Can I visit Disney Hotels even though I'm not staying in a Disney Resort?

[JanetMo]

I'm visiting Orlando in Feb but staying at the Sheraton Vistana Village, not in Disney World.

I'd like to have a look around some of the hotels, especially the ones round the lake perhaps using the monorail. Do you need to show door passes or anything to get into the different resorts or are they open to non-guests?

What about dining in disney hotel restaurants?

 

[mickeywho?]

Absolutely welcome to explore. Enjoy the grounds walk through the main building, do some shopping and absolutely have a meal. It's a great way to have a disney day without going to a park. It's usually our favourite thing to do on our first day - not enough time or energy use a park ticket but still need some disney time. It's also fun to add a Hidden Mickey hunt while you explore. If you don't have the book ask at the front desk for a hunt list.

 

[lucky978]

We've stayed offsite before and have spent some time riding the monorail and going from resort-to resort to check them out.

Also, we've gone to the beach at the Poly to watch the fireworks from the MK (although I've heard that this technically isn't legal - I didn't know at the time). And have dined at many of the resorts (while not staying on-site) as well. The only thing is that you won't be able to use the pools.

But be warned - once you do this you may never want to stay off-site!

Enjoy!

 

[ntz4disney]

You can visit any Disney resort, and eat at any Disney restuarant no matter where you are staying. If you are traveling by car to see the resorts, at the guard gate, just mention that you are just wanting to look around at the resort. Some resorts give you a temporary parking permit and will direct you to guest parking. If you have a dining reservation at a particular resort, then you just tell them you are there for your meal and usually they have a pre-printed list of the dining reservation and will direct you where to park. Only place that may give you an issue with parking your car is Contemporary, or any of those along the monorail loop to MK ... Polynesian has been the easiest to park at. I guess some people try to park there and use Disney transportation to MK insteaf of parking at Ticket and Transportation Center. We have gone to the Contemporary to eat and they are sticklers about having a dining reservation, they have fewer parking places available now due to construction.

My MIL goes on the specific resort bus from different parks to walk around and check out the other resorts, especially this past holiday season. She was interested in looking at the resort decorations and did not have a car, so she bus hopped to see the resorts without a problem. They don;t make you show proof that you are staying at a particular resort to get on the transportation.

 

[JanetMo]

Thanks for the info everyone - I'm definitely going to plan some time to look around the resorts and get a meal somewhere

Last Feb we stayed at Port Orleans French Quarter and really enjoyed the facilities.

 

[mickeywho?]

Also, we've gone to the beach at the Poly to watch the fireworks from the MK (although I've heard that this technically isn't legal - I didn't know at the time).

This I did not know! Are you sure? We were at the Poly in august - paying guests - and loved this perk. There were quite a lot of other guests out there too - but I'm sure many weren't paying to stay there. And no one said anything to them.

 

[Disney_luvin_family]

The public areas are available for anyone to view at every hotel/resort. I was told by a person who worked at Poly (last time we stayed there) that many people come there to be on the beach and watch fire works, and that's perfectly fine with them...it's just like going to the free bon fire at the campground...Poly (and other resorts) actually encourage people to visit their resorts because many times when people visit- they spend $$$$ on things like snacks, food, special items.