Hi, Jamie! Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel and thanks so much for bringing your question to us. We love to help guests draw up amazing plans for their vacations, so feel free to stop by any time you need some help coloring in all the spaces of your plans!
I have great information to share with you about your upcoming stay at
Disney's Art of Animation Resort. In the Lion King section, the odd numbered rooms 1 - 13 and 27 - 39 on each floor are Family Suites that face the character courtyard. You are welcome to call a Disney Resort Reservation Cast Member and ask for a room request to be put in for a room that overlooks the courtyard. However, please understand that this is just a request and cannot be guaranteed. I find that my room requests are more likely to be granted if I specify exactly what it is that I am wanting, rather than a specific room. Asking for a specific room does not let the Cast Members assigning rooms know what you find magical about it.
Jamie, if you are a member of the Touring Plans website, they provide a handy service to their members that allows you to look at the views found from most every guest room at Walt Disney World Resort hotels. You can choose a room that is the type you are wanting and they will fax the resort a few days ahead of your check-in to put in the room request for you. There is even a section where you can provided detailed information of the type of room that you like, such as one that overlooks the character courtyard. I have done this many times and have had some great success using it … but not always! Just remember that these are merely requests!
Thanks again for stopping by, Jamie! I hope you have a magical day!
Brandy