Suzanne Calling

If you didn't see my post yesterday, I show you one of the family suites at Disney's new Art of Animation Resort, as well as provide you a bit of the background into why Disney's newest value resorts is mostly suites. Today, a little bit more history and some pictures of the 2,500 characters that can be found on the resort grounds. When you arrive at the resort, passing the 40' retro sign that acts as the cover of their storybook, then pass through the similarly themed gate, you will be directed to the parking at Animation Hall.  Those who have stayed at Pop Century will realize that this building is a mirror of the Classic Hall found at the sister resort across Hourglass Lake, at least in layout.  Once you walk through the entrance, you will find the Ink and Paint shop immediately to your left, which you will have to pass through to get to the Landscape of Flavors and Colors food court. This is where you will really notice that things have changed in several ...

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of joining Deb Wills and the AllEarsNet team on a tour of the new Disney Art of Animation resort. This new Disney value resort opened May 12th, where the "Heritage Years" was supposed to open. However, in the ten years since that project was put on hold, Disney noticed their guests needed rooms to accommodate more than 4 people, a segment that had previously had to either book two rooms, get a moderate hotel room to sleep 5 or to keep costs in line, seek a place to stay off-property. Instead, they decided to pilot test 'suites' in the All Star resorts that slept 6 comfortably. The pilot was a huge success, and led to plans for Art of Animation to have three sections of family suites. However, the story doesn't end there. Story is actually the perfect word here, for this is the first location on property where guests book their room by 'story', choosing from Cars, Finding Nemo, or Lion King (opening August 10th) ...

Back in July, I bought tickets to an AllEarsNet December to Remember event. Yes, in July (while I was on vacation, in fact). Why? Because this picture, hanging in my living room: was illustrated by Don 'Ducky' Williams, who was the guest speaker at a luncheon at Epcot. I was definitely going to this one! (Alas, I had two tickets and went solo-Ed couldn't get out of work) I'm so glad I did. Don's path to Disney is an interesting story of how a banker eventually realized his dream of working for Walt Disney. He even has the letter that Walt sent him as a kid, when Don had wrote him about job prospects when he was ten years old. I won't spill all, because you need to go on a Disney Cruise and hear Don tell it himself. Basically, he is a one man Walt Disney illustrator. Those park maps you pick up? Don does those. He also does all the illustrations that you find on the cruises, for special park events and just about everything except merchandise. You na...