Hi Mary,
Welcome to planDisney!
I love this plan and have a few ideas! Let me say upfront that without a resort hotel or advanced dining reservation, you may not be allowed through the security gate at a
Disney Resorts Collection hotel if you are not using
Resort Transportation. I have been in an Uber or Lyft and have, at times, been asked for my room number or dining reservation at the entrance to a Disney resort hotel. For this reason, I will offer some suggestions including
Walt Disney World® Bus Service even though that is not your preference!
First, if you want to start at Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge, make a late breakfast or early dinner reservation at
Boma - Flavors of Africa. You could also make a lunch or dinner reservation at
Sanaa at Kidani Village. From there you could take Walt Disney World® Bus Service to Disney's Animal Kingdom and then, from there, hop on a bus to one of the Disney All-Star resorts -
Disney's All-Star Music,
Disney's All-Star Movies, or
Disney's All-Star Sports. While there, you can explore these three value resort hotels.
Next, I recommend catching
Walt Disney World® Bus Service to Disney's Hollywood Studios. Once you get to Disney's Hollywood Studios, look for the
Disney Skyliner. Using the Disney Skyliner, you can visit Disney's Art of Animation Resort, Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Pop Century Resort, and Disney's Riviera Resort. Disney's Art of Animation and Pop Century Resorts are both value resorts. While all of them are quite lovely, each with unique features, I love Disney's Riviera Resort. Once you have visited the resorts along the Skyliner route, take the Skyliner to EPCOT.
Mary, once you debark at the EPCOT International Gateway Station, walk along
Disney's BoardWalk area to see Disney's BoardWalk Inn, Disney's Beach Club Resort, and Disney's Yacht Club Resort. My family loves the BoardWalk area, so take your time enjoying it. I actually love to just sit and people watch, especially in the evening. I hope this gives you some ideas. Have a wonderful time!
Magic and memories,
Donyell