I started my day parking at Disney Springs, which has free parking. Disney Springs itself is really pretty during the holidays, so you can spend some time walking around there. The Christmas tree stroll is particularly fun, so don’t miss that. After going through security, you can explore or walk right over to the buses (in between the Orange and Lime garages). There is big signage showing which buses go where and which line you need to get in. There is also signage at each stop that says where the bus is going.
My exact day went like this:
12:28 I parked at Disney Springs
12:49 Ordered food at D-Luxe Burger on the Disney app
1:16 Got in line for the Yacht Club bus. There was supposed to be a driver change but the new driver wasn’t there, so we had to wait for the next bus.
1:34 Bus arrived
1:51 Arrived at Yacht Club
1:54 As I walked through the lobby, I saw some characters outside! For characters like this, you take photos with your phone, not with a cast member.
Even just at the resorts, you can find magic. This was such a fun time with the characters. I haven’t interacted with characters since our first Disney World trip in 2019. So much fun!
2:03 I walked over to the Beach Club to see the gingerbread carrousel and the lobby. This thing was AMAZING and it smelled SO good.
2:15 I went to the bus to go to Animal Kingdom.
Planning note: One thing to keep in mind with buses at the resorts is they will take you to one of the parks or Disney Springs. The buses at the parks will take you to all the resorts, the other parks and Disney Springs. I wanted to go to Animal Kingdom Lodge next, but had to go to Animal Kingdom first and then transfer to a bus to the lodge.
3:00 Took pictures in front of the Animal Kingdom tree, which is outside the gate of Animal Kingdom.
3:23 Get in line for bus to Animal Kingdom Lodge
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3:41 Arrive at Animal Kingdom Lodge.
Planning note: Make sure you know if the tree, gingerbread item and decorations are up BEFORE you go! I did my running around on November 16 and there were several things not up yet – the tree at Animal Kingdom Lodge, the tree at Wilderness Lodge and the tree at the Grand Floridian. Your best bet is to check on social media to see. But make sure you look at the dates and the text of the post. There were a few I saw that said things like “I can’t wait to see the tree!”
I did get to walk out and see a few animals outside the Animal Kingdom lodge. This is such a cool place and is high on my “want to stay” lists. I also plan on going back to just hang out in the lodge and do some work.
3:52 Back to the buses. Originally, I planned on going to Animal Kingdom and grabbing a bus to Wilderness Lodge, but I JUST missed the bus and the bus to Magic Kingdom was already there. Since the tree wasn’t up yet at the Animal Kingdom Lodge, I had hesitations about it being up at Wilderness Lodge, so I was thinking of nixing going there anyway.
4:13 Arrive at Magic Kingdom – walk to the monorail resort stop. Place mobile order on phone.
4:35 Arrive at Polynesian resort, grab food and relax for a bit
5:10 Head to monorail
5:25 Arrive at Grand Floridian
5:29 Back to monorail
At this point, I went into Magic Kingdom for a bit, hence the bigger time gap.
6:53 Back to monorail. Get off at Contemporary
Check out the gingerbread castle.
7:30 Buy hot chocolate and head outside
Planning tip: Make sure you check the weather and pack accordingly. It was SO cold and I did not have a long sleeve shirt.
8:15 Watch fireworks from outside balcony
8:38 Sit and wait for bus. The stop is just below where the viewing point is.
9:00 Arrive back at Disney Springs – more magic when I walked in, it was “snowing!”
I walked around to see some of the trees lit up and then finished my day at Gideon’s.
The biggest lessons I learned and best tips:
– Check the hours of each place you want to go to. The buses run an hour after Disney Springs closes, but always check the app or website for the most up to date information.
– If you’re going to see decorations, make sure they are actually UP before you go.
– The buses at the resorts only go to the parks and Disney Springs, so you have to add that into your logistics
– Place your mobile food orders while you’re in transit and then say you’ve arrived as you’re walking to the restaurant.
– Check the weather and plan accordingly.