Can non-resort guests use the water taxis?

[CyndiLooWho]

I'm thinking this might be a nice break, and we might want to eat at one of the hotels during our stay. Do they check for room keys or do you just get on and go?

 

[suebeelin]

Get on and go

 

[CyndiLooWho]

Get on and go

Exactly what I wanted to hear.

 

[Bluer101]

At some rare higher crowded times they do check room keys so resort guest get first priority.

 

[Kivara]

Probably depends on when you visit and the boat operator.
We go in June and there's always a bit of a line.

We had to show our room key each time & have our bags checked.

 

[CPanther95]

We always go in early May and they usually checked our room keys at the City Walk dock - but rarely leaving the Portofino.

 

[macraven]

it's encouraged for park guests to use the water taxis to reach the onsite hotels.
many that stay offsite use the onsite hotels for a place to eat.

all the restaurants at the 3 hotels welcome everyone no matter where they are staying.

the Palm at hrh has a lot of offsite diners.

 

[SmallWorld71]

FWIW - We were there Jan. 1st and 2nd of this year when the parks were absolutely jammed and the resorts were booked solid. They never once checked our keys for the boats. They seemed to be running extra boats to keep up with the crowds as we generally only waited a couple minutes.
If you are looking for a casual/ inexpensive meal, Sal's pizza at Portofino Bay was delicious!

 

[macraven]

the only times i have been asked to show my hotel key card was after midnight on the water taxis.
the sign was up at the city walk dock stating hotel cards would be checked.

the last boats run to the hotels at 2-2:15 am
this keeps those leaving City walk from going to the hotels if they are not staying onsite.

after a hard ticket event is over in the parks, cards are usually checked after midnight to give the onsite hotel guests the priority of getting a seat and not having to wait for another boat.