Differences when staying off-site

[KroppinK]

I have some "silly" questions that I haven't been able to find answers to regarding staying off-site...

Are all the same park tickets options available to those who stay off-site? Can you get park hopper, etc.? I saw somewhere that implied you can't get "Magic Your Way" tickets, but I can't seem to confirm that anywhere.

Is the Monorail system available to off-site guests? Does access to the Monorail just come with having park tickets for that day, rather than with being a resort guest?

If you want to eat at a resort restaurant while staying off-site, how do you do this? Can you park in the resort parking lot? Do you have to pay for parking at the resorts? What if it's a day when you don't have a park admission ticket?

Thanks for the help!!

 

[5mins2disney]

Yes you can buy the same tickets, including park hopper and no expiration options. If you're coming back in the fall, we've that it's more economical to buy a 10 day pass up front with no expiration since it's not that much more $$ than a 5 day pass.

If you're staying in a WDW Resort though, sometimes they offer EMH (extra magic hour) where you can go into the parks an hour early (no big deal to us at least).

Anyone can use the monorail for free any time, you do not need a park ticket to use it.

To east at a resort you simply go there (now you mean a resort hotel property), park, and go eat. I just got back from WDW last weekend, we went and ate at California Grill (atop the Contemporary) on Friday night, and we went and ate at Jiko inside of AKL on Sunday night. Now, if you wanted to eat inside of Epcot, Magic Kingdom, MGM, then you need a park ticket, even if you're staying onsite, where you're staying though doesn't matter in either case. We've often made reservations at Chef Mickey's for instance, and park at the Contemporary. The guards will ask to see your photo ID and check to make sure you're on the reservation list, then direct you to the free parking (note: you can also valet park in most places too). Oh...we've also done the same thing at the Polynesian to eat at Ohana's or see the luau show.

- George

 

[kilee]

You got all the answers from the above poster. I just wanted to say-- they are not silly questions. I had similar one's when we made one of our first trips.

 

[spiceycat]

if you want to eat at a resort restuarant - make a reservation.

so you can show the guard your confirmation number. saves time. plus means less waiting for you at the resturarant.

as George, say he will ask for your driving license and will probably go around the car and get your tag number.

oh at the MK resorts you must pass through the toll booths - just tell them which resort you are going to for dinner. they will let you through. You need to be in the far right lane for the MK resorts when you exit the toll both.

yes you can easily ride the Monrail. something mother wanted to do every trip.

we get on at Epcot (easily to get back and forth to the parking) - then ride the Monrail to the TTC - change monrail - ride the resort one - then change again ride the direct line - then back to the Epcot one.

or some time when Epcot is open later than the MK - park your car at Epcot - then go the MK via the monrail.

 

[KroppinK]

Yes you can buy the same tickets, including park hopper and no expiration options. If you're coming back in the fall, we've that it's more economical to buy a 10 day pass up front with no expiration since it's not that much more $$ than a 5 day pass.

Thank you so much for the replies! And particularly for this tip on getting a 10 day pass!!!!!! We had already booked the February trip before we knew about the November trip, so it never occurred to me to combine the park passes!!! I called AAA & they let us upgrade!! We're leaving in 2 weeks, so it was just in time!! We ended up saving $150 by doing this (getting 10 day with no expiration). So THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!

 

[5mins2disney]

Thank you so much for the replies! And particularly for this tip on getting a 10 day pass!!!!!! We had already booked the February trip before we knew about the November trip, so it never occurred to me to combine the park passes!!! I called AAA & they let us upgrade!! We're leaving in 2 weeks, so it was just in time!! We ended up saving $150 by doing this (getting 10 day with no expiration). So THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!

You're welcome! We aim to please here at the DIS!

- George

 

[Disneycrazymom]

It will be helpful to get a list of Early Entry Days for on-site guests so that you can start out in a different park then the ones that has EE. Many resorts guests will already be in the EE park before you would be allowed in and so the lines will be long from the beginning of your day. There should be a list posted on the calender of park hours on the home Dis page. Have a wonderful time in Disney.