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Skip Disney Springs & Do This Instead!

Exploring Walt Disney World Beyond Disney Springs

Disney Springs is one of the most popular spots at Walt Disney World, famous for its incredible dining and shopping. But with that popularity comes the crowds. If you’re craving great food and unique shops without the hustle and bustle, here are a few other Disney destinations worth checking out!

Explore Your Disney Resort

If you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort, don’t forget to take some time to enjoy everything your resort has to offer! Each resort has its own special touches and activities that make it more than just a place to sleep. You might find:

  • Crafts & activities (some may have a small fee)
  • Poolside fun, like trivia and games
  • Campfires and marshmallow roasting
  • Movies Under the Stars
  • Shopping at resort gift shops
  • Dining at deluxe resorts – Many offer incredible table-service restaurants that are worth a visit, even if you’re not staying there.

Visiting Disney Resorts (Even If You’re Staying Off-Property)

You don’t have to be a resort guest to experience the magic of Walt Disney World’s incredible hotels! Each resort has its own theme, dining, and atmosphere that make exploring them an adventure in itself. Here’s what to know before you go:

  • Free Disney Transportation
    Hop on Disney’s complimentary transportation to visit any resort—buses, boats, the Skyliner, and the monorail all make it easy to get around. You can even walk to some resorts from nearby parks.
  • Parking at Disney Springs
    Park for free at Disney Springs and catch a bus to any Disney Resort. When you’re done exploring, simply take a bus back to Disney Springs—no parking fees or hassle.
  • Driving or Using Rideshare
    If you’re driving or taking a rideshare, you’ll need a table-service dining reservation to park or be dropped off at a Disney Resort. Security will confirm your reservation upon arrival. Self-parking is free for guests with dining reservations, while valet parking is available for an additional fee.
  • Monorail Resort Access
    Visiting the Monorail Resorts—Disney’s Polynesian Village, Grand Floridian, and Contemporary Resorts—is a must! A table-service dining reservation is usually required for parking access. During busy times like Christmas or Thanksgiving, parking may be limited to resort guests only. The easiest way to visit is by taking the monorail from Magic Kingdom or the Ticket & Transportation Center.

Fun Disney Resort Adventures

With these tips in mind, consider exploring Disney’s resorts for a more relaxed experience with fantastic dining, shopping, and unique entertainment!

1. Ride the Disney World Monorail and Explore the Deluxe Resorts

Few experiences capture the magic of Walt Disney World quite like riding the Monorail. Kids (and plenty of adults!) are always enchanted by it, and it’s one of the most fun — and free — ways to explore Disney’s most iconic resorts.

The Monorail connects three Deluxe Resorts:

  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort

You can easily hop aboard the Disney Resort Monorail right outside Magic Kingdom, or enjoy a leisurely walk between resorts, and there are also boats to each resort. The Contemporary is just steps from Magic Kingdom, while the Grand Floridian is about a half-mile away. A scenic walkway now connects all three resorts, offering gorgeous views of Seven Seas Lagoon along the way.

If you’re not visiting Magic Kingdom, you can still experience the Monorail by making a dining reservation at one of the Monorail resorts. After your meal, you’re welcome to board and explore! Or you can take the bus from your Disney Resort to the Magic Kingdom and pick up the monorail from there.

Here are some things to explore at each resort:

Disney’s Contemporary Resort

  • Steakhouse 71 – Great for any meal and one of the best values on Disney property.
  • California Grill – My personal favorite restaurant at Disney World, offering a stunning view and a prix fixe menu.
  • Chef Mickey’s – A lively character dining experience with Mickey and friends, and a front-row seat to the Monorail gliding through the resort.

Don’t Miss: End your evening by catching the Electrical Water Pageant, a nighttime boat parade that floats by all three Monorail resorts — as well as Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness Resort.

Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

  • Grand Floridian Café – One of our favorite hidden gems! The menu is upscale yet reasonably priced.
  • Citricos – An elegant, Mary Poppins Returns–themed restaurant that’s perfect for a special meal.
  • Gasparilla Island Grill – Their quick service often features fun seasonal cupcakes and cookies.

Don’t Miss: During the holidays, the life-sized Gingerbread House in the lobby is a must-see (and yes, they sell treats made inside it!). Afterward, take a stroll along the waterfront path to the Polynesian — it’s especially beautiful at sunset. NOTE: There will be no Gingerbread House at the Grand Floridian this year due to the construction in the lobby.

Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort

  • ‘Ohana – A popular, family-style restaurant that’s always in high demand.
  • Kona Café – Famous for its pot stickers and Tonga Toast breakfast. One of our favorites.
  • Capt. Cook’s – A great quick-service stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner (try the Thai Coconut Meatballs or Pulled Pork Nachos!).
  • Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto – A fun, tiki-themed lounge full of Disney details and surprises. Arrive early to put your name on the waitlist, as it fills up fast!

Don’t Miss: Grab a classic Dole Whip from the Pineapple Lanai just outside the lobby doors. The Polynesian has such a relaxed, tropical vibe — and the view of Cinderella Castle across the lagoon is unforgettable.

2. Visit the BoardWalk & Crescent Lake Area

Located just behind Epcot, the BoardWalk and Crescent Lake area is one of our favorite spots to explore — and even stay! With stunning views, unique shopping, fantastic dining, and evening entertainment along the BoardWalk, it’s the perfect place to soak up Disney magic outside the theme parks.

The Crescent Lake area is home to three Disney Resorts:

  • BoardWalk Inn
  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

Nearby are the non-Disney resorts, Swan and Dolphin, which also offer dining and entertainment options.

