One of my favorite ways to enjoy Walt Disney World when I can’t get into the parks is to visit a Disney resort hotel. Whether you’re staying for a week or just popping in for lunch, Disney hotels offer a charming escape from everyday life. From the vintage Atlantic City-style shops and arcades of the Boardwalk Inn, to the free-roaming zebras and giraffes of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, there are so many unique and memorable things to do and see at a Disney resort hotel. You don’t even need a theme park ticket! Just park at the resort, or take a free bus from Disney Springs, and enjoy all that Disney World has to offer beyond the theme parks. Here are 21 must-do activities at the Walt Disney World resort hotels. Please note that some of these activities are temporarily unavailable due to COVID-related closures.
Enjoy a Scenic Stroll Around Disney’s Seven Seas Lagoon
There is a lovely walking path running clockwise from the Transportation and Ticket Center to the Contemporary Resort, giving guests an opportunity to get away from the crowds and savor the breeze drifting across the water. Spend the day exploring the resorts, and take advantage of the prime photo opportunities of the various resorts seen across the water. This is a great way for locals and visitors alike to get re-acquainted with the resorts and see things from a new perspective.
Find out more: Seven Seas Lagoon
Snag a Dole Whip at the Polynesian
Craving a Dole Whip? You don’t have to go to Adventureland to enjoy this iconic pineapple soft-serve treat. Just head to the Pineapple Lanai walkup at the Polynesian Resort for pineapple floats, pineapple-vanilla swirl cups, and more. Grab a spot at the beach and savor your Dole Whip with toes in the sand and a view of Cinderella Castle across the lake.
See menu here: Pineapple Lanai
Toss One Back at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Heading to the Polynesian later in the day? Be sure to stop in at Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto for kick ass cocktails, highly collectible souvenir cups, and a themed bar experience that cannot be beat. This is the closest you’ll get to Adventureland without actually stepping foot in Magic Kingdom. The entire experience is interactive, with special effects triggered by specific drink orders, and a fun staff to keep guests happy and engaged with their surroundings. With tongue-in-cheek cocktails like the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum and the Mosquito Mojito, Trader Sam’s is beloved by tourists and locals alike for its immersive, fun environment.
The entrance to this intimate bar is somewhat hidden. To get there, take a left on the ground floor of the hotel lobby and head down the hall past Captain Cook’s. Trader Sam’s is hidden behind a nondescript gray door on the right, just before you reach the sliding glass doors and exit the building.
Want to try a Trader Sam’s cocktail but don’t have time to actually wait in line or enjoy a sit down experience? Check out Trader Sam’s Tiki Terrace, the outdoor patio, for a limited selection of drinks, small plates, and sushi.
*Trader Sam’s is currently closed due to COVID, but you can still enjoy tropical drinks and souvenir mugs at the Tambu Lounge upstairs, next to ‘Ohana.
Find out more: Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto
Indulge in a Horse-Drawn Carriage Ride
For a unique if somewhat unexpected experience, you can opt to take a horse-drawn carriage ride at Disney’s Port Orleans Resort or Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. In December, you can even book a “sleigh” ride in a carriage decorated with lights and garlands. Pricing starts at $55. View more details here.
* Carriage rides are temporarily unavailable
Learn more here: Carriage Rides
Dine With Mickey & Friends at Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera
Located at Disney’s Riviera Resort, Topolino’s Terrace offers stunning panoramic views, an inspired prix fixe breakfast menu, and the classic Disney quartet of Minnie, Mickey, Donald and Goofy in adorable outfits you won’t find anywhere else. Dine on dishes like quiche gruyère, wood-fired butcher’s steak with polenta and roasted veggies, or sour cream waffles with roasted apple, Chantilly, and orange-maple syrup. This is the only character breakfast available at a Disney-operated hotel during COVID closures, and it features the cutest French Riviera artist-themed character outfits. Mickey is dressed as a painter, Donald is a sculptor, Daisy is a dancer, and Minnie is a poet.
See Menus & Reserve Dining Here: Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera
Escape to the Mediterranean at Topolino’s Terrace
By night, Topolino’s rooftop terrace is easily one of the chicest addresses at Walt Disney World. Dine on dishes inspired by the French and Italians flavors of the Mediterranean coast, like escargot en coquille, tomahawk veal chop, tarbais bean cassoulet, and pistachio mousse. The space’s aesthetic is described as “a modern interpretation of the textures, colors, carved details and stonework found in ancient villages along the Riviera.” Make the most of the intimate, highly romantic setting with a bottle of wine from Sicily, Provence, Tuscany, and more.
