If you’ve ever wanted to experience more of Disney outside the parks, Disney World resort hopping is the ultimate way to do it! Instead of spending the day fighting crowds or rushing from ride to ride, you can explore the incredible themes, hidden activities, and delicious eats spread across more than 25 Disney hotels — all without booking a single night’s stay. Whether you’re riding the monorail, exploring Disney from up above in the Skyliner, or catching live music at the hotels, resort hopping gives you a fresh way to enjoy Disney World at your own pace. Here’s everything you need to know!

What Is Disney World Resort Hopping?

Disney World resort hopping is when you visit multiple Disney resort hotels in a single day without staying overnight at any of them. It’s similar to Disney World park hopping, where you get to experience a bunch of different themes, dining options, and more, but unlike park hopping, resort hopping doesn’t cost you a dime!

When you resort hop in Disney World, you can see the lobbies (and anything special that’s happening in them), eat at the restaurants, play games, do crafts, go shopping, and more. It’s a great activity to do on a day that you don’t want to go to the theme parks, an evening that you don’t have anything planned on, or if you’re just trying to avoid park crowds while still getting your Disney fix.

The whole experience of resort hopping works especially well when combined with Disney’s monorail system, boat transportation, and Disney Skyliner to conveniently get between resorts.

What Disney World Resorts Can You Hop To?

The great thing about Disney World Resort hopping is that you can visit them all! Yes, 25+! You don’t need to be staying at a Disney hotel (or even on Disney property) to explore them. The biggest thing to keep in mind, however, is that you have to factor in how you’re getting to (and between) them all. We’ll touch on how to use Disney transportation to your advantage in a bit, but first, here are a few recommended itineraries:

Monorail Resorts provide the easiest resort hopping experience. These three connected resorts include:

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

You can extend this route by taking boat transportation to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground.

Disney Skyliner Resorts connect via Disney’s gondola system and includes:

• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

The Skyliner also stops at EPCOT, where you can walk to nearby BoardWalk area resorts.

EPCOT Area Resorts cluster around Crescent Lake, making it easy to hop between:

• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotels

Disney Springs Resort Area features both walking paths and boat transportation connecting:

• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside

Other resort hotels like Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s All-Star Resorts, and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort require separate transportation, but are still totally doable for resort hopping.

Is It Free To Resort Hop In Disney World?

Resort hopping at Disney World is completely free when you use Disney’s transportation system. You can visit any resort without paying additional fees as long as you take a bus, monorail, boat, or the Skyliner to get there.

However, parking restrictions apply if you’re not staying at the Disney hotel you’re hopping to. Currently, Disney only allows overnight guests and anyone with a dining reservation (up to two hours before) to park at the resorts. This means that you won’t be able to drive to the resorts if you’re just planning to explore the hotel and grab a snack.

Of course, if you are relying on a dining reservation to park at the resort, the parking is free, but you’ll have to pay for your meal. And, even if you do use Disney transportation, you’ll need to pay for any food, drink, or activities that you decide to participate in while you’re resort hopping. Luckily, there are plenty of free things to do and see at each Disney World hotel, so it is possible to resort hop entirely free of charge!

Disney World Resort Hopping Transportation

The biggest thing you’ll have to plan for when resort hopping in Disney World is how you’re going to get there. Bus, monorail, boat, or skyliner transportation is available to all Disney World Resort hotels, but which mode of transportation you use (and how easy it is to get between hotels) is going to depend on where you want to visit.

The monorail connects Magic Kingdom area resorts in this order:

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

Disney boat transportation services multiple resorts in clusters, including:

• Magic Kingdom Area:
  • Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• EPCOT Area:
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
  • Disney’s Beach Club Villas
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
  • Walt Disney World Dolphin Hotel
  • Walt Disney World Swan Hotel
• Disney Springs Area:
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
  • Disney’s Port Orleans – French Quarter

The Skyliner gondola system connects select EPCOT and Hollywood Studios area resorts, including:

• Disney’s Riviera Resort
• Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
• Disney’s Pop Century Resort
• Disney’s Art of Animation Resort

The Disney Resorts that are not on this list can only be accessed via Disney’s bus transportation. While direct hotel-to-hotel bus routes do not exist, all Disney resorts connect via bus transportation through Disney Springs or the theme parks. So, if you’re not staying at a Disney resort, you can park for free at Disney Springs and catch buses to any resort from there.

When no direct transportation exists between resorts, take a bus to any theme park or Disney Springs, then transfer to a bus heading to your desired resort.

And, don’t forget that you can only park at the Disney Resorts if you are within two hours of a confirmed dining reservation or staying at the hotel as an overnight guest.

Disney World Resort Activities

You might be wondering what there is to do when you resort hop in Disney World, and the answer would be a lot! Each Disney World resort hotel offers a bunch of daily activities for guests to take advantage of, regardless of whether you’re staying there overnight or just visiting for a few hours.

You can check the resort’s activities guide for a full list of what’s going on, but here are just a few things you’ll find:

• Disney World Resort Campfires: Available at every Disney World Resort hotel on select nights
• Movies Under the Stars: Available at every Disney World Resort hotel on select nights, movies vary by date and location
• Scavenger Hunts: Available at select resorts only
• Family Games: Including trivia, bingo, and lawn games
• Games and Sports: Available at every Disney World Resort hotel, though exact games may vary
• Beaches: Available at lakeside resorts, note that swimming is not allowed
• Playgrounds
• Paid Activities: Including arts and crafts, only available at select resorts

Disney World Resort Entertainment

The Disney World theme parks aren’t the only place to catch live performances, Disney characters, and parades! Select Disney World Resort hotels also offer something special to see while you’re visiting. This includes:

• Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long: Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds
• Steel Drum Band – Caribbean Beach
• Lobby Pianist: Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Yehaa Bob Jackson: Select weekend nights only at River Roost Lounge at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• Live Jazz Music: 5 nights a week at Scat Cat’s Club at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Mardi Gras Parade: On Mardi Gras weekend only at Port Orleans – French Quarter
• Golf Cart Parade: Seasonally and on select dates only at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campgrounds
• Electrical Water Pageant: Every night, with viewing spots from Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa (including Narcoossee’s), Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground, Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Fireworks Viewing: Every night, with view locations at select resorts and Disney’s BoardWalk

Be sure to check each resort’s activities schedule or speak with a Cast Member to find out what, where, and when all of the live entertainment happens at each resort. Also note that all of these entertainment experiences are typically free to experience!

