You can always learn more…

I consider myself very knowledgeable when it comes to Disney Destinations, especially Walt Disney World. I love ALL things Disney! I also used to be a travel agent way back in the day, and am a planner by nature. All of these combined make what I do every day as a Disney Vacation Planner…the PERFECT thing for me! It brings me so much joy…

But, just because I know a lot about something, doesn’t mean there isn’t always more to learn. Disney is constantly adding & changing things in their theme parks & other vacation destinations. It is a lot to keep up on, and the best way to do that is to visit them in person!

While I love taking my family to Disney destinations for family vacations, I also enjoy going on “adult only” research trips. I use those trips to stay in resorts I haven’t before, try all new restaurants, and experience new things. I want to be able to share as much first hand information with my clients as I possibly can.

This past March, our agency was invited to send an agent to Walt Disney World for some hands on training! I was blessed to be able to go. I learned so much about Disney’s vision for the future of Walt Disney World. Being able to meet other travel agents with a love of Disney & hearing ideas from them was so enjoyable and valuable. We toured several Disney resorts, which I really loved…especially ones that I have never stayed in OR the ones that have been renovated since the last time I did stay there. Plus, we enjoyed many magical moments!

I will always remember this agent training trip!!! There were 33 of us & two wonderful trainers (Tommy & Mallory) that spent March 11-14, 2019 together.

03-11 WDW AEP Mickey Visits — Even grown men & women get so excited when this adorable mouse comes to say a special hello to us! What a great ending to a wonderful 3 days!

I’m going to have several posts about what we did each day & what resorts we visited…along with the extra fun I was able to squeeze in at the parks too! We’ll start with day 1, my arrival day.

On Monday, March 11th, I left Grand Rapids fairly early in the morning & arrived at Orlando International a little after 10:00 am. I hopped on the Magical Express & made my way to Animal Kingdom Lodge. This was the resort where we all were staying for this training. I had stayed at Animal Kingdom Villas for 1 night back in November 2018, but my daughter wasn’t feeling well, so I didn’t explore the resort at all. I was so glad to be able to have 3 nights here.

IMG_20190311_104334 — Does anyone else always stop here for a picture after arriving in Orlando? It is a must for us!

IMG_20190311_104341 — This was the first time I’ve ever been here on my own…such a strange feeling!

IMG_20190311_113328 — Hopped off the plane at MCO with a dream and my Magic Band! (sing that to the tune of “Party in the USA” by Miley Cyrus) I’m on the Magical Express…making my way to Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge.

I arrived at the beautiful resort before check in time, so I had a few hours to walk around the resort, view the animals on the savannas, eat lunch at The Mara & do some pin trading before I got the text that my room was ready. It is a very interactive resort, so as I was exploring, I was picturing being back here with the kids sometime. And, the fragrance when you enter the gorgeous lobby was amazing!

IMG_20190311_115651 — Each Disney resort has a unique theme that is even noticed in the signage.

IMG_20190311_121338 — The gorgeous lobby at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

IMG_20190311_121357 — A very unique place to color in the lobby…making interesting drawings while tracing over the floor.

IMG_20190311_121435 — The resort grounds at Animal Kingdom Lodge

IMG_20190311_121956 — If you exit the main lobby in the back, you will see a giant savanna with all kinds of animals. There is also a fire pit area with rocking chairs & African music. Such a beautifully themed resort!

IMG_20190311_132318 — There are so many very comfortable and large seating areas all over the lobby.

IMG_20190311_132435 — If you stay at Animal Kingdom Lodge, I definitely recommend planning a day to relax at your resort. Not only will you feel refreshed for the rest of your trip, but you will be able to enjoy many of these fun & unique daily activities!

IMG_20190311_132352 — Gorgeous African art can be found all around the resort.

When my room was ready, I went right away. I am someone who likes to unpack everything on vacations, even short ones. Plus, I wanted to freshen up before meeting the other agents in the lobby at 4 pm. My room was a standard view room on the 5th floor right by the elevator. It was really a great location for refilling my drink mug & meeting the group in the lobby. The view left a lot to be desired, but I truly was NEVER in my room during the daylight hours anyway. If you are staying here and can afford it, I highly recommend the savanna views! However, if you want the experience of a Deluxe resort & don’t have a preference of where your room faces…standard view is a great way to go! My room also had 1 queen bed & 1 bunk bed. Animal Kingdom Lodge is one of the few resorts with bunk beds as an option. When my kids saw the pictures, they of course wanted to stay here on a future visit!

IMG_20190311_135722 — A view of the gorgeous lobby from outside my door!

IMG_20190311_135732 — Let’s check out my room

IMG_20190311_135955 — Disney’s Animal Kingdom Resort is one of three resorts that have some rooms with 1 queen bed & 1 bunk bed. This is great for kids that do better sleeping apart from each other! Book extra early for these room types!

IMG_20190311_140047 — I love the subtle Mickey touches found in the Moderate & Deluxe resorts!

IMG_20190314_085708 — When the sun hit the curtain just right, I noticed the “Lion King” designs in the lace. How fun!

IMG_20190311_141204 — This is a “standard view room” at its finest…the room, parking lot & construction equipment!

IMG_20190311_141208 — This is where a different room type would be worth the splurge!

IMG_20190311_142150 — I love the recreation calendars at each resort! So many fun activities to participate in at each resort. Makes a resort & resting day extra special!

IMG_20190311_142216 — It’s also fun to keep track of all the animals you see during your stay here!

IMG_20190311_142230 — Bounce back offers can often be found in your room! If you know you are going to be visiting Walt Disney World again, check out the offer. Or call x8844 from your room. This NEEDS to be done before you check out. You can let them know that I will be helping you with your reservation, or I can also book for you!

At 4 pm, I went down to the lobby to meet the other agents. I met up with an awesome gal I had met earlier, and we kind of hung out at all of the sessions. We met Tommy & Mallory, who were training us & boarded the bus to Coronado Springs resort for our first training session. We learned a little information here, but it was more a time to get to know each other. We ended the evening with a backstage entrance into Hollywood Studios & a private party area with a great view of Fantasmic! What a great first day!