After your meal, step out onto the terrace for impressive panoramic views of the resort, and when fireworks return to Walt Disney World, incredible dual viewing of both the Epcot and Hollywood Studios nightly firework shows.
See Menus & Reserve Dining Here: Topolino’s Terrace – Flavors of the Riviera
Savor Dinner & a Show at the California Grill
There are several restaurants on property where you can catch the nightly Magic Kingdom fireworks, like Narcoosee’s at the Grand Floridian, or the Polynesian Resort’s ‘Ohana. For a truly unique, once-in-a-lifetime fireworks viewing opportunity, there is no place better than the California Grill, located on the uppermost level of the Contemporary Resort. With floor-to-ceiling windows, you can watch the show as you eat, or step out onto the roof for an absolutely spectacular view of the show. It beats watching shoulder-to-shoulder with everyone else jammed into Magic Kingdom!
California Grill celebrates the melting pot of flavors found in Californian cuisine, from yellowfin tuna sushi to black grouper with herb basmati rice, cashew chutney, bok choy, baby shiitake, and kaffir lime-coconut nage. The menu changes often to use fresh, in-season produce, and boasts one of the most extensive wine lists on Disney property. If you can’t nab a dinner reservation, try visiting the lounge and bar area instead. You’ll enjoy the same incredible views and have access to the full dinner menu.
*The California Grill is open for dinner only at this time. Firework displays are temporarily unavailable in the parks.
See Menus & Reserve Dining Here: California Grill
Create Your Own Monorail Crawl
Together, the Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian hotels are known as the Magic Kingdom resorts. They are all located on the resort monorail line from the Transportation and Ticket Center*, which makes it easy for visitors to resort-hop and get a little taste of each hotel. A monorail crawl is a great way to spend a day at Walt Disney World, and the possibilities are endless in terms of theming. Here are a few ideas.
- Monorail Pub Crawl: Trader Sam’s at the Polynesian / California Grill lounge at the Contemporary / Enchanted Rose at the Grand Floridian
- Three-Course Destination Date: Go to different hotels for your appetizer, entrée, and dessert! Bars are great for casual appetizers without the expectation that you’ll order dinner. If you prefer a more formal, structured approach, consider booking Disney’s Highway in the Sky Dine Around tour when it becomes available again. (Tour starts at $170 and includes food, drinks, gratuities, and a fireworks dessert celebration on the roof of the Contemporary.)
- Resort-Hopping With Kids: Build a sand castle on the beaches of the Polynesian, enjoy a princess tea at the Grand Floridian (or character meal at the Contemporary’s Chef Mickey’s), and wave to the monorail as it passes overhead at the Contemporary.
* The Polynesian Resort monorail station is currently closed for refurbishment. Consider walking or taking the resort boats as an alternate means of transportation. If you’re walking, the Transportation and Ticket Center is closest stop on the resort monorail line.
Find out more: Monorail Transportation
Go Character-Spotting at the Art of Animation Resort
Kids and kids-at-heart love this mid-priced resort for its larger-than-life character statues, themed rooms, incredible pool, and overall fun and colorful vibe. The resort pays homage to the best of Disney and Pixar animation, with areas dedicated to The Little Mermaid, Cars, The Lion King, and more. The Finding Nemo pool is not to be missed. It’s the largest resort pool on Disney property!
Find out more: Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
Ride the Disney Skyliner
Like the monorail, the Skyliner offers a convenient and fun way to get around a small section of the resort. The Skyliner runs three routes connecting Epcot, Hollywood Studios, the Riviera Resort, Caribbean Beach Resort, Art of Animation Resort, and Pop Century Resort. Whether you have park tickets or simply want to explore some of the nearby resorts, just hop on one of the Disney Skyliner’s colorful gondolas for a fun, panoramic journey around Walt Disney World. You could even do a Skyliner version of the monorail pub crawl detailed above!
Find out more: Disney Skyliner
Feast on All-You-Can-Eat Skillets at the Whipering Canyon Cafe
While it’s not on the monorail line, I think of Wilderness Lodge as a fourth Magic Kingdom resort. Nestled between woods and water, just a short boat ride from the Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge pays tribute to the rustic, wild, beautiful American Great Northwest. It reminds me a lot of the historic lodges, hotels, and restaurants in my home state of Washington, complete with delicious seafood, smoked flavors, and abundant walking trails.
