What’s New at SIX Walt Disney World Resort Hotels: Too Much to Mention!
Hey, y’all! It’s time to visit a bunch of Walt Disney World Resort hotels to see What’s New (and what’s cool!)! We’re hitting up six resorts, so leave your carry-on with luggage services and put on some sunscreen– it’s time to go exploring!
Art of Animation
What’s New at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
We’re starting at Art of Animation, where you’ll find the Skyliner Station which will service AoA and Pop Century Resorts when the new gondola transportation system starts carrying guests this fall. Construction continues on the station itself, but we’re making a pit stop. Yeah, it’s a bathroom break. 
You’ll find the new Skyliner Station bathrooms on the Art of Animation end of Generation Gap Bridge.
Skyliner Station Bathroom Construction
And with all those ubiquitous construction fences, you might think we couldn’t get a good shot of how things are progressing, but we’re not above shoving a phone through a gap, so…
Skyliner Station Bathroom Construction
Check it out! The exterior structure seems to be in good shape, and forms are down and ready for concrete walkways. We’ll keep an eye on those colors to see if the color scheme remains blue and yellow, but we otherwise love the sail-like shape of the overhang. Maybe it’s supposed to look like a page turning, similar to exterior decor at Art of Animation?
Skyliner Station Bathroom Construction
There appears also to be a water fountain (can we get a bottle refiller station, please?!) and signage, too! It’s fun to see things coming together!
Skyliner Station Bathroom Construction
Construction doesn’t stop at the Skyliner Station, though, as part of Art of Animation’s lobby is currently closed for construction. We’re told they’re working on the floors (and we hope they’ll keep the colorful tile!). Note that the main entrance is closed, so guests and visitors are being directed to use the side entrance that’s close to the bus stops (and behind those large animation pieces you can see from the parking lot).
Main Entrance Closed
Main Entrance Closed
Notice that about half the lobby is blocked off as work progresses behind that big ‘ol barrier.
Lobby Partially Closed Off
They’ve tried to spiffy it up with some animation artwork, but, you know, black plastic just isn’t working with the decor.
Lobby Partially Closed Off
Lobby Partially Closed Off
Word is that once one section is complete, work will progress to the next section of the lobby and, finally, through the Ink & Paint Shop. Cast members tell us the work is expected to continue through September.
Ink & Paint Shop
Inside the gift shop, there are plenty of H2O+ products for purchase, and the Wish Granted promo (complimentary gift with purchase of $60+ of H2O products) is still being advertised.
H2O+ Collection
H2O+ Collection
H2O+ Collection
H2O+ Collection Free Gift with Purchase
We spotted Toy Story 4 merchandise at a couple of resorts on this visit, including Art of Animation. Click here to see more info about merch at Walt Disney World!
Toy Story 4 Merch at Ink & Paint
Guests at Art of Animation can participate in Mickey Tie-Dye for a small fee. Signage is up in the lobby to advertise this offering. (We know it’s not new, but we wanted to update for guests heading to the resort!)
Mickey Tie-Dye Activity
Animation Drawing Classes are also happening twice a day — but the location has moved while the lobby work is underway. Guests can now get their art on in the Resort Airline Check-In Room.
Animation Drawing Classes
What’s New at Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Pop Century Resort’s Everything Pop food court has delineated an Express Lane for those guests paying with cash and credit only.
Everything Pop Express Lane
The pastry case has several irresistible cupcakes. The Birthday Sundae Cupcake is here, as well as a Cookies ‘n’ Cream. A couple of options are pre-packaged in to-go containers, which is helpful if you’re looking for a bedtime snack.
Everything Pop Pastry Case
For Mother’s Day, Pop had a Strawberry Lemon Cupcake complete with sugar daisy.
Mother’s Day Strawberry Lemonade Cupcake
The old Millennial Pink cupcake design remains here (see it from a year ago!) — and it’s guava-flavored!
Guava Millennial Pink Cupcake
Americana merch is having a heyday, and we spotted this Glow Necklace in the Everything Pop gift shop.
Americana Glow Necklace
Americana Glow Necklace
As for resort amenities, guests can join a “family-friendly painting class” at Painting with a Pop! It’s not a new offering, but it’s a fun one we wanted you to know about.
