Want to help me plan a resort hop day?

[KristenCarll]

Hello everyone! We will be down next week and plan to do some resort hopping on one day as we are doing NO parks this trip. *gasp* I know... I am just a shocked as you are! We are staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek like we did last year, but we still want to get our Disney vibes. We will still be visiting Disney Springs as well, but want to plan a whole day dedicated to Resort hopping. I want YOUR and recommendations as to what we should get along the way!

Now I know if we want to park at one of the resorts we need to have reservations in order to park there. We are planning for next Friday, and I currently have a 10am reservation for The Grand Floridan Cafe to start our day. We will eat a small breakfast around 7 when we wake up, and then let our teen sleep in before leaving for the 10am reservation. So we are planning to do GF of course, and then jump on the monorail to swing by the Contemporary for quick stroll around, and the Polynisian
(get a Dole Whip?).

Should we then go switch monorails to the EPCOT one so we can transfer over to the Skyliner and go to The Riviera, AOA, Pop, etc. anywhere else over there? I figure we will eat/have beverages(alcoholic and non-alcoholic) along our route. We have a 3 year old son, 8 year old daughter, and 15 year old daughter. I'm thinking our little guy would love to see the Cars area at AOA. If I can get a reservation at Wilderness Lodge for dinner at Whispering Canyon it may be a fun way to end our day and the go grab our car from GF. Or should we park at TTC and just pay the $20 so we don't get in trouble for being there too long?

Is it worth it to take a bus over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to see the animals? If we don't have a reseravation there, could we park at DS and take a bus there, and then go back to DS to go shopping? We could do that on a different day.

Thank you all!

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

One thing to keep in mind, there is technically a 3 hour parking limit for a dining reservation. Not sure how strictly it's enforced. Might be worth taking uber to your first destination to avoid any issues.

 

[EmilyGahr]

Should we then go switch monorails to the EPCOT one so we can transfer over to the Skyliner and go to The Riviera, AOA, Pop, etc.

The EPCOT monorail is not currently running.

 

[Marionnette]

The EPCOT monorail is not currently running.

Not only is it not running, you cannot catch the Skyliner at the front Epcot entrance when it eventually does run. The Skyliner station is at the International Gateway entrance.

 

[KristenCarll]

Not only is it not running, you cannot catch the Skyliner at the front Epcot entrance when it eventually does run. The Skyliner station is at the International Gateway entrance.

AHhhh I did not even think of that! Thank you. Any guidance as to what the best option may be?

 

[Dug720]

Unless you're planning to walk to Poly and leave your car parked at the GF, you could run into issues, even if you mobile ordered (which I don't think you can at Pineapple Lanai). A friend of mine and her husband were legitimately going to get breakfast at Capt Cook's yesterday and had done a mobile order. She even hit "I'm here, Prepare My Order" to show the guard and he wouldn't let them in even with that. It was the first I've heard of someone not being allowed in after hitting "I'm here, Prepare My Order", but it can happen, and may well happen more as crowds increase.

 

[Pinkshoos]

*warms up my fingers* I LOOOOVE these questions.

Okay, I was just there last month. I started out at the GF and ended up at the Riviera. So, here's my advice: I would highly suggest to park at Disney Springs and take a resort bus to Grand Floridian. There's a time limit at the resorts for parking. Allow at least 2 hours from when you're at the bus stop at DS to get over there.

Now, you have breakfast at the GF. Spend the time after breakfast perusing the shops and check out the lobby. You might get to hear the piano player (he's awesome). Then, hop onto the monorail (there's a quick bag check and temp check before you get on), ride over to the Contemporary. Once down the escalator from the monorail, there's some cute shops there. If you're hungry (you could be), Contempo Cafe is right there, and you can mobile order (they have awesome cupcakes). If it's open (you might have to ask someone), see if the top floor observation deck is open. The views of Magic Kingdom are amazing.

Now, it's time to take the bus to Hollywood Studios, and to the coolest Skyliner station ever. Board the Skyliner and take it to the station at Caribbean Beach Resort. Switch Skyliners to the Epcot one, and ride it to Riviera. Hop off at Riviera and check it out. There's an amazing coffee shop with amazing pastries and a cute little shop (I have a shirt from there). Oh and check out the library and vintage pictures of Walt and Lilly at the real Riviera along the walls. If you're hungry (again, you could be) head down to Primo Piatto for some great food. There's also some pretty places to sit outside, and even a bocce ball court.

Now, let's get back on the Skyliner and head back to Hollywood Studios. Then, a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge (if you want to go animal watching)

OR

Grab a bus back to Disney Springs

 

[travellovingirl]

I have an early ADR at the Wave early morning. Was planning to uber there. That shoudn't be a problem, correct, as we have an actual reservation??

