Hi Elizabeth, and welcome to planDisney.
I love your idea of resort hopping during the holidays. You’re speaking my language because exploring
Disney Resorts Collection hotels is one of my favorite ways to spend a non-park day. There’s just something special about walking into each resort’s lobby, checking out the dining options, shops, and decor, and soaking in the atmosphere each one offers. Add in all the incredible holiday decorations, and you’re in for a real treat.
You’ll be happy to know that you don’t need a theme park ticket or resort reservation to visit the resorts and take in the holiday sights. You have a few ways to make it happen. One of the easiest is to park at the Transportation & Ticket Center. From there, you can hop on the monorail and visit the trio of resorts that shine during the holidays:
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort,
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and
Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Typically, the Grand Floridian’s massive gingerbread house is a can’t-miss stop; however, due to lobby renovations this year, I don’t believe you will get to experience it. From the Contemporary, you can even take a water taxi over to
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, which looks straight out of a cozy Christmas postcard.
If you’re looking for another route, parking at Disney’s Hollywood Studios opens up a whole new set of resorts to explore. You can walk or take a Friendship Boat to the Swan, Dolphin,
Disney’s BoardWalk Inn,
Disney’s Yacht Club, and
Disney’s Beach Club. These are all connected and beautifully decorated. When you’re done, hop on the
Disney Skyliner to visit Disney’s Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Pop Century, and Art of Animation.
You can also start your day at
Disney Springs. It’s decked out for the holidays and has plenty of festive shopping and dining options. I’d recommend grabbing a donut and coffee from Everglazed Donuts & Cold Brew, picking up a few souvenirs at
World of Disney, then catching a complimentary Disney bus to your first resort stop. It’s an easy and relaxed way to kick off your holiday resort tour.
Elizabeth, I think you’re going to have an incredible time taking in all the sights, smells, and sounds of the season across Walt Disney World’s resorts. If you’d like, I can help you plan a route or suggest some can’t-miss snacks and drinks along the way to make the most of your day.
Send me another question and I’ll be happy to help you map out the perfect holiday resort-hopping itinerary.
See you real soon,
Brent