Touring the Resorts - Need Advice

[Merry Mousketeer]

Hello All!

My wife (Disney Enabler) and I need some advice from the WDW experts. We're from Northern California, so Disneyland is our home park and the resort hotels are fairly simple compared to WDWs.

On the Thursday when we return to WDW from the Podcast Cruise, we plan to tour the various resorts using Disney transportation rather than going to a theme park. Our only plans, after checking in to the Dolphin, is to tour Saratoga Springs because that's our home DVC resort and we've never seen it; and to have afternoon tea at the Grand Floridian. Otherwise, our day is wide open for exploring.

My question is, what resorts are the best ones to see? And what do we look for when we arrive? Usually when I enter a lobby I have the usual "eyes up, jaw down" reaction to the grandeur of it all, but then I don't know where to go and what to look for.

Can anyone give us advice as to the best resorts to see and exactly what we should see when we get to them?

Also, if you have any other advice for non-theme park sightseeing and experiences at WDW, we'd appreciate it. We are not into video games, so Disneyquest wouldn't be a good choice for us, and my wife doesn't enjoy water parks.

Thank you for sharing your time and expertise. We're looking forward to seeing our fellow cruisers shortly!

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

You have to tour Animal Kingdom Lodge - the Savannahs and the night viewing are wonderful. Just a really creative place - and then make sure to tour the new DVC wing. Go straight in and to the back to see the main savannah. Otherwise follow the stairs that lead down from the lobby to the restaurants. That will take you down to the pool and the other savannah.

The Wilderness Lodge and it's grounds are also tops. (Same architect.) Make sure to go straight out the back and out past the pool to see the geyser.

The Polynesian, same thing. Walk out the back and walk to the Grand Floridian. It's a beautiful walk.

 

[Spanky]

Part of the fun is using the Disney transportation. You can walk over to tour the Boardwalk and check out the lobby, pool and gift shops. Then it is a lovely walk along a canal to Disney studio where you should be able to catch a bus to Sarasota Springs. [ or you can catch a boat from the Dolphin to Disney's Hollywood Studio]. After you tour this resort you can walk to Downtown Disney and catch a boat to Disney's Port Orleans Resort. Both the French Quarter and Riverside have great themeing in the lobby and pools. It is an easy stroll between the two resorts. Now you are ready to catch a bus to the Magic Kingdom. From in front of the park you can catch another boat to go over to the Wilderness Lodge. Also a boat to the campgrounds.[ or another lovey path between the two areas] Take a boat to the Contemporary Resort to check it out and the new Baylake Tower condo. Now you are ready to ride the monorail from the Contemporary to the Poly. Do the lovely walk from the Poly to the GF with a stop off at the wedding chapel that is inbetween the 2 resorts. It should be time for your tea party. Then you can take a boat or the monorail back to the MK and catch the bus to the Animal Kingdom Resort. To get back to your start you will need to take the bus from the AK lodge to the Disney studio. Out front of the park you can catch a boat that will take you back to the Dolphin. I love to see all the flowers, etc at each resort, the different costumes worn by the cast members and to check out each gift shop.
We just got off the Disney Wonder and were at DTD before the shops opened at 9:30. The cruise staff needs you off the boat early to prepare the cabins for the next cruise - it sure makes for an early start to your day.

 

[Tonya2426]

If you have time go to Pop Century and the All Star Resorts. The theming is really great and fun photo opportunities.

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

If i understand correctly, you have only the one day to spend? If so, let me second the suggestion of WL, Cont, Poly, and GF. There is enough to see in these alone that you could be there for hours.

In WL, there is a small lobby directly above the front entrance. access it from a stairway to the left as you enter. It is relatively private and comfortable. Good picture spot, too.

At Contemporary, there is not much to see inside on the first three floors. Take the elevator directly to the fouth floor atrium.

Poly has as much to see outside as inside. A tour of the grounds is a must. If time permits, rent a boat from here to get a good view from Seven Seas Lagoon. Due to 'no wake' zones, the canal between the lagoon and Bay Lake can take some time.

At GF, take some time to catch the pianist if he is playing. This is the most ornate atrium of all, so plan some time to sit for a bit and stare upwards.

 

[mikelan6]

I would definitely visit the Wilderness Lodge if you can. The architecture, theming and atmosphere are one of the best in the resort.

 

[safetymom]

If you want to see more animals the viewing areas at Kidani Village are great. You get to see lots of animals.

 

[collins316]

I would suggest visiting the Wilderness Lodge. From there, you can rent a bike (where the boat rentals are at the Lodge) and ride the bike trail to Fort Wilderness.
You can then ride around all the Loops of FW, usually a good way to spot wildlife. And some of the long term campers decorate their campsites. Always a fun bike ride.
Bernie

 

[ADP]

I'd tour the resorts based on geography of the WDW resort property. You basically have 3 main areas of resort touring in my opinion.
1. Magic Kingdom resort area. Take the monrail around to the various resorts and catch the boat launch to the WL or Fort Wilderness if you choos.
2. EPCOT Resort area - Take the boat launch between the Boardwalk, Beach Club and Swan, Dolphin resorts.
3. Animal Kingdom resorts - Tour the Animal Kingdom Resort Jambo and Kidani Village.

There are a lot of other resorts to tour. I certainly wouldn't rule out any of the moderate resort properties. They are just as beautiful, but if I only had a day to tour the resorts I'd go with the deluxes first.

Have a great time. Touring the resorts is a great way to spend a day.

 

[L.E. Ott]

When we did this, our strategy was grab a bus to one of the parks, then jump on the first bus to arrive taking people back to a diff resort. It kinda put a fun, random element into it. Then when you're done there, rinse and repeat. Also, don't forget the three resorts that are connected by monorail. Makes them real easy to hit.

As to other tings to do, a carriage ride at Wilderness Campground is a must for us. We've done two, one at Christmas and one at Halloween, and they were both out of this world. And don't forget you have two putt-putt courses, two water parks, all of DTD, and umpteen hundred PGA quality golf courses in the vicinity.

 

[FireDancer]

What a coincidence, I will be doing the same thing the Thursday we get back from the cruise. Here is our plan:

Start at the Wilderness lodge and take the tour of the lobby. Check out Dave Parfitt's blog entry.

Walk over to the Contemporary to see the construction progress on the tower and see the lobby.

Take the monorail to the Poly and get some coffee at Kona before taking the walkway under the monorail and over to the GF.

We then have Boma reservations so we will head over early to try and catch some animals out and about before dinner.

That's our plan.