7 Ways to Resort Hop at Disney World
The resorts at Walt Disney World are worth visiting.
Anyone can visit ALL of the resorts at Disney World. No reservation or park ticket required. We try to visit a few resorts every trip. I prefer to call it resort snooping, because that is REALLY what we’re doing most of the time.
If you haven’t done it yet, what are you waiting for? I understand wanting to maximize your time in the parks. We all want to get the most bang for our buck! However, taking some time out during the heat of the afternoon is often just the ticket to helping everyone make the most of their park days. Dragging everyone around when they are hot, tired, thirsty and their feet hurt? Not so much. A rested park guest, is a happy park guest.
Don’t just visit the Deluxe and Moderate Resorts either. The Value Resorts at Disney World have some delightful over the top theming and often entice visitors with seasonal cupcakes or outrageous menu items at the Quick Service locations.
If you want to know a little bit more about what resort hopping/snooping IS and why we advocate for it, check out our article on the easiest method of resort snooping . If you are ready to dig a little deeper on the topic, read on!
7 Ways to Resort Hop at Disney World.
1. Staying on property? Hop to YOUR resort for a little midday siesta.
We are early morning rope drop veterans. Getting to the resort bus just after dawn is no joke. Experiencing the parks before they get too crowded is the payoff. If you are an early riser (or can be for the parks), use your Extra Magic Hours, if you have them. Don’t have EMH? Get to the parks about an hour or so before official park opening.
After you have hit the attractions and the crowds and heat pick up, head back to your resort. Eat at the resort’s Quick Service dining location. Go for a swim. Take a nap. Yes, it takes time away from the parks, but when you return in the evening, everyone will be a bit rested and able to enjoy it more.
2. Short on time but need a break? A quick hop over to a nearby resort may be in order.
While you can’t swim or sleep at a resort without a reservation, you can do just about everything else. We are big fans of filling up our resort mugs at the Quick Service and hanging in the lobby. Disney World’s resorts are amazingly detailed. Sometimes there is entertainment in the lobbies, and each has a gift shop to peruse. People watching from the comfort of a cushy seat is also good for unwinding. Grab a cocktail at one of the resort lounges and relax.
3. Have more time and already plan on eating Table Service dinners during your trip? Have a meal at one of the resorts.
One of the best ways to take in another resort is to eat there. Many of the best Table Service restaurants on property are located inside a resort. If you are a Dole Whip hunter, a couple of the resorts offer it: Polynesian Village and Pop Century. There are many bar/lounges at the resorts where you can grab a drink and a snack. Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Beach Club, Polynesian Village, and the Contemporary all offer character meals.
Don’t be afraid to take a bus/boat/Minnie Van/Uber/Lyft to another resort to check it out. You can even take the Skyliner (beginning September 29, 2019) to Caribbean Beach and eat dinner at Sebastian’s Bistro, which we highly recommend. The Skyliner will also have a station at the International Gateway entrance of Epcot. From there, it’s just a short walk to the eateries at Beach Club and Yacht Club
4. Got Park Hopper tickets? Try making a resort pit stop between the parks.
Couldn’t get a Flight of Passage FastPass until later in the afternoon? Rope drop Epcot and hit the rides in Future World. Grab an early lunch in World Showcase. When the park heats up and the crowd level rises, hop a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Luxuriate in their AC, grab a cold beverage and then grab a bus from there to Animal Kingdom. We have found the bus service to Animal Kingdom from the Lodge to be much better than from any other point. The buses are more frequent, less crowded, and the ride is quick!
Hop between Epcot and Hollywood Studios and you can take advantage of the dining locations at Beach Club and Yacht Club. You have the option to walk, take a boat or ride the Skyliner between the “back” entrance at Epcot (International Gateway) and Hollywood Studios.
5. Going to Disney Springs during your trip? Arrive by boat!
This is the perfect time to check out Port Orleans French Quarter and Riverside. Grab a beignet breakfast at Sassagoula Floatworks and Food Factory and then boat over to Disney Springs.
This can be a little tricky in the morning, but doable with some planning. We recommend using a rideshare (Uber/Lyft/Minnie Van) to Port Orleans French Quarter, if it’s early in the morning. Boats from there to Disney Springs usually start around 10AM. Taking a bus from your resort to Disney Springs works too. From Disney Springs, you can take a boat over to Port Orleans and then back to do your shopping. You could also take a boat from Disney Springs to the Port Orleans resorts for lunch to break up your shopping day.
The grounds of both of these resorts are beautiful. There is a lovely walking path between Riverside and French Quarter that winds along the water. You can even go fishing or take a horse- drawn carriage ride.
This is a good way to check out Saratoga Springs Resort, as well, which is within walking distance of Disney Springs.
(If you are wondering if a trip to Disney Springs is worth it, check out our take here.)
6. Planning to visit Disney World again in the future? Scope out your options.
While you don’t have access to the pool or the rooms if you are not a guest, you can thoroughly check out pretty much everything else. It’s easy to see all of the pools as well. At least more than enough to get an idea of what they are like. A little bit of sleuthing can definitely be worth it if you are thinking of visiting the parks again.
You can try out the different transportation options at each resort and see what you think. Take time to peruse the menus for all of the dining locations and you will be more than ready to make an ADR for the next trip! Have a planned “rest day” without a park ticket? Use some of that pre-planned downtime to see what the other resorts are like.
7. Ready to give resort hopping a try now? Make visiting resorts part of your park planning strategy.
To really maximize your park time with park hopping, you will need to do a little planning. Fit the resort hopping in where it makes sense. Work around your location, FastPasses and ADRs. Do a little research and be sure to factor in travel times between the resorts, parks and Disney Springs.
Here are some examples based on location:
Epcot/Hollywood Studios: Take a Friendship boat over to the boardwalk area resorts (Boardwalk Inn, Beach Club, Yacht Club). Hop on the Skyliner and visit Pop Century, Art of Animation or Caribbean Beach.
Animal Kingdom: Bus over to Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Magic Kingdom: Since this park is located near 5 of the resorts, this is resort snooping heaven. Maybe have a pre-park breakfast at one of them. Walk, boat or monorail over for a lunch location outside of the parks.
Resort hopping works out particularly well if you make an Advance Dining Reservation at one of the “monorail resorts” (Polynesian Village/Grand Floridian/Contemporary) or Fort Wilderness and Wilderness Lodge. Then you can either:
- walk (Contemporary/Grand Floridian has a walking path currently under construction)
- monorail (Polynesian/Grand Floridian/Contemporary)
- boat (Polynesian/Grand Floridian/Contemporary/Fort Wilderness/Wilderness Lodge) over to Magic Kingdom
This works great if you have evening Extra Magic Hours. We have enjoyed dinner at Polynesian Village (‘Ohana) and Wilderness Lodge (Storybook Dining at Artist Point) before taking a boat over to the Magic Kingdom. Boat ride across Bay Lake at sunset? Count me in!
Resort hopping may take some strategic planning, but it’s worth the effort. Each Disney World Resort is like it’s own little mini park. While some are more themed than others, ALL offer something special. Meet the Evil Queen, have breakfast with Stitch, enjoy dinner with a fireworks view or just chill out with a fancy cocktail. Making the resorts part of your Disney World experience is not something you will regret.
