New Disney Resorts and Vacation Destinations for 2011/2012

by Carrie with Children with 14 comments

While I was at the Disney Social Media Moms conference, I was excited to learn about new travel destinations joining the Disney brand in 2011 and 2012.  Whether you’re looking to get away to a tropical vacation, in need of adventure or a place  to call home while in Lake Buena Vista at Disney World – Disney has it all!  Check out the latest scoop on Disney’s new vacation destinations!

Scheduled to open August 29, 2011, Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai’i features 15-story room towers overlooking Waikolohe, a 9,000-foot waterway that moves guests on inner tubes through local, lush landscape.  The artist’s concept of the resort shows tropical views and relaxing atmospheres with a touch of Disney magic.  Stay tuned in the coming months for information on Disney Weddings expanding to Hawaii too!

Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, Ko Olina, Hawai’i

In 2011, Adventures by Disney will offer 25 itineraries to destinations throughout the US, including numerous National Parks and Washington, D.C. and international destinations including Europe, Asia, South America and Australia.  Guests on the Egyptian adventure will tour historic sites such as the Great Pyramid of Giza, the Valley of the Kings and enjoy a Nile River cruise.  I’ve always wanted to go to Egypt…what better way to go than as part of a Disney tour?!

Disney’s Art of Animation Resort is scheduled to open in late 2012 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.  With close to 2,000 rooms, the resort will feature family suites designed around four themes – “The Lion King”, “Cars”, “Finding Nemo” and “The Little Mermaid”.  The larger-than-life icons will be featured in the courtyard areas with the centerpiece being a 35 feet tall sculpture of King Triton from “The Little Mermaid”.  I’m excited for this hotel to open – I want to stay in a “Finding Nemo” room!  Doesn’t it sound fun?

Disney's Art of Animation Resort opening in late 2012 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida.

If you had to choose one – where would you go on vacation?  The new Hawaii resort, the Adventures by Disney trip Egypt or the Art of Animation resort?

Disclosure: My family and I attended the Disney Social Media Moms conference at a discounted rate.  We were provided with special access to activities, some meals, gifts and discounted resort accommodations as part of our conference fees.  All opinions here are my own.

    Comments

  • Melissa


    That is so hard to decide! I’d like to pick all three! :-p

    I have looked at the Disney Adventures trips before and I love how organized they are! I guess I’m going to say the Hawaii resort is #1 for me right now!

    • Carrie with Children


      I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii! I think it would be fun to experience it “Disney style”!

  • Lynda


    Well I would love to return to Hawaii, but the new resort at WDW sounds great for when we go back with our grandkids

    • Carrie with Children


      I think the new WDW resort is going to be awesome for kids too! Cars, Nemo, Little Mermaid – so fun!

  • Kelly from Kelly's Lucky You


    All three!! Okay, Egypt. But I love marine life and Hawaii….. Okay, Hawaii. Love little Nemo…. Okay, back to all three!!

    • Carrie with Children


      LOL. I know exactly what you mean! 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Kelly!

  • Pam King


    I agree ALL three but since I’m a theme geek I would say Art of Animation Resort would be my first choice.

    • Carrie with Children


      It is a VERY tough decision – I’m going with Art of Animation too! 🙂

  • Jaime


    Hmmm, think I’d have to go with the new resort on the WDW campus…with Hawai’i being a super duper close second!

  • Tara B


    I want to go to Hawaii! But being there is no way I will get my husband on a flight to there I will have to settle for a Little Mermaid Room. Isn’t it silly how much we look forward to staying at a room that is 40 minutes from our house. For our sons first birthday in September I think we will stay in a pirate room at Caribbean Beach. Our excuse is him but I must admit I think it will be pretty cool!

    • Carrie with Children


      That would be a super long flight from Florida – but totally worth it!

      I think the pirate rooms at Caribbean Beach sound like so much fun! I wish my girls were into pirates so we could stay there! 🙂 I bet your son will love it!

  • Tara B


    Ha! I just used your blog as my reference to check when the new hotel opened! Plus I felt like I hasn’t visited in forever so two birds with one stone! 🙂

    • Carrie with Children


      Yay! I’m so glad I could help you…and thanks for visiting! 🙂 I’ll let you know if/when I hear of an official opening date!