I just got back from Disney World, and this trip was extra special because I officially became an Annual Passholder! Woohoo! This has been on my bucket list for a while, and it felt like stepping into a whole new world of Disney magic. There’s something about holding that pass in your hands for the first time. It’s not just a ticket, it’s a key to unlimited adventures and spontaneous Disney moments throughout the year. But before I get ahead of myself, let me start from the very beginning. Our travel day and first evening at Disney, because honestly, every single moment of this trip deserves to be remembered.
The Road to Disney World
We left home bright and early around 6:30 a.m., coffee in hand and a playlist loaded with Disney music and road trip favorites. (Okay, technically my boyfriend drove, but I was an excellent passenger DJ, which is just as important, right?) There’s something magical about singing along to “I Can Go the Distance” from Hercules while watching the sunrise paint the sky in shades of pink and gold.
The anticipation built with every mile. We passed billboards advertising theme parks, started seeing more Florida license plates, and the landscape began changing to those iconic palm trees and Spanish moss-draped oaks that just scream “you’re almost there!”
Leaving that early ended up being the perfect choice. We avoided most heavy traffic and, by the time we pulled under the “Walt Disney World” welcome arch, our room at Art of Animation was ready. The timing worked out so well that it felt like Disney magic was already working in our favor. It really set the tone for the entire trip, making us feel like everything was falling into place exactly as it should.
Checking Into Disney World’s Art of Animation
It had been a while since I’d stayed “in the bubble,” and I’d forgotten just how different the experience feels compared to off-property hotels. Usually, when I come to Disney, I’m traveling with a larger group and end up off-property to save space and money. But this time, it was just four adults, and the Cars Family Suite at Art of Animation was perfect for us.
The suite exceeded all my expectations. We had three beds and two full bathrooms (a lifesaver when you’re traveling with multiple adults who all have different morning routines), plus plenty of space to spread out our luggage, souvenirs, and that inevitable pile of park gear that accumulates throughout a Disney trip. The theming was incredible, even the bathroom mirrors had subtle Cars-inspired details that made me smile every time I brushed my teeth.
One of the underrated perks was that our room was super close to one of the smaller parking lots. Even though we didn’t use the car once during our trip after that first day, it was reassuring to know we had quick access without having to hunt for a spot in those massive resort parking areas. There’s something about knowing your car is just a quick walk away that gives you peace of mind, even when you’re planning to rely entirely on Disney transportation.
Honestly, though, once you’re staying on property, you don’t need your car at all. Being in the Disney World transportation bubble is so worth it; the buses, Skyliner, and boats make it easy and fun to get anywhere. Plus, there’s something special about starting your Disney day by stepping onto a themed bus or gliding through the sky on the Skyliner. It’s like the magic begins the moment you leave your room.
First Impressions of the Resort
Art of Animation is themed to four different Disney and Pixar films, and our Cars section was absolutely adorable. Walking past the life-size Lightning McQueen, Mater, and Sally made me feel like I’d stepped directly into Radiator Springs. The attention to detail was incredible; every building, every sign, every decorative element perfectly captured the spirit of the movie. During the day, the bright desert colors were cheerful and energizing, but at night, the neon-style lights transformed the entire courtyard into something truly magical.
Those nighttime lights deserve their own paragraph, honestly. When the sun sets, the whole Cars section comes alive with glowing neon signs that look like they belong on Route 66. The “Cozy Cone Motel” sign flickers just like in the movie, and the various car-themed decorations cast colorful reflections on the pavement. It created such an immersive atmosphere that made every walk back to our room feel like a mini adventure.
The cast members at Art of Animation also made the stay memorable in ways I hadn’t expected. From the front desk to the gift shop, every interaction was genuinely kind, cheerful, and sprinkled with that signature Disney magic that goes beyond just doing their jobs well.
