Are you still allowed to Resort hopping (visit other resorts)?

[markpenske]

We're planning a trip later this month. A big part of our trips are to visit other resorts, especially during the holidays. I just read an article on Goggle news that stated they are restricting guests from other resorts from entering unless you have a dining reservation. Is this true? I would think if you arrived on Disney transportation you could just walk in.
Another question: It is a lot easier for us to drive to the resorts with our special wheelchair van. If we don't have a dining reservation will we be turned away?
Thanks in advance

 

[Allison]

They are limiting people driving into the resorts and taking up parking spots. You can use Disney transportation.

 

[bnf0522]

We just got back from a stay at Port Orleans Riverside. We took Disney transportation to visit Port Orleans French Quarter, Polynesian and Riviera resort shops & quick service locations during our stay. Not sure about if you were driving yourself though.

 

[MamaMermaid]

Like others have said, it's pretty tough to park anywhere. You can hop by using resort transportation or Uber/Lyft.

 

[Smugpugmug]

You will definitely be turned away from certain resorts if you don't have a dining reservation. I was on property Thanksgiving weekend and saw cars being asked to leave from Riviera and Wilderness Lodge.

 

[CarolynFH]

Another question: It is a lot easier for us to drive to the resorts with our special wheelchair van. If we don't have a dining reservation will we be turned away?

Having a special wheelchair van, presumably with Handicapped parking privileges, would allow you to valet park for free if you’re staying at the resort or if you have an ADR. I’m not sure whether it would be the same if you don’t have any reservations. You might want to ask your question on the disABILITIES forum, https://www.disboards.com/forums/disabilities.20/, since you do have special needs that might change things.

Without those special needs, PPs above are correct, you won’t be allowed to park unless you have an ADR or other reservation.

 

[_19disnA]

This gets asked a lot and the context matters. IF you are arriving via Disney transportation (i.e. bus/monorail/cable car/boat)...........there is no one going to ask where you are going or what you are planning to do. IF arriving by CAR and not staying at a particular resort (or don't have an ADR) is when there can be issues. Disney has gotten wise to those trying to 'game' the parking fees for the parks by parking for free at a nearby resort. Lots would quickly fill-up such that people actually staying there won't be able to find a place to park.

Sometimes it also depends on what time of day it is and how busy they are.

 

[RanDIZ]

Staying at CCV, I drove to Port Orleans last week for breakfast and beignets and didn't have any issues.

 

[gottalovepluto]

If you take Disney transport to the resort you are guaranteed not be turned away. If you take a rideshare some resorts, especially deluxes or those on the skyliner, they may turn your rideshare away.

 

[lanejudy]

Another question: It is a lot easier for us to drive to the resorts with our special wheelchair van. If we don't have a dining reservation will we be turned away?

Piggy-backing on @CarolynFH 's post... at a deluxe resort if you tell them you plan to valet (and do) then you should be ok. At moderate or value resorts, you may be better off taking WDW Transportation.

 

[musicguy856]

This gets asked a lot and the context matters. IF you are arriving via Disney transportation (i.e. bus/monorail/cable car/boat)...........there is no one going to ask where you are going or what you are planning to do. IF arriving by CAR and not staying at a particular resort (or don't have an ADR) is when there can be issues. Disney has gotten wise to those trying to 'game' the parking fees for the parks by parking for free at a nearby resort. Lots would quickly fill-up such that people actually staying there won't be able to find a place to park.

Sometimes it also depends on what time of day it is and how busy they are.

If you're going to a park, wouldn't it be easier to just drive the the park itself and tell the CM at the parking entrance that you're dropping your family off at the park to avoid the charge?

Not saying anyone should, just pointing out that resorts aren’t the only option for someone looking to game parking fees.

 

[_19disnA]

I don't think they will let any car through the park entrance without paying a fee. Saying you are only going to 'drop off' your passengers and depart is probably not permitted.

 

[CarolynFH]

If you're going to a park, wouldn't it be easier to just drive the the park itself and tell the CM at the parking entrance that you're dropping your family off at the park to avoid the charge?

