Resort-to-resort transportation recommendations, please

[KelNottAt]

In January, I’ll be attending a conference at the WDW Hilton. I plan to arrive 1 day early so I can have WDW all to myself on a Sunday. I love the parks, but won’t be touring them in order to save a day on my old hopper. Instead, I plan to visit and explore the resorts.

Here’s my plan. Please tell me if my transportation between resorts makes sense.

Breakfast at the Hilton
Walk to DTD
Bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge (will they be running at 9:30/10:00 am?),
explore AKL ( put this first since it's so far off the beaten path)
Bus to MK TTC
Ferry to Wilderness Lodge, explore
Lunch at Roaring Forks
Ferry to MK TTC or Contemporary
Combo monorail/walking exploration of CR, Poly, and Grand Floridian
End MK resort loop at MK TTC
Bus to Saratoga Springs, tour new villas
Boat to Old Key West via DTD, explore OKW
Bus to MGM
Boat to Beach Club/Yacht Club, explore
Dinner at Beaches and Cream
Browse Boardwalk, try Jellyrolls, see 9:00 Illuminations
Boat to MGM
Bus to Hilton

I won’t have (and don’t want) a rental car. To me, the Disney transportation is part of the whole “feeling” I get when I’m there. Plus, since I’ll be alone, I can take as much or as little time as I want to do what I want.

Anybody have better ideas? TIA,

 

[monarchsfan16]

Just know that there is no boat from the TTC to the WL. It's from the MK. The bus from the AKL will go right to the MK too. Otherwise your plan looks pretty good.

 

[mrscoobs]

As mentioned, the buses will take you to MK entrance, not the TTC. Also, when you are at WL you can catch the Blue flag launch to the Contemporary rather than go back to the entrance of MK to catch monorail. Have a wonderful time!

 

[kaytieeldr]

And you don't have to go from SSR to DtD to get to OKW. Just catch the ferry on its way back from DtD to OKW (about every half hour).

 

[TDC Nala]

Bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge (will they be running at 9:30/10:00 am?),
explore AKL ( put this first since it's so far off the beaten path)
Bus to MK TTC

You won't be going to the TTC, but the bus stops at the MK gates. Not a problem, you will catch the boat from there.

Ferry to Wilderness Lodge, explore
Lunch at Roaring Forks
Ferry to MK TTC or Contemporary

If you want to go to Contemporary from WL I would take the boat that goes directly there.

Combo monorail/walking exploration of CR, Poly, and Grand Floridian
End MK resort loop at MK TTC
Bus to Saratoga Springs, tour new villas

Don't end at the TTC, you won't be able to catch a bus to SSR. End the loop by getting off at the MK monorail stop, walk across to the MK bus stops, and catch the bus there to SSR.

Boat to Old Key West via DTD, explore OKW

This boat takes a long time to arrive during the day and runs more frequently in the evening. I don't know what would be easier. You might go to DTD first (walk over from SSR) and take the bus from DTD to OKW if you want to go there.

Bus to MGM
Boat to Beach Club/Yacht Club, explore
Dinner at Beaches and Cream
Browse Boardwalk, try Jellyrolls, see 9:00 Illuminations
Boat to MGM
Bus to Hilton

You can walk from MGM to the Beach and Yacht, if you wish.

You might also check to see when the Studios closes. If it closes early, you might not be able to get your bus back to the Hilton.

 

[chamonix]

Yes, due to time with MGM closing, and the fact that your day sounds a bit long, lol, I would consider a cab back to the Hilton. It sounds like the rest of your plan is pretty well thought out. (along with everyone else's suggestions)

Have fun, I love vising the resorts. (usually for a meal)

 

[cruiseonmagic]

That's my kind of sightseeing! You will need to make one small adjustment. MGM closes at 8 or earlier in Jan. The boats stop running to mgm one hr after park closing. Bus to DTD, then walk across the street to the hilton.

Your timing for the boat for SSR will be just fine. The boats run every 30 min. after 4pm.