Alrighty! So we finally made it to our destination, our home away from home for the next nine days, Disneys Art of Animation Resort!! Eeeeee! As I mentioned, we were literally bouncing in our seats at this point, so we happily bounced right off the bus when we pulled up and grabbed our carry-on bags from the driver.
At long last, we were entering into this beloved sight that I already recognized from my hours of research! However, it truly does not compare to seeing it in real life. Everything is so huge and out of this world perfect!
We had already done Online Check In, so we headed to that counter and there was no line, so we walked right up, and two people were there to check us and the in-laws in at the same time. There were zero issues with check in, they had everything they needed. Our cast member did let us know that we (thankfully) would not have to switch rooms. Since our first night was added on as a hotel-only stay, due to our deciding to come a day earlier, we only received room keys at this point. Our dining plan would not start until the following day, and we were told we would need to come down to the front desk tomorrow to get updated keys to the world. Sadly this meant no mugs yet or anything, but that was okay. I asked a few questions (trying to remember here
) I believe they were
1. If we had to wait for our mugs? Yes.
2. How early buses started running, due to our lack of car and our 7:10am reservation later in our stay? 6:45am ish, and it was recommended to take a cab for a ADR that early, because buses dont run from resort to resort, only resorts to park, and parks to resort. I will let you know how that went later!
3. Where do I pick up my stroller and groceries that were supposed to have been delivered? Right outside the front of the resort with luggage services!
4. When did my charging privileges start on my keys, and when do you pay that? They start immediately on mine and my hubbys cards, you get an automatic $500 limit, if it gets past $400, it will usually run a payment automatically so that you have more available limit again. If you do not reach the limit your payment runs on the last night of your trip between midnight and 2 am! I had lots of gift cards, so they told me I could bring them in anytime to bring down the balance and that I can call anytime to check the balance as well. Alcohol cannot be charged.
5. Where do we get celebration buttons? Right there!
So I happily took four first visit buttons and my birthday one! I tried to get the MILs attention to tell her to grab buttons too but she wasnt paying attention, so they had to grab theirs the next morning. Then I ran out to luggage services, where they found my last name very amusing (Walk) and informed me that my things had been delivered to my room already! (Score!)
After that I left the group behind to take their time finding their way to our room, and I all but ran there to set up the girls welcome baskets. Even at a near run, I couldnt help but marvel at the beauty of this resort it was simply lovely. Once I found my room on the 2nd floor of the Ursula side, I was soooo excited to see we had a view facing the small lake that overlooked POP! I loved it!!!!
As I entered our room for the first time I squealed with joy to see our Mickey towel! I noticed our groceries on the table, but no stroller. I didnt have time to look around though, because I needed to get the gifts set up! I quickly assembled the gift baskets and hid my bag as I headed back out of the room to find the group. They were actually just stepping off the elevator as I walked out, so everyone decided to come to our room first, so they could watch the girls reaction.
I think Olivia was a bit overwhelmed as she went in. Obviously, she noticed the gifts right away! She started to grab the towel Mickey and I had to squeal not to move it yet so that I could grab this quick shot!
After that Olivia happily tore into the baskets before even looking around the room. The in-laws headed to check out their room, down the way a bit, and left us to do some unpacking, we decided to meet back in about half an hour to go grab some food.
As the girls played with their new things, I took a look around and noticed a couple things that put a definite kink in my mood
1. Stroller was not here.
2. Groceries that were cold were stuck in the fridge, however it was a NON-WORKING fridge!
Okay, so heres the deal on the fridge
you may already know about the massive recall on room fridges that The World was having... I knew about it before we even left. So I made sure to call the resort a couple days before leaving to check on it. Sure enough, our resort was one affected. I politely let the CM at AoA know that I had cold groceries coming and medicine that required refrigeration, and they told me it would be handled and we would be provided a backup fridge, great. Unfortunately, it was not there, and I was beyond furious that they put our highly overpriced cold foods in there when they knew it wasnt even a working fridge! What if something had spoiled? Luckily for them, the fridge did act as an ice chest somewhat, and seemed to hold in the cool from the foods, and they were wrapped well in paper sacks, so nothing was ruined.
(Side note: before leaving our in-laws had received new a new fridge as well, and we think they were in the process of switching them all out, so this shouldnt be an issue any longer)
I immediately called about the fridge and they let me know they would put me on a list to receive a different fridge and bring an ice chest in the meantime
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I did present my dislike for this plan, but agreed. I then transferred over to luggage services and they informed me they never deliver strollers, you have to pick them up. I told them that I was told a mere minutes ago that it had been delivered so they checked again and said they found our stroller hiding under some stuff. They said they would happily deliver it now since it was their mix up.
Sadly, I should have just gone and grabbed it. After about 20 minutes it still hadnt arrived. Everyone had made it back to our room now, and we were ready to go eat, so waiting was not fun. I called back down to tell them I would just come and grab it, but they said it had already been taken.
In the meantime we waited un-patiently, and I did some unpacking. I noticed one weird thing
I had gotten a Mickey night light for Maddie in her basket, however, all the plugs in the room were upside down!! All of them! So poor Mickey had to be upside down! Too odd
I took a few room pics. Chris set up the pack n play for Maddie that we requested, and we turned on some Stacey to try to get us back in the Disney mood after our little bumps in the road.
So after yet another half hour, the guy finally showed up with the long lost stroller! Yay! We were all outside the room, ready to go, waiting for the poor guy, and we practically ambushed him the moment we saw a stroller on his cart!
Finally things were back on track and we were headed to landscape of flavors for our first meal at Disney!
Next,
The One with the Pasta!
I feel like there's a lot of things you guys have done there that we don't! I'm jealous!
I hate sitting on the tarmac waiting 
it was the best!
