Hi Traci,
Welcome back to the Disney Parks Moms Panel. I love that you are planning a trip to explore Walt Disney World resorts and get ideas for future visits.
At most resorts, you can simply show your ID to security and let them know you want to enter the resort to eat, shop or look around. If it's a holiday, a special event day or a very busy time of year, admission to parking may be limited to guests of that resort or those with confirmed dining reservations. That's particularly common at the monorail resorts near Magic Kingdom, not so much at others. So keep that in mind as you make your itinerary.
To explore all three monorail resorts -- Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village Resort and the Contemporary -- I'd probably start at Grand Floridian. It seems to have a bit more parking and it's a beautiful place to shop, have a meal or have a nosh and an adult beverage in the new
Enchanted Rose. Just hop on the monorail from there to explore the other two resorts before you make your way back to your car.
For the resorts surrounding Crescent Lake near Epcot, I would park at
Boardwalk, where the restaurants, shopping and activities along the waterfront attract lots of guests who aren't staying in the resort. From Boardwalk, you can walk easily to the Yacht and Beach Club and the Swan and Dolphin. It's a perfect opportunity to try the Kitchen Sink sundae at
Beaches & Cream.
My family can spend an entire day hanging out at Animal Kingdom Lodge or Wilderness Lodge. At Animal Kingdom Lodge, consider a meal at
Sanaa, where you can gaze at the animals on the savannah while you dine. (Don't miss the bread service. It's to die for!). At Wilderness Lodge, we love grabbing a burger by the water at
Geyser Point.
You also can use the
Skyliner to travel between the Caribbean Beach, Riviera, Pop Century and Art of Animation resorts. That's a diverse mix of styles, prices and tastes that would give you a wide range of ideas for your future accommodations.
I'd also suggest stopping by the newly re-imagined
Coronado Springs Resort. My husband and I spent three nights there in the fall and seldom left the resort. We were taken with the new Gran Destino Tower, Three Bridges Bar & Grill, Barcelona Lounge and
Toledo -- Tapas, Steak & Seafood.
Or, from Disney Springs, hop a water taxi to the two Port Orleans resorts, Old Key West or Saratoga Springs.
Wow, Traci, you could spend a week on the resort itinerary I've mentioned here. And there are almost a dozen more resorts that I haven't even touched on. So rest assured that you'll have a good time, good food and good entertainment even without stepping into one of the fabulous theme parks. Have fun, and please let us know if you want more in-depth information about any of the resorts.
Wilma