You’ve planned the perfect Disney vacation, you’ve counted down the days, you’ve booked your FastPasses and your dining plans, and then, with only a few days before your trip, you realize it is going to rain on multiple days of your vacation. This can seem like a major letdown, but don’t let it rain on your parade! There are plenty of really great options at the Disney Parks and Resorts that are extremely fun and will keep you dry, or at least relatively dry.
In this article, I’m going to start with resort hopping! If you’ve never heard of resort hopping, it is a fairly basic concept. Essentially, all you are doing is exploring multiple Disney Resort Hotels! This may sound strange if you’ve never done it before, but there are surprisingly a lot of fun experiences that can be had at the resorts.
Many of the Disney Parks’ best dining experiences can be found at the resorts, so whether you want to try some unique quick service options, or even pricey fine dining options, there is a lot to eat at these resorts. My personal favorite is Capt. Cook’s at Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort because I can always find something new, unique, and delicious at that location, not to mention for a reasonable price. Whatever your taste buds are craving, there is going to be something you’ll want to try when resort hopping. What’s great about resort hopping is that if you don’t like the food options at one resort you can hop right over to your next resort and try something there!
Another huge and extremely fun option for guests that are 21 and over is visiting the different bars on Disney property. Some guests like to ride the monorail and try a new drink at each resort, and for some it is a much more casual experience. However you choose to enjoy your adult beverage, you’re sure to have a fun time on Disney property. Additionally, the best part about drinking on Disney property is free transportation, so you can have your fun and be safe.
Just looking at the theming, landscaping, and architecture alone is remarkable enough for some of these resorts. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, in particular for me, are just pieces of art that you’ll be sure to want to see when resort hopping. There is so much to see and explore at these resorts. For example, at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, if you’ve brought your umbrella you can visit the live animals out in the savannah right next to the resort pool!
If I haven’t convinced you enough already, here is yet another reason why you’ll have a blast escaping the rain while resort hopping. Certain resorts offer special entertainment unique to the resort. For example, at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa there is The Royal Princess Promenade, in which Cinderella and Prince Charming visit the lobby at 3:30 p.m. and dance together with children and other guests of the resort! If Disney’s Princesses aren’t your thing, then head over to Disney’s Port Orleans – Riverside to see YeHaa Bob Jackson at the River Roost Lounge at 8:30 p.m. for an hour and a half long silly piano show!
As you can see, there is a lot of fun that can be had resort hopping, so if it starts to rain or you see heavy rainfall in the forecast and you’d rather stay dry, have a day to resort hop!
Stephen "Steve" Porter started going to the parks with his family in 1996. Since then he hasn't looked back! Steve was a cast member participating in the Disney College Program in 2013. Most recently he graduated from Penn State University!
