Resort Hopping- recommendations

[phillymummer]

Hello DISers!

There is a strong possibility that I will be visiting my parents in Florida in mid-November for a long weekend. I can't afford to do the parks each day, so I think a good alternative would be to go see all of the deluxe resorts I have never been to (which is most of them! I have only been to WL and the CT).I am hoping to see some holiday decor. I know it's early so I probably won't see much. I'm not sure if I will get to all of them but let's pretend I will!

Besides just walking around aimlessly, is there anything specific I should check out at each resort?

Any tasty snacks or drinks I should consume?

What do you recommend at....
1. AK- Watch the animals; take a lobby tour
2. BWI- Nighttime entertainment; take the boat around the loop
3. BC/YC
4. WL- watch the geyser
5. GF-
6. Poly- I already plan on getting a Dole Whip!!
7. Contemporary-


Thanks!
~WL

P.S>- the trip is definite now and I am adding suggestions to the list as I get them.

 

[Mama Lo]

Take a look here: http://www.kennythepirate.com/resorts/walt-disney-world-resort-recreation-guides/

You won't be able to participate in any of the poolside activities since you need to be a guest of the hotel to visit the pool.

There are movies and campfires with marshmallows in the evening at the deluxe resorts.

Especially check out AKL, they have many activities that have nothing to do with the pool like cake/cookie decorating, restaurant tours, storytelling and night vision scopes to see the animals after dark. Oh, and yes there are quite a few places to see the animals!

Have a great trip!

 

[Tigger's ally]

Hello DISers!

There is a strong possibility that I will be visiting my parents in Florida in mid-November for a long weekend. I can't afford to do the parks each day, so I think a good alternative would be to go see all of the deluxe resorts I have never been to (which is most of them! I have only been to WL and the CT).

I am hoping to see some holiday decor. I know it's early so I probably won't see much. Besides just walking around aimlessly, is there anything specific I should check out at each resort? Any tasty snacks or drinks I should consume? I'm not sure if I will get to all of them but let's pretend I will!

What do you recommend at....
1. AK- There is a way to see the animals, correct?
2. BWI- I know there is nighttime entertainment to check out. Anything else?
3. BC/YC
4. WL
5. GF
6. Poly- I already plan on getting a Dole Whip!!
7. CT


Thanks!
~WL

Watch the Geyser at WL and if you have time, you can walk over to Fort Wilderness, lots to see over there (love the horse barn).
Yes, you can see the animals at AK. Several viewing places.
BWI has the nighttime entertainment, but the boats that take you to Epcot and Studios can be used to simply enjoy the scenery on a nice afternoon or evening. Great views of Tower of Terror, the Swan, the Dolphin and the boardwalk from the boats. Stay on the boat for a loop or two. Calm and relaxing. We have sat outside on nice days and inside on others to get out of the hot sun. The boat captains usually are quite friendly and will engage you if you have questions or just want to talk.

Other than that, walk into each lobby and gaze. Look in the shops. Walk around the grounds. Great way to spend some time. My wife and I enjoy a more laid back trip now that the kids are gone. We also love a cold drink at the pool bars or lounges.

 

[disnut8]

A simple walk around Crescent Lake will enable you to see the Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin, Yacht Club and Beach Club. You can go over and see Fantasia Miniature Golf if you want as well. And, you can walk down to and then back from the Studios. You can eat anywhere (we prefer the Boardwalk Pizza window and surrounding kiosks and sitting outside and people watching) and neither the ESPN Club or Big River Grille are reservation only so lots of options.

You can do the monorail tour and see the Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian (you can walk from the Polynesian to the Grand Floridian and that will take you right past the Wedding Pavilion). From the Magic Kingdom entrance, you can boat to the Wilderness Lodge and/or Fort Wilderness.

 

[loves to dive]

AKL and BW both have free tours of the lobby. I think you just show up. At some point in the afternoon (sorry can't remember the time but I'm sure someone will know) Cinderella and her fella make and entrance into the lobby of GF and dance. You can't talk to her but it's kind of cute. There is a mad hatter party on the lawn at GF now, it's free and you pay out of pocket if you want drinks or snacks. I think you can watch FWs from there. Be at one of the MK resorts during the electrical water parade. It's not huge but kind of cute to watch. Each resort has it's own unique gift shop, take the time and visit them and it sounds silly but wander around the lobby's and take in the details. All of them have some great details.

 

[DINKsAtDisney]

I know it's not a deluxe, but the boat ride to/from POFQ to/from Disney Springs is one of my fave things to do and it's free!

 

[phillymummer]

I know it's not a deluxe, but the boat ride to/from POFQ to/from Disney Springs is one of my fave things to do and it's free!

Thank you for the idea! I have stayed at both POR and POFQ and LOVE the boat ride! I'm looking to see/ do things at the deluxe resorts that I have not been to yet. I love the idea of taking the boat around Epcot/ BWI! The boat is my favorite mode of Disney transportation (Thus, one of my bucket list items is to stay at WL and FW).

I've been to WL but have never watched the Geyser. Is it still working during the construction? Walking around the Fort sounds like fun to. I was only there for HDDR and didn't get a chance to walk around.

I forgot about the electric light parade. I saw a little bit of it on my last trip, but not the whole thing.

Keep the ideas coming!

 

[happymommy]

Just adding, it kills me to do all this and not be able to visit the actual parks (I did this one August when my DH was attending a conference, so I came along and we tied it in with a trip to visit family on the way, since the way the Marine Corps did it long as we paid for my airline ticket they would route him any way he chose, so we flew from Honolulu where we lived to Missouri, visit my family, to DC to visit his, then to Orlando. But I was 4 months pregnant, not feeling great, and it was brutally hot, so I relaxed all day at Shades of Green while he worked). I did enjoy every day walking over to the GF and getting some iced tea, then relaxing off the lobby with a nice novel. The counter service there was good (we never ate a lot at SOG other than the sports bar - I do recall onion rings...)

The GF is a wonderful place to take in the holiday atmosphere! I'd say get a hot chocolate, coffee, wine, and enjoy. Not sure if they'll have the gingerbread house up yet.

I agree to grab a bite at the Boardwalk - the pizza window is good, as is the bakery, and the hot dog cart has tasty food made to order (not diet friendly).

The Mara at the AKL has very good food! You could spend a couple good hours there, watching the animals then having some nice lunch.

 

[phillymummer]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions! I am making a list of everything we can do. My parents love to resort hop, so I'm sure they will have some ideas too.

Which beach is best to watch wishes and the water parade?