Painting with a Pop!
What’s New at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
Animal Kingdom Lodge — Jambo House was pretty quiet on our visit! We found this beautiful Sunshine Cupcake at Mara, the resort’s quick service spot. Read our review here!
Sunshine Cupcake at Mara
Guests were also having some rainy day fun in the lobby creating artwork with rubbings of animal shapes!
Rainy Day Activities at Jambo House
Good job, kiddos!
Animal Rubbings
What’s New at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort
There was rainy day fun at Saratoga Springs Resort, too. Games were set up on this low table in the lobby, and cast members were on hand (free from lifeguard duty!) to play, too!
Rainy Day Fun at Saratoga Springs
We love the name of the painting class at Saratoga Springs: Win, Paint, Show! (Check out that hashtag to see some folks’ artwork!)
Win, Paint, Show Class
Then there’s this resort-specific activity: Purple Martin Nest Checks! Participants get a Potion Purple beverage for free!
Purple Martin Nest Checks
Featured Cupcakes at Artist’s Palette are still Orange Bird and Aladdin!
Orange Bird Cupcake
Aladdin Cupcake
And in the shop at Saratoga Springs, guests can pick up Disney’s Riviera Resort gear, including some new-to-us jackets and phone cases.
Riviera Resort Merchandise Display
Riviera Resort Merch
Riviera Resort Merch
Riviera Resort Merch
Riviera Resort Merch
We also spotted Mickey and Minnie rain gear! See what other fun, new rain gear came out recently!
Mickey and Minnie Rain Gear Display
What’s New at Disney’s Port Orleans — French Quarter
At Port Orleans French Quarter, we said “hey, y’all” to Steve! He’s about the friendliest person this side of the Mississippi Delta, so if you’re visiting the French Quarter, don’t forget to say hi!
Hi, Steve!
French Quarter also had this big, organized pin trading board. What satisfying rows they’ve created. Tiana, we’re there, girl!
French Quarter Pin Board
Princess and the Frog fans, check out this fun Trivia Board! We’re seeing these at various resorts, and they’re a fun way to test your Disney knowledge!
Trivia Board at French Quarter
For resort-specific fun, the Shower of Flowers Scavenger Hunt at French Quarter sounds like a blast! Use hints on this list to find hidden flowers in public places throughout the resort. Then turn in your sheet for a prize! We found Dumbo — but we’re not saying where!
Shower of Flowers Scavenger Hunt
Shower of Flowers Scavenger Hunt
Fun painting opportunities at the Port Orleans resorts, too!
Painting Classes
What’s New at Disney’s Port Orleans — Riverside
Ooh, more pin board fun! This one captures the alphabetic fun that is “PO.”
Pin Trading Board at Riverside
And more lobby fun at Riverside, too! But not just fun: Fun & Games!
Rainy Day Fun at Riverside
In addition to color pages featuring characters, the resort also had some floor-sized Snakes & Ladders!
Rainy Day Fun at Riverside
Riverside-specific art opportunity is Dockside Drawing in River Roost Lounge. So much art, so little vacation time, y’all!
Dockside Drawing Classes
And if you want to nama-stay a little calmer on vacation, join Poolside Yoga at Riverside’s Ol’ Man Island. This free event has space for 20!
Poolside Yoga at Riverside
And then use your new-found zen to scoop up some more Toy Story 4 merch!
Fulton’s General Store Toy Story 4 Display
Fulton’s General Store Toy Story 4 Display
Fulton’s General Store Toy Story 4 Display
And in case it wasn’t abundantly clear, our resort day was… rainy. But that’s okay: you can drop a waterfall of cash money on some ponchos and umbrellas, available behind each register at Fulton’s General Store!
Ponchos and Umbrellas Available!
Splish, splash, we had a blast visiting these resorts, even with the rain! Thanks for jumping in puddles with us — and stay tuned for our next (hopefully dry and sunny) What’s New at Walt Disney World!
What’s your favorite resort profiled above? Let us hear the love in the comments!
from the disney food blog http://bit.ly/30nHd6d
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