Not saying anyone should, just pointing out that resorts aren’t the only option for someone looking to game parking fees.

I think the drop off locations for the parks are separated from the parking areas, and the CM at the gate and along the way will direct you to a separate roadway or a different lane. They’re well aware of that ploy! In fact, thinking about it, I believe there are signs directing drivers toward Guest Drop-Off before they even get to the parking booths.

 

[lelew]

Hi,
Piggy backing of OP question. I would like to eat quick service at various resorts. If I moblie order will I be allowed to park. For instance we want to get beignets from the French Port resort. Eat at Geyser Point, and visit the bar at Coronado Springs.
Thanks, and Happy Holidays to everyone

 

[Goseethemouse]

Like everyone is saying, you should have no issues when using Disney transportation. I just spent a week in Orlando and pretty much only resort hopped (and visited Disney Springs) to look at Christmas decorations. Noone ever checked where I was staying and I would assume they welcome you as you may/will spend money in restaurants, shops, etc.

Really surprised to hear that you can't go there by Uber. What if you want to eat at a quick service or buy something at the resort and get there by Uber? Why would they mind?

 

[CarolynFH]

Hi,
Piggy backing of OP question. I would like to eat quick service at various resorts. If I moblie order will I be allowed to park. For instance we want to get beignets from the French Port resort. Eat at Geyser Point, and visit the bar at Coronado Springs.
Thanks, and Happy Holidays to everyone

Maybe, maybe not, depending on how close to a park the resort is, what time of day (near park opening or fireworks), what time of year (like now, when parks are most crowded). You’re less likely to have problems at Port Orleans and Coronado Springs than at WL.

 

[CarolynFH]

Like everyone is saying, you should have no issues when using Disney transportation. I just spent a week in Orlando and pretty much only resort hopped (and visited Disney Springs) to look at Christmas decorations. Noone ever checked where I was staying and I would assume they welcome you as you may/will spend money in restaurants, shops, etc.

Really surprised to hear that you can't go there by Uber. What if you want to eat at a quick service or buy something at the resort and get there by Uber? Why would they mind?

Disney started cracking down on rideshare at the CR, when the line waiting to turn in near park opening frequently extended onto World Drive, obstructing traffic and impeding buses trying to get to MK, and rideshare passengers sometimes jumped out near the entrance, where there’s no sidewalk and it’s unsafe. Rideshare also became a problem at BW when guests had to be inside DHS to get a boarding group for RotR, and again the line of cars waiting to turn into the parking lot in early morning became a safety issue. So it really depends on where and when, when it comes to rideshare.

 

[lelew]

Maybe, maybe not, depending on how close to a park the resort is, what time of day (near park opening or fireworks), what time of year (like now, when parks are most crowded). You’re less likely to have problems at Port Orleans and Coronado Springs than at WL.

thanks, We are staying off property at Vistana and will be there day after Xmas until after New Years. We just wanted to explore the diffrent resorts and thought maybe if we mobile order we could park, eat and explore. I know in the past this was never an issue but been reading about the restrictions put in place lately.

 

[CarolynFH]

thanks, We are staying off property at Vistana and will be there day after Xmas until after New Years. We just wanted to explore the diffrent resorts and thought maybe if we mobile order we could park, eat and explore. I know in the past this was never an issue but been reading about the restrictions put in place lately.

Recent reports are you might be okay for beignets and at CSR, but no guarantees especially during the busiest time of year! For Geyser Point I’d try to arrive via Disney transportation - WL is very, very popular for decorations this time of year as well as for Geyser Point, and the parking lot is barely big enough for people staying there.

 

[Genie+]

thanks, We are staying off property at Vistana and will be there day after Xmas until after New Years. We just wanted to explore the diffrent resorts and thought maybe if we mobile order we could park, eat and explore. I know in the past this was never an issue but been reading about the restrictions put in place lately.

Some resorts have much better chance than others. POR less likely an issue than MK and EP resorts.

The guard makes the judgement depending on many factors. I think the harder resorts rely on that unpredictability to discourage attempts. If a 20% chance we’ll get turned away maybe I don’t want to waste time trying if there’s a more reliable alternative.