Getting There

There are several ways to access the area:
  • Walk or take a boat from Epcot or Hollywood Studios.
  • Hop on the Skyliner (more on that below!).
  • Drive and enjoy a dining reservation at one of the resorts before exploring the area.

Here Are Some Things to Explore at Each Resort:

BoardWalk Inn

Yacht Club Resort

Beach Club Resort

Holiday Highlights:

  • Gingerbread carousel at the Beach Club
  • Gingerbread display at the BoardWalk
  • Holiday train at the Yacht Club

Swan and Dolphin Resorts

3. Ride Disney’s Skyliner

Disney’s Skyliner is Walt Disney World’s newer gondola system, connecting several resorts to Hollywood Studios and Epcot. It’s not just transportation — it’s an attraction in itself! We highly recommend riding the entire route, even if you don’t plan to visit the parks. You can hop on and off at any stop along the way, making it easy to explore the resorts at your own pace.

Skyliner Route & Resorts

  • From Epcot’s International Gateway → Disney’s Riviera Resort & Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
    • At Caribbean Beach, you can switch lines and continue on to Disney’s Pop Century Resort and Disney’s Art of Animation Resort.

These resorts are full of playful details and oversized statues that kids (and adults!) will love. The Cars section at Art of Animation is particularly incredible. If you’re feeling adventurous, turn it into a Skyliner snack crawl or drink crawl, stopping at each resort for treats along the way!

Dining Tips & Resort Access

  • To park at a Skyliner resort, make a table-service dining reservation at Caribbean Beach Resort or Riviera Resort. These two resorts are connected, making it easy to walk between them and explore everything they have to offer.
  • You can also start your Skyliner adventure from the International Gateway at Epcot and combine it with a dining reservation at one of the BoardWalk area resorts. Or you can take a bus from your Disney Resort to Hollywood Studios, where there is a Skyliner station right there outside the park entrance.

Recommended Restaurants Along the Skyliner

Caribbean Beach Resort

Disney’s Riviera Resort

  • Topolino’s Terrace – Highly recommended for Breakfast à la Art with Mickey & Friends, currently our favorite character meal at Walt Disney World! Not only are the characters fantastic, but the food is exceptional. Dinner is also excellent, though without the characters

4. Visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge

Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge is a must-see, even if you’re not staying there. The resort is made up of two buildings: Jambo House (standard rooms and Disney Vacation Club rooms) and Kidani Village (Disney Vacation Club rooms only). Both are breathtakingly beautiful, and the real showstopper is right outside: four savannas home to over 200 animals. You can spend hours spotting giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife right from the resort’s balconies and viewing areas.

Holiday Tip: Visit during the holidays to see some of the most stunning Disney decorations — Animal Kingdom Lodge really goes all out.

Dining Highlights

Jambo House

  • Boma – Our favorite spot for breakfast, featuring a large buffet with flavors from around Africa, and something for everyone.
  • Jiko – An excellent choice for dinner, offering upscale African-inspired cuisine.

Kidani Village

  • Sanaa – Famous for its African and Indian-inspired dishes; don’t miss the bread service, which is popular for good reason.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is the perfect combination of stunning design, unique wildlife experiences, and incredible dining — making it one of the most immersive resorts at Walt Disney World.

5. Visit Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Fort Wilderness

If you haven’t explored Disney’s Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, you’re missing out! Both are easily accessible by boat from Magic Kingdom, and anyone can hop on the boats to visit, whether or not you’re staying there. You can also make a dining reservation at one of the resorts to park and explore after your meal.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge

This Deluxe Resort is a serene escape near Bay Lake, inspired by Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn. The lobby is stunning, featuring an 82-foot-tall fireplace surrounded by rocking chairs and a picturesque bridge over a little brook. Outside, don’t miss the Fire Rock Geyser, which erupts up to 120 feet, which erupts up to 120 feet every hour on the hour from 7am to 10pm — a true Disney spectacle! Be sure to verify times at the front desk.

Holiday Tip: Wilderness Lodge is especially magical during the holiday season.

Dining Highlights:

Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground

This resort offers cabins and campsites packed with family-friendly activities. You can try archery, horseback riding, wagon rides, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and even a Campfire Sing-Along with Chip ‘n’ Dale.

Seasonal Fun: Guests decorate campsites and RVs for Halloween and Christmas, making it a festive stroll to explore. You can also book a horse-drawn carriage ride to take in all the holiday decorations.

Dining Highlight:

Wilderness Lodge and Fort Wilderness are perfect for families and anyone looking for a peaceful, activity-filled escape from the parks — with the bonus of incredible dining and holiday magic.

6. Take a Break from the Parks and Dine at a Disney Resort

Sometimes the best way to recharge during a theme park day is to head out to a Disney Resort for a meal. The resorts are generally much less crowded than the parks, and many offer fantastic quick-service and table-service dining options.

Getting there is easy: hop on a bus from the park and return whenever you’re ready, or simply leave the park early to enjoy the beautifully themed resorts at a more relaxed pace. It’s a wonderful way to escape the crowds while still experiencing Disney magic.

Final Thoughts
Some of our favorite Walt Disney World memories have been made outside the theme parks, wandering the resorts, trying unique restaurants, and discovering little details that make each resort special. We hope these ideas inspire you to explore beyond Disney Springs on your next trip — there’s so much more than the parks to explore!

Ready to plan your visit to the magic? Email me for a no-obligation quote, and I’ll help you plan the most magical vacation! My services are complimentary when you book with me, including all my tips and advice. 

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