Can an annual pass holder gain access to Hotel/resort facilities ?

[holidayhappy]

Hi,
For the second year running, I have an annual pass for Disney. I am curious to know if the hotel/resorts allow non staying guests to use their facilities (ie. swimming pool etc) - perhaps for an additional fee ? There also appears to be various wonderful activities at Christmas time (such as gingerbread decorating etc) that takes place in the lobbies & the campfire at Fort Wilderness for example. Does anyone know the attendance criteria for these things by any chance ?
Many thanks for your help
Holidayhappy (getting very excited - our 7th trip is less than 90 days away!!)

 

[maxiesmom]

Even having an Annual Pass, you are still not allowed to use the pool at any resort except for the one you are staying at. I'm not sure about the other activities, though someone will probably be along shortly who knows more than I do.

 

[Traveliz]

Hi,
For the second year running, I have an annual pass for Disney. I am curious to know if the hotel/resorts allow non staying guests to use their facilities (ie. swimming pool etc) - perhaps for an additional fee ? There also appears to be various wonderful activities at Christmas time (such as gingerbread decorating etc) that takes place in the lobbies & the campfire at Fort Wilderness for example. Does anyone know the attendance criteria for these things by any chance ?
Many thanks for your help
Holidayhappy (getting very excited - our 7th trip is less than 90 days away!!)

You can't swim but anyone can do just about anything else activity wise at the hotels.

Liz

 

[Lots-o-Huggin]

I thought you had to have a reason for going in some resorts. Every time we go to 'O'hana's at the Polynesian, we've had ADR's and had to present a driver's license to the security guard at the front gate.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

Anybody can use any of the restaurants, stores, and public lounges at any of the Resorts. I'm not sure of the game rooms. Also, anyone can wander the lobby and the grounds.

The only things that cannot be done is use the swimming pools, hot tubs, and excercise rooms. Only exceptions are Port Orleans where staying at either will allow use of both or staying at any of the All Stars Resorts where you can use all three.

 

[chartle]

I thought you had to have a reason for going in some resorts. Every time we go to 'O'hana's at the Polynesian, we've had ADR's and had to present a driver's license to the security guard at the front gate.

That was to make sure you aren't trying to use the Poly as a parking lot for access to the MK. Anyone can visit any resort, its the parking lots that they control. They are making sure you are not parking there and then getting on the monorail to go to the MK for the day.

To the OP the only thing on your list that is a little ambiguous is the camp fire at FW. The way the description is worded it may only officially be for FW resort guests. The only time I read that they check KTTW cards is on Halloween because in years past they have been getting a lot of locals trick or treating through the park and at the camp fire.

 

[DisneyDudet]

I thought you had to have a reason for going in some resorts. Every time we go to 'O'hana's at the Polynesian, we've had ADR's and had to present a driver's license to the security guard at the front gate.

Parking at resorts is limited to that specific resort guests or those with ADRs, for an allotted time, usually 3 hours.

Anyone is free to visit the resorts and walk around, shop, look at decorations, etc.

 

[Traveliz]

Anybody can use any of the restaurants, stores, and public lounges at any of the Resorts. I'm not sure of the game rooms. Also, anyone can wander the lobby and the grounds.

The only things that cannot be done is use the swimming pools, hot tubs, and excercise rooms. Only exceptions are Port Orleans where staying at either will allow use of both or staying at any of the All Stars Resorts where you can use all three.

Well to be honest I don't know for sure about the game rooms but having been in them I can't see why they would be restricted and we have stopped and played games while in different resorts without question.

Liz

 

[fla4fun]

Game rooms are open to everyone, not just resort guests. The same holds true for renting boats, bikes, etc., at the various resorts. The big no-no is the pools. I've never been asked to show a KTTW for anything but the pools.

 

[LaurenT]

I thought you had to have a reason for going in some resorts. Every time we go to 'O'hana's at the Polynesian, we've had ADR's and had to present a driver's license to the security guard at the front gate.

I think they do that for parking..to prevent park goers from clogging up the resort parking to save themselves the lot fees....

 

[Lou Holtz]

There are basically no benefits to the AP outside of the bare minimum.

 

[RMulieri]

You can go to any resort ,if it is in a themepark location like the MK resorts or Epcot /BW resort area, they may restrict access during the holidays to prevent people from parking in the resort lot and going to the themepark.You can not use any resort pools other than your own.The ONLY people allowed to pool hop are DVC members, and even they are restricted from certain pools ( SAB at BC/YC) and subject to black out dates.