May 31, 2012 - On the Go in MCO

To commemorate the 10th anniversary† of a cherished family classic, Disney proudly presents a special movie collection featuring two modern-day fairy tales, The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement, for the first time ever on Blu-ray!

Starring Academy Award®-Winning Actress Julie Andrews (Best Actress, Mary Poppins, 1964) and Academy Award-Nominated Actress Anne Hathaway (Best Actress, Rachel Getting Married, 2008), these two heartwarming and hilarious movies will touch your heart. As the future queen of Genovia, Princess Mia has everything a girl could want – except the enchanting romance she’s always dreamed of. Comic complications rule the day in these delightfully engaging stories about finding out who you really are and discovering what it takes to make your dreams come true!

The Princess Diaries Film Synopsis: Mia Thermopolis is the average teenager – sweet, a little geeky and pretty much invisible to everyone with theexception of her mother, best friend Lilly and Lilly’s older brother Michael. Making it through high school without throwing up is a challenge in itself for Mia, so it doesn’t come as welcome news when her estranged grandmother shows up out of the blue and calmly informs her that she is in fact the heir to the throne of a European country called Genovia. Suddenly Mia’s life is thrown into complete overload. She’s being taught about scarves, waves and pears in order to become a perfect princess, she gets a makeover and a tough looking yet sweet bodyguard/limo driver called Joe. Things get out of hand when the media gets a hold of the story and suddenly Mia is thrust into the spotlight in both thenewspapers and in school. On top of all that Mia has a choice to make. She must decide by Genovia’s Independence Day Ball whether she longs to relinquish her claim on the throne or to become theprincess and heir to the throne and father and grandmother want her to be.

The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement Film Synopsis: Starring the irresistible Anne Hathaway and Academy Award winner Julie Andrews (Best Actress, Mary Poppins), this modern-day fairy tale picks up right where The PrincessDiaries left off! As future queen of Genovia, Princess Mia (Hathaway) has everything a girl could want – except the magical romance she’s always dreamed of. But soon, Mia’s shocked to discover that she needs to get married right now or her family will lose the crown! Comic complications rule the day in this delightful family story about finding out who you really are and discovering what it takes to make your dreams come true!

Both The Princess Diaries and The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement have some bonus features, I was left wanting a little more from this feature. On The Princess Diaries there are Outtakes and Bloopers, “A New Princess” Behind-The-Scenes Featurette, 8 Deleted Scenes – Introduced By Director Garry Marshall, “The Ultimate Tea Party” – With Audio Commentary By Julie Andrews, and Anne Hathaway Music Videos Livin’ Like A Princess. The Princess Diaries 2 has Royal Bloopers, The PD2 Makeover, Deleted Scenes – Introduced By Director Garry Marshall, Breakaway Music Video – By Kelly Clarkson, Find Your Inner Princess – A Personality Quiz, and A Julie and Garry Commentary are included as bonus features.

Zoe and I had a great time watching these two movies, and I am sure that they will be re-played often in our house!!!

A few of us had the opportunity to stay at Walt Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort, which opens today. We were able to stay in one of the Nemo Family Suites, explore the resort, take advantage of the Pool and Play areas, tour the soon to open Cars Family Suites, shop for resort specific merchandise, and eat at Landscape of Flavors. It was an amazing stay!!!

What was your favorite detail at the Art of Animation Resort?

The Big Blue Pool at Art of Animation was one of our favorite places!!!

Shelley: My absolute favorite detail of the Art of Animation Resort was how the trees around The Big Blue Pool were grown to have curvy trunks as if they were waving under the sea.

Aurora: The fact that in The Finding Nemo area that everything looked like it was under water. The way that the plants were placed and the way the trees were angled and the vibrant colors. The fish on the sides of the buildings with the colors being gradual blues made you feel like you were under water!

Betsy: There are so many to choose from, but I think one of my favorites has to be the diving mask by the Big Blue Pool that belongs to P. Sherman, 42 Wallaby Way, Sydney. I missed it the first time I walked by the pool, but loved it as soon as I noticed it.

Megan: I loved the large icons. My favorite has to be Crush outside of the EAC building.

What is your biggest tip for people staying at the Art of Animation Resort?

