Resort Hopping

[IHeartTink04]

Previously on trips the only resort restaraunts that we have traveled to are the ones on the monorail, pretty easy right? Well next trip we would like to travel to some that aren't on the monorail. What is he best way to do that? I was thinking it would be pretty easy if we were at a park and just got on the bus to that resort/restaraunt. Is it pretty much impossible to get there from our hotel (Wilderness Lodge)?

 

[Christine]

One of the reasons we always rent a car (even while staying on-site) is because we do a LOT of resort dining. I have not patience for the bus, especially not when I'm tired and hungry. So, I understand your concerns.

If you want to eat at other resorts, as you've guessed, it's not that quick/easy. Your best plan is to always catch a bus or boat to the TTC and catch the specific resort bus from there.

I'm not aware of any busses that go from resort-to-resort. I do believe the moderate and value resorts "share" bus lines so you could get from one of those to the next one, but they don't have many dining options.

What resorts were you trying to eat at? I find it best to try to plan my dining around the parks, so that I can just go to dinner from wherever I am. For instance, on the day that I dine at Boma, I will make sure I am at Animal Kingdom that day.

 

[Mickey-4-Me]

We did this last year. To avoid lines and bus stops, we took a cab. There are always a couple outside every resort and the cost was around $5.00. Definitely worth it!

 

[IHeartTink04]

Cabs don't sound like a bad idea! I don't really want to rent a car. We will probably travel to AKL.

 

[TigerKat]

If you're at EPCOT or MGM you'd be a short walk/boat ride from the Boardwalk, Swan & Dolphin, Yacht Club & Beach Club. Lots of places to choose from there!

 

[WillCAD]

My resort hopping is broken into 3 major categories:

1) MK area (3 monorail resorts, WL, and FW)
2) Epcot area (5 Crescent Lake resorts)
3) Landlocked resorts (the 4 Values and 4 Moderates)

I have not yet tried any of the excellent restaurants at the DVC resorts (OKW and SSR) but I have heard great things about them.

At MK, I take the monorail to the three monorail resorts, and take the resort launches to WL and FW. Since you're staying at WL, all of these will be most convenient for your dining options (remember that there is also a launch from WL directly to Contemporary, if you want Chef Mickeys!)

For the Epcot resorts, ped power (i.e. walking) is the way to go, although there are also the wonderful Friendship launches that will carry you around the lake). Between the World Showcase countries and the Epcot resorts, this is the part of WDW that is PACKED with great places to eat.

The landlocked Value and Moderate resorts present more of a problem. Aside from the boat between Port Orleans and Downtown Disney, they are accessible only by bus, which makes getting there more difficult and time consuming. I typicaly drive to any of these resorts, but since you won't have a car you will be limited to either A) catching a bus from a park or DTD, or B) catching a cab from a park, DTD, or another resort.

However you decide to get around, you will be happy with yuour decision. Make sure you allow enough time to explore the resort either before or after your meal - the WDW resorts are all worth checking out for more than just the food.

As for my personal faves, I love Boma in AKL (buffet), Trails End Buffeteria at FW (also buffet - best value at WDW), and the Dolphin Fountain in the Doplhin (soda shop/burger joint in the old 1950s style - try the apple pie a la mode, it's fantastic!)

 

[JMD]

If I don't have a rental car, I think taking a cab is the easiest way to go. You go directly to the hotel you want in matter of minutes.