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5 Tips for Getting Back to Your Resort
The resort you chose to stay at during your vacation at Walt Disney World is your home for the next few days. Make it an enjoyable stay by following these few simple tips for getting back to your resort and where you want to go, especially in the evenings.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been at a park or on a Disney bus and people didn’t know where they were or should be going to get back to their “home away from home.” The last thing you want to be doing at the end of a very long day at the parks is trying to find your way back to the resort, dragging kids, bags of merchandise or strollers around.
Take the time to do these few things before you visit the theme parks:
- 1) Explore & learn your way around the resort
- 2) Find a directory or map
- 3) Locate the nearest bus stop to your room
- 4) Learn your way to the front desk
- 5) Be aware of your surroundings
EXPLORE & LEARN YOUR WAY AROUND THE RESORT
The first thing you need to do after you check in and get settled into your room is to go explore and learn your way around the resort. Walk around the resort, and orient yourself. Get familiar with the area so that you can easily find your way back to your room when you need to. This step will save you a lot of time in the long run.
Many people don’t take the time to learn their way around and it can get very frustrating when you are lost and can’t find your way back to your room or the bus stop or other places. It is a very easy process to just take a few minutes to explore.
FIND A DIRECTORY OR MAP
Every resort has a directory. In the resorts we’ve stayed at there was always a map located in several places so that you could find your way around. Most bus stops have a directory or map so that you can locate the place you’d like to go. Learn the name, unit number, or section of the resort you are staying at and find it on the map. There is always a “you are here” sign on the map that will show you where you are in relation to where you want to be.
LOCATE THE NEAREST BUS STOP TO YOUR ROOM
Before you go to any of the theme parks, make sure to locate the nearest bus stop to your room. Learn the name or some other location marker so that you remember where to get off when you get back to the resort. Each resort is different. Some have numbers and some are named. Our favorite resort is Saratoga Springs. There are five bus stops, each with a different name and they are quite spread out.
If you get off at the wrong bus stop, you are in for a long walk across the resort to find your room. The bus stops can be confusing quickly if you don’t learn which one you need. Make sure to look around, and remember landmarks such as the swimming pool in the area or the snack bar, the paths around the resort have placards or signs with each section listed. Choose something that will help you remember where you got on the bus or even the name of the bus stop will be helpful.
When you get to a theme park, it is always a good idea to look for the bus directory and find out which bus stop you will need to get back to your resort. Don’t wait until you are tired in the evening.
Be prepared and know where you are going. The same holds true at your resort. At your bus stop look around and be familiar with the area so you know how to get back to your room.
LEARN YOUR WAY TO THE FRONT DESK
It is always a good idea to know where the front desk of the resort is located. There may be things you need, questions to be answered and as a last resort someone to help you if you get lost.
The front desk staff or concierge is there to help you with everything related to your stay so take advantage and know where they are located if you need help.
BE AWARE OF YOUR ENVIRONMENT
As stated before, it is a good idea to be familiar with the area you are in. After you learn where your bus stop is in relation to your room and the front desk, learn the areas that are safe and the areas that may be unsafe. As an example, at Saratoga Springs there are signs posted that there may be snakes and alligators in certain areas. You DO NOT want to go looking for trouble. There are certain pathways that are closed after dark. Look around during the daylight areas and be aware of areas of concern before you find your way into these areas accidentally.
To make your vacation more enjoyable, take the time to learn your way around, be aware of your surroundings, and know where to go when you need help. Knowing your way around the resort and knowing how to get where you want to go will make your trip so much more fun.
So, next time you go to Walt Disney World and stay at a resort make sure to follow these tips so that your vacation could be more relaxing than hurried, frustrated, or worst LOST!
Even if you do not stay on a Disney property, these same tips will help at a hotel in the area or even in the parking lot of one of the parks.
It only takes a few minutes to look around and get familiar with where you are before you head into the parks for the day.
Pamela
