Disney on the Cheap: Touring the Resorts

I have always wanted to tour the Disney resorts, but when I pay a heaping pile of money for tickets into the parks, you can bet I will be in those parks from open to close. Thus, I've never had time to travel around to the amazing resorts that Disney has to offer...until now.

Some of Disney's resorts are absolutely gorgeous.

Boardwalk resort

All of them have dining and shopping options and some are even like mini-parks all by themselves. Such is the case with the Boardwalk resort. This resort is like a miniature version of Downtown Disney and is connected by a lagoon to the Beach and Yacht Club resorts and the Swan hotel. The Boardwalk is home to the ESPN cafe', a beautiful art gallery and, I've been told at night, even has street performers like musicians and magicians. 

The Grand Floridian Resort

 While doing discount Disney research online, Abbey learned that you can see the Magic Kingdom fireworks from the boathouse of The Grand Floridian. So we thought we'd check it out. 

The boat house at Grand Flordian

We could definitely see the fireworks, but the lights in the boathouse were never turned down and the musical score that goes with the fireworks show was only played through the speakers at Narcosees' restaurant which is seen in the background of the photo above. We still enjoyed the fireworks though. And honestly, the hotel is breathtaking...expensive...but breathtaking. 

As a bonus, there is a lakeside light and musical show that you can see from the boathouse. It also travels to the Polynesian resort. If you've ever seen the Electrical Light Parade in the Magic Kingdom, it's a smaller, aquatic version.

At the Animal Kingdom Lodge, they have a miniature version of an African savanna. Giraffes, antelope, water buffalo, zebra and birds abound. This place was amazing and one I'd love to stay in someday if our family of 6 wouldn't have to stay at the concierge level which starts at $400 per night. [More about this resort with my upcoming dining post.]

The best find though may have been that you can ride one of the boats from Downtown Disney to the Port Orleans French Quarter resort for some freshly made, "man-catching" beignets! (If you don't know the reference, watch The Princess and the Frog)

Leah at the French Quarter

Those beignets were delicious, there were six of them for less than $5.00 and we found out afterwards that you can even get them gluten free!

Some things to keep in mind about touring the resorts.

• All Disney transportation is free, but there is no hotel-to-hotel transport. You have to ride from a resort to either a park or Downtown Disney and then transfer to the bus, boat or monorail that you need.
• All Disney resort guests are wearing wristbands. I confess I struggled with being very self-conscious about not having one. But there were plenty of other people without them as the evening went on.
• Parking is free at the resorts, but you must show a valid ID upon entry. I also thought you needed to have an excuse to be there (i.e. dining on site) but then one of the guards shared that you can just get in to see the resort, no excuses needed.
• All pools are for the exclusive use of Disney resort guests and you must have a wristband to enter them.
• If you want your children to see characters without entering the parks, a few of the resorts are home to fairly tasty character meals. At resorts in the past, we have dined with Chip and Dale, Mickey, Goofy, Minnie, Pluto and one time, even Roger Rabbit. The Grand Floridian has an Alice in Wonderland tea and hosts some of the Disney princesses. They are quickly filled, so reserve them as soon as you know you're heading to Disney, as much as four months in advance. They are also some of the most expensive dining on Disney property.

If you want some classic Disney fun, head out to the Value level resorts of All Star Sports, All Star Music, All Star Movies, Pop Century or Art of Animation resorts. All of them have larger than life photo opportunities. We had never been to the Art of Animation, so on our way out of town the last day, we stopped to check it out. I'll leave you with a sampling of some of the great characters you can see there.

My kids always insist that I am a hippie. For this photo, I obliged them.