Welcome to the Disney Parks Moms Panel,
Evangeline. Nice to meet you!
Oh, I so envy you traveling with a sweet five-year-old to Walt Disney World Resort. It is such a fun age. My son was five when we took him for his first Disney vacation and we made such wonderful memories on that trip.
I think you're really going to enjoy
Disney's Art of Animation Resort. I have stayed there a number of times. The Lion King family suites are incredibly close to Animation Hall, Disney bus transportation, and The Big Blue Pool. If your little guy loves the Lion King, don't hesitate to modify your reservation so that you can stay in the family suites in that section of the resort. If you find yourself in building 10 of the Lion King family suites, you're actually closer to Disney transportation than if you were staying in the Finding Nemo family suites so proximity to the resort's amenities will not be a problem at all.
Don't forget to check out the amazing dining options at the
Landscape of Flavors food court. I often dream of the gelato and build-your-own burger station there. And be sure to bring an autograph book for your son so that he can get signatures from his favorite characters. If you tuck photos of him with his favorite characters in the book when you return home from vacation, you will have made a precious souvenir you will cherish forever. As my boy is getting ready to head off to college, I am so grateful for the autograph/photo book we made for him on his first trip.
Wishing you many magical memories,
Jill