animation to be well suited for small children. There is a cute playground. The pool is simple and ready for little ones. And the splash pad is a perfect place for kids to play in the water while the parents can relax without having to be in the pool with them.
Splash Pad
The Disney Skyliner brings resort guests to Hollywood Studios and EPCOT in an enjoyable gondola high above the property. It is a wonderful change of pace from the bus rides that can get CROWDED. The real benefit comes at the end of the day when exiting a park at closing time. It is much faster getting back to the resort on the Skyliner than it was before when guests had to line up for the bus.
Art of Animation is a beautiful resort that proudly displays Disney and Pixar Characters. Kids (and adults) love seeing them throughout the property. This resort may capture Disney Magic better than any other in Walt Disney World.
When planning a vacation to Walt Disney World, many people ponder the question of whether or not to stay on Disney property. For me it is a non-negotiable easy decision. Staying on property has so many advantages, it is well worth the added cost.
All Star Movies
Staying in a Walt Disney World hotel means the Disney Magic doesn’t end when you leave the park. The resort hotels maintain that Disney feel. Some of the value hotels like Art of Animation and All Star Movies are filled with Disney characters. On the walk to the lobby at Art of Animation, the kids would announce the characters we passed and take pictures with them.
Art of Animation
Walt Disney World hotels increase in cost from value to moderate and to deluxe. Every resort has a pool, gift shop, quick service cafeteria and access to free transportation around Disney World. As the price increases, the amenities at the resort get nicer and nicer. The more expensive resorts have table service dining options and more elaborate pool and recreation areas. These resorts are generally closer to the theme parks. A little advertised Disney secret is that guests staying at deluxe resorts can take advantage of extended hours in some of the parks. Take a look at this sample schedule for Summer 2022.
Credit: Disney
All resort guests can take advantage of Disney Extra Magic Hours. This program has changed over the years but currently allows resort guests to enter all 4 parks 30 minutes earlier than the opening time. Other perks include being able to make Lightning Lane and Genie+ selections at 7am before and sending purchases in the park back to your room instead of carrying them around all day.
Traveling from the resort to the theme parks is simple when you stay at a Disney resort hotel. The bus system is the most common way to get around. Then there is the Magic Kingdom monorail, and the Disney Skyliner that connects Caribbean Beach, Art of Animation and Pop Century to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. There are also water taxis and Minnie Vans (Lyft operated). Being able to go the resort quickly and easily and back again is super convenient. It allows for so many variations in your stay. You can go back to the room if you forgot something. Parties can split if younger ones (or older ones like grandparents) need a break. Grandparents can take the kids back early so the parents can enjoy some amazing alone time.
Staying in a Walt Disney World resort hotel means that you are on your Disney vacation around the clock from the moment you arrive.
