Several questions for my Resort Hopping Day!!!

[DisneyAli]

Hi guys back after several weeks abscence due to store conversion from a Safeway to a Morrisons..........

Right here we go, on my up and coming Solo trip Disney resort hotel hopping is on my to do list now i would like to know the following from you all.

1) Which of all the Disney hotels would you visit? (more than one choice allowed.)

2)What are the shops located in each resort, different stuff to which you can buy elsewhere???? if so a nice description would be appreciated....looking for disney watches in particular as the DTD shop seems to have shrunk its range.

3)Where would you stop off middayish for a little snack and a drink?

4)At the end of the day approx 5ish where would you choose to eat a nice meal, prefer buffet type but any other suggestions appreciated again in a Disney resort hotel.

5)How long is all this hotel visiting going to take...yikes seems like i might be trying do too much????

ANY OTHER information most grateful received, am planning on parking at Epcot for the day as i can board the monorail here and thought it might be a bit easier and quieter to park.

 

[Bexx]

I would say that Animal Kingdom Lodge is a must, because it's so different. Wilderness Lodge is very impressive too. I also love the Epcot resort area where you can check out the Yacht and Beach Club, The Boardwalk and the Swan and Dolphin in a pleasant walk!! So that's narrowed it down a bit for you!!!

Can't really help with the shops and restaurants - we just go to soak up the different atmospheres, but I do think you could see quite a few different places in one day without rushing.

 

[Hilary]

1) Which of all the Disney hotels would you visit? (more than one choice allowed.)

Another vote for AKL and WL.

I'd also check out all the monorail resorts just because they are so easy to access

The Epcot resorts are great for a stroll around because they're all within reach, but I don't think they have as much to interest resort hoppers as some of the others.

4)At the end of the day approx 5ish where would you choose to eat a nice meal, prefer buffet type but any other suggestions appreciated again in a Disney resort hotel.

Boma's in AKL does a fabulous (IMHO - I know others here disagree!) buffet, and the clambake at Cape May (Yacht & Beach Club) is a wow if you enjoy seafood.

Or, for something simpler, I think some of the the food courts (I like the one in POR) are good too.

5)How long is all this hotel visiting going to take...yikes seems like i might be trying do too much????

That's obviously going to depend on how many resorts you want to visit and how you'll be getting between them all, but I'd say you need to allow an hour at each resort if you're just having a look around and maybe calling in a shop or two. If you plan to eat as well then you'll probably be a couple of hours. The monorail resorts can easily be 'hopped' but some of the others may take half an hour or so to reach.

 

[UKDEB]

I love visiting the resorts, but we've never chosen to spend a day going around them all - we just fit them in around our other plans.

There are still a couple we haven't visited, but not many. My top choices (in no particular order) would be:

Animal Kingdom Lodge - Wonderful ambiance, especially during the evening. We've only eaten at Boma once for dinner, but breakfast seems to have become a first morning tradition. Jiko is a fantastic restaurant. We've eaten there 3 or 4 times, but not for a while - I think a return is on the cards! Neither restaurant is open for lunch. Victoria Falls bar, which overlooks Boma, is very nice. The gift shop there has quite a few African arts and crafts, plus the usual fayre.

Wilderness Lodge - We like to take the water taxi from MK for a relaxing midday break. Whispering Canyon Cafe is open at lunchtime and is OK to visit once, but isn't on my list of favourites. Artist Point (dinner) is very good and the bar next door (Territory Lounge) is also nice. I can't remember what the gift shop is like (although there is absolutely no chance I haven't been inside it! ).

BoardWalk - Different set-up to the other onsite resorts in that the restaurants are along the boardwalk rather than inside the hotel building. Probably needs to be visited during the evening for the best atmosphere. We like the ESPN Bar, Spoodles and Flying Fish Cafe. The Belle Vue Room (bar) is inside the hotel and is very pleasant. It's also easy to visit the Yacht & Beach Clubs which are just across Crescent Lake (you can walk or take the water taxi). We love the Crew's Cub Lounge at the Yacht Club (do you see a pattern emerging here? ). Beaches and Cream is way overrated, IMO. The gift shops at these three are much of a muchness, although all the resorts have some unique merchandise. I was quite impressed with the Contemporary - several stores and some things I hadn't seen elsewhere.

Grand Floridian - I love Mizner's (a bar again ), Citricos and Victoria & Albert's. I haven't tried Narcoossee's, but I'd like to. Haven't tried 1900 Park Fayre, either. Grand Floridian Cafe is a bit disappointing, but you could have afternoon tea at the Garden View Lounge - the setting is lovely. The gift shop is a bit disappointing, but there are several other shops.

We've taken the monorail from the Magic Kingdom to the Poly for lunch at Kona Cafe a couple of times. The food's just OK, but it's a nice change of pace and easy to get to. Everyone raves about 'Ohana, but it's never really appealed to me - I think we need to give it a go. There is a well-stocked clothes store which sells Tommy Bahama amongst other stuff.

