Help! Resort Hopping, Transportation, Relaxing Ideas

[DancesWithCats]

Help!!! Need ideas, and advice for someone who is a fantastic planner for everyone else, but hasn't a clue how to plan a trip for herself.
We had a few DVC points that we wanted to use up before they expire, so we are scheduled to stay at AKL for a couple of days in March. We just returned from a Christmas trip, and ran from park to park with very little down time. This trip will just be DH, and myself, and just for relaxing, and touring the different resorts. The question is how to get from one resort to another without coming from one of the parks. The resorts I want to visit are: AKL, (where we will be staying), GF, (our home resort, but a must every time we go), Port Orleans, (both of them), SSR, Wilderness Lodge, All Star resorts, Old Key West, Beach Club, and BWV, (So basically, just about all of them). Are there boats from different points? I tried to look up the transportation map, but the maps that come up are tiny, and only make it more confusing. We will have a car, but I don't think you can get through the gates to the different resorts unless you are staying there, or you have reservations to eat there. I doubt eating at a food court will get us in the door. I love, love, love GFV!!, and the monorail resorts are no problem to get to, but the other resorts... I just don't how to get there, and in the door.
We will have a Savannah view at AKL, (first time ever! ), and plan on hanging out at the resort quite a bit too. What is there to do beside sit on the balcony, and watch the animals, which I am thrilled to do, but I also want to do some other things too. I am one of those people whose goal it is to make sure everyone else has a good time no matter what it costs me. This is the first trip that is for me. I am so excited.
I've never done any of these things that I want because I am always taking care of everyone else, daughters, SILs, grandkids, husband). We get there, we run. I babysit. I go where they want to go. I'm just happy, when they are happy. But, this time is for me. Not sure what to do with myself. My husband is making snide comments, "So, we're just going to get there, and sit in the lobby, or on the balcony?" Well, yes, we might just do that. But, a few other ideas might be nice too.
Any other relaxing suggestions??? Any transportation help?? Any advice?? Any happy thoughts to send my way?? Yikes, I just read this over, and it rambles on and on. Sorry. Here is my plan so far...

Resort Hop (All above resorts)
AKL Balcony, with wine
Boat Rides between resorts if there are any
Tea at Grand Floridian
Eat at Boma
Visit the rocking chairs, and train room at Wilderness Lodge
Get a Sprinkles Cupcake, or two, or three
Hang out at the AKL firepit (storytellers?)
Have a margaritta somewhere
Sit in the sun, away from snow, and cold
Walk around everywhere
Make a friend, or two, or three (3rd week in March, any takers?)
Go to the Basin hand soap/lotion store
Listen to some music
?????????????????????

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

Uber, except within the MK and Epcot deluxe resort areas. Why drive yourself crazy with connecting bus trips just to resort hop? Since this is to be a relaxing trip, I'd just plan an Uber budget in advance.

 

[mikedoyleblogger]

You may find this thread useful:

http://www.disboards.com/threads/everthing-you-wanted-to-know-about-uber-lyft-at-wdw.3443634/

 

[Hopefully]

Once you are in the Epcot resorts area there are Friendship boats that travel between them. But they are all very walkable between them. You can also easily get to them from Epcot or DHS as well.

 

[Lynne M]

You'll have no trouble driving in and parking, it's a very common thing to do. The guard at the gate will ask why you're visiting, just tell them you want to look around, grab a snack, whatever. They may ask to see a photo id, but they'll let you in.

Parking at the deluxe resorts close to theme parks can sometimes be restricted around the major holidays, but in March, you'll be fine.

 

[loves to dive]

You'll have no trouble driving in and parking, it's a very common thing to do. The guard at the gate will ask why you're visiting, just tell them you want to look around, grab a snack, whatever. They may ask to see a photo id, but they'll let you in.

Parking at the deluxe resorts close to theme parks can sometimes be restricted around the major holidays, but in March, you'll be fine.

While normally I'd agree with this F&G will be happening at Epcot in March and the Epcot resorts might be a little tight since they don't want people parking there to get to Epcot. I'd just drive to HS and park there then walk or boat to the Epcot resorts. Easy enough to drive to AoA and park there. May go to DS and boat to OKW, SS and POR from there. I'd bus to MK and take the monorail/boat for the those resorts.

 

[JAMIESMITH]

I know it eats time, but I wouldn't have a problem taking the bus to Downtown Disney and then the boat to POR/FQ or the bus to MK and then the monorail around to all those resorts plus the boat to WL from CR.

 

[Nancyg56]

I would plan a meal at one of the resorts and then go from there. If you plan dinner at a monorail resort you could take the bus to MK, and walk to the CR. Explore, have a cocktail and then monorail to the Poly, and the Grand. Boat to WL. There is so much to see, and a lounge in every resort. What could be better?

For the Epcot resorts, I would do the same thing. Have a meal planned and then just stroll around each one.

DS? Holy Options!

I think that planning a relaxing trip, one that includes plenty of spontaneous options in regards to resorts and entertainment, is an overlooked underappreciated way to vacation in WDW.

 

[Shellyred8]

You could go to Ft. Wilderness campground and check out the Tri-Circle D ranch. They have the draft horses over there and you can walk through their stables and see them. It was pretty awesome to see them up close. They are HUGE!! Also, they offer archery there, for a small additional fee, if that is something that would interest you and your DH.

DH and I love walking around the Boardwalk area in the evening. We will grab some ice cream and just walk around and take things in. If the street performers are there, we will stop and watch them.

Have a great trip!!

 

[Lynne M]

While normally I'd agree with this F&G will be happening at Epcot in March and the Epcot resorts might be a little tight since they don't want people parking there to get to Epcot. I'd just drive to HS and park there then walk or boat to the Epcot resorts. Easy enough to drive to AoA and park there. May go to DS and boat to OKW, SS and POR from there. I'd bus to MK and take the monorail/boat for the those resorts.

That's a good point. I should have mentioned that they can also be stricter about parking during festivals, like Flower & Garden and Food & Wine.

 

[addiln]

Our last trip we used Uber to go from resort to resort on a regular basis. It was easy and much cheaper then any taxi.