Can offsite people visit other resorts (beach area?)

[emer95]

Hi! We're leaving in less than 3 weeks for our first ever trip! We're staying off-site, but there is one thing I'd love to know:

I'm pretty sure I can visit Disney resorts just to check them out. Well, I know I can, because we're eating at the WCC on our arrival day. We would love to stay onsite someday when we have a little more $$$ and it would be cool to stay at one we had the chance to see already. We have two "free" days during our trip to give the kids a break from the parks. On one of the days we're visiting Cocoa Beach, and I bought my girls white slip dresses to take some pictures of them in the sand, and we might do a family one too.

However, when I think about the logistics of taking photos along with a beach day, it's not as easy as I'd like it to be. First of all, I'd need to factor in the lighting (best very early or right at dusk), and I'm not sure I want to waste one of our sleeping-in days by getting up really early to get there. I also don't think we'll be looking fresh enough for pictures (I'd love to send these out as Christmas cards) in the early evening, after a full day of fun in the sun.

SO, here comes my question. I know there are some resorts that have beach-ish areas, and it would be so much more convenient if we could hop to one of those just to pose in the sand for a few pictures. Is that a possiblity? Is the beach for resort guests only? Also, if this is possible, can anyone tell me which resorts have these beach areas?

Thanks so much!

 

[ChasPowl]

The Polynesian and the Contemporary both have beach areas. You should be able to visit there, either take the monorail from MK or eat at the resort while you are visiting to take pictures. We at a Wilderness Lodge and parked with no problem and walked around before our seating.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

You certainly can go to any Disney resort to visit, take picture, shop or eat. Along with the Contemporary, Grand Floridian, and Poly, the Epcot resorts of Yacht club and Beach club have sand/beach areas. You can easily get to the Epcot resorts by exiting Epcot via the International Gateway which is near the United Kingdom. Walk straight and the Beach club is like 5 minutes away. The Yacht club is another 5 minutes. You can also boat/walk from the Disney Studios to get to this area.

 

[Frances999]

You may want to take a look at this thread. "Officialy", the Polynesian Resort beach is for the exclusive use of Polynesian resort guests, as signs on the beaches state. I'm unsure if this rule applies to all WDW resorts.

 

[philaround]

You may want to take a look at this thread. "Officialy", the Polynesian Resort beach is for the exclusive use of Polynesian resort guests, as signs on the beaches state. I'm unsure if this rule applies to all WDW resorts.

Yes the USE of the beach, and the hammocks and chairs, is for resort guests only BUT there is nothing wrong with checking the beach out. You can even go to the pool to look it over, just don't expect to go swimming.

 

[Lisa P.]

Try the Beach Club. The beach area is behind the hotel and pool area, across the walkway that circles Crescent Lake. I've rarely seen any/many people using this beach area. Also, the lake at Caribbean Beach has a lot of sandy beachfront. Both of these would be an easier drive from offsite unless you are trying to get the castle in the background.

 

[patsal]

There is also a small beach area at WL, behind the pool bar and to the right.

 

[Sammie]

Yes the USE of the beach, and the hammocks and chairs, is for resort guests only BUT there is nothing wrong with checking the beach out. You can even go to the pool to look it over, just don't expect to go swimming.

I think this is a very good explanation of visiting but not abusing and allows guests to have a look around, without enfringing on the rights of the guests staying at the resort.

 

[BostonTink85]

I have a question that is a little off the topic, but can still pertain I guess.....can you swim at the beaches at the Poly anymore?? We went MANY years ago and haven't been back since but are planning a trip there soon, and were thinking that you used to be able to swim in the water, but then they changed it so I didn't know what the rule was now.

 

[Lisa P.]

BostonTink85, it's been a couple years since swimming was allowed at any lake in WDW. One year, they kept closing the beaches intermittently due to unsafe levels of bacteria. Then, they made it a standing policy at all the resorts - no swimming (no longer need to test, I would guess). Watersports, like water skiing, are still permitted though. This has happened at some offsite locations as well, fairly common in that part of FL.

