Disney Resort Hopping 101- What To Do, Where To Go, And How To Get There

Resort hopping is a great way to spend some down time on your Disney vacation. Maybe the parks are crowded and you want to get away from the hustle and bustle. Maybe you have an extra day of vacation without tickets and want some fun ways to fill your time. Maybe you’re already planning your next Disney vacation and you want to explore all your resort options. Here are a few of our favorite places to resort hop!

7. The Contemporary

The Contemporary is a great place to visit. You can catch a monorail directly from the Magic Kingdom or from Epcot by way of the Ticket and Transportation Center. There is also a water launch or you can walk from Magic Kingdom. From the other parks, you’ll have to take a bus. Once you get there, browse the great gift shops here. These may be our favorite gift shops on property. If you’re hungry, head upstairs to the Contempo Cafe. It’s a quick-service eatery with a lot of unique options for everyone’s tastes. Try the pot roast and veggies – it’s incredible. You’ll also find character dining here at Chef Mickey’s. If you’re resort hopping at night, you can watch Wishes over the castle from the 4th floor observation deck, or catch the nightly Electrical Water Pageant (a little-known retro Disney experience).

6. The Grand Floridian

You can get to the Grand Floridian the same way you get to the Contemporary since it’s a monorail resort. When you get there, check out the orchestra that plays most afternoons in the main lobby. Make reservations for proper afternoon tea, or for dinner at the fancy Victoria & Albert’s. Look for hidden Mickeys in the elaborate marble floors. This is also a very peaceful place to sit and enjoy the atmosphere!

5. Polynesian

Another monorail hotel, you can get to the Polynesian the same ways as the Contemporary or Grand Floridian. Once you get there, go to Captain Cook’s and get a Dole whip, get a tropical cocktail at the lounge outside of O’Hana (try a Lapu Lapu or the piñata colava!) or make a reservation for a family-style dinner at O’Hana. If you schedule it late enough, you can watch Wishes over the castle at Magic Kingdom complete with the music piped in while you’re enjoying dinner!

4. Wilderness Lodge

To get to the Wilderness Lodge, you can take a boat from the Magic Kingdom or Contemporary Resort, or a bus from the other parks. This is one of our favorite places to explore. Go on a search for hidden Mickeys. Watch the geyser erupt outside, or sit enjoying the immense lobby. Book a dinner reservation at Whispering Canyon Cafe – it’s one of the most fun and family-oriented restaurants on property. You can also catch the Electrical Water Pageant over here at night.

3. Fort Wilderness

Fort Wilderness is a campground that also has cabins available for rent. You can catch a bus, or a water launch from Magic Kingdom. While you’re at Fort Wilderness, you can rent a bike and enjoy a leisurely ride through the beautiful campground. They also offer archery lessons, kayak rentals, and horseback riding. Chip & Dale’s sing-a-long campfire is a fun evening activity here, and Trail’s End Buffet is a fairly inexpensive way to fill your belly.

2. The Yacht & Beach Clubs

These resorts are sister resorts, sharing a pool, in the Epcot resort area. If you’re at Epcot, you can walk out the back entrance at the International Gateway between the France and United Kingdom pavilions and continue on the sidewalk straight to the resorts. From the Hollywood Studios, you can take a Friendship boat. From any other park you’ll have to take a bus. Try a kitchen sink sundae from Beaches & Cream soda shop. Sit on the sandy beach and watch the Friendship boats go by. In the evenings, catch a movie under the stars on this same beach. Go to the lobby of the Yacht Club and visit with the Captain. Browse their gift shops – they’re some of our favorites! Check out “6 Reasons Why We Love The Beach and Yacht Club Resorts At Walt Disney World.”

1. The Boardwalk

The Boardwalk is a great place to resort hop in the evenings. You can get there the same ways you can get to Yacht & Beach Clubs, as there are sidewalks the connect the three resorts. If you’re hungry, try the walk-up pizza by the slice window or grab a sweet treat from the Confectionery. There are always street performers to watch and plenty of benches and tables to sit and enjoy the ambiance. You can rent a surrey or a bike here as well. Catch your sporting event of choice at the ESPN club. If you stand on the bridge between the Boardwalk and the Yacht & Beach clubs towards Epcot, you can usually view the Illuminations fireworks to end your day.

These are just a few of our favorite resorts that you could choose to explore. Each of the Disney resorts has their own theme and unique activities that make them magical places to stay – or resort hop!

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