Disney World Resort Rentals

If you want something extra special and unique to do while you resort hop in Disney World, consider taking advantage of rentals! You can do things like rent bikes, watercrafts, and more, but not every resort offers them. Here’s a quick overview of what (and where) you can find rentals:

Bike Rentals are available at five resort locations. You can rent standard bikes to ride around the scenic pathways and explore the grounds at your own pace. You can rent them at:

• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
• The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
• The Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort

Surrey Bike Rentals offers a fun group activity for families of 2 to 4. These multi-passenger bikes with canopies let everyone pedal together while touring the resort areas. You can rent them at:

• Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
• Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
• Disney’s Old Key West Resort
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
• Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
• Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort

Motorized Boat Rentals are available at select monorail and Crescent Lake area resorts. These Sun Tracker Pontoon boats seat up to 10 people and let you navigate Disney’s waterways on your own (just note that the driver must be 18 years or older). You can rent them at:

• Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Beach Club Resort
• Disney’s Beach Club Villas
• Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
• Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa

Rental prices and availability change seasonally, so you should check directly with each resort for current rates, operating hours, and reservation requirements. Keep in mind that some rentals may require advance booking, especially during busy seasons.

Exclusive Disney World Resort Experiences

Most people don’t know this, but there are some really, really cool things to do at the resorts and most people miss out on them (even if they’re staying at the hotel!). While you can count on each resort to have similar offerings, some go above and beyond. For example, you can go on a nighttime safari, practice your archery skills, or even ride a horse!

Here are a few of the exclusive Disney World Resort experiences that you might want to add to your next Disney World Resort hopping itinerary:

• Starlight Safari at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
• Archery at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
• Hoop-Dee-Doo Musical Revue dinner show at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
• Sangria University at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
• Horse Drawn Carriage Ride at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside or Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
• Horseback Riding at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
• EPCOT Fireworks Cruises at Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club
• Magic Kingdom Fireworks Cruises at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
• Fishing at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort & Campground, Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, Disney’s Old Key West Resort, Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside, Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, and Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
• Tennis Lessons at Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort, Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, Disney’s BoardWalk Inn, Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts

As you might have noticed, Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort is home to some of the most unique recreation activities, but you can still find plenty of fun things to do at the other resorts, too! Just ask a Cast Member or check online to see what else is offered at other resorts you plan to hop to on your next trip.

Disney World Resort Dining

My favorite thing about Disney World resort hopping is getting to try all the FOOD! Every Disney hotel has restaurants with their own unique flavors, treats, and drinks that you won’t find anywhere else. And, I’d argue that some of the best restaurants in Disney World are actually hiding in the hotels!

The easiest places to eat when you’re resort hopping are the quick service restaurants because each hotel has one and you can just walk up and order – no reservation necessary! Resort hopping is also a great time to try the different lounges in the Disney hotels like Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort or The Enchanted Rose at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. If you plan to explore the bars, check out our full guide to 7 (!!) Disney World bar crawls here to give you the perfect resort hopping itinerary for anyone 21+!

Disney World Moderate and Deluxe Resorts also feature at least one table service restaurant, and they’re all worth trying! Just note that you’ll need a dining reservation (which can be made 60 days in advance) to eat at them. The walkup waitlist may be available when you’re there, but it’s not guaranteed and can involve a long wait depending on when you’re traveling.

Disney World Resort Hopping Tips & Tricks

Best Times and Days to Resort Hop

Weekdays (Monday through Thursdays) usually offer the best resort hopping experience with fewer crowds and less time spent waiting in transportation lines. Aim to resort hop in the morning since most people are already at the parks and avoid peak breakfast hours (7-9 AM), the lunch rush (11:30 AM-1:30 PM), peak dinner reservation times (5-8 PM), and park closing times when overnight guests are getting back from the parks.

You definitely don’t want to miss resort hopping over the holidays (including Christmas and Easter), but keep in mind that it will require a bit more planning, and crowds will be unavoidable throughout the entire day at resorts with special holiday decorations and displays.

Don’t Visit More Than 3-4 Resorts In One Day

Rushing between locations prevents you from appreciating each resort’s unique theming and atmosphere. Plus, you likely won’t have time to really experience all of the hotels’ unique activities if you’re on a time crunch.

Transportation Takes Longer Than Expected Between Certain Resorts

If you’re not using the monorail, skyliner, or boat transportation, it’s likely going to take you a good chunk of time to get between hotels. Budget 45-60 minutes travel time in these instances, just to be safe.

Make a Dining Reservation at Hard-to-Get-To Resorts

Having a dining reservation allows you to park at the resorts you aren’t staying at. If you really want to see a certain hotel and only bus transportation is available, make a reservation so you can easily park there and explore before your meal!

Pack Your Resort Refillable Mug

If you’re staying at a Disney World Resort hotel yourself and have purchased a resort refillable mug, be sure to bring it along with you! It will work at all of the resort’s quick service location,s so you can refill your cup and stay hydrated as you resort hop!

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