How to Resort Hop at Disney World- Our Top 5 Itineraries for Each Resort Area

Resort hopping is still one of the most underrated activities to add to your itinerary on a Disney vacation. Anyone who’s visited the Disney theme parks knows that Disney is all about its theming and attention to detail. After all, it’s what makes me want to experience certain attractions over and over again. But the four theme parks at Disney World are nothing compared to the over twenty-five hotels on Disney property!

Each Disney World hotel boasts its own theming that is sure to amaze even the most astute Disney aficionado. That’s why as an Orlando local, I can’t stress enough how magical your vacation will be if you plan a resort hopping day. But what’s the best way to plan a resort hopping day, and what activities should you include in it? Let’s get into five different resort hopping itineraries you should try

READ MORE – Secret Things to Do at Disney World Only the Theme Park Pros Know Exist 

Monorail Resorts

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

Resort hopping the hotels on the Disney World monorail line is great because it’s simple, convenient, and it gives you a chance to see some of Disney World’s best hotels.

If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel or are a Disney World annual passholder, start at the Transportation and Ticket Center. This gives you direct access to the monorail. Otherwise, park at Disney Springs (since it’s free) and take the bus to the first hotel on the Monorail Resort loop.

Here’s how I would personally plan my resort hopping day at the Monorail resorts.

Grand Floridian Resort

• Have a character dining breakfast at 1900 Park Fare
• Explore the main lobby
• Explore The Villas and see the Mary Poppins fountain
• Schedule a spa appointment at the Grand Floridian Spa

Contemporary Resort

• Have lunch at Steakhouse 71
• Explore the Grand Concourse on the fourth floor
• Shop at Bay View Gifts and Fantasia
• Explore the area surrounding Bay Lake, including the beach and walkway around Bay Lake Tower and the Garden Wing

Polynesian Village Resort

• Explore the Great Ceremonial House lobby, take a breath, and relax
• Shop at Moana Mercantile
• Have dinner at Kona Cafe
• Enjoy Dole Whip from Pineapple Lanai
• Walk along the shores of Seven Seas Lagoon
• Watch the fireworks from the beach
• Have a late night drink at Trader Sam’s or Wailulu Bar and Grill

EPCOT Resorts

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

Like resort hopping the Monorail resorts, hopping around the EPCOT resorts is simple and convenient, but with one major difference: you can simply walk around to visit each hotel without using transportation.

If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel or are a Disney World annual passholder, start at Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This gives you direct access to the Disney World Skyliner. Otherwise, park at Disney Springs (since it’s free) and take the bus to any one of the following hotels.

Here’s how I would personally plan my resort hopping day at the EPCOT resorts:

Yacht and Beach Club Resorts

• Grab breakfast at Ale & Compass or character dining at Cape May Cafe
• Explore the lobbies at both the Yacht Club and Beach Club (an indoor walkway connects the two resorts)
• Grab ice cream at Beaches and Cream
• Watch the FriendShip boats float by from a swing on the beach

Swan Reserve

• Grab a coffee at Grounds Coffee Bar
• Test your putting skills at Disney’s Fantasia Gardens and Fairways Miniature Golf

Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotels

• Grab a late lunch at Il Mulino at the Swan Hotel
• Explore the beautiful area surrounding both the Swan and Dolphin hotels
• Enjoy the views of the EPCOT resorts from the bridge connecting the Swan and Dolphin hotels

BoardWalk Inn

• Explore the shops (Screen Door General Store, Promenade Art Gallery)
• Have dinner at Flying Fish or Trattoria al Forno
• Rent a surrey bike and pedal around Crescent Lake
• Watch the EPCOT fireworks from the bridge connecting the BoardWalk and the Yacht and Beach Club hotels
• Enjoy the live entertainment (every Thursday through Saturday evening)
• Grab a late night snack from Blue Ribbon Corn Dogs or The Cake Bake Shop
• Grab a late night drink at Belle Vue Lounge or Abracadabar

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

Like resort hopping the Monorail resorts, hopping around the Skyliner resorts is simple and convenient, but instead of using the Monorail to get around, you’ll use the Walt Disney World Skyliner.

If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel or are a Disney World annual passholder, start at the Disney’s Hollywood Studios. This gives you direct access to the Skyliner. Otherwise, park at Disney Springs (since it’s free) and take the bus to any one of the following hotels.