And of course I can’t forget the Skyliner! Being connected to the Skyliner was an absolute dream, especially knowing we’d be spending a day at Hollywood Studios later in the trip. There’s something so futuristic and exciting about gliding through the air in those colorful gondolas, watching the world pass by below you. More on that later, but just know it’s a complete game-changer for Disney transportation.
Lunch at Landscape of Flavors
After dropping our bags and taking about a hundred photos of our room (because documenting everything is part of the Disney World experience, right?), we grabbed a quick lunch at Landscape of Flavors, the resort’s expansive food court. The variety was impressive; everything from Asian-inspired bowls to classic American comfort food, pizza, salads, and grab-and-go options.
I went with the classic chicken strips and fries because sometimes you just need that reliable comfort food when you’re excited and slightly overwhelmed by all the choices. The chicken was perfectly crispy, and the fries somehow always taste better than they should. We also picked up our refillable resort mugs during this visit.
At first, I wasn’t sure we’d use the mugs enough to justify the cost; they’re not exactly cheap. But they ended up being such a smart purchase that I’d recommend them to anyone staying on property for more than two days. We filled them with soda and Gatorade throughout our travel days and used them every morning for coffee before heading out. They definitely paid for themselves quickly.
Pro tip that served us well throughout the entire trip: share meals when you can. My boyfriend and I split almost everything during our Disney stay, which not only saved us money but also let us try more variety without feeling uncomfortably stuffed. Disney portions are notoriously generous, and sharing meant we could sample more restaurants and treats without the food coma that comes from eating entire entrees by yourself.
Disney World Resort Hopping
Instead of diving straight into the parks, we took the Skyliner for one of my favorite underrated Disney World activities: resort hopping.
We cruised over to Caribbean Beach first, enjoying the aerial views of the resort pools and themed buildings below. The Skyliner ride itself became part of the entertainment, pointing out details we could see from above, taking photos through the windows, and just enjoying this bird’s-eye perspective of Disney property that you can’t experience any other way than in the sky.
From Caribbean Beach, we transferred lines and glided over to the Riviera Resort, which is my absolute dream resort for a future stay. From the moment we stepped off the Skyliner, I was completely smitten. Riviera exudes pure elegance with its European flair, sophisticated color palette, and those stunning architectural details that make you feel like you’ve been transported to the French Riviera. The lobby alone was enough to make me start planning my next trip around staying there.
Le Petit Cafe
My sister and I grabbed lattes from Le Petit Café, a charming little coffee shop tucked into the lobby that serves genuinely excellent coffee (not just park coffee, but actually good coffee). The baristas were friendly and skilled, and sipping those perfectly crafted lattes while surrounded by the resort’s sophisticated ambiance felt like a luxury vacation within our vacation.
After our caffeine fix, we wandered into the library and lounge area, which became my new favorite spot at Disney World. It was cozy and quiet, with comfortable seating, beautiful lighting, and an atmosphere that made me want to come back someday just to spend an afternoon reading a book while sipping coffee. We even discovered bocce ball courts outside and played a few rounds until one of Florida’s inevitable afternoon rain showers rolled through.
The rain was actually kind of perfect. It gave us an excuse to duck back inside, explore more of the resort, and just soak up the elegant atmosphere without feeling rushed. Once the skies cleared and the sun came back out, we leisurely strolled back to Caribbean Beach and hopped on the Skyliner again to return to Art of Animation, already planning our next resort-hopping adventure.
Pop Century & First Pin Purchase
Before getting ready for dinner, we took a short but delightful walk across the bridge to Pop Century Resort. The bridge itself is worth mentioning; it spans a beautiful lake and offers great photo opportunities, plus it’s a peaceful break from the hustle and bustle of the more crowded resort areas.
Pop Century’s theming hit me with such nostalgia waves. Seeing all those larger-than-life icons from different decades, the giant Play-Doh containers, the huge Rubik’s Cube, the oversized laptop computer, brought back so many childhood memories. We spent way more time than expected just wandering around and taking photos with all the themed decorations.
