Disney Hotel facilities

[merlin307]

Hi

I am staying off site in April, but was wondering how easy it is to visit/sightsee the disney resorts/hotels, as I have read some good reports about the decor/facilities available.
We don't do ADR's (partner is the fussiest eater known to man) so that option to view the hotels is out..
Any suggestions/tips on how to see the hotels, without being a guest?

 

[CustardTart]

You could take a look at the resorts near Epcot (Yacht and Beach Club, Boardwalk) when you visit Epcot. Go out the World Showcase exit and you can walk to them. Same goes for the MK resorts (Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Wilderness Lodge) tho' you would have to use the monorail/water transportation to/fro these resorts. SSR and OKW are accessible from DTD but you'd need to get a bus from AK to visit AKL. Otherwise I suggest you park at DTD and get a resort shuttle bus to whichever one you fancy, have a drink there and get the bus back...

 

[Boo Boo Too]

If you have a car, then you can just drive into their car parks (although I THINK some may charge for parking these days... someone else would have to confirm that).

Like any hotel, you are very welcome to look around the public areas and sit in a bar/lounge with a drink if you like (but you don't have to). The only thing that they don't like you doing is using the pool/gym/facilities - those are for paying guests only (I believe they have got a lot stricter on this - people used to like spending the morning at Epcot, then go along to use the great pool at the Beach/Yacht Club... ).

I think that going and looking at some of the Disney hotels is a GREAT way f working out which places you might like to stay next time and which you actually wouldn't really like (i.e. we loved Beach/Yacht Club, but didn't like Animal Kingdom Lodge...).

Boo

 

[wayneg]

I believe all resorts issue 3 hour parking passes for people visiting, I read it on Dis in last few days, someone will know, I will try find the link.

 

[Madjock]

You can visit the resorts to have a look around their shop as well, each one is slightly different

 

[wayneg]

ok found it.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1400422

 

[Boo Boo Too]

ok found it.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1400422

Fantastic!

So, after a day at Epcot, you could drive to Boardwalk. Walk around the Boardwalk, Swan & Dolphin, Yacht and Beach Club. Have a drink and/or ice cream. Walk back to your car and drive back to where you are staying off-site... I love the resorts around that area... they are beautiful.

If you CAN find a restaurant that your other half would like (can't believe that ANYONE is that fussy - if so, you are a very patient person ), then combine it with that... We like Shula's (at the Dolphin) and enjoy walking around the area before and after our meal.

Boo

 

[merlin307]

Fantastic!

So, after a day at Epcot, you could drive to Boardwalk. Walk around the Boardwalk, Swan & Dolphin, Yacht and Beach Club. Have a drink and/or ice cream. Walk back to your car and drive back to where you are staying off-site... I love the resorts around that area... they are beautiful.

If you CAN find a restaurant that your other half would like (can't believe that ANYONE is that fussy - if so, you are a very patient person ), then combine it with that... We like Shula's (at the Dolphin) and enjoy walking around the area before and after our meal.

Boo

Burgers and fries - thats it - nothing green and healthy - it is a pain but it doesnt stop me..........

 

[merlin307]

Thanks for the information.......and the link Wayneg.......very helpful

One moe thing...what resorts/hotels would you recommend seeing?

Animal Kingdom lodge appeals as the 7yo we are going with loves anything "Lion King" - and he has seen on the dvd that you can see wild animals at the lodge

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Burgers and fries - thats it - nothing green and healthy - it is a pain but it doesnt stop me..........

Hope that you have a new one lined up for after that one expires from a colanary...

I know a girl who would be almost perfect for him - well she is technically "chicken nuggets and fries only", but that is fairly close...

Saying that, many restaurants do offer burgers and fires or how about steak - has he graduated to steak and fries?

Boo

 

[merlin307]

Hope that you have a new one lined up for after that one expires from a colanary...

I know a girl who would be almost perfect for him - well she is technically "chicken nuggets and fries only", but that is fairly close...

Saying that, many restaurants do offer burgers and fires or how about steak - has he graduated to steak and fries?

Boo

Nope no steak - has to be processed (dont ask me why).... if it bears any resemblance to "real" food then its turned away................

 

[Boo Boo Too]

Nope no steak - has to be processed (dont ask me why).... if it bears any resemblance to "real" food then its turned away................

Wow...

Hope it has no adverse effects on his health, especially long term

I am obviously a very evil wife then - my husband eats what is infront of him... greens and all.

Boo

 

[merlin307]

Wow...

Hope it has no adverse effects on his health, especially long term

I am obviously a very evil wife then - my husband eats what is infront of him... greens and all.

Boo