When traveling to Orlando, Mickey Mouse is everywhere from the moment you step off the plane until the time you return back to home.

The kids go gaga over the famous mouse and so do parents, who are often susceptible to handing out cash in the star struck state of Florida.

Walt Disney World can be the trip of a lifetime, full of fond memories for years to come, especially for the parents who know how to get the biggest bang for their buck.

So, how do Mom and Dad preserve the fun without feeling like Mickey is reaching too far into their pockets?

The answer is, take a walk through the resorts at Disney like a local.

Here is a day trip idea for the whole family to enjoy.

It will keep costs down; not to mention every kid in the family, young and old, happy and content while exploring Disney through the backdoor.

The day starts with a car ride to the Whispering Canyon Café, located at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, just outside of Walt Disney World.

Follow the signs towards Walt Disney World and Disney’s Wilderness Lodge (not to be confused with Camp Wilderness).

The kids in the back seat will probably be the first to spot the massive gate welcoming all visitors to Disney.

Drive up to one of the windows and speak with a friendly attendant. Explain that you are going to Disney’s Wilderness Lodge for breakfast.

Since your destination is one of the resorts and not a theme park, you will not have to pay to get in.

Once allowed through the gate, follow the yellow path, and helpful signs, which will lead you to the lodge.

Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, in itself, should be considered a Disney must-see destination. It is a magnificent piece of architecture reminiscent of the old lodge at Yellowstone National Park. It was created in the Disney fashion, very detailed. No expense was spared when creating it.

This lodge is impressive as you are shocked with amazement from the moment you walk into the front entrance.

Two 55-foot totem poles greet guests as they make their way into the vast lobby. There are displays of western memorabilia all around, which will catch the eye of any child.

Parents will love the ambiance and will enjoy exploring this immense resort with the kids.

Before you start on your adventure, make sure you have a hardy breakfast at The Whispering Canyon Café, located directly to your left as you enter the lodge.

The Whispering Canyon Café is a really good time with servers, which are more like actors, who offer up knee-slappin’ songs as the crowd participates.

This breakfast is designed for the rompin’ cow herders in all of us, as you sit down for a traditional American breakfast.

The all-you-can-eat skillet is reasonably priced for a bottomless pit of eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits and gravy, and waffles. Although $15 (2008 price) per person for breakfast may seem steep at first, the food is as much about quality as it is about quantity.

This delicious meal is kid-friendly - even for those picky eaters - and will fill the entire family up until dinner time, sparing you the expense of another meal.

Plan for breakfast to last about two hours; and make sure to call ahead and make reservations, as this is a very popular restaurant and can fill up quickly.

A walk is needed after packing in the food. Out back, old-faithful launches 120 ft in the air every few minutes. Between the beautiful landscape and the running river to the pool, visitors will enjoy being outside and taking in the intimate details that Disney resorts has to offer.

After lingering for awhile, walk along the wooded path and find the boat launch. Hop aboard any boat and take a ride to the next grand hotel, for free.

Enjoy skimming along the top of this man made lake. See the wildlife and cast your views on Cinderella’s Castle off in the distance. Next stop is Disney’s Contemporary Resort.

There are three other deluxe resorts that circle around Disney World: The ultra-modern Contemporary resort, the Victorian charms of the Grand Floridian, and the tropical feel of the Polynesian.

While you are at the Contemporary, be sure to stop along the way and take a picture of the kids sitting in a giant replica of Mickey’s ears. Let them run up and down the stairs and find their way to the monorail inside, where the train actually runs through the building.

Stand in line and ride the train to the next stop, Disney’s Polynesian resort.

Jump out of the train and roam the Polynesian resort, feeling like you’ve just escaped to Hawaii. Enjoy walking around the plush waterfall and beautiful tropical plants in the main lobby. Stay awhile and watch hula dancers perform, and even get the kids involved in a free hula lesson. Make your way out back and walk along the waters edge. For some cheap fun, chip in for a ride around the resort on a bicycle built for four, or rent a boat and take the family out on the lake for a few hours. Walk to the next resort, via the beach, or hop back on the monorail, and make your way to the Grand Floridian resort.

Disney’s Grand Floridian captures the feel of the Victorian age with its high tea, promptly at two, and English gardens throughout the resort.

This classic resort cannot be missed as every little girl will love to see a parasol parade with ladies dressed in the fashion of the golden era.

It is a fairytale spot for tourists and locals alike.

Grab a Mint Julep before moving on and hop back on the monorail, circling back around to the Contemporary.

The Wilderness Lodge does not connect by monorail, so you will have to get back via boat, which you can catch at the docks of the Contemporary.

There are several boats that take visitors to the resorts and to Disney World itself. Be sure to find a boat that goes back, specifically, to the lodge.

Each resort offers something fun to see and explore. The train-like monorail stops at half of the resorts and, again, is free to ride, as are the boats.

With all the attention to details, there is a collection of things to see along the way to the entrance of Walt Disney World.

This is a nice way to spend a day exploring Disney with the kids. They will love to see Mickey everywhere, and so will parents who don’t have to spend a lot of money to get the most out of Disney for a day.
 

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