 

[Dis Dragon]

I have an early ADR at the Wave early morning. Was planning to uber there. That shoudn't be a problem, correct, as we have an actual reservation??

Nope, they'll let you right in as long as you can show them the reservation.

 

[KristenCarll]

*warms up my fingers* I LOOOOVE these questions.

Okay, I was just there last month. I started out at the GF and ended up at the Riviera. So, here's my advice: I would highly suggest to park at Disney Springs and take a resort bus to Grand Floridian. There's a time limit at the resorts for parking. Allow at least 2 hours from when you're at the bus stop at DS to get over there.

Now, you have breakfast at the GF. Spend the time after breakfast perusing the shops and check out the lobby. You might get to hear the piano player (he's awesome). Then, hop onto the monorail (there's a quick bag check and temp check before you get on), ride over to the Contemporary. Once down the escalator from the monorail, there's some cute shops there. If you're hungry (you could be), Contempo Cafe is right there, and you can mobile order (they have awesome cupcakes). If it's open (you might have to ask someone), see if the top floor observation deck is open. The views of Magic Kingdom are amazing.

Now, it's time to take the bus to Hollywood Studios, and to the coolest Skyliner station ever. Board the Skyliner and take it to the station at Caribbean Beach Resort. Switch Skyliners to the Epcot one, and ride it to Riviera. Hop off at Riviera and check it out. There's an amazing coffee shop with amazing pastries and a cute little shop (I have a shirt from there). Oh and check out the library and vintage pictures of Walt and Lilly at the real Riviera along the walls. If you're hungry (again, you could be) head down to Primo Piatto for some great food. There's also some pretty places to sit outside, and even a bocce ball court.

Now, let's get back on the Skyliner and head back to Hollywood Studios. Then, a bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge (if you want to go animal watching)

OR

Grab a bus back to Disney Springs

This is so great! Thank you so much for your input and guidance. It is greatly appreciated. This all sounds great. I know we will not stay at GF too long since we have stayed at the resort before, but a trip to Basin will be a must if it is open.


OH.... and you had me at "cupcakes" so I will check those out at Contempo Cafe!

 

[Pinkshoos]

This is so great! Thank you so much for your input and guidance. It is greatly appreciated. This all sounds great. I know we will not stay at GF too long since we have stayed at the resort before, but a trip to Basin will be a must if it is open.


OH.... and you had me at "cupcakes" so I will check those out at Contempo Cafe!

I just remembered. The Contemporary has a display outside of Contempo Cafe of their cupcakes, so you get to see what they look like. The Cinderella one is pretty amazing, if they still have it.

 

[Mike Mantis]

I'm heading down for a 5 day trip and only doing 1 park day. There's so much to do that the days I go to a park everyday just are no longer relaxing. Sounds like a great way to spend a day, especially one that may be rainy where a pool day may not be best.

Hello everyone! We will be down next week and plan to do some resort hopping on one day as we are doing NO parks this trip. *gasp* I know... I am just a shocked as you are! We are staying at Wyndham Bonnet Creek like we did last year, but we still want to get our Disney vibes. We will still be visiting Disney Springs as well, but want to plan a whole day dedicated to Resort hopping. I want YOUR and recommendations as to what we should get along the way!

Now I know if we want to park at one of the resorts we need to have reservations in order to park there. We are planning for next Friday, and I currently have a 10am reservation for The Grand Floridan Cafe to start our day. We will eat a small breakfast around 7 when we wake up, and then let our teen sleep in before leaving for the 10am reservation. So we are planning to do GF of course, and then jump on the monorail to swing by the Contemporary for quick stroll around, and the Polynisian
(get a Dole Whip?).

Should we then go switch monorails to the EPCOT one so we can transfer over to the Skyliner and go to The Riviera, AOA, Pop, etc. anywhere else over there? I figure we will eat/have beverages(alcoholic and non-alcoholic) along our route. We have a 3 year old son, 8 year old daughter, and 15 year old daughter. I'm thinking our little guy would love to see the Cars area at AOA. If I can get a reservation at Wilderness Lodge for dinner at Whispering Canyon it may be a fun way to end our day and the go grab our car from GF. Or should we park at TTC and just pay the $20 so we don't get in trouble for being there too long?

Is it worth it to take a bus over to Animal Kingdom Lodge to see the animals? If we don't have a reseravation there, could we park at DS and take a bus there, and then go back to DS to go shopping? We could do that on a different day.

Thank you all!