Let’s set the stage. You're vacationing with your family at Walt Disney World in Orlando. You find yourselves with nothing to do, either for the day or just a couple of hours. What are you going to do to pass the time? Well, I have a suggestion, go Resort Hopping.
I’m sure a lot of you probably have a lot of questions swirling around in your head right now. Have no fear, I’m going to do my best to help you understand what resort hopping i and how it can be fun. Let’s get started.
What is Resort Hopping
When visiting Walt Disney World you have endless options when it comes to Resort accommodations. They currently have 25 different resorts on property that you can choose from, all with different themes and styles. Resort Hopping is when you go and visit those Resorts that you are not a guest at and explore. When you Resort Hop you’ll be able to not only explore all the different resorts, but experience different modes of transportation Disney offers.
How Do I Resort Hop
It’s no secret that getting around Disney’s property is pretty easy. With that being said, they are constantly running busses, monorails, boats, and (now) gondolas to all park locations. All you have to do is hop on one and take it either a park or Disney Springs. From there you can go to different hotels. They will not check to make sure you are a guest of that specific Resort.
(NOTE: If you are driving yourself, I recommend parking at Disney Springs and going from there. Resorts won’t let you park on property if you are not a guest, unless you have a dining reservation.)
When is the Best Time to Hop
You can go Resorting Hopping at any point during your vacation. Personally, I like to go hopping on my first day. I’m an early traveler, I’ll usually try and book the first flight of the day. This leaves me with a whole day to explore before starting in the Parks. There are other good time to Hop as well. You can Hop on your scheduled free day or if you have a couple of hours to kill any other day of your vacation.
What are the Best Resorts to Hop
The most popular resorts to hop are the Polynesian, the Contemporary, and the Grand Floridian. This collection of resorts are commonly referred to as the Monorail Resorts. All three of these resorts are vastly different. You can take the monorail, literally, through the ultra-modern lobby of Contemporary. Then you can step off the monorail at the Polynesian and find yourself in a Hawaii-like tropical paradise. Finally, you can experience the ‘Old Florida’, Victorian-style of the Grand Floridian.
Of course that’s only three of the 25 available to hop. Some of my other favorites include the Animal Kingdom, the BoardWalk, and the Wilderness.
What To Do When Hopping
There are different things to do at every Resort. You’ll be able to experience first-hand what it’s like being a guest at any resort without actually being a guest. You’ll be able to take advantage of most the amenities offered at the resorts. You can dine at the different restaurants, shop in the lobby, explore the grounds, and take advantage of some of the more unique experiences offered. Everyday, at every resort, there is a daily activities calendar. While some activities will be consistent, others are unique to the Resort. For example, you can learn to play the ukulele at the Polynesian Village or take drawing classes at the Art of Animation.
There are night time activities that are worth checking out as well. At the Polynesian, you can sit on the beaches of the Seven Seas Lagoon and watch the Water Electrical Parade as well as the Magic Kingdom’s fireworks. They even tune into the music! Or you can go over to the Wilderness Lodge and sit along a campfire with Chip and Dale.
If you are vacationing during the Holidays, you’ll want to Resort Hop just to see the different decorations. You can see the giant gingerbread house at the Grand Floridian or the 70-foot Christmas Tree standing in the middle of the Animal Kingdom Lodge lobby.