There are some big things happening this summer in Disney World.
Monorail at the Contemporary Resort
A lot is going on, including a brand new ride opening in Magic Kingdom with another attraction reopening with a brand new show! We’ve also got a long-awaited reopening of a restaurant coming up. This is why we think summer 2024 is going to be busier in Disney World than normal. However, we also think things are going to be different this summer at Disney World hotels, and we’re going to tell you why.
Skyliner hotels
Normally, everyone seems to love staying at a Skyliner hotel because it’s such a convenient method of transportation, especially if you plan on visiting EPCOT and Hollywood Studios. However, the Skyliner does not go to Animal Kingdom or Magic Kingdom, and it’s the latter that might be the reason folks aren’t booking Skyliner hotels.
Skyliner at Caribbean Beach Resort
Why? Well, with the opening of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure and the reopening of Country Bear Jamboree happening this summer, we think many Disney World visitors might want to be closer to Magic Kingdom so they can easily rope drop those two attractions. We expect Tiana’s Bayou Adventure to be VERY popular when it opens this summer, so rope drop could be the best way to grab a ride on it, especially if the virtual queue and Individual Lightning Lanes go quickly.
That means you may want to reconsider a stay at Pop Century, Art of Animation, Riviera Resort, or the Caribbean Beach Resort.
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Hotels that are too far away from Magic Kingdom
For the very same reason, we think Disney World visitors might also choose not to book hotels that are just too far away from Magic Kingdom. Animal Kingdom Lodge may be one of the most beautiful hotels on property, but that bus to and from Magic Kingdom takes FOREVER.
Animal Kingdom Lodge is beautiful, but so far away
This is also the case with the Disney Springs hotels, like Old Key West and Saratoga Springs.
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Hotels not on the Monorail
Let’s face it, if you want to stay close to Magic Kingdom, your best bet is to book one of the three hotels on Disney’s Monorail. That means if the hotel is NOT the Grand Floridian, Polynesian Village, or Contemporary Resorts, it may get overlooked this summer.
Monorail at Grand Floridian
Yes, these hotels are pricier, as they are all deluxe resorts, but they’ll put you just a quick Monorail ride away from Magic Kingdom, and that means you can get to rope drop easier and faster to experience those new attractions.
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Hotels with only one transportation option
Some Disney World hotels only have one transportation option: Disney buses. Although the buses are very reliable, just relying on the buses alone can be frustrating. That’s why resorts with Skyliner and Monorail access are often very popular, and although we think Skyliner hotels won’t be AS popular this summer, we still think they’ll be a good option for those who don’t want to pay the $$$ for a deluxe stay at a Monorail resort. Plus you’ll have both a bus and Skyliner option for getting around Disney World.
Disney bus to Magic Kingdom
There’s also another option, though. Disney’s Wilderness Lodge has boats that go to Magic Kingdom, offering another way to get to what will probably be Disney World’s most popular park this summer. So some folks might choose to stay there instead.
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We know this summer is going to be different, especially when it comes to the hotels Disney World visitors choose, so we’ll be curious to see what kind of hotel trends we see once summer begins.
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We are staying at Animal kingdom lodge. We know it’s further away from everything but Animal Kingdom park, but the resort is so amazing that we keep going back even though they only have bus transportation. If we have an important dinner reservation we will use the Minnie vans. It’s a splurge that is sometimes worth it.