Best Way to Resort Hop at Disney World With Kids – Our Top 5 Itineraries for Families

What if you want to extend your family’s Disney World vacation, but the idea of spending every day for a week or more at the theme parks sounds exhausting (and expensive)? Resort hopping is the perfect way to slow your pace a bit and keep the Disney magic happening. The immersive environments at Disney’s many resort hotels offer something for everyone. That’s why we always set aside a day or two to explore the incredible theming, sample the variety of dining options, and take advantage of the unique activities offered at each one.

As the parent of two kids at very different ages, I recommend resort-hopping at least once during your trip. Taking a break from crowded parks and popular attractions provides a chance to reconnect through simpler experiences. But which resorts should you visit, and what are the best ways to get there? What should you do once you arrive? The following five resort-hopping itineraries highlight some of the most novel offerings for families at Disney’s best resorts. Keep reading for all of the details! Mickey Visit brings you the latest Disney news and planning resources, including a new Disneyland Magic Key perk with an interactive activity revealed, and how Disney plans ride changes to classics to draw new visitors.

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Magic Kingdom Water Taxi Route

• Resorts to Visit: Wilderness Lodge, Fort Wilderness Resort
• Where to Start: Transportation and Ticket Center, Disney Springs

Water transportation is arguably the most relaxing way to travel on property at Walt Disney World, and kids love the novelty of the boats. Resort launches offer families a peaceful respite from the overwhelm of more crowded, busy environments at the resort.

Disney resort hotel guests and annual passholders can access the water taxi resort route by starting at the Transportation and Ticket Center and then taking a ferry to Magic Kingdom. From there, you can catch a water taxi directly to either of the Wilderness-themed resorts. Technically, boats also run between these resorts and the Contemporary, but since that route is only available from 3PM-10:45PM, I recommend saving the latter for a resort hopping day along the Monorail Loop.

Non-resort guests without annual passes will want to park at Disney Springs (since it’s free) and take the bus to the first resort on the itinerary. Be aware that during exceptionally busy times, Disney may restrict complimentary resort buses to those with active resort reservations, dining reservations, or recreation bookings.

Here’s how my family would spend a day resort-hopping on the water taxi resort loop.

Wilderness Lodge

• Breakfast at Whispering Canyon Cafe
• Mickey Scavenger Hunt: a great way to explore the resort with littles – just ask for a clue sheet at the front desk
• Shop at Wilderness Lodge Mercantile
• Visit the Carolwood Pacific Room at Boulder Ridge to view artifacts celebrating Walt’s love of trains
• Pick up a Nature Guide at the front desk and go on a nature walk
• Play ping-pong, cornhole, pool, or foosball in the outdoor Shady Point Games area
• Grab a light, open-air lunch at Geyser Point Bar and Grill (time it right to see Fire Rock Geyser erupt at the top of the hour)

Fort Wilderness

• Rent bikes from the Bike Barn, and take a ride through the scenic meadows and woodlands
• Reserve a $10 Pony Ride for kids 3-9 years old at the Tri-Circle D Ranch
• Enjoy a down-home feast while taking in a rousing performance of the Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue
• Let your kids burn off some steam on the playground outside Pioneer Hall
• Head back to the Meadow Trading Post and make your way over to the amphitheater for Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-Along
• Stay for the Disney Movie Under the Stars (be sure to check the resort activities calendar for available times)

Monorail Resorts

• Resorts to Visit: Grand Floridian Resort, Contemporary Resort, Polynesian Resort
• Where to Start: Transportation and Ticket Center, Disney Springs

Riding the monorail is like an attraction in itself! It allows simple access to three of Disney World’s most iconic resort hotels, and there’s so much for families to see and do along the way!

Resort guests and annual passholders should start at the Transportation and Ticket Center, where direct access to the monorail is available. Other guests can park at Disney Springs and take a bus to the first resort on the monorail loop.

Here’s how my family would plan a resort-hopping day at the Monorail resorts.

