Earlier this year, another special room type opened up at Disney World. The Royal Rooms are found in Disney's Port Orleans Riverside. But don't call them princess rooms; the majestic blue-and-gold color scheme, richly embellished with gold and crystal accents, is designed to appeal to both prince and princess. An extra touch of magic appears at a button press on the headboards of every bed; "fireworks" right in your room.

^{Image courtesy Charlyn Keating Chisholm}

Part of the magic of Disney is that feeling you can get of being small again; reliving part of your childhood, either real or idealized, just for a while. Disney's newest resort takes that idea even farther, shrinking you to the size of a small clownfish. Walk into the Finding Nemo courtyard of Disney's Art of Animation Resort, and everything scales up to the size Nemo would see it: his teacher, Mr. Ray, stretches to a 27-foot wingspan, and Crush the Turtle is big enough to cradle you in the curve of a fin.

Impressive, too, are the guest rooms; not so much for their size, but for their creative use of space. One-bedroom family suites sleep up to six people, thanks to a clever trick with a pull-down bed that serves as a table for four during daylight hours. Family suites also include two full bathrooms, a microwave and a refrigerator.

The Finding Nemo section of the resort opens at the end of this month. On June 18, the Cars section will open, followed by The Lion King on August 10. The Little Mermaid wing, which will house standard rooms with room for up to four guests, will open September 15. Rates for family suites will start at $248; rates for standard rooms start at $94. All Disney resort guests enjoy the perks of staying on-property, including extra time at the theme parks, complimentary transportation to and from the airport, and complimentary transportation throughout Disney World.

Take a photo tour of Disney's Art of Animation Resort, or check out other Disney World resort hotels.

^{Image courtesy Charlyn Keating Chisholm}

Across the U.S. and around the world, spring has effectively sprung! And to many urban folks, that means taking the elevator up from the crowded city sidewalks to a favorite hotel rooftop to maximize sunshine and views with something fresh and frosty to drink. It's hard to top the temple-and-skyscraper views of sprawling Bangkok from the Banyan Tree Bangkok's rooftop bar, Vertigo, perched high on the hotel's 61st floor.

Read on for some of the best hotel rooftop bars around the world for raising a glass to springtime--and please, chime in with your own on-high haunts, too!

• New Yorkers swoon over the scene at The James New York's rooftop oasis, JIMMY, with its poolside rattan chaise lounge chairs inviting you to settle in to enjoy cocktails made with such exotic ingredients as fresh raw honeycombs and mint ice blocks.
• A private elevator whisks you up to The Roof at the ME Madrid hotel, where daybeds are surrounded by palm trees and you can gaze upon the Plaza Santa Ana.
• Hold your own with politicos and hangers-on at the W Washington DC's sublime rooftop hangout, P.O.V. Terrace. Views from the 11th floor are a virtual visual tour of the most important monuments of the nation's capitol.
• When Norway finally warms up for spring and summer, Oslo locals know to maximize their time soaking up the midnight sun and the country's fleeting Vitamin D rations. The First Hotel Grims Grenka lures locals and tourists to the rooftop Q Lounge, where daylight lasts till midnight and beyond during the longest days of summer.
• Dream big with the rest of the big dreamers downing cocktails and ogling views at the super sexy Rooftop Bar at The Standard Los Angeles--there are vibrating waterbed pods and an outdoor dancefloor to stoke the revelry.

Cheers!

^{Image courtesy Terry Ward}

Looking for an all-inclusive Caribbean resort where you can bring the whole family and manage not to break the bank, too? Judy Koutsky thinks she's found just the place on a beautiful stretch of oceanfront in Antigua. She reports that while the Grand Pineapple doesn't have the bells and whistles of sister properties Sandals and Beaches, the property is priced considerably lower and has perks such as rooms with private patios overlooking the ocean and a quiet adult pool set apart from the family play area.

Another highlight, she says, is the hotel's location on stunning Long Bay Beach, with its calm blue waters teeming with colorful tropical fish. Among the all-inclusive inclusions are unlimited drinks (yes, cocktails included), watersports including snorkeling, kayaking and sailing, all meals and tips, too.

^{Image courtesy Grand Pineapple}