In December we took a boat from Downtown Disney to Port Orleans and I'm really glad we did. We stopped at the French Quarter first and then went on to Riverside. None of the food options looked that great (in fact, I don't think any of them were open, but I'm not sure what time we were there). The gift shops were pretty standard, too, but the whole area is quite stunning - I was particularly taken with the Colonial style mansion buildings.

 

[Mrs Dazzle]

AKL for sure, it's such an interesting place to look around, take time to sit and enjoy the animals, the gift shop is right in the lobby area and Boma's for breakfast is superb. If you fancy an evening session there, again watching the animals at sundown in one of their large wooden rocking chairs is soooo relaxing.

I would be tempted to visit the Poly then the Grand Floridian, right next door to each other on the monorail.

We did 1900 Park Fare for breakfast the GF last trip and for DD (HUGE Eeyore fan) and me (Winnie TP fan), it couldn't get any better than that. The sheer style and elegance of the GF was well worth spending an hour after breakfast nosing around.

We were staying at the Poly, so had all the time we needed to look around. Very lush, beautiful resort. Great pool area and you can sit on the beach with a drinkie and look out over to MK and see the EWP go past at around 9-ish each night.

Wow - you are going to have such a fun time going from resort to resort.

We found all the resort shops to be different. Obviously they sell their own themed merchandise, but out of choice I loved the gift shop in AKL where there was a African wood carver making wooden animals; so beautiful and lots of native African pictures, pieces and jewellery in there.

We enjoyed eating at OHana at the Poly one evening, very friendly but family orientated though (everyone is called Cousin ). The food was incredible value for money - so much of it and very tasty.

 

[Frances999]

I would, as others have said, recommend visiting the three Magic Kingdom resorts. The atmosphere at all three is wonderful.

Re: The Polynesian Resort: The Polynesian has two shops upstairs near to Kona Cafe and next to 'Ohanas. Also, downstairs there is Maui Mickeys and another shop which sells some really great unique resort items (including some stunning Polynesian Resort artwork which I couldn't resist!). Also at the Polynesian, near the reception, is the Wyland Galleries. This is a sensational art gallery with some stunning sculptures too. Worth a visit even if the prices are $$$$. The grounds and beaches of the resort are wonderful too, and as Annie said you have a sensational view of the EWP from here (as well as Wishes). However, rumours on the resorts board are spreading about the CMs at the resort actually enforcing the resort-guests only rule about using the beach. There are signs stating that the beach is for Polynesian Resort guests only, but they never used to mind. Perhaps that's changed? I can't see there being a problem if you ate at Kona Cafe or 'Ohanas.

Don't miss enjoying the lobby of the GF either and the shops at the CR are brilliant.

Everyone raves about 'Ohana, but it's never really appealed to me - I think we need to give it a go.

Deb, you simply must try it. It is a wonderful dining experience. The CMs are exceptionally friendly and the atmosphere is buzzing. The food is excellent too, especially the delicious meats. As Annie said, it's great value for money. However, I wouldn't recommend it for a solo trip.

 

[Miffy2003]

I've forgotten how much time you wanted to allow for this Alison, but say it's half a day or so I would go for the following:

The Polynesian - why? Because it's my favourite resort! The atmosphere, ambience, music, lush planting of the Great Ceremonial House are not to be missed. I would recommend Kona Cafe for a bite to eat at lunch. Menu here

Then onto the GF - not my taste personally but as WDW's flagship resort - and just next to the Poly on the monorail - it would be rude not to visit it For a quick lunch, how about the GF Cafe? Menu here

Then the WL - catch the boat and check out the amazing lobby. I really liked the shop here which had some good WL merchandise. Not sure I would choose to eat here though - I was not hugely impressed with Roaring Forks (the food court) and I'm guessing you might find WCC a bit much for a solo trip.

The above three are all close together so lend themselves to being visited at the same time.

I've never been to AKL but it looks amazing. I also love to poke around the Epcot resorts - this is made even better as you can easily walk between them or catch the boat if you fancy a rest. Lots of places to grab a quick bite here.

I would personally prefer to build in trips to resorts with park days (for a change of scenery) and not do them all on one day, but I appreciate you may be doing this because of ticketing restraints (only a certain amount of days for WDW entry)

 

[UKDEB]

Deb, you simply must try it. It is a wonderful dining experience. The CMs are exceptionally friendly and the atmosphere is buzzing. The food is excellent too, especially the delicious meats. As Annie said, it's great value for money. However, I wouldn't recommend it for a solo trip

OK, Frances - you've talked me into it! I've added it to our itinerary for April (early dinner there, followed by Spectro and Wishes), so I will be holding you responsible if it all goes pear-shaped! We're travelling with friends and both dh and Louis (the male half of the couple) are big meat lovers, so it would be churlish not to!

 

[mallaeus]

hi there,
i bought my wife a pooh watch when we wer there in september last year from a shop in mgm opposite its a wonderful shop.
Hope this helps Lee

 

[DisneyAli]

Hi all, reading all the replies with much interest. I am planning a full day resort hopping at a nice calm pace.......and all your info has been much appreciated. Will look out for the watch place in mgm Lee thanks. I used to buy them from DTD disney shop but last time it was a very poor small selection compared to what they used to do. Keep those replies coming guys and thanks to you all again. ali;