For a memorable meal, check out the all-you-care-to-eat skillets at the lodge’s Whispering Canyon Cafe. This Old West-themed spot features a sassy wait staff, flavorful and filling fare, and a rough-hewn timber lodge vibe. For breakfast, try The Heritage skillet, with bottomless buttermilk-cheddar biscuits and sausage gravy, Mickey waffles, scrambled eggs, country potatoes, bacon, and sausage links. For dinner, choose from four signature skillets, like The Land and Sea (smoked salmon, vegan sausage, and citrus chicken, among other things) or the Plant-based (maple-chipotle BBQ jackfruit, spicy “sausage”, mustard-glazed beefless tips, and more).
Looking for something a little more manageable? Whispering Canyon Cafe also offers standard (not bottomless) entrees like cedar plank salmon, plant-based frittata, and bison burger. There are a ton of plant-based options here, making the Whispering Canyon Cafe a win for all diets and palates.
See Menus & Reserve Dining Here: Whispering Canyon Cafe
Storybook Dining at Artist Point – Wilderness Lodge
If it’s character dining you’re after, check out Storybook Dining at Artist Point (currently unavailable due to COVID, but I hope it comes back in a similar style). Featuring one of the coolest themed menus I’ve ever seen at a Walt Disney World restaurant, Storybook Dining features multiple courses themed around the film Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. Sample shared appetizers include winter squash bisque and hunter’s pie, while shared desserts include things like the Poison Apple (white chocolate-apple mousse with a sour center) and Fairy Tale gooseberry and meringue pie. While appetizers and desserts are served for the entire table, diners can choose their entree from prix fixe menu. As far as character meet and greets go, you can meet Snow White, Dopey, Grumpy, and Snow White herself.
*Storybook Dining is currently unavailable due to COVID.
See menu here: Storybook Dining at Artist Point
Get Up to Some Good Old-Fashioned Fun at the Boardwalk
Disney’s Boardwalk is one of my favorite Disney hotels. It has incredible theming, a fun, laid-back vibe, tons of dining and entertainment options, and a top-notch location. Split into the Boardwalk Inn and Boardwalk Villas, the Boardwalk hotels represent two of six hotels nestled around scenic Crescent Lake. The others are the Yacht Club, Beach Club, Swan Hotel, and Dolphin Hotel, each of which have their own unique theming, restaurants, shops, and experiences available to guests of the Boardwalk. There are so many great things to do at the Boardwalk. Here are some ideas.
Soak Up the Sunshine on the Sunny Boardwalk Path
Soak up the sunshine on the sunny Boardwalk path. Rent a 4-person seater bike and pedal around Crescent Lake. The cheerful trilling of bicycle bells transports you to another time and place. Stop for old-fashioned fair food like corn dogs and funnel cakes, or enjoy a frosty margarita overlooking the water.
Enjoy Easy Access to the Theme Parks
There’s a resort entrance to Epcot via World Showcase located just off the lake. Pop in for dinner, a stroll around the world, or a thrilling ride on Test Track. Enjoy a pleasant 3/4 mile walking path set alongside scenic waterways to reach Hollywood Studios and get lost at Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge.
Savor a World Class Seafood Dinner at Flying Fish
This contemporary fine dining destination with an emphasis on sustainability and fresh, seasonal ingredients. Try the Prince Edward Island mussels in chardonnay broth or the burrata with pear, almonds, and blueberry white balsamic vinaigrette to start, and order your main from a menu that includes swordfish, truffled filet mignon, snapper, and more.
Hit the Beach
Relax on the sand and watch the resort boats passing by. Enjoy nightly Disney movies on the beach (currently unavailable due to COVID restrictions).
Learn more: Boardwalk Resort Overview
Cruise on Crescent Lake
While you’re at the Boardwalk, why not hop aboard one of the resort boats for a free scenic cruise of Crescent Lake? The Friendship resort boats service all of the Crescent Lake hotels and offer transportation to Epcot and Hollywood Studios. Enjoy the warm breeze on your neck and the weight off your feet as you cruise past a lighthouse, a pirate ship, and more on the way to your next adventure.
Find out more here: Disney Water Transportation
Sail Out on a Fireworks Cruise
For a truly luxurious and memorable night on the water, consider booking a specialty cruise. here are a few popular options, perfect for celebrating a special occasion.
- Fireworks cruises: sail out to watch Epcot’s Epcot Forever or Magic Kingdom’s Happily Ever After fireworks shows from the water
- Pirates & Pals Fireworks Dessert Voyage: kids will love this themed pirate cruise on the Seven Seas Lagoon, which includes snacks, a feisty pirate captain, and special viewing of the Magic Kingdom fireworks
* All fireworks cruises are temporarily closed due to COVID
Find out more: Disney Specialty Cruises
Nab the Most Coveted Reservation at Walt Disney World: Victoria & Albert’s
Located in the posh Grand Floridian hotel, Victoria & Albert’s is the most revered, exclusive, and yes, most expensive dining experience available at Walt Disney World. I have never seen reservations available here while casually browsing the My Disney Experience app, while typically “hard-to-get” spots like Cinderella’s Royal Table pop up pretty regularly with a little patience. Victoria & Albert’s is simply on another level.