 

[Rafikifan]

I think this is a very good explanation of visiting but not abusing and allows guests to have a look around, without enfringing on the rights of the guests staying at the resort.

I agree. I don't think those asking about watching Wishes from the Poly beach mean to abuse the use of the beach as in take up chairs and hang out all day which IMHO the sign is there to deter. We've been told twice by Poly cm's it is fine to watch Wishes after having dinner there. I just think it is a far different thing than trying to use their pool etc.. I'm quite sure they won't mind us going into their gift shop.

 

[DawnCt1]

Hi! We're leaving in less than 3 weeks for our first ever trip! We're staying off-site, but there is one thing I'd love to know:

I'm pretty sure I can visit Disney resorts just to check them out. Well, I know I can, because we're eating at the WCC on our arrival day. We would love to stay onsite someday when we have a little more $$$ and it would be cool to stay at one we had the chance to see already. We have two "free" days during our trip to give the kids a break from the parks. On one of the days we're visiting Cocoa Beach, and I bought my girls white slip dresses to take some pictures of them in the sand, and we might do a family one too.

However, when I think about the logistics of taking photos along with a beach day, it's not as easy as I'd like it to be. First of all, I'd need to factor in the lighting (best very early or right at dusk), and I'm not sure I want to waste one of our sleeping-in days by getting up really early to get there. I also don't think we'll be looking fresh enough for pictures (I'd love to send these out as Christmas cards) in the early evening, after a full day of fun in the sun.

SO, here comes my question. I know there are some resorts that have beach-ish areas, and it would be so much more convenient if we could hop to one of those just to pose in the sand for a few pictures. Is that a possiblity? Is the beach for resort guests only? Also, if this is possible, can anyone tell me which resorts have these beach areas?

Thanks so much!

The beaches are essentially public areas. There is no swimming in any of the lakes at WDW of course but its easy access.

 

[AJKMOM]

Beside the bacteria in the water, there has been an increase in the alligator population.

 

[*Fantasia*]

How long does it take to take some photo shots?? I'm sure it won't take more than 15 minutes. Just take some pixs and then leave. It's easy. I don't think anyone will bother you. It's not like you're taking any chairs from the resort guests. There's plenty of area to take pictures at the Poly. I don't think the whole beach section will be taken up.

 

[Ronda93]

Another mention for the Wilderness Lodge beach. I think it would be neat to take photos of your girls on as many beaches as possible and put the photos in a multi photo frame. I think all of them would offer a distant castle anchor.

Good luck.

 

[Dizneydaz]

Did anyone mention the beaches at CBR? My DD loved playing there after breakfast in Jan.

53 days and counting

 

[aubriee]

Beside the bacteria in the water, there has been an increase in the alligator population.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! I'm going down there in Sept and was worried about hurricanes. Are you telling me that there might be live alligators wandering around inside WDW? I like to take early morning and late evening walks and would not appreciate coming face to face with an alligator. Please tell me your joking.

 

[sotoalf]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! I'm going down there in Sept and was worried about hurricanes. Are you telling me that there might be live alligators wandering around inside WDW? I like to take early morning and late evening walks and would not appreciate coming face to face with an alligator. Please tell me your joking.

You have more to worry about from mosquitoes and sun stroke.

 

[Sammie]

Whoa, whoa, whoa! I'm going down there in Sept and was worried about hurricanes. Are you telling me that there might be live alligators wandering around inside WDW? I like to take early morning and late evening walks and would not appreciate coming face to face with an alligator. Please tell me your joking.

They are not joking, Disney removes alligators from public areas and back to the wild on a regular basis. Just stay away from the water's edge especially in the dawn and dusk hours and you will be fine.

However heat stroke and lightning are a greater threat, but there are alligators at Disney World as there are in any part of Florida with water.

 

[christinou]

Fort Wilderness also has a big beach area, that might be a good place to take pictures, as it would be a lot quiter than the polynesian, or any of the other resorts mentioned.