Holiday trips are extra magical, Phyllis. I'm happy to get you going in the right direction!
First of all, I have to commend your choice in resort hotels.
Disney's Art of Animation Resort offers Guests not only larger-than-life Disney Characters that we all know and love, but it's also a convenient stop along the
Disney Skyliner. Talk about traveling in style!
Since you have your resort reservation squared away, your next step should be to organize your trip details. Some guests purchase
theme park admission as part of a package; others purchase park tickets separately. Either way, you're going to want to be sure that you have everything (including your resort hotel reservation and theme park tickets) properly linked in your
My Disney Experience account.
Next up, let's consider itinerary options. If you've purchased the
Park Hopper Option, you can plan for more than one theme park per day. Otherwise, you're going to want to plan to visit a single park each day that your admission entitles you to do so. I definitely recommend visiting each of the four theme parks at least once; each offers a unique perspective on the storytelling Disney does so well. It's almost impossible for me to choose a favorite and I imagine that you're going to feel the same.
As you progress in your planning, you're going to want to consider dining options. Even the
restaurants within the Walt Disney World Resort play a big part in sprinkling pixie dust on your vacation. Some of my personal favorites include
Liberty Tree Tavern (especially for a holiday visit),
The Hollywood Brown Derby and
Via Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria.
Historically, there have been some
festive holiday happenings throughout Walt Disney World. As the season approaches, it's a great idea to keep a close eye on the
Disney Parks Blog for updates about the availability of these events. In any case, I'm pleased to tell you that
The World's Most Magical Celebration will be in full swing during your vacation. That is sure to be a treat!
I hope that this overview helps, Phyllis. As you plan, you may find that you have more specific questions. In that case,
I'm happy to offer tips and advice personalized for you and your family. I'm wishing you a merry holiday trip!