? about driving to different resorts

[reelmom]

We have always stayed off-site( I am cheap) so I don't know how this works. Are you able to drive to Disney Resorts if you are staying off-site? Do they charge for parking or are you only allowed a certain amount of time? I would love to eat at the resorts and look around.

Also, if I do decide to stay on-site, which is better All Star or POP?
Thank you

 

[EnnEss]

You can go there if you have ressies to eat. You get three hours. I presume they give you some kinda temporary pass as everyone thats there has passes for the duration of their stay. It shouldnt be a problem, but just dont stay too long (I think you're allowed 3 hours). I doubt they'd tow your car but they might and that'd be so awful. You'll have plenty of time to eat and look around though.

Another thing to do is take the boat to WL, Poly or GF from MK to look at those ones, or the boat from DHS/Epcot to any of those hotels. Those are nice trips you wouldnt usually get to experience if you're offsite.

 

[reelmom]

Would they let us in to eat at Counter Service Meals or to shop or is it just if you have ADR's?

 

[Kae]

Yes to what the other poster said.

As to which is better AS or Pop. We liked Pop better. Big thing they do not share buses.

Kae

 

[DizneyNutz]

Would they let us in to eat at Counter Service Meals or to shop or is it just if you have ADR's?

You don't have to spend a dime to visit and we highly recommend it! Just pull up to the guard gate and tell the guard you would like to look around and see the resort. They will usually give you a time limited parking pass as the OP stated.

 

[Lynne M]

You don't have to have an ADR to visit the resorts. Just tell the guard that you want to look around the resort, and they'll let you right in. People visit resorts to shop, to rent bicycles and watercraft, or just to explore, and that's just fine with Disney.

At the deluxe resorts, you may be given a 3-hour parking pass, because some folks try to use the resort lots to avoid paying for parking at the theme parks. I haven't heard of any time limits on parking at the values or moderates.

 

[reelmom]

Thanks for all the responses.

 

[disnut8]

Hello - up here in Brasleton so happy to help out a fellow "Atlantian".

Disney World WANTS you to visit their resorts.

You can drive to any resort you would like. The monorail and Epcot resorts (except the Boardwalk in overflow parking) will more than likely give you a three hour parking pass. We've also gotten one at the Animal Kingdom Lodge (which should be #1 on your list to visit, in my opinion). For the rest of them, you shouldn't have any restrictions (since it's a PITA to quickly get to a park).

You don't need a dining reservation. Be honest with the gate guard about why you are there and have your driver's license out and handy (they very well could check it). Right after 9/11, they were also taking license plate numbers but I haven't seen that in a long time.

Park in the self parking lot and then enjoy. (You can also valet park at the resorts that offer that but if you are just there for a visit why bother and have to pay?)