disney resorts

Disney World For RVers

| jamiefeinberg

For those of you who’ve missed it, at the beginning of this year I was inspired to start my own Facebook group – Disney World For RVers. I started it because there are thousands of groups about Disney World, and tons about RVing, but based on my research, ZERO groups that combine the two.

It’s a relatively small but growing and FUN group of Disney nerds and RVers and aspiring RVers and I’d LOVE for you to join the group yourself. All are welcome! Join us!

Not sure if it’s something that would interest you?

Lately our conversations have included topics like:

What should you pack in your backpack/purse for a day in the parks?

Disney World For RVers I Ross and Jamie Adventure

Which is the best park for food?

Which is the best resort to stay at?

Plus we just love sharing our stories. Our members share their vacation photos or their day visit photos, and each week we share where we are in the country and post a throwback from a past vacation.

Disney World For RVers I Ross and Jamie Adventure

In other words, it’s a blast.

Hope to see you real soon!

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Disney World Freebies: Resort Touring

Wilderness Lodge, Orlando | Ross and Jamie Adventure
| jamiefeinberg
Entrance to the Polynesian Resort, Walt Disney World, Orlando | Ross and Jamie Adventure
Entrance to the Polynesian Resort, Walt Disney World

One of my favorite, free things to do at Walt Disney World (yes, you can go without a park ticket!) is visit some of the beautiful, immersive Disney World resorts. In the past, we’ve fallen in love with Animal Kingdom Lodge (in fact, we spent Christmas there with family), and we’ve decided our other top picks to stay at would be Yacht Club and the Polynesian Resort.

One of the reasons we keep going back to Animal Kingdom Lodge is that there’s just so much to do there. Walk into the lobby and it’s almost like a museum, with artifacts from many African countries and beautiful works of art. Walk out back and you’re on the African savannah, viewing wild animals during the day and at night too. At all of the resorts, you can take advantage of free movies and activities (we roasted marshmallows at the Animal Kingdom Lodge on Christmas), and many of the resorts have gorgeous places to read a book or have a meal.

This past week, I checked another resort off my list: Wilderness Lodge. I also returned to a favorite, Port Orleans: French Quarter. Both are beautiful places to pass some time – free! – without the busy, more stressed energy of the parks.

Lobby of Wilderness Lodge, Disney World Resort, Orlando, FL | Ross and Jamie Adventure
Lobby of Wilderness Lodge, Disney World Resort

Wilderness Lodge is designed to feel like a grand lodge in the Northwest United States. The views inside have some parallels to the feel of the Animal Kingdom Lodge, with beautiful displays, intricate artwork and detailing and running water and a bridge in the lobby!

Waterfall at Wilderness Lodge, Walt Disney World, Orlando, FL | Ross and Jamie Adventure
Waterfall at Wilderness Lodge, Walt Disney World

Outside you’ll find a waterfall, a geyser that erupts hourly and beautiful theming that makes for wonderful places to have a meal or read a book. I’ve shared some photos to help capture the atmosphere here. There is also a boat from here to the Magic Kingdom, which is a wonderful thing if you have park tickets, but a tease if you don’t!

Port Orleans: French Quarter is a wonderful moderate hotel (mid-range pricing and amenities, in Disney-speak) with fun and beautiful decor (it’s Mardi-gras coloring, and music is ever-present) and a food court that serves beignets – including gluten-free ones! You can follow a nice walking path or take a boat from the French Quarter to both Port Orleans: Riverside (a much larger resort in the same tier) or to Disney Springs, Disney’s outdoor mall area.

Horse-Drawn Carriage at Port Orleans: French Quarter
Flowers at Port Orleans: French Quarter
Frog fountains at Port Orleans: French Quarter

In search of my 10,000 steps for the day, I followed up my visit to Wilderness Lodge with a visit to the French Quarter, a walk to Riverside, a walk back and then some beignets to cap it off. You can probably tell from the photos that French Quarter’s theming is quite different from Riverside and vice versa. They’re both pretty charming, but I prefer the former.

Port Orleans: Riverside
Water at Port Orleans: Riverside
Port Orleans: Riverside gardens
Flowers at Port Orleans: Riverside
Royal chair at Port Orleans: RIverside

It’s easy to spend a day or two of your Disney vacation exploring the resorts. Heck, if you wanted to, you could spend a week without a parks visit! I don’t necessarily recommend that, of course. But there’s great food and gorgeous views and more to be had at some of the fancier resorts, and provided they have space for their guests, you’re welcome to stop by for a visit.

If you’d like to learn more about our visits to Disney, these might interest you:

The Dole Whip Dilemma

Last Days at the Disney Parks

Holiday Touring at the Disney Resorts