Walt Disney World Tips; Hotel Hopping
Walt Disney World is more then 4 theme parks and 2 water parks (although some even forget about the amazing water parks). But there is so much more to do and explore. Just have a look at some of the awesome hotels and what they have to offer. You don’t have to stay at the hotel to enjoy their beauty or magic. All you need to do is take a bus or even a stroll and you can have some extra fun so many people don’t even know or forget about.
With the parks always busy, visiting some of the hotels during your Walt Disney World stay could be a nice and relaxing experience. Here are some tips on visiting some of the hotels and what you could do there.
Caribbean Beach Resort is a nice and very wide open spread hotel. The beautiful thing is the lay-out. Build around a lake you can enjoy a nice walk, but the real nice things are the small beaches around it. If you would visit the hotel during the evening, just before Illuminations you could take place in one of the hang mats with a sandwich or a drink you just bought at the local food court and enjoy the show from a distance. You will not have the music but you’ll be feeling like you’re on a deserted island. Very romantic idea for couples!
Animal Kingdom Lodge has been to remote for some guest but is well worth a visit. Jiko and/or Boma might be on your to do list as they are both great restaurants, but why not come a little earlier and visit the amazing savanna. Most of the time there are only a couple of people enjoying the beauty of this place. There are enough animals to keep you busy and the Cast Member at the savanna will always be able to tell you some nice stories about these animals. You can also go a little deeper into the hotel and go to one of the balconies that are open to everybody to sit down and overlook the savanna. Go and visit the Animal Kingdom Lodge about 2 hours before your dinner reservation to enjoy all the extras. Afterwards you might even feel that the two hours are not enough and would want to return on another visit during your stay.
Why not have a little walk from the Monorail station to the Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort via a pathway that brings you past Disney’s Polynesian Resort. You can have some great photo opportunities, some you might have missed if you don’t stay at the hotel itself. There is a path going from the station all the way pass the two hotels and will give you some alone time as not many people use it. You could also take this walk just before you go and enjoy dinner in Citricos or Victoria & Albert’s.
If you do like a good walk there is another one that should not be missed. While most people like to hop between Hollywood Studios and Epcot taking the boat you can also walk the distance enjoying some nice scenery. You’ll be walking next to the water towards Epcot, but will then have to make choice to go right to enjoy a stroll passing the Disney’s Board Walk Villas and Disney’s Board Walk Inn, or you can cross the bridge first and walk pass Disney’s Yacht club and Disney’s Beach Club resort. When you pass the hotel take some time to visit the beautiful Yacht club lobby. It is well worth a visit, even if you’re not staying at the hotel itself.
A little less quit but worth a visit on your trip is Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This time however reservations are a necessity but enjoying dinner at the top of the building in California Grill is an adventure. Make sure to check if there will be fireworks at the Magic Kingdom. You will be able to go on the big roof balconies to enjoy it, including the music. Most people will go for the busy left hand side balcony to be closer to the park, but if you pick the right one you can go all the way to the end with a minimum of other guests.
If you like a break from a busy Magic Kingdom afternoon you might think about going for a light lunch at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge. The hotel is beautiful, the pool area worth a visit and the surrounding nature a real treat for your senses. Make sure however to visit the amazing lobby as it is absolutely stunning.
These are only a couple of ideas, based on my experience, but I am sure some of the hotels not mentioned here are also well worth a visit. Either for the scenery, the architecture or their restaurant. Any ideas or tips, do share them here and maybe others or me could put them on our to do list on our next trip.
November 8th, 2008 at 5:28 am
Our family has stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort twice. Our Daughter loves it and it has a relaxing feel.