Polynesian Village Resort

• Breakfast at ‘Ohana
• Politely ask a cast member for a free lei at the dining reservation check-in podium or at the front desk to make your visit feel even more like a tropical getaway
• Explore the Great Ceremonial House and breathe in those Pacific island vibes
• Stop in at BouTiki and Moana Mercantile

Grand Floridian Resort

• Hunt for hidden Disney details, like the subtle hidden Mickeys on the gorgeous new floral carpet in the atrium and the character silhouettes in the marble tile walkways in the Main Building
• Ride the famous glass birdcage elevator for a bird’s-eye view of the atrium
• Walk over to the DVC Villas to make a “penny wish” in the Mary Poppins fountain in the lobby
• Play a giant game of Jenga on the courtyard lawn or giant chess on the beach
• See a recreation cast member to borrow beach toys and build a sand castle beside Seven Seas Lagoon

Contemporary Resort

• Lunch at Steakhouse 71
• Explore the Grand Canyon Concourse
• Photo op with the 90-foot Mary Blair mural
• Search for the infamous five-legged goat in the mosaic
• Shop at Bay View Gifts and Fantasia
• Walk the Sky Way Bridge over to Bay Lake Tower and enjoy the views of Magic Kingdom and the other nearby resorts
• Search for the hidden Mickey among the cluster of mid-century pendant lights hanging near the front desk in the Bay Lake Tower lobby (pro tip: to see it, you have to stand directly underneath the circular glass fixtures)

Polynesian Village Resort

• Join the wait list at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto! It’s open to all ages until after 8 PM, and your kids will love the whimsical theming and special effects.
• Grab dinner at Captain Cook’s (sit outside if the weather is nice)
• Stroll on over to Trader Sam’s for some tropical beverages
• Make your way down to the beach for the Electrical Water Pageant
• Stay and watch the Magic Kingdom fireworks

Crescent Lake Resorts

• Resorts to Visit: Beach Club, Yacht Club, Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels, Boardwalk Inn
• Where to Start: Hollywood Studios, Disney Springs

Resort hopping along Disney’s BoardWalk is one of my favorite ways to spend a day outside the parks at Disney World. These resorts are so close to one another that walking is the only mode of transportation you’ll need to travel from place to place.

If you’re staying at a Disney resort hotel or have an annual pass, start at Hollywood Studios. From there, you can take a Friendship boat or walk directly to the BoardWalk area. You can also access the BoardWalk via Skyliner by boarding a gondola at Hollywood Studios and taking it to the Epcot International Gateway station. Otherwise, park at Disney Springs and take the bus to any of the following resorts.

This is the itinerary my family would use to tour the Crescent Lake resorts:

Beach and Yacht Club Resorts

• Minnie’s Beach Bash Breakfast at Cape May Cafe
• Explore the resort lobbies, which are connected by an indoor walkway
• Find character cut-outs of Flounder at Beach Club and Prince Eric’s dog Max at Yacht Club, snap a photo, and show it to a cast member at the front desk for a free collectible button.

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels

• Enjoy iconic scenes from Disney’s animated classic as you compete with each other for bragging rights at Disney’s Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf
• Have a look around the hotel grounds and interior spaces
• Drink in the views of Crescent Lake from the bridge between the Swan and Dolphin
• Avoid the crowds at Beaches and Cream, and get lunch eats, ice-cream treats, and retro soda shop vibes at The Fountain inside the Dolphin

Boardwalk Inn

• Visit the vintage carousel and Coney Island roller coaster models in the lobby
• Search for the infamous nanny carousel chairs (cast from molds of 19th-century originals)
• Crank the antique green clamshell mutoscope in the hall near the Belle Vue Lounge to watch an old silent cartoon reel
• Rent a surrey and pedal it down the boards
• Try your hand at some old-fashioned carnival games (you might even win a prize)
• Explore the shops
• Watch the street performers
• Grab some Boardwalk food for dinner from Blue Ribbon Corndogs or the Pizza Window
• Settle in to watch the Movie on the Lawn

Skyliner Resorts

• Resorts to Visit: Riviera Resort, Pop Century Resort, Art of Animation Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort
• Where to Start: Hollywood Studios or Disney Springs

Another easy way to hop from resort to resort is to use Disney’s Skyliner. These charming gondolas offer a scenic view and a convenient ride to the following resorts on our list.

