Hi Mary,
What a great idea! Your plan will allow you to get a glimpse of the magic, without having to utilize a park pass. Disney's
Monorail Transportation system, known as the "Highway in the Sky", has three different routes. There are no restrictions on who can ride the monorail, so can take a relaxing trip even if you aren't staying in one of the resorts on the loop.
The Resort Loop is a circle that runs all the way around the Seven Seas Lagoon. You can board at the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC), Magic Kingdom Park (outside the entrance), or at any of the three resorts on the loop. The order of stops is as follows: TTC, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Magic Kingdom Park, the Contemporary Resort and then back to the TTC again.
The Express Loop runs in the opposite direction of the Resort Loop and only stops at Magic Kingdom Park and the TTC. You will still go by the three resorts mentioned above, but you won't stop. It is primarily used by guests who are being dropped off at the TTC and are heading to the Magic Kingdom. It is also used by guests who are Park Hopping between the Magic Kingdom and Epcot so they can change to a different monorail at the TTC.
The Epcot Loop runs from the TTC to Epcot and back. This is my favorite loop. You can enjoy a relaxing 15-minute ride (approximately). At the end of the trip, you actually make a pass through Epcot's Future World, without having to use a ticket. It's a neat way to get a sneak peek of the park.
My recommendation is that you start by heading to any of the stops along the Resort Loop and ride that all the way around. Then get off at the TTC and hop on the Epcot monorail to enjoy that loop as well.
Wishing you magical memories,
Kaylene