We browsed their gift shop, where I had a minor panic moment thinking we’d need ponchos for the rain (spoiler alert: we hilariously never needed them because Florida weather is unpredictable like that), and I made my very first mystery pin purchase. This was a big moment for me! One of my Annual Passholder goals for this year is to grow a legitimate pin collection, and starting it off with a mystery pack felt like the perfect beginning to what I know will become a serious Disney addiction.
Dinner at Disney Springs
By evening, we hopped on a bus to Disney Springs, and honestly, that bus ride felt like the beginning of something huge! First order of business once we arrived: upgrading our tickets to Annual Passes! This was literally such a massive milestone for me, something I’d been dreaming about for years, and I’ll never forget that mix of excitement and “wait, am I really about to spend this much money?!” when I held that pass in my hands for the first time.
The cast member who processed our upgrades was SO enthusiastic about our decision and shared some incredible Annual Passholder tips that I definitely hadn’t found during all my obsessive pre-trip research (and trust me, I had spreadsheets). Getting those passes felt like joining some exclusive Disney adult club, and honestly, it completely changed the energy of our entire trip! Suddenly, we weren’t tourists frantically trying to cram everything in; we were passholders who could actually take our time, enjoy the little moments, and know that we’d have plenty more opportunities to experience everything Disney has to offer.
Polite Pig at Disney Springs
Afterward, we had dinner at Polite Pig, a BBQ spot that I already know and love! We ordered the pulled pork shoulder with fries and brussels sprouts, and sticking to our new trip strategy, my boyfriend and I split it. The portion size was definitely enough for two people to share without feeling like we were rationing food! But more importantly, the flavors were incredible. The pork was smoky and tender, literally falling apart at the touch of a fork, and those brussels sprouts? I never thought I’d be raving about vegetables at Disney World, but here we are! Sometimes the magic is in the most unexpected places.
Dessert: Mickey Beignets
No Disney evening is complete without something sweet, and we had our hearts set on one of the fan favorite Disney treats: Mickey-shaped beignets from Port Orleans French Quarter. Getting there was half the fun! We boarded one of Disney’s charming boats from Disney Springs, which felt like a magical little cruise through the resort waterways.
The boat ride itself was pure Disney magic. As we glided through the water, we could see different resorts lit up along the shorelines, couples taking romantic evening strolls along the walkways, and families enjoying their own Disney moments. There’s something so peaceful about Disney’s boat transportation, especially in the evening when everything takes on this golden, dreamy quality.
Disney World Port Orleans French Quarter
When we arrived at Port Orleans French Quarter, the resort’s New Orleans theming was immediately enchanting. The architecture, the jazz music drifting through the air, and the warm lighting all combined to create this incredibly immersive atmosphere that made us feel like we’d been transported to the French Quarter itself.
Our group shared three Mickey beignets with chocolate syrup, and honestly, it was more than enough for the four of us. These weren’t just any beignets; they were warm, pillowy clouds of fried dough dusted with just the right amount of powdered sugar, shaped like Mickey’s head because Disney makes everything more magical. The chocolate syrup was rich and decadent, perfect for dipping.
The experience of sitting there, sharing this iconic Disney World treat while surrounded by the resort’s beautiful theming, felt like one of those perfect Disney moments that you’ll remember forever.
Ending the Night
To wrap up our perfect first day, we hopped on a bus to Hollywood Studios and then took the Skyliner back to Art of Animation. I specifically wanted to experience the Skyliner at night, and it was absolutely worth the extra travel time. Gliding above the resorts with the lights twinkling below like scattered stars felt like the most perfect ending to our first day imaginable.
Travel days can sometimes feel hectic, exhausting, or like wasted vacation time, but this one was pure Disney magic from start to finish. Between resort hopping, delicious food, becoming an Annual Passholder, and all those little magical moments in between, it was the absolute perfect way to kick off what I already knew would be an unforgettable trip. As we finally made it back to our Cars-themed room, tired but excited, I couldn’t help but smile knowing that this was just day one of our Disney adventure.
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