When people ask me which of Disney’s many resorts is my favorite I usually have a hard time answering because I love so many of them….for different reasons. At certain times of the year like during the Christmas season, Wilderness Lodge can’t be beat. When I want someplace peaceful, quiet and serene, with amazing art and design…and animals….I tend to vote for Animal Kingdom Lodge. If I’m wishing for a Caribbean vacation without actually visiting the Caribbean, then I tend to lean towards the Caribbean Beach Resort.
But generally speaking, my first choice is nearly always one of the Epcot resorts: the Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club, and Disney’s Swan and Dolphin. And yes, I did include all five resorts as ONE favorite, because while they are all different, they all share ONE thing that makes them a favorite for me: a fantastic location!
Located on Crescent Lake and situated perfectly between Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, these resorts offer what is to my Epcot-loving family the ultimate benefit: the ability to be able to leisurely stroll to Epcot. Yes STROLL. No waiting for busses or the monorail, no standing room only, no multiple stops until you get to your destination….just a nice relaxing walk (with a stop for coffee and/or a muffin…. LOVE Boardwalk Bakery!) and then on to Epcot. Guests from this area can enter Epcot through World Showcase’s International Gateway, and let me tell you that this is such a great way to start your day! Virtually no lines, bag check is quick and you’re in and on your way! And the walk is delightful: it’s peaceful and lovely, and as you get closer to Epcot, you hear the wonderful Disney background music from World Showcase that just gets you in the mood to have a wonderful day!
It is also possible to walk to Hollywood Studios from the Boardwalk, and it’s a bit longer of a walk, perhaps 10 minutes or so, but it’s still great to again stroll along the waterway to head over to DHS. Or run: this entire loop in fact is quite popular with folks who like to take their morning jog before heading out to the parks each day.
Now you also have the ability to get to either Epcot or Hollywood Studios by boat, and that is another option that we enjoy. Connecting Epcot, Boardwalk, Yacht and Beach Club, the Swan and Dolphin, and Hollywood Studios, the Friendship boats provide a continuous loop of transporting park guests to each of these areas. Convenient, relaxing, and again rarely as crowded as you would experience on the busses or monorails, the Friendship boats are a great way to get around. And they are especially nice going back in the evening when your feet are too tired to walk any further!
The most important thing to make note of when using the boats is to read the signs CAREFULLY before you get on, to make sure you are headed in the direction you want to go…and when in doubt, ask the Captain before you get on. 🙂
Now of course, these resorts have plenty of other things to recommend them. Some favorites include:
- Stormalong Bay at Yacht and Beach Club: Probably every kid’s idea of what the perfect pool and water play area should be, this mini-water park is extremely popular.
- The Boardwalk at the Boardwalk: Try renting bikes or one of the surreys and travel around the lake for some great affordable, old-fashioned fun.
- The Heavenly Beds at the Swan and Dolphin: I don’t know if I have ever found anything that is more appropriately named than these Heavenly Beds. After a long, exhausting day at the parks, sinking into this cushioned bliss is…..heavenly.
- ESPN Zone: OK, we truly appreciated this during last year’s football playoffs, when we were able to stop in for a few hours to watch our game. We had a blast: we got a seat, ordered some food, made new friends, and had a truly fantastic afternoon. (Yes, and our team won….Go Steelers! 🙂 )
- Plus some of the best places to eat on Disney property!
In real estate, they say location is everything. If you love Epcot and Disney’s Hollywood Studios…then you truly can’t beat these five great resorts for the ultimate perk: location, location, location!
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