Can I just look around please???

[Julia Ann]

We are staying on I-Drive and would like to (one day!) stay in a disney or Universal hotel. With these hotels costing so much more than your average motel/hotel and would probably stay there for a special one off occasion I would like to see all of them (well a couple any way - Animal kingdom lodge especially) so that I was sure which one to stay in.

Can we just walk in and wonder round and ask to see a bedroom? I feel a bit cheeky but if it acceptable then I'll feel ok.



The countdown is on and I'm sooooooooo excited!!!

 

[signtalker]

You are able to walk round all off the onsite hotels(we spent a day doing this !!).You will have to provide your passport at the gate and tell them you are visiting and you can park in the grounds of the hotels. Im not sure about looking round the rooms,but im sure if you ask they will let you.

We had drinks and ice creams,as well as meals at the onsite hotels(so it was like a day out LOL),our faves are AK(go in the evening so you can see the animals),and wilderness lodge.

Jules

 

[GO2209]

Disney resort hotels tend to have some form of barrier/security at their entrance. If you just explain to the guard on duty what you want to do you shouldn't have any problems. They may ask for some ID though.

I am sure I read somewhere that they issue short term parking permits?

As for access to the rooms - maybe. I guess it would depend on how busy they are...? You can only ask and see what happens.

 

[Goofyish]

You could also just catch the resort bus from any Disney park back to a resort and have a look round, then catch the bus back to the park again.

Another option is to book a meal at a resort restaurant - like Boma at AKL.

 

[UKDEB]

We love resort hopping. As others have said, if you arrive by car they will ask you for photo ID at the security gate, so have your passport or driver's licence (if it's a photo one) with you. Tell them you have come to have a look around, or to have a meal and they will give you a 3 hour parking permit.

Animal Kingdom Lodge is possibly my favourite Disney resort. Both Boma (buffet) and Jiko (more upscale dining) are fabulous restaurants and well worth a visit.

If you want to visit a MK resort, it's quite nice to do so during a day when you'll be at the park. Hop on the resort monorail for Grand Floridian, Contemporary or Polynesian or get a boat across the Seven Seas Lagoon to Wilderness Lodge.

Similarly, we often combine IllumiNations with an evening at the BoardWalk/Yacht and Beach Club. You can walk or get a water taxi between World Showcase (International Gateway) and the resorts. There's lots to do at the BoardWalk during the evenings.

You'd probably struggle to do justice to every resort in just one trip unless you're going to devote a lot of time to it. I've never asked to see a room. On the face of it, it seems like a fairly simple request, but I guess if everyone was doing it they'd have to employ extra staff.

 

[signtalker]

when we were there in May, we didnt get issued with a short term parking permit, they just directed us to the resort area parking, me and DH said how easy it could have been to hop over to a park and not pay the $7 parking fee.We did leave our car in the parking area for a good length of time and never had any problems,nobody mentioned a parking permit to us.

jules

 

[BONZO]

...as the parking has been covered...

.....You can ask at reception and tell them that you are considering staying and could you be shown around a typical room.

I guess this will depend how busy they are i.e. not good when loads of people are trying to check-in.

 

[Julia Ann]

Thanks for all of your replies. I can't wait to go and have a mooch now (as long as my hectic itinerary will let us!!)

We may just pop over for a meal at AK lodge whilst waiting for Specromagic at MK.

Do we have to book in advance if we want to dine in any of the hotels?

More tips very welcome.

 

[UKDEB]

Originally posted by Julia Ann
Do we have to book in advance if we want to dine in any of the hotels?

It depends on when you're going and which restaurants. For busier times and the more popular restaurants, then it probably makes sense. Jiko and Boma at AKL are both very popular.

Are you familiar with Disney's Priority Seating arrangement? For most WDW restaurants you can book 60 days in advance by dialling 001 407 939 3463. You don't actually have a reservation for a fixed time. You will be given the first available seating after your PS time. They will ask you to arrive 15 minutes prior to that time and often you will be seated early.