Resort Hopping at Christmas

[DisneyStarWisher]

On my upcoming Christmas trip, I am planning a day to just resort hop to see all of the Christmas decorations. Here's the plan, but I want to make sure this will work...
First Stop: Wilderness Lodge (12:00 ADR at WCC), I plan on parking at the lodge to eat and take in the lobby.
Second Stop: Polynesian, I plan on moving my car to the TTC and either walking or taking the monorail to the Polynesian.
Third Stop: GF, I plan on taking the monorail.
Fourth Stop: Contemporary, monorail.
Monorail back to TTC, then move car to Yacht Club (since I have an ADR later).
Fifth Stop: Beach Club, I plan on walking here.
Sixth Stop: Boardwalk, Would it be better to walk or take the boat?
Seventh Stop: Yacht Club (7:00 ADR at YSH), I plan on exploring the decorations after our meal.

If I allow 1 hour for each stop (including transportation to and from), I should be able to get everything done. Am I missing anything? Are my transportation plans ideal?

 

[safetymom]

http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/11/27/the-holidays-come-to-the-walt-disney-world-resorts-2/

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

http://www.disunplugged.com/2011/11/27/the-holidays-come-to-the-walt-disney-world-resorts-2/

Yes, I had already read this. If fact, I used it to determine all the resorts I wanted to visit. I'm just wondering if my plan will work in this order with the ADRs I have. Also if I move my car to the Yacht Club since I have an ADR there, should I walk or boat to the Boardwalk. The writer of the article parked at the Boardwalk when visiting the Epcot resorts, but since I have an ADR at the Yacht Club, wouldn't it make sense to just park there and check out the other two resorts that are in close proximity?

 

[safetymom]

I actually parked at the Beach Club. We took the boat to the Boardwalk but you could easily walk if you wanted. I usually always walk but wanted to try out the boat option this time.

 

[goofy4tink]

Sounds like a good plan. I would move the car to BC...it's a quick walk over to BW...maybe about 5 mins. Then, you can also check out the S/D on the way back to BC....I would do this...BC (parking there), walk over to BW, then walk over to the Swan, then the Dolphin, and finally to YC...it's a great big circle.
You really shouldn't need an hour at each stop...more like 30 mins. Once you check out each resort's holiday display, there's not much to do other than proceed to the next resort.

This is how I 'do' the resorts each Dec...(I am usually at BW, with an AP)....bus to MK, then walk over to CR, then boat to WL, boat back to CR, monorail to Polynesian, then over to GF. Back to MK, onto the bus to AKL. Check that out, bus to DHS, and back to BW. Then, I check out those resorts, walking in a circle....Swan, Dophin, YC, BC, and back to BW.

In your case, you could park at the TTC, then after you get done with those resorts, drive to the AKL, then over to BC and park there for the rest of the resorts.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Sounds like a good plan. I would move the car to BC...it's a quick walk over to BW...maybe about 5 mins. Then, you can also check out the S/D on the way back to BC....I would do this...BC (parking there), walk over to BW, then walk over to the Swan, then the Dolphin, and finally to YC...it's a great big circle.
You really shouldn't need an hour at each stop...more like 30 mins. Once you check out each resort's holiday display, there's not much to do other than proceed to the next resort.

This is how I 'do' the resorts each Dec...(I am usually at BW, with an AP)....bus to MK, then walk over to CR, then boat to WL, boat back to CR, monorail to Polynesian, then over to GF. Back to MK, onto the bus to AKL. Check that out, bus to DHS, and back to BW. Then, I check out those resorts, walking in a circle....Swan, Dophin, YC, BC, and back to BW.

In your case, you could park at the TTC, then after you get done with those resorts, drive to the AKL, then over to BC and park there for the rest of the resorts.

Thanks for the great advice! I will be staying at AKV, so I will have already seen the decorations there. Can I park at BC if I don't have an ADR there? Are there lots of decorations at the Swan and Dolphin? I didn't realize there was anything really special there. I've never seen anything on the boards about those two hotels.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for the great advice! I will be staying at AKV, so I will have already seen the decorations there. Can I park at BC if I don't have an ADR there? Are there lots of decorations at the Swan and Dolphin? I didn't realize there was anything really special there. I've never seen anything on the boards about those two hotels.

You'll love AKV...one of my favorite spots. In any case, yes, you should be able to park at BC. Just tell them that you are shopping and need to park for an hour or two. But, they most likely won't even ask.
As far as the S/D go...they do have nice holiday displays. They are more elegant vs Disney'fied. You are pretty much walking right by, so you may as well stop in and check them out.

For me....it's the Polynesian that doesn't have much to draw me in as far as holiday displays go.

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

You'll love AKV...one of my favorite spots. In any case, yes, you should be able to park at BC. Just tell them that you are shopping and need to park for an hour or two. But, they most likely won't even ask.
As far as the S/D go...they do have nice holiday displays. They are more elegant vs Disney'fied. You are pretty much walking right by, so you may as well stop in and check them out.

For me....it's the Polynesian that doesn't have much to draw me in as far as holiday displays go.

Thank you again. My final question (and I'm sorry if I seem dense)--Why is the BC a better place to park than the YC? Won't I be going in a circle anyway, so should it matter where I park? Just trying to understand and visualize the layout.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thanks for the great advice! I will be staying at AKV, so I will have already seen the decorations there. Can I park at BC if I don't have an ADR there? Are there lots of decorations at the Swan and Dolphin? I didn't realize there was anything really special there. I've never seen anything on the boards about those two hotels.

The Dolphin moreso that the Swan.

 

[NancyIL]

The Dolphin has a beautiful Christmas tree and a train circling it. The Swan has a lovely chocolate Santa scene.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thank you again. My final question (and I'm sorry if I seem dense)--Why is the BC a better place to park than the YC? Won't I be going in a circle anyway, so should it matter where I park? Just trying to understand and visualize the layout.

Yep, the YC would be better if you plan on finishing up there. Kinda forgot that when I responded. When you park at YC, you can then check out their lobby display, head to the left and checkout the BC display. Leave there, and again, head to the left..up the slope and off to the right over the bridge...to BW. Check them out....and again, to the left to the end of the boardwalk area, to the left and up and over the bridge to the S/D. Check 'em out, leave, and back over the bridge, stay straight and there you are, back at the YC again.

The Dolphin moreso that the Swan.

True. The Dophin is much more intense than the Swan...so if you only choose one, choose the Dolphin.

 

[NancyIL]

True. The Dophin is much more intense than the Swan...so if you only choose one, choose the Dolphin.

The Dolphin's lobby in general is much more impressive than the Swan's - especially when you enter from the lake side and take the escalator upstairs.

 

[Dan Murphy]

The Dolphin's lobby in general is much more impressive than the Swan's - especially when you enter from the lake side and take the escalator upstairs.

 

[NancyIL]

And I'll see both TWO days from now!

 

[DisneyStarWisher]

Thanks for all of the information! I can't wait for this trip!