Welcome to planDisney, Angelina!
I'm so glad you stopped by with your question. You must be getting so excited about your upcoming trip to Walt Disney World. Oh, boy! And you can't get more immersed in the magic than staying at
Disney's Art of Animation Resort. This is one of my absolute favorite resorts on property. In fact, I'm staying here next year with my family and some friends. It's the perfect hotel for little kids (and big kids, like me). The Little Mermaid, Lion King, Cars, and Finding Nemo-themed areas are so incredibly fun to explore. I'm torn between which pool I like more, the Cozy Cone Pool or the Big Blue Pool. I guess I don't need to choose. They're both so magical and fun. I also love how you get easy access to
Disney Skyliner from this hotel. This will be so nice on that day when you visit
Disney's Hollywood Studios.
Angelina, you don't need a
MagicBand+ for your Disney trip. This is an optional device that many Guests (like myself) choose to purchase because it allows you to conveniently do things like to enter the theme parks, open your hotel room door, pay for things, etc., without the hassle of trying to locate your phone or wallet. However, you can use your
My Disney Experience mobile app to open your hotel room door. Simply open up the app, tap "Resort Hotel" and tap "Unlock Door." Make sure your phone is connected to the internet, has Bluetooth switched on, and is held close to your door handle. You should hear your door unlock and then you can open it. Sometimes the app can be a bit funky and so, if I don't have my MagicBand+, I always stop by the Front Desk at check-in and pick up a room key card. It's complimentary and there's a fun character design on there too! I always find it to be a nice keepsake.
I hope that's helpful Angelina. Have a wonderful trip!
Mike