Headed to Walt Disney World and not sure whether staying at more than on on-property resort is for you? Or maybe you’re all about switching resorts but not sure of what’s involved? Either way, there are definitely some fun perks of resort hopping at Disney World. From pool hopping to saving money, here are my favorites.
There really isn’t a trip to Walt Disney World that doesn’t involve resort hopping at this point for me and my family. You see, I’m one of those planners that makes a main on-property resort reservation and then tacks days onto the beginning or end at the last minute. With the growing popularity of staying onsite, it’s becoming harder to find rooms at the last minute (at the same resort we originally planned), so resort hopping at Disney World is the way to go for us.
What Does Resort Hopping at Disney World Entail?
To quickly answer, it’s checking out of one resort and checking into another during a single trip. While it sounds like a snap, keep in mind there’s more to it. You’ll have to pack up your belongings and either move them to the next resort yourself or ask Disney concierge to do it for you.
If you’re driving and have a vehicle with you the entire time, taking them with you is the way to go. There does tend to be some lag time between resorts. If you’ve flown in, you could always use the Minnie Van service (for a cost, of course). Or lastly, ask the front desk to transfer your bags. You’ll need to have them packed and ready to go when bell services arrives at your room.
There is no charge to have Disney Guest Services transfer your luggage to another on-property resort, either. But, please keep in mind, tipping is always appreciated.
Saving Money by Resort Hopping
If given the choice between staying at a Deluxe Resort one time per year or staying at a Value Resort three times a year, you can bet I’ll choose the latter. For one, I adore the theming of Disney’s Value Resorts. The larger-than-life icons, combined with the family-friendly atmosphere, put me right in the middle of the Disney bubble.
But sometimes, I want to stay at a Moderate or Deluxe Resort, if only for a night or two. So, by tacking on a night at a higher end on-property resort, I get all of the amenities and perks without having to spend my entire budget on accommodations.
Want more details on why I love Disney’s budget accommodations? Here are six advantages to staying at a Walt Disney World Value Resort.
Perks of Resort Hopping at Disney World: Non-Park Park Days
If you’re planning to take a day away from the theme parks, taking advantage of the hourly events around the main pool area is a good way to go. For us, if we do take a break from the parks, it’s usually at the end of our trip when we’re exhausted. So, oftentimes we’ll hop to another Disney Resort with an amazing pool and just hang out.
The main pool area at any Disney Resort is the heart of the fun, in my humble opinion. It’s where the daily activities, Movies Under the Stars (at MOST of the Resorts), and holiday fun events are. It’s also a great place to just hang out relax, too. When my daughter was little, a pool was a pool was a pool, so a Value Resort pool was just as fun as a Deluxe one.
If you’re a DVC Member, keep in mind you are able to pool hop to other DVC Resorts, apart from a few super popular ones. There are blackout dates for DVC pool hopping, so make sure you check the calendar.
- Animal Kingdom Lodge Uzima Pool
- Animal Kingdom Lodge Kidani Village Samawati Springs
- Art of Animation Resort Pools
- Bay Cove Pool at Bay Lake Tower
- Beach Club Resort Leisure Pool
- Polynesian Village Resort Nanea Volcano Pool
- Wilderness Lodge Cooper Creek Springs Pool
- Yacht & Beach Club Resort Stormalong Bay
Also of note:
- Guests of Disney’s All-Star Resorts (All-star Sports, All-Star Music and All-Star Movies) may pool hop between any of the pools.
- Guests at Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside may use pools at both locations.
Want the scoop on the best places to swim at Disney World? Here are my five best Walt Disney World pools.
Staying Closer to Your Favorite Theme Park
A couple of years ago, my family and I stayed, on the same trip, at all three levels of Disney Resorts: Deluxe, Moderate, and Value. We started out at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort, moved to Disney’s Caribbean Resort, and ended up at Disney’s All-Star Music Resort.
Yes, it was a lot of packing and unpacking, but I wanted the experience of staying in all three on the same vacation to really get the feel of them. By staying at Grand Floridian, a monorail resort, we were able to literally hop on the monorail and be at Magic Kingdom in only a few minutes’ time. Staying at an All-Star Resort, you’re much closer to Disney’s Animal Kingdom so it was only a five minute bus ride to the park.
Leave a Reply