Here’s how I would personally plan my resort hopping day at the Skyliner resorts:

Riviera Resort

• Start with a character dining breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace
• Shop at La Boutique
• Explore the tile murals on the way to the Skyliner

Pop Century Resort and Art of Animation Resort

• Walk around Hourglass Lake
• Explore the theming of both hotels

Caribbean Beach Resort

• Explore the lighthouse just outside of Centertown Market
• Explore Caribbean Cay, the island near Old Port Royale and take an afternoon break on one of the swings
• Rent a bicycle and ride around Barefoot Bay
• Grab an afternoon drink at Banana Cabana

Riviera Resort

• Grab lunch at Bar Riva or Primo Piatto
• Take an art tour – pick up a copy of the self-guided tour in the lobby
• Grab a coffee and pastry at Le Petit Cafe
• Have dinner at Topolino’s Terrace and stay to watch the EPCOT fireworks at the outdoor terrace

Animal Kingdom Resorts

• Resorts to Visit: Animal Kingdom Lodge, All-Star Resorts, Coronado Springs Resort
• Where to Start: Animal Kingdom or Disney Springs

Resort hopping the Animal Kingdom resorts requires a little more effort, but is no less fun than our previous itineraries.

If you’re staying at a Disney World hotel or are a Disney World annual passholder, start at the Animal Kingdom theme park. This gives you direct access to the Disney buses that are closest to these hotels. Otherwise, park at Disney Springs (since it’s free) and take the bus to any one of the following hotels.

Here’s how I would personally plan my resort hopping day at the Animal Kingdom resorts:

Animal Kingdom Lodge

• Grab an early breakfast at Boma, Flavors of Africa
• Take a free art tour of the Jambo House lobby (Monday through Friday 11:00am)
• Take a self-guided art tour of Kidani Village
• Visit the public viewing areas to see the animals grazing along the savannas
• Shop at Zawadi Market Place and Johari Treasures
• Before transferring resorts, grab lunch at Sanaa

All-Star Resorts

• Walk the 1-mile pathway connecting All-Star Music, All-Star Sports, and All-Star Movies resorts
• Have fun at any of the arcades at the All-Star resorts (the biggest arcades you’ll find on Disney World property)
• Explore whimsical theming of each resort (including a larger-than-life replica of Herbie the Love Bug, a massive drumset, and a humungous tennis racket)

Coronado Springs

• Walk around Lago Dorado and explore the resort grounds
• Find all the hidden Mickeys around the resort (ask the front desk for the scavenger hunt guide)
• Shop at Panchito’s Gifts and Sundries
• Have dinner at Toledo
• Explore Gran Destino Tower and el Centro Lobby
• Grab a late night drink at Three Bridges Bar and Grill or Dahlia Lounge

Disney Springs Resorts

• Resorts to Visit: Saratoga Springs Resort, Old Key West Resort, Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Where to Start: Disney Springs

Much like resort hopping the Animal Kingdom resorts, resort hopping the Disney Springs resorts also requires a little more effort – but with a different form of transportation.

Whether or not you’re staying at a Disney World resort or are an annual passholder, you should start at Disney Springs and take the Sassagoula River Cruise Ferry Boat to your first hotel on this list. Then, to transfer between hotels, you either take a walking path between Saratoga Springs and Old Key West or take the Sassagoula River Cruise Ferry Boat back to Disney Springs before transferring to a different ferry boat to your next hotel.

Here’s how I would personally plan my resort hopping day at the Disney Springs resorts:

Saratoga Springs Resort

• For the golfers, grab a quick breakfast at The Artist’s Palette and then test your skills at Disney’s Lake Buena Vista Golf Course, a 4-star rated course by golf Digest
• Otherwise, walk around the beautiful grounds at this resort
• Or explore the resort grounds on a bicycle
• Then, take the walking path over to Old Key West Resort

Old Key West Resort

• Have lunch at Olivia’s Cafe
• Grab key lime DOLE Whip at Good’s Foot to Go
• Sit and relax in the lobby at the Hospitality House
• Take the Sassagoula River Cruise Ferry Boat to Disney Springs for a little shopping
• Then, head over to Port Orleans – Riverside

Port Orleans Resort – Riverside and French Quarter

• Take a horse-drawn carriage ride at Riverside
• Or rent bikes and ride around Port Orleans – Riverside and French Quarter
• Shop at Fulton’s General Store at Riverside
• Shop at Jackson Square Gifts and Desires at French Quarter
• Have dinner and enjoy the music of Yehaa Bob Jackson at River Roost at Riverside
• Or have dinner and enjoy beignets while listening to live jazz at Scat Cat’s Club Lounge at French Quarter

READ MORE – Disney World Pros Know Not to Ignore These 10 Overlooked Food Items at the Parks