If you’re staying at a Disney resort or are an annual passholder, start at Hollywood Studios and take the Skyliner to the first resort on our itinerary. Otherwise, park at Disney Springs and take a bus.

Riviera Resort

• Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends at Topolino’s Terrace
• Learn about European landmarks with the Riviera scavenger hunt (ask a cast member at the front desk for a clue sheet)
• Play bocce ball and other courtyard games on the Esplanade Lawn
• Grab a grilled chicken sandwich or croque-monsieur to-go from Primo Piatto
• Check out the massive mosaic murals featuring images from Peter Pan and Tangled in the tunnel on the way to the Skyliner station

Pop Century and Art of Animation Resorts

• Find an umbrella-covered table near the Generation Bridge and eat a quick lunch
• Meander around the Hourglass Lake Loop
• Snap photos with the larger-than-life icons
• Let your kids burn off some energy on the Righteous Reef and Boneyard playgrounds

Caribbean Beach Resort

• Paint a seashell at the recreation area across from the Pineapple Fountain
• Explore Caribbean Cay
• Have dinner at Sebastian’s Bistro
• Check out the merch at Calypso Trading Post
• Head down to Martinique Beach and relax in a hammock while the kids play in the sand
• Enjoy views of the Epcot fireworks across Barefoot Bay

Animal Kingdom Resorts

• Resorts to Visit: Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village, Coronado Springs Resort, Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House
• Where to Start: Animal Kingdom or Disney Springs

Visiting the resorts in the Animal Kingdom area can take a bit of extra effort, but the following activities are worth the time. If you do nothing else, stop in at Animal Kingdom Lodge! Its theming and atmosphere are next-level. Disney’s All-Star resorts are also located in this area, but personally, I’d skip those unless you’re staying there.

Buses are the only form of Disney transportation available at these resorts. If you’re an annual passholder or a Disney resort hotel guest, start at Animal Kingdom and take a bus to the first resort on the itinerary. Otherwise, start at Disney Springs.

Animal Kingdom Lodge – Kidani Village

• Start the day with the little-known Sanaa Kuamsha Breakfast amid sweeping views of the Savanna
• Complete a variety of educational activities to earn beads for your String of Memories (Look for the Mickey totem to find each one)
• Chat with African Cultural Ambassadors and Animal Care cast members in the lobby and throughout the resort
• View the incredible collection of African art on display
• Visit the first-floor Savanna overlook and the Palace Library balcony for more great views of the on-site African animals and to talk with the Savanna Guides to learn more about the animals and their habitats
• Search for the African butterfly proverbs on the walls
• Hop on a bus back to Animal Kingdom, and then take a bus to Coronado Springs

Coronado Springs Resort

• Take a Nature Walk and visit the butterfly gardens (pick up guide maps at the gift shop kiosk by Lago Durado Lake)
• Grab a quick lunch at Siestas Cantina
• Let the kids check out the archaeologically themed Explorers Playground at The Dig Site
• Play Foot Snooker
• Pick up a clue guide from the concierge and complete the unique “Luz del Destino” scavenger hunt
• Explore Grand Destino Tower and look for hidden Mickeys
• Find the Bruno photo prop, pose for a photo, and visit the front desk for a surprise
• Head back to Animal Kingdom and take the bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House

Animal Kingdom Lodge – Jambo House

• Enjoy the daily drum circle in the Boma waiting area
• Dinner at Boma (Don’t forget Zebra Domes for dessert!)
• Travel to the 5th floor for a fabulous view of the lobby from the Maasai bridge
• Check out the animal viewing areas at Arusha Rock, Sunset Overlook, and Uzima Overlook
• Tour the African art collection at Jambo House
• Gather around the campfire and roast a complimentary marshmallow
• Ask an attendant at the Savanna viewing areas if there are any night-vision goggles available
• Catch the Movie Under the Stars at the Hakuna Matata Playground

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