Since I was little I always remember wanting to stay at a fancy Disney Resort when on vacation. The ones that have the huge lobbies, the character breakfasts, and are just steps away from all the magic. More distinctly I always wanted to stay at one of the ones that were along the monorail loop by Magic Kingdom Park, the big 3 and original resorts of the Walt Disney World Resort: Disney’s Polynesian Resort, Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, and Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

On our most recent trip, I was lucky enough to meet up with a friend who is currently doing the Disney College Program working Quick Service Food & Beverage at Disney Springs and had some time to kill after. So I hopped on the Grand Floridan bus from Disney Springs and went Resort Hopping! One of the big things that I want to do on my College Program is to Resort Hop with my roommates and other friends in order to see how Disney differentiates all of them while still being able to keep up its theme and the budget that they are catering too for each one.

Stop #1: Disney’s GrandFloridianResort & Spa

My first stop was Disney’s Grand Floridian, and let me just say oh my gosh. Besides the Contemporary, the Grand Floridian is the hotel that most people think about when they think of a Disney World hotel. For starters, it is right across from the Magic Kingdom and you can see it from almost every point along the Monorail Loop. Besides its location, the most recognizable thing about the resort is its extravagance

Since it is the Holiday Season, the Grand Floridian is currently decked out in all of its Christmas glory. Along with the mammoth Christmas tree displayed in the middle of the lobby, there is the annual Gingerbread house constructed in the lobby as well. The smell alone makes it feel like its already Christmas.

The one thing besides this gorgeous lobby that I also wanted to check out was the highly talked about Disney Wedding Pavilion. Even though the location is small it makes up for it in location and the views that it displays. As shown in the picture it holds a small chapel and overlooking the alter is Cinderella’s Castle. Talk about the perfect backdrop. All I could think about during my trip here was Samantha Brown Great Hotels’ TV series on the Travel Channel and her review of the resort. Click here to see the Grand Floridian Fairy Tale Weddings Review from Samantha Brown (circa 2007)

Stop #2: Disney’s Contemporary Resort

After a brief Monorail trip, with a quick stop for guests to get off at the Magic Kingdom, I disembarked at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. As stated what’s nice about these 3 resorts is that they are right along the monorail loop and allow guests a different form of transportation to get the other resorts, the Magic Kingdom, or the Transport & Ticket center. The Contemporary is the closest of the 3 resorts to the park and actually has the monorail go right through the resorts and gives guests who aren’t staying at the hotel a glimpse into the hotel.

Highlights from the Contemporary include this funky contemporary neon mickey sign, Chef Mickey’s, and the giant Mary Blair mural on the wall ( the main artist who worked on its a Small World). I didn’t get a whole lot of pictures or exploring done here because it’s pretty condensed. All the pictures are on the 4th floor of the resort where the monorail goes through. I did pop down to the main check-in lobby but there isn’t much down there.

One place I do want to check out more is Bay Lake Tower, the extension of the Contemporary that is only available to Disney Vacation Club members

Stop #3: Disney’s Polynesian Resort

My last stop for the day was Disney’s Polynesian Resort, which turned out to be my favorite of the 3! I’ve always had a fascination with this one and I couldn’t tell you why, but upon visiting this for the first time I was captivated. Right when you walk into the lobby you are hit with the fresh scent of flowers and citrus and if I could bottle up this scent I would.

I already plan on this being the place where I get most of my classwork done for my online class through Grand Valley. Along with the spacious, wonderfully smelled lobby, if you exit right through the building you will find Aloha Lanai that serves Dole Whips.

Yes, you heard that right, Dole Whips are sold somewhere else on property beside the Sunshine Tree Terance in Adventureland at Magic Kingdom (They were more recently announced to be served at Downtown Disney as well). So with Dole Whip in hand, I explored the rest of the resort. As stated with the Grand Floridian and Contemporary, the resort is condensed mainly to the main lobby with the main amenities, stores, and restaurants being located right there. When you do venture though you are met with amazing views of both the Grand Floridan and across Bay Lake to get a glimpse at the Magic Kingdom.

Stay tuned for my Resort Hopping: Day 2 Post coming soon!

~Kacey

“Adventure is out there” -UP (Pixar)