This AAA Five Diamond restaurant offers two tasting menus: the chef’s degustation, and a vegetarian alternative. Each menu features ten courses of inventive and impressively plated dishes, served in a setting of refined Old World elegance. Sample menu items include New Zealand Langoustine with Imperial Caviar, Avocado and Lime Nuage, Braised Belgian Endive with Compressed Pears and Fennel, and Glacier 51 Tooth Fish with Dill and Potato Glass. An evening at Victoria & Albert’s promises to be a night to remember. Menus are based on seasonal items and subject to change.
*Victoria & Albert’s is temporarily closed due to COVID.
Find out more and see sample menus here: Victoria & Albert’s
Kick Back in Style at the Enchanted Rose Lounge
Craving the elegance of Victoria & Albert’s, but without all the fuss? Grab a seat at the Enchanted Rose, located on the second level of the Grand Floridian. Subtle nods to the live-action film Beauty and the Beast can be found in the lounge’s menu, sophisticated blue and white color scheme, and built-ins that make the space feel like an intimate library. Small plates like truffle fries and crab mac and cheese keep the mood light, and a menu of beer, wine, and elegant cocktails offer plenty of variety. Cocktails like the Floral Bitter Beauty (Hendrick’s Gin, St~Germain Elderflower Liqueur, Campari, Aperol, Lemon, and Soda) and Lavender Fog (Nolet’s Silver Dry Gin, Rothman Crème de Violette, English Breakfast Tea, Vanilla, and Cream) recall a Gatsy-esque era of sophisticated frivolity.
See menus here: Enchanted Rose
Savor the Flavors of Africa Over the Sunset Savanna
For a truly unique Disney experience, spend an afternoon at the Animal Kingdom Lodge. See zebras, giraffes, flamingos, wildebeest, and more on the savannas surrounding the property. Seek out the flavors of Africa at Sanaa, which I consider to be one of the best-kept secrets in the entire Walt Disney World resort. You just can’t beat the value of an incredible and affordably-priced menu with stunning views of the animals roaming just outside the window.
While the dinner menu is fantastic, I recommend going for lunch instead. You’ll get a much better view of the savanna during daylight hours, and get to enjoy casual options like Tandoori Chicken Flatbread in addition to the popular Potjie-inspired meal offered during dinner. You cannot miss the bread service, which consists of five different types of naan bread and nine savory sauces inspired by the flavors of Africa.
See Menus & Reserve Dining Here: Sanaa
Cozy Up Under the Stars at Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long — Fort Wilderness
Most of the Disney resorts offer some kind of free nightly movie under the stars, whether its on the lawn or the beach. Fort Wilderness, the rustic campsite companion to Wilderness Lodge, hosts the absolute best outdoor movie on Walt Disney World property. Complete with two crackling fire pits, plenty of bench seating, and a chuck wagon with pre-made s’mores kits at the ready, an evening at Fort Wilderness is fun for kids and adults alike. Before the movie, Chip and Dale come out onstage and host a little sing-along fun for the kids, and the movie typically starts shortly after dusk.
*All Movies Under the Stars experiences, including the campfire sing along, are temporarily closed due to COVID.
Find out more: Chip ‘n’ Dale’s Campfire Sing-A-Long
Treat Yourself at Basin White at the Grand Floridian
Every Disney resort has its own unique shops. The Zawadi Marketplace at Animal Kingdom Lodge sells hand-carved figurines, masks, and collectible wall art. Wyland Galleries at the Boardwalk sells collectible aquatic-themed art. And Basin at the Grand Floridian sells heavenly scented bath bombs, lotions, hand scrubs, and more. Visiting the shop is a tactile, sensory experience. Test out the hand scrubs and lotions and fill a barrel with bath bombs to take home. It’s an affordable and fun way to relive your vacation via fragrance!
And So Much More!
These are some of my favorite things to do at the Walt Disney World resort hotels, but of course, this list is just the start! With over 25 unique resorts to choose from, each boasting its own restaurants, entertainment, and theme, there is no shortage of things to do at a Disney hotel. Did your favorite make the list? Comment below with your favorite things to do at a Disney World resort hotel!
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