Help plan our resort tour (skyliner, monorail, boats)

[Bencpht]

We're planning to spend a day on property without park tickets. We're starting at Disney springs and taking a bus to one of the resorts. We hope to ride the skyliner, monorail, and boats by the boardwalk. We know we'll be on busses too. Has anyone done this, and are there spots we shouldn't miss? We'll also be looking for unique snacks or shops at the resorts. We're not staying on property, so starting at Disney springs seems necessary for parking.

[Ashley.in.Wonderland]

We're planning to spend a day on property without park tickets. We're starting at Disney springs and taking a bus to one of the resorts. We hope to ride the skyliner, monorail, and boats by the boardwalk. We know we'll be on busses too. Has anyone done this, and are there spots we shouldn't miss? We'll also be looking for unique snacks or shops at the resorts. We're not staying on property, so starting at Disney springs seems necessary for parking.

If you like dole whip you should definitely stop at the Polynesian! (does anyone know if the dole whip stand is still open during the construction? that seems like an important point here, haha)

[randyf79]

Cool puzzle to figure out! Probably not a 'right' answer....but...

Here's a plan that gets to all the premium resorts, minimizes busses, and could earn you a cool t-shirt if you make it!

Disney Springs, start
Take Bus to Grand Floridian. Tour the resort. Go through security and board the monorail. Get off at the Magic Kingdom.
Take the Red Launch boat to Wilderness Lodge.
Take the Red Launch boat back to Magic Kingdom.
Take the monorail to Contemporary Resort. Tour the Resort...mainly just the Grand Canyon Concourse. Might be lunch time by then...
Take the monorail to Transportation and Ticket Center. Walk a short distance and visit the Polynesian. Get Dole Whip. (If you're already worn out just go to Trader Sam's and call it a day...
Take bus from Polynesian to Hollywood Studios.
Get off the bus and walk over to the boat launch.
Take the boat and make stops at Disney's Boardwalk Villas, Disney's Beach Club Villas, Disney's Yacht Club Resort, and the Swan and Dolphin Hotels. In some areas you can walk along the boardwalk or walkways between the resorts/hotels...feel free to snack and shop along the way.
When you're done seeing what you want to see...take the boat back to Hollywood Studios.
Next, take the Skyliner to visit Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort, Disney's Art of Animation Resort, and the new Disney's Riviera Resort. If you'd like to just "see" EPCOT...you could do a round trip over to the International Gateway and then come right back to The Riviera.
Ok...next up...take the bus from the Riviera to....the Animal Kingdom. Hop off the bus and transfer to a bus to the Animal Kingdom Lodge. Enjoy the sights and take a look at some of the animals.
If you've done all of this...you deserve a break to wrap up the day...either something at Animal Kingdom Lodge...or...
Catch the bus back to Disney Springs to enjoy the rest of your evening there.

PS: For extra credit, when you come back from Wilderness Lodge you could switch and take a Green boat over to Fort Wilderness and visit the newly remodeled stables...then back to Magic Kingdom to continue the plan. And one other thought...confirm what time busses start running from Disney Springs...it won't be first thing in the morning...but later...probably around 1000.

Hope this gives you a place to start. Wear comfortable shoes... Let us know what you do!

[Bencpht]

This is EXACTLY what we're looking for. Thank you so much! Any thoughts as to special treats at the other resorts? Dole whip at the Polynesian seems like a must no matter who we ask. We haven't decided on meals yet. . . . We might end up snacking all day

[Liquid Ice]

randyf79 did a great job with the list he made!

In terms of things not to miss - I really enjoy the crescent lake area (Boardwalk / Beach Club area) - so I would definitely check that out. While you're there, you can try to make a reservation for Beaches and Cream and have dessert there - they have some really good shakes and ice cream.