Which Disney World resorts would you visit on a non-park day?

[Tennor]

We have a rest day before we hit the parks and are thinking of checking out Animal Kingdom lodge, the Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge.

It may depend on what dining reservations we can get.

We won't have a car and we're staying at a Disney Springs hotel.

 

[TomorrowlandKD]

Trader Sam's at Polynesian for 12 hours. Done.

;-)

 

[Dug720]

Trader Sam's at Polynesian for 12 hours. Done.

;-)

Trader Sam's isn't currently open.

 

[TomorrowlandKD]

Trader Sam's isn't currently open.

.....I was joking.

And before the next PC poster comes along, no I don't condone sitting in a bar drinking for 12 hours.

Carry on. Yikes almighty.

 

[Brett Wyman]

We have a rest day before we hit the parks and are thinking of checking out Animal Kingdom lodge, the Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge.

It may depend on what dining reservations we can get.

We won't have a car and we're staying at a Disney Springs hotel.

Animal Kingdom Lodge and Wilderness Lodge are the two most breath taking in my opinion. And theres plenty to do at both to kill a few hours. A benefit of Boardwalk is you can visit Beach Club and Yacht easily as well. Same for Grand Floridan, it's amazing to visit on its own but you can walk to the Poly and Monorail to the Contemporary for a resort tour crawl.

 

[Dug720]

.....I was joking.

And before the next PC poster comes along, no I don't condone sitting in a bar drinking for 12 hours.

Carry on. Yikes almighty.

I'm struggling to understand what is "PC" about stating that something is currently closed.

As a reminder, tone doesn't come across on the website.

 

[Olaf Myfrenzargay]

AKL. Period.

 

[MomOTwins]

I'm struggling to understand what is "PC" about stating that something is currently closed.

As a reminder, tone doesn't come across on the website.

Agree. People are weird. I would assume OP does not want to be directed to activities that are not open.

Enchanted Rose is open and I do think it is worth a visit—very fun to see the Beauty and Beast elements and great food and drinks. And you can get to it by taking transportation to TTC and then the monorail.

I wouldn’t recommend AK or WL. Not as convenient to get to. And those resorts are not fully open yet—Boma, Jiko and Artist Point are all closedBoardwalk is pretty quiet now too, but easier to get to via boat from HS.

I know this sounds a bit of a downer now but the fact is Disney is actively discouraging people from visiting resorts other than their own now to avoid crowding.

My suggestion would be visiting Riviera via the skyliner from HS. It is a brand new resort and interesting to walk around, and has a nice QS.

 

[zdad59]

We are lovers of WL, but oddly we have chosen to stay at Beach Club for our upcoming September stay. Both of those options are wonderful.

There is nothing quite like walking through the doors at Wilderness Lodge and having someone at the door greet you with "Welcome Home". At WL, you are at Disney World but you have no idea, it is so peaceful. A walk to the beach and through the wooded grounds. Sitting in the rockers near the massive fireplace. Not sure what the makeup of your crew is but if you're with kids, Whispering Canyon is a fun meal. If its just two of you, the Artist Point is a wonderful classy meal.

The area around YC/BC and Boardwalk Villas have so much to do. Virtually anything for every taste.

 

[Timandalicia]

Depends what you’re looking for. Contemporary provides Disney nostalgia and what’s great is you could visit the Polynesian and Grand Floridian if you’re wanting to tour the flagships “check them out”. It gives you the most Disney and you can tour them all via the monorail. So going to any of them for a meal gives you that opportunity. If you’re looking for a stroll along the Boardwalk you can check out 3 resorts too. Expect so much quieter than Disney Springs. But depending how late you want to stay out, you could stroll the Boardwalk on an Epcot day too (the international gateway). Animal Kingdom is most exotic and dramatic. But back to the Polynesian- it’s really great too. And Animal Kingdom isn’t close to anything else. But maybe that’s all you need.
All resorts are accessible via Disney transportation at Disney Springs (I’m not sure what’s going on with that and covid).

 

[MomOTwins]

We are lovers of WL, but oddly we have chosen to stay at Beach Club for our upcoming September stay. Both of those options are wonderful.

There is nothing quite like walking through the doors at Wilderness Lodge and having someone at the door greet you with "Welcome Home". At WL, you are at Disney World but you have no idea, it is so peaceful. A walk to the beach and through the wooded grounds. Sitting in the rockers near the massive fireplace. Not sure what the makeup of your crew is but if you're with kids, Whispering Canyon is a fun meal. If its just two of you, the Artist Point is a wonderful classy meal.

The area around YC/BC and Boardwalk Villas have so much to do. Virtually anything for every taste.

Artist Point is not open, and when it was open, it had been a character meal for over a year (no longer a signature restaurant).

I would also recommend OP look at what is actually open in the BC/BW area. A lot has changed in the last year.

 

[zdad59]

Thanks for that update. I did not know that. NYE 2018 was the last time we were there.

Artist Point is not open, and when it was open, it had been a character meal for over a year (no longer a signature restaurant).

I would also recommend OP look at what is actually open in the BC/BW area. A lot has changed in the last year.

 

[MomOTwins]

Thanks for that update. I did not know that. NYE 2018 was the last time we were there.

Yep—still a pretty nice meal though (or at least it was before the closure)—just a different vibe and more of a family restaurant than a date night spot.

 

[TomorrowlandKD]

Agree. People are weird.

Name calling now too. Cool!

 

[MomOTwins]

Name calling now too. Cool!

And your use of the phrases “PC Poster” and “Yikes Almighty” were what, compliments?

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Let’s get back on topic as to the OP’s question please. Thank you.

 

[Wood Nymph]

We have a rest day before we hit the parks and are thinking of checking out Animal Kingdom lodge, the Boardwalk, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge.

It may depend on what dining reservations we can get.

We won't have a car and we're staying at a Disney Springs hotel.

Those are all good choices. If you have time then I would add Art of Animation to the list. You can travel there via the Skyliner when you go for a visit to the Boardwalk.

 

[bakerworld]

Since you are traveling from the Springs, I would hop a bus to GF. From GF you can easily walk - and it's a nice walk with a wide paved walkway thru lush foliage - to the Poly and catch a boat to the WL. If you really want to go for it from WL take the boat back to MK (no entrance required) and walk over to Bay Lake. Depending on what is open that could take a bit portion of your day. I think the River Grill is open so if you end there you could rest and eat.

I can't tell when you are going from your post but right now the AK eateries are closed. So between the bus ride from the Springs to AK and touring Kidani would be a minimalized experience.

 

[SaintsManiac]

We are planning to visit Riviera on our next trip.

 

[livbeatles]

Since you are traveling from the Springs, I would hop a bus to GF. From GF you can easily walk - and it's a nice walk with a wide paved walkway thru lush foliage - to the Poly and catch a boat to the WL. If you really want to go for it from WL take the boat back to MK (no entrance required) and walk over to Bay Lake. Depending on what is open that could take a bit portion of your day. I think the River Grill is open so if you end there you could rest and eat.

I can't tell when you are going from your post but right now the AK eateries are closed. So between the bus ride from the Springs to AK and touring Kidani would be a minimalized experience.

You won't be able to catch a WL boat from the Polynesian--the WL boat only runs between MK and the Lodge. I'd probably do the bus from Disney Springs to the Poly, then you could walk to the GF and on to MK for the Wilderness Lodge boat (the WL boat is before you enter security from the GF side). You could then do the return boat to MK and walk on to the Contemporary (you will have to go through security screening but not park entry, and security screening is so much easier now that you don't have to open your bags there), and at the end take a bus from the Contemporary back to Disney Springs.