Resort Hopping: Things to Do?

[MikeR]

If one were to ride the monorail and get off at the various resorts to check them out, is there anything you would suggest as a "don't miss" to do or check out at at the various resorts?

Thanks,

 

[tortoni]

If you are going over Christmas, check out all the decorations, especially the tree at the WL and the gingerbread house at GF.

Other times, we like to take a boat out at the Contemporary and go around Bay Lake and the Seven Seas Lagoon. It's also fun to have drinks in the lounges at these hotels, esp the Poly.

 

[DizneyNutz]

The GF is the must see. The Gingerbread House as the OP mentioned, but the outside is done very well also with all the Poinsettas. Make sure to walk through the lobby and walk out the back also (grounds between lobby and Pool). Of course if you visiting for the first time during the Christmas season, I would say visit them all (we have) that way you will not leave wondering if you missed something by not stopping in. You will form your own opinions very quickly and it doesn't take too long to stop by and check them out. Have a magical trip.

 

[islandtimect]

Even if you aren't going around Christmas, it's always great to walk around to check out the different decor, scenery, and shops. Or hang out in the lobbies for free entertainment in the evening. At the Polynesian, you can watch hula dancers and a small band. At GF, the lobby is gorgeous and you can hear the piano player or orchestra over a nice drink. The musicians at GF start at 3pm.

 

[wdwdancerwannabe]

YES!! Go to the POLY and check out their VOLCANO pool - THEN go to the beach (which is actually right there at the pool) and watch the electric water parade and WISHES from the Beach! - you can see these back to back. A must do! Poly also has really neat shops that are really galleries! Gorgeous art work and sculptures

I know many would disagree with me - but there's really no need to get off an go see Contemporary - nothing to see.

Don't get me wrong! We LOVE Chef Mickey's - and strongly recommend it - but I wouldn't get off at Contemporary and walk around.

 

[GinnyFavers]

Here are my favorites!

Contemporary:
* Rent a water mouse from the marina & take it over the water bridge into the Seven Seas Lagoon & back.
* I like the shops here - some unique merchandise!

Polynesian:
* Again, the shops are great! Wyland, hawaiiana and tons of Poly junk.
* We enjoy getting drinks in the lounge on the second floor, but you have to time it for right when they open, as it gets quickly insane with the Ohana hordes -- if it's busy, get your drinks to go and take them outside.
* If you're here earlier in the day, the coffee bar on the second floor is excellent.
* This is also a good place to rent boats.
* Set a spell on the beach under one of the little "cabanas" out there.
* Walk out to the windy point with the giant palm tree & shoot a couple of keepsake photos.

Now, walk, don't take the monorail, to the Contemporary, and you'll see the Grand Floridian Spa and the Wedding Pavilion! (For goodness sake if you can, stop and get a spa treatment or two. The GF spa is pricey but their service providers are generally the top of the top and it's always been an excellent experience for me!)

Grand Flo -
* Tea at the Gardenview room, wonderful!
* There's often live music playing from the balcony above the lobby, in the evenings. It's a little hectic in the lobby, but it's still a great place to sit and listen when the musicians are on.
* Enjoy and maybe even photograph the floral arrangements - they're the biggest and prettiest I've ever seen anywhere.

 

[N10CJT]

I might also suggest the arcade at the Contemporary. I know they moved it, but if it is anything like the old one, it really is something.

 

[eyenjeff]

We also do this each time we visit. We really enjoy seeing all the different resorts and what they have to offer. This trip we took the boat from MGM to the Boardwalk too, to see what that was like. It gives you an idea if you would like to stay at these resorts the next time you visit. We love to ride the monorail, it is such a "disney" thing and makes you feel like you are really a part of the "world". We have gone during the Christmas holidays to see all the decorations and gingerbread houses, as well as non holiday times. The beach at the poly is great, the WL lobby is gorgeous ( I know that includes an extra boat ride, but well worth it!) The contemporary is a little boring but we stop there to shop and to say we were there, lol! The GF is very elegant and you feel like you are really in a special place. GO FOR IT! ENJOY!

 

[LSK]

Hubby and I pick a night each trip that is an adults only night and the kids enjoy Neverland or Cubs Den or one of the Kid's Clubs while we have a nice dinner at one of the resorts (Narcoosie's, Artist Point, CA Grill, V&A, etc). Then we do what we refer to as the monorail bar hop. We visit the bar at each resort and have a signature cocktail of the resort.

Last time we had a pre dinner cocktail at Wilderness Lodge and rode the boat to the Contemperary where we had a lovely dinner at CA Grill. Then headed to Poly where, truth be told, we had 2 beverages because the rum drinks were just too good, and finished at Mitzner's at GF. We love experiencing each resort and try to maintain the resort theming in our drink orders.

Of course, you could always go shopping at each resort if you are looking for a more subdued experience.