Resort Hopping and Christmas

[mommaU4]

Sorry if this question has been asked a million and one times because this is my first post here on the resort boards, so please bear with me while I make it a million and two.

We would love to go resort hopping while we are there to see all the amazing decorations that I've heard so much about in the hotel lobbys and grounds. My question is what is the parking situation like doing that? Do we have to pay for parking? Will they give us a hassle if we are not guests at a certain resort?

Any advice or tips on this will be handsomely rewarded........

Well, okay all you'll get is a thank-you, but please help anyway.

 

[tjmouse]

I am actually going to visit every single Disney-owned resort in December and take pics of all lobby decorations and trees. I don't know why, I just want to do it! Parking is no problem and free. Just tell them at the guard station that you are visiting the resort for a bit. I plan on driving to the AllStars, CB, CSR, Pop, SSR and OKW while I am there and visiting the others when I eat there. I am so excited! 10 days!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

on the monday we go we plan on leaving mk and hitting gf and poly for lunch and then pic of the resorts adn teh decorations
we are also hitting WL and having lunch there one day at wcc!!
i cant wait to take pics !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[ADisneygirl]

Hi mommaU4! I think I recognize your name from the CB.

We are planning on doing the very same thing when we go next week. All the resorts, especially the deluxe resorts, decorate lavishly. I have seen a couple before, but it was awhile ago. You will have no problem driving around to see them. Tell the guard at the gate that you are there to look at the resort, and they'll give you a 3-4 hour parking pass. If you want to valet park, you can pull up to the front of the first deluxe you go to and I think you can then valet park at all the deluxe resorts that day for the one fee. (of course you will have to tip the guy each time)

If you don't have a car, then it will be trickier to get around, but it can be done. You could take a bus to DTD and catch a resort bus from there. Or you could get to Epcot, exit out the International Gateway and walk around Crescent Lake and see the beautiful lobbies of the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan, Dolphin and my favorite resort the Boardwalk Inn. Or get on the monorail and visit those three resorts (Poly, Cont, and GF).

We are so looking foward to seeing all the beautiful Christmas decorations! I'll be taking lots of pictures. Hope you guys have a wonderful time too!

 

[WillCAD]

Parking at the resorts is free, but for many of them it's better to use the Disney transportation system.

I have two main loops that I use when I resort-hop.

The first is the MK resorts. I start at MK or the TTC and ride the monorail around to each resort in turn, and explore the lobbies, grounds, gift shops, etc. From the MK docks, or from the Contemporary, I then catch a boat over to the Wilderness Lodge (don't skip WL - it's one of the best for Xmas decorations!)

The second loop is the Epcot resorts. I start from Epcot's International Gateway and either walk or take a Friendship launch around to each of the resorts. You might be temped to skip Swan and Dolphin, because they are not Disney-owned resorts, but don't. They have wonderful trees and decorations, and the Dolphin's lobby is pretty impressive even without Xmas decorations.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is the most remote Disney resort, nestled in the far southwest corner of WDW property, but it is one of the most beautiful places at WDW year-round, and the Xmas decorations make it completely breathtaking. It's well worth the drive or bus ride.

Saratoga Springs, Port Orleans Riverside and Port Orleans French Quarter are all easily reached by boat from Downtown Disney. The boat ride alone is worth the time is takes, and the Port Orleans resorts are beautiful in their holiday outfits.

Coronado Springs, Caribbean Beach, Pop Century, and the three All-Star resorts are all isolated and reachable only by bus or car, so they take a lot more time to reach. CSR and CBR have very nice decorations in their lobbies, so if you have the time, they are a nice visit, but personally, I wouldn't go too far out of my way to visit them.

Have fun, and take lots of film or memory cards with you!

 

[mommaU4]

We are so looking foward to seeing all the beautiful Christmas decorations! I'll be taking lots of pictures. Hope you guys have a wonderful time too!

Hello! I can't wait to see all the decorations either. Have fun!!!

And thanks to all of you for the info!

 

[goin2disneyagain]

We go resort hopping every time we go to WDW and since we are already staying at a WDW resort we are normally just waved thru when they see the parking pass in the window. If the guard does stop you then just simply say you want to look around. We find it much easier to drive than to use WDW transportation but that is a matter of personal preferance (sp.?).

 

[Kahana-ri]

We will be staying at the POP, but plan to visit all the resorts. I love decorations. I saw the travel channel almost a year ago - it was WDW during the holidays. That's where I feel in love with the idea to be at WDW at Christmas! Thank you Travel Channel.