Best Resort to go see (and not stay)

[innoculation]

Hello all,

I am planning a day to just go visit a resort or two. My family of 5 with kids 18,14,8 will be arriving at WDW one day early and will like stay overnight at the Art of Animation resort before checking in the next morning at Fort Wilderness. So the question is for the day of arrival.

We will not be going to parks that day and would like to hear your best ideas for what to do. We like to visit resorts, but would like some suggestions of places we can go to see and do activities.

Thanks in advance!

 

[karenklo]

I would say animal kingdom lodge! It is beautiful! There are viewing places all over to see the animals. It is also just so nice to walk around! We have stayed there and plan on taking some time to go hang out there!

 

[DisneyFanatic94]

You guys have a great place to stay with Fort Wilderness. Another great one is Animal Kingdom Lodge! I am pretty sure you can still go on a safari without staying there!

 

[Mousemommy1]

I agree with visiting AKL! Such a beautiful place.

 

[innoculation]

Is there enough there to see to fill up the better part of a day, or should we try and see another?

 

[Missytara]

Is there enough there to see to fill up the better part of a day, or should we try and see another?

It depends on if you plan on partaking on the resort activities or just walk around. That goes for any resort, but AKL has more activities than most.

 

[GaBelle]

If you would like to see multiple resorts, you could get on the resort monorail and see CR, Poly and GF.

 

[meliss1214]

If you would like to see multiple resorts, you could get on the resort monorail and see CR, Poly and GF.

That's exactly what I would do if you are looking to take up most of a day.

 

[GoGoBeans]

That's exactly what I would do if you are looking to take up most of a day.

Keep going on the monorail and check out Beach Club, Yacht Club and the Boardwalk areas.

 

[mickeynut1]

I agree that AKL is a great place to visit as well as doing the monorail loop and visiting the Poly, GF, and CR .

 

[ppony]

Animal Kingdom Lodge! W/o a hesitation. Though we stay there frequently and own there too. It's a feast for the senses!

 

[spidet1964]

Definately AKL

 

[David Brent]

don't mean to hijack but i made an ADR with sanaa at 7:00pm. since you guys suggest that visiting AKL is a nice experience, what do you guys suggest specifically we do and what would be a good time to explore before dinner? like an hour earlier? thanks.

 

[jwwi]

I also agree with the monorail idea, you will have more to see at GF and Poly, but the CR is interesting too. You could also stop at the MK and take the boat from there to WL. If the fireworks interest you, I suggest watching them from the Poly beach.
The AOA resort has quite a bit of things to explore, along with POP across the lake. Since you are only staying one night, take time to check it out while you are there.
Another idea is the Beach Club/Boardwalk area. If you have never been there it is so beautiful. It is easiest if you have your own car, and is then literally minutes from the AOA. You can even take the slow boat ride from a resort. It does a loop between Epcot and DHS, stopping at all the resorts along the way.
AKL and AKV is also a great way to spend a few hours. It is a very unique resort. There are multiple public viewing areas of the savanna, with CMs willing to give you a lot of information about the animals
Have fun. Resort hopping is one of our favorite activities. The gift shop and food courts are so interesting and fun to visit.

 

[nkereina]

Keep going on the monorail and check out Beach Club, Yacht Club and the Boardwalk areas.

This would only work if you are able to walk through Epcot, as the monorail drops you off at the front of Epcot. If you don't have tickets to spare, then it would be a problem. Its also a really long walk.

I would bus to DHS and then take the boat to BC/YC, Swan/Dolphin and Boardwalk. You can also walk between all these resorts pretty easily and they are fun to check out. You could also grab lunch with no ADR needed at Beaches & Cream or ESPN Club.

 

[Mewissy]

If you go to the Boardwalk Area, you could also play mini golf at Fantasia Gardens.

 

[innoculation]

All suggestions greatly appreciated.

May play Mini-golf, but we like to stay together. Groups of 5 aren't usually welcome at mini-golf. We would hold everyone up.

Been to the Boardwalk in the past, would love to go back.

What can you do/see at AKL?

 

[chocovrdmicears]

don't mean to hijack but i made an ADR with sanaa at 7:00pm. since you guys suggest that visiting AKL is a nice experience, what do you guys suggest specifically we do and what would be a good time to explore before dinner? like an hour earlier? thanks.

All suggestions greatly appreciated.

May play Mini-golf, but we like to stay together. Groups of 5 aren't usually welcome at mini-golf. We would hold everyone up.

Been to the Boardwalk in the past, would love to go back.

What can you do/see at AKL?

AKL - depending on what time of day you are going....here are my thoughts:

The lobby is gorgeous - lots of beautiful African artwork - worth taking a look around at the details. The animal viewing areas - if you are going during the day, there are many places to check out the animals. Be sure to go by the pool and check out the flamingo pond - there is also a great viewing animal area there as well. The best spot to see them is to the back of the lobby. The gift shop is huge and beautiful - lots of interesting and unique things to see there are well. If you are going at night you can see a movie by the pool and take part in the night time vision animal viewing - (if you are walking towards the pool the area is to the left behind the pool bar). They also have a beautiful fire pit with rocking chairs to the back of the lobby. There are lots of activities going on (story telling, crafts etc) - check with the front desk when you get there to see if there is anything happening while you are there. Victoria Falls is a really pretty bar above the BOMA area to grab a drink. Or you can head to the Mara and grab a container of Zebra Domes.

Warning: We did the above once...now we are going on our third stay there.

 

[ppony]

May play Mini-golf, but we like to stay together. Groups of 5 aren't usually welcome at mini-golf. We would hold everyone up.


What can you do/see at AKL?

The Winter/Summerland mini-golf is AWESOME and almost right across the road from AKL. Very close.

As others said about AKL, there are many many places to view the animals, the resort itself is grand and the gift shop is our favorite on property. We're connoisseurs of Disney gift shops. They have a lot of activities listed each day though to be honest, I've not done any of them because we're always so busy. We own there and STILL haven't done activities beyond the sunrise safari. The bar is gorgeous, there are tons of places to sit and soak in the lodge. Fireplaces inside and out surrounded by chairs. The one inside is HUGE. You could chill there as the kids do an activity or two in the lobby as the fireplace is in the lobby as well, just off to the side. I can't stress how gorgeous the lodge is in itself.

Here's a DISers photo of an example of activities for the day.
http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=28606653&postcount=6