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Start your engines and ready yourself for takeoff! We’re looking at some beautiful aerial images from pilot Jonathan Salazar, who posts on Instagram as TheDisneyPilot. This is our chance to get together on a virtual Disney Resort hopping trek, enjoying the sights of our favorite homes away from home. See if you can spot the entrances, pools, or even buildings where you have stayed on a Walt Disney World Resort vacation!
Virtual Disney Resort Flyover
First, we start right next to Magic Kingdom at Disney’s Contemporary Resort. This 1971 original-to-the-Resort hotel boasts a monorail drive-thru, modular room construction and a new DVC tower next door. It’s only a five-minute walk from the park, which makes it a great pick for families headed to Magic Kingdom.
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
One of our favorites, Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort is also original to Walt Disney World. 1950’s and 1970’s tiki culture is alive and well in this tropical oasis on the Bay. Enjoy boat rides to the Park and the neighboring Resorts.
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Continuing around on our “Monorail Crawl,” it’s Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa, another one of Disney’s deluxe accommodations. A sprawling version of Disney’s Main Street, U.S.A., Mary Poppins and Cinderella frequent the lobby where a Princess Parade is hosted on many afternoons.
Disney’s Boardwalk Inn Resort Area
Many Disney fans prefer to stay in the Boardwalk area in order to access the International Gateway at EPCOT. There’s also a wealth of restaurants, shops, and a great walking path for anyone to enjoy as you resort hop. Disney’s Boardwalk Inn & Resort, Disney’s Yacht Club, Disney’s Beach Club and the Swan and Dolphin Hotels are all in this general area. Which ones have you stayed at?
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
It may not be the “wildest ride in the wilderness,” but it’s still quite a trip! The wilderness inspired lodge has high beams, historical items on display, and music inspired by the Western United States. What you’ll really want to see is the fountain pool in the lobby, which rapidly turns into a waterfall, stream, and then a river leading to the pool area. Bonus: watch the Water Pageant from the docks each night.
Disney’s Port Orleans Resorts
Visiting the Moderate Resorts on Disney property, pilot Salazar takes us soaring over Disney’s Port Orleans Resort sisters, French Quarter and Riverside. The quiet (and smallest Walt Disney World Resort) French Quarter is the spot you can score Tiana’s beignets and Creole cuisine.
Disney’s Port Orleans Riverside resort is enormous! Sprawling over a few “neighborhoods” this 1990s addition has Princess rooms with fireworks over the headboard! Old Man Island is also an enviable splash pad that’s a lot of fun!
Reflections Resort Site
Sadly, the Reflections hotel is on pause at the moment, waiting for the time and budget to resume building. Currently, it’s a large swath of filled and flattened land over the old River Country site. If you want to see more of what’s left of River Country, visit this article to see it for yourself (and maybe visit!) Meanwhile, the nature resort on the Bay will resume one day!
The Treehouse Villas at Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort and Spa
The Treehouse Villas are truly an unique experience! “Hang out” among the birds at this moderate resort, themed to a horse racing Victorian area. The Villas are spacious enough to have several friends stay with you on your next Walt Disney World Resort vacation.
Disney’s Old Key West Resort
Get ready for some Florida sun! This Key West-themed Resort is pastel, watery, and very chill. It’s large, so you’ll either have to walk a ways or take the inter-resort bus to get back up to the Main House. Typically used as a DVC Resort, there are all sorts of accommodations here.
Disney’s Art of Animation Resort & Disney’s Pop Century Resort
The BEST of the value resorts, Disney’s Pop Century is now a central location, thanks to the addition of the Skyliner. It’s sister Disney Resort, Disney’s Art of Animation, sits across Hourglass lake and offers spacious family suites.
Take a walk around Hourglass Lake or rent the surrey bikes for a group of pedal pushing fun! You’re free to take them all over both resorts and can rent them from the Art of Animation side of the lake.
Feeling homesick yet? When you’re ready to plan your return to Walt Disney World Resort, contact our preferred travel partner, Academy Travel. They know the ins and outs of all each Disney Resort and can help you plan the perfect getaway.
Which of these Disney Resorts is your favorite? Leave a comment below about which Resort you love to stay at and why!