Destination Disney - 3 Favorite Disney Resorts

We're on our eighth week of the Destination Disney challenge.  I can't believe we're almost done... I've really enjoyed it!  Of all the Disney resorts, I've personally experienced just 6 of them.  3 "deluxe" resorts, 2 "moderate" and 1 "value".  Today I'll tell you all about my favorite 3, and no, they don't all fall under the "deluxe" category!

3.  Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort For my 30th birthday, my husband treated me to my very first on-property Disney vacation!  We stayed at this "moderate" resort, in the Aruba buildings and I LOVED it!  The theme was so fun and colorful and the walk through the Caribbean Cay felt so tropical.  We took a paddle boat out on Parrot Bay and had some yummy dinner at Shutters.  One of my favorite things about the Disney resorts is the themes.  Unlike your typical hotel, these resorts go all out to make you feel like your vacationing in, say the Caribbean or... Africa...

 

2.  Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge Which brings us to my 2nd favorite Disney resort... Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge.  Words can't even begin to describe the, well, awesomeness of this resort.  It's just gorgeous.  Inside and out.  If the amazing decor inside doesn't make you feel like you're in Africa, the wildlife that surrounds the resort will.  I've mentioned before that Kilimanjaro Safari is my very favorite attraction at Disney's Animal Kingdom, well a visit to this resort is like riding Kilimanjaro Safari all day.  Plus, if you're lucky enough (like I was!) to stay in a Savannah View room, you'll experience it all night too.  Well, maybe not the animals, since they enjoy a good night's sleep too, but you'll still have the incredible view and the animals are right there as soon as you wake in the morning.  The only reason this resort didn't make my #1 spot is because it lacks the view of my most favorite spot in all of the Walt Disney World resort... Disney's Magic Kingdom.

 

1.  Disney's Polynesian Resort But the Poly's got it!  Plus a fantastic theme and the convenient monorail right there...those are the reasons why I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Disney's Polynesian Resort.  My husband and I stayed here for our 11th and 12th anniversaries.  I'd avoided it for years because of all the "Brady Bunch Goes Hawaii" jokes but we stayed at the Contemporary for our 10th anniversary and when our monorail stopped to let guests off at the Poly, I told my husband, "We're staying here next time".  Something about it just called to me so I had to give it a chance and I'm so glad we did!  Best.  Vacation.  Ever.  Even if we hadn't been bumped up to Club level with a Magic Kingdom view when we checked in (which we WERE!), I still would have loved it!  I'm pretty sure that we'll be finally investing in DVC when the Poly Villas go in!

  

Can't wait for Disney's Art of Animation Resort! If this list had been for 4 of my favorites, I would have listed Disney's All-Star Movies Resort.  Like I've said, I LOVE the themes and at the All-Star resorts it's "go big or go home"!  I love the giant icons all over the resorts.  The only downfall is the rooms lack the same "big-ness".  Not at the Art of Animation though!  These rooms scream Disney and I love that!  I can't wait to go big!  But which theme to choose....

Wasn't that fun?!  Check out previous lists - Top 10 Disney Attractions, 9 Favorite Disney Characters, 8 Favorite "Lands", 7 Things to do OUTSIDE of the Parks, 6 Favorite Restaurants, 5 Favorite Snacks, 4 Favorite Souvenirs

And be sure to check back next week for our family's 2 Favorite Disney Memories

May the Fourth Be With You

I'm new to the whole awesomeness that is Star Wars.  I have my 6 year old to thank for that.  Just about anything can "become" a lightsaber and as he swings it about, he hums the iconic music.  It's pretty adorable to this Momma.  Sorry, cool.  In honor of May the Fourth (which now has a whole new meaning), I threw together a quick dinner to enjoy as we watched the first, err, the fourth, good grief, I can't even keep track... You know, the one with the trash compactor.  That's only in one of them, right?

Boba Fett-uccine, Vader Taters and Jabba the "Hutt Dogs"

Yoda Soda

Wookiee Cookies and Lightsaber Pretzles

Palpatine's popcorn and Princess "Lays" with Droid Dip

Destination Disney - 4 Favorite Souvenirs

We all buy souvenirs in Disney World.  Some for others, some for ourselves.  I mean, who couldn't buy *something* for themselves with all those wonderful little shops scattered about?  Though I do like buying for others, and myself, the last few visits have been about what we can buy the kids... and how the heck we're going to fit it all in our suitcases! Let's shop!

4.  Magnets This is something we buy for ourselves on every single trip we make to WDW.  It's our little "family" souvenir.  Something we can all see, daily, hanging right there on our fridge.  We like the clippy ones, as they're the most practical, but the only requirement.. they MUST be dated.  We've got a pretty good collection, though I'd never argue making it bigger!  Plus, they fit very nicely in said luggage.  ;)

3.  Ride Photos  We're suckers for the ride photos!  As soon as we see them, we can't walk away empty handed.  Leaving them behind is like leaving one of our precious Disney World memories behind.  The looks on the faces are always priceless.  Shock.  Surprise.  Excitement.  Like I said, precious Disney memories.  Another plus, sometimes the other riders expressions are even better than our own!

2.  Mickey Ears

Mine are oldies, from my first trip to The World back in 1987.  Hubby's are from our honeymoon in 1997.  The kids, before they even knew who Mickey was.  Yes, my kids first hats were those with ears, to no one's surprise.  All were bought in the parks and they all have our names on them.  Stephen's were even used on his 3rd birthday party invitations.

1.  My Disney Bear No, not Duffy, as he is known now.  Mine is just called a "Disney Bear".  Sure, it's Duffy, but I bought mine before he was called "Duffy".  He's soft, cuddly, adorable and PURPLE!  As soon as I saw him on that hot September day in 2003 (which was also my 30th birthday!), I had to have him!  His cute little Mickey feet, the adorable story behind him and, did I mention, he's PURPLE!  My absolute favorite Walt Disney World souvenir.  Ever.

And Make Room in the Suitcase for... ...pin trading!  We've never done it before but I've got a small collection going so that when we visit again this summer the kids and I can get started.  Problem is, I love them all!  I don't want to trade.  Think people will just give me theirs?  ;)

Wasn't that fun?!  Check out previous lists - Top 10 Disney Attractions, 9 Favorite Disney Characters, 8 Favorite "Lands", 7 Things to do OUTSIDE of the Parks, 6 Favorite Restaurants, 5 Favorite Snacks

And be sure to check back next week for our family's 3 Favorite Resorts