Site Visit Update:
The site visit was AWESOME!!!
Day 1:
I convinced my DF for us to do a road trip (I love them) down to Disney because it's only 6:30 hours away. I allocated 8 hours for the trip so just in case there was some traffic and plus we wanted to clean up before meeting Michelle for our site visit. Well, that did not happen. lol We got stuck behind a fire on the highway for 1:30. . .
I was sure we were going to be late. But, we made it with 10 minutes to spare, albeit tired and a bit disheveled.
We finally meet Michelle, whom I have been emailing for months. She is great and really give you the Disney magic, so hopefully she will be some of you guys first point of contact with DFW.
Picture time!!!
Ceremony Venues:
We first visited the Wedding Pavilion. OMG, it's beautiful from the pictures, but seeing it in person is breathtaking. The details and just the overall feeling you get when you walk into it is amazing. We than visited the train station venue. When we went up the staircase to the train station and saw the Magic Kingdom in the background, my DF said, "Ok, I get it." lol He thought it was spectacular. Michelle than told us that the carriage would start at the castle and go down main street to arrive at the train station with my DF in the fire truck.
That just put this venue over the top. The whole Cinderella feel.
Train Station Ceremony View Guest Seating for Train Station Ceremony
Michelle took us to the California Grill to see as a reception site. We would have to use the existing seating, but to me because this is a fine dining restaurant, everything already looks so elegant to me. We aren't sure yet if we had the option of changing the table cloths and chairs, but Michelle said she would let us know. There is an extra charge to add a dance floor. This site is my DF's favorite. He loves the ceiling to floor windows and the light that comes in since we plan on having a morning wedding.
On a side note, we actually had a 7:30pm dining reservation here the night we arrived, but I cancelled it the day before because I was sure my DF would just want to relax. But, after seeing the remodeled look of the restaurant and how lovely it was (I had forgotten, I hadn't been there in 4 years), I tried to get our reservation back, with no luck. After our site visit was up, Michelle secretly made a call to the California Grill and got us 5:30pm reservations. When we arrived at our table, there was a typed note that had our names on it and thanked us for a wonderful site visit (with Mickey confetti scattering the table). It was great! My DF wondered if this was a last minute thing or from our previously cancelled reservation. I told him, Michelle did this. He said he definitely feels special and the Disney magic. lol
California Grill as a Reception Site Dance floor would be where the lounge chairs are located to the right
Ok, back to the site visit. We went to a couple other sites that we decided weren't for us (Living Seas Salon and Ariel's). If you guys want me to post pictures of those two, let me know and I will post them.
Art of Animation Resort:
After we finished our site visit my DF and I checked into Art of Animation resort. I wish I took pictures, but I didn't.
I'm so sorry. It is a very kid friendly resort. We walked in and got our bands to open our door and charge things to our room, which might I say is really cool. If you don't have a car, it's A LOT of walking. We were in the last building with Ariel on the building. We arrived into the room and it was very cute. You enter the room from the outside. The bed's seem to be double beds, I don't think they are full size (I'm 5'10 so my feet kind of hung off the bed). I would say, if you are two adults with no kids, I would not recommend staying at the value resorts. I LOVE Disney, but these resorts are not for me. lol That's just my opinion.
Animal Kingdom Lodge:
Once we checked out of Art of Animation we went to breakfast at 'Ohana and than checked into Animal Kingdom Lodge. OMG. . . we arrived at 1pm and were able to check in. Elyne (person who checked us) was awesome. Their systems were down and so we were checking in the old way through paper. lol As we were conversing, the systems came back up and she said our room was ready. She moved our room into the main building so we didn't have to do that much walking. We walked into our room and my DF immediately saw the difference. Remember, I wanted my DF to see the differences between the resorts so he could be more informed. He said the cushiony beds and than he opened the curtains. There was a giraffe eating off of the tree in front of our window. He stared and kept saying, "There is a giraffe in front of our window." lol I have to say, AKL is a beautiful resort and it was amazing seeing ostriches and zebras outside of our window when we woke up.
Of course there are differences in the value and deluxe resorts, but that's why there are levels. I think the Art of Animation is very kid friendly, but so is the AKL, just with better beds. lol I had never stayed at the AKL, but I now know why some people do not stay anywhere else because it's the only resort that gives you animals that are free roaming and makes you feel like you are looking out on the savannah's of Africa.
Ok, that's my update. . . If you guys have any specific questions let me know or comments are always great!
I will post my update for the Bridal Showcase next week.
But, it is so soon. I wanted to get married December or next February, but the MK said no. . .lol 