Squirt at the Righteous Reef Playground at night is alive with color!

Aurora: Take advantage of everything to see! Take a tour of the property. Take pictures. Make sure that you look for the small details. The kids will LOVE finding their favorite characters in hidden spots all over the resort. This place is a feast for the eyes.

Betsy: Take time to enjoy this resort! It is amazingly themed and detailed and I hope that people will take the time to appreciate the effort that the imagineers put into constructing a resort that is so immersive. I want to go back just to hang out by the pool, enjoy the atmosphere and the great food!

Megan:Take time to look at the sketches in the lobby. Try to find the piece of artwork in the chandelier in the Lobby signed by John Lasseter.

Shelley: Make sure that you take time to enjoy the resort during the day and at night, because there are so many creative uses of lighting that make all the difference and bring out details that aren’t as easily noticed in the daytime!

What should people know about staying at the Art of Animation Resort?

A view of the jogging trail from the Finding Nemo Family Suites.

Betsy: There is a great walking/jogging path along Hourglass Lake that is beautiful at night. We were only able to experience part of it due to construction, but by the time the resort is completely open in the middle of September this will be a great place to exercise or just to take a nice stroll along the lake with your family.

Megan: Make sure to schedule time to spend hanging out at the pool or to go for a run around hourglass lake

Shelley: In the far corner of the check-in area of Animation Hall, there is a children’s play/screening area with a twist! Thursday through Sunday from 10:00 am – 6:00 pm artists will be on hand showing kids of all ages how to draw their favorite characters and holding “Animation Classes”.

Aurora: That this is not your typical value resort. They have raised the bar. The pool is AMAZING! The Scenery is Beautiful. The Themeing kicks all the other resorts butts. This place is not your typical small room resort!

What are you looking forward to experiencing again?

The amazing attention to detail can be found everywhere in the Finding Nemo Family Suites!

Megan: The rooms. I loved how spacious they were. The details in them made me feel like I was in the movie.

Shelley: I am really looking forward to bringing Zoe to the Resort to experience the pool, water play areas, and playgrounds! I think she will absolutely love all that there is to offer!!!

Aurora: I can not wait to stay in the Little Mermaid section! But I honestly can not wait to get in that Big Blue Pool again and float around listening to Mr. Ray Jabber under the water!

Betsy: I think the Big Blue Pool is the thing I’m most looking forward to since I forgot my bathing suit this last trip. I want to hear the underwater speakers, play games by the pool, enjoy adult beverages at The Drop Off pool bar and just relax and soak it all in.

What would you eat again at the Art of Animation Resort?

Shelley's amazing macaroon cupcake! It is hard to believe that this is came from a food court of a Value Hotel!

Shelley: Absolutely!!! With soooo many vegetarian options with a world twist and a beautiful setting I have a feeling I won’t get tired of eating at Landscape of Flavors any time soon!

Aurora: I LOVED My Meatball Sub. I will get it with the home made potato chips this time however. I also loved my yogurt and would get that again for a breakfast option. I want to try the Make Your Own Salad with Chicken, Also the Make your Own Pasta. I was VERY Jealous of Shelley’s cupcake with the macaroons on top so I may have to get one of those!!!!

Betsy: I loved the mini buckwheat waffles that I had for breakfast. My mom used to make buckwheat pancakes when I was little and I haven’t had them in years. This most definitely satisfied that craving. Plus, they were super cute and had Dory on them. 🙂

Megan: Definitely! The food was well above the normal value resort food quality.

What is one thing that you wish the Art of Animation Resort had?

Aurora: I would LOVE to see a Toy Story Section added on somewhere down the line. That is one of my personal favorite movies and I think the Theming is ENDLESS!

Betsy: I know value resorts don’t have them, but I would love it if there was a hot tub. This resort is so different from all the other value resorts, and dare I say, several steps above the rest, that I wouldn’t think it would be out of place at all.

Megan: A slide. The pool would be over the top if it had a slide.

Shelley: I wish that the resort had a tour with insight into the design and a look at the Imagineers designed the resort.

We hope that these tips and thoughts help you as you plan a stay at Walt Disney World’s Art of Animation Resort!!!