Many Disney Adult vacations at Walt Disney World revolve around Early Park Entry & rope dropping, park hopping, Lightning Lanes, and late-night fireworks. Those experiences are certainly part of the magic, but they are not the only way to enjoy your time at Disney World. One of the most underrated activities available to guests is resort hopping.
Whether you’re looking for a break from the parks, hoping to save money, or simply wanting to explore more of what Walt Disney World has to offer, resort hopping can easily fill an entire day with unique experiences.
What Is Resort Hopping?
Resort hopping is the practice of visiting multiple Disney Resorts Collection Hotels during your vacation. Instead of spending the day in a theme park, you travel between resorts to explore their lobbies, restaurants, shops, recreational areas, and themed environments.
Each Disney Resort has its own personality, architecture, dining options, and atmosphere. For instance, you’ll find Latin influences at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort, while feeling safari vibes on the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge. With each resort taking on its own theme, visiting different Disney resorts can feel like taking mini vacations around the world without ever leaving Walt Disney World.
Best of all, resort hopping is completely free.
Why Would You Want to Resort Hop?
Many guests spend their entire vacation focused on the theme parks and never realize how much there is to see beyond the park gates.
Resort hopping allows you to:
- Explore Disney’s incredible resort theming
- Visit restaurants and lounges you may not otherwise experience
- Shop for unique resort-specific merchandise
- Enjoy beautiful walking paths and outdoor areas
- Take photos in some of Disney World’s most scenic locations
- Experience Disney transportation options like the Monorail and Skyliner
- Enjoy a Disney day without a park ticket
It is also a fantastic way to slow down and recharge during a busy vacation.
A Great Option for a Resort Day
Many Disney veterans schedule at least one “resort day” during longer vacations.
After several consecutive park days, the combination of sun, heat, and crowds can be exhausting. A resort day provides a chance to relax while still enjoying the Disney bubble.
Instead of purchasing an expensive park ticket for this day, you can spend the day resort hopping and exploring different areas of Walt Disney World. This can help reduce vacation costs while still providing plenty of entertainment, dining, and sightseeing opportunities.
You still get Disney transportation, Disney music, Disney service, and Disney atmosphere; all without the long attraction queues.
How to Resort Hop Using Disney Transportation
One of the biggest advantages of resort hopping is that Disney provides multiple complimentary transportation systems that make it easy to get around.
Resort Hop Using the Monorail
The Monorail Resort Loop is one of the most popular resort-hopping routes.
The Resort Monorail route connects the following resorts:
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Simply board the Resort Monorail and exit at each hotel to explore.
Along the way you can enjoy iconic dining locations, unique shopping experiences, beautiful lobbies, and waterfront views of Seven Seas Lagoon.
Resort Hop Using the Disney Skyliner
The Disney Skyliner offers one of the most scenic transportation experiences at Walt Disney World.
Resorts connected by the Skyliner include:
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
The Skyliner itself is an attraction for many guests thanks to its aerial views and relaxing ride experience.
A popular route is to start at Pop Century and Art of Animation to explore their larger-than-life Disney theming, ride to Caribbean Beach Resort, then visit Riviera Resort to dine with Mickey and his artist friends for breakfast at Topolino’s Terrace.
Resort Hop Using Disney Boats
Several Disney Resort areas are connected by water transportation.
Crescent Lake
Boat service connects:
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotel
These resorts are all within walking distance of one another, as well as within walking distance of EPCOT and Hollywood Studios!
Magic Kingdom Area
Boat service also operates between Magic Kingdom and several nearby resorts, including:
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
The boat rides offer relaxing views and a completely different perspective of Walt Disney World.
Resort Hop Using Disney Buses
Disney buses provide access to virtually every resort on property. However, buses do not operate routes from one resort to another.
The easiest method to resort hop is to travel to a theme park or Disney Springs, then transfer to a bus heading toward the resort you wish to visit.
This option gives you the greatest flexibility and allows you to reach resorts that are not connected to the Monorail, Skyliner, or boat systems. You can even check bus arrival times to your resort on the My Disney Experience app.
What To Do While Resort Hopping
A successful resort-hopping day is about more than transportation.
Consider:
- Trying a snack or meal at each resort
- Participating in one of the activities offered at resorts
- Exploring unique merchandise at resort gift shops
- Visiting resort lounges
- Taking photos around themed grounds
- Looking for hidden details and storytelling elements
- Watching the Electrical Water Pageant near the Magic Kingdom area resorts
Many guests discover that some of their favorite Disney memories happen outside the parks.
The Bottom Line
Resort hopping is one of the best free activities available at Walt Disney World. It offers a chance to experience Disney’s incredible resorts, enjoy unique transportation systems, discover new dining options, and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the theme parks. If you are visiting Disney World with a romantic interest, this would also be a great day to schedule a date night at a resort restaurant.
Disney Adults, if your vacation includes a non-park day, consider dedicating it to resort hopping. You’ll save money on park admission, avoid long attraction lines, and still spend the day immersed in Disney magic from start to finish. MouseHouseNews.net will bring you the latest to help you strategize and plan your next Disney vacation. Don’t forget to also subscribe to the MouseHouseNewsNet YouTube channel for the sights and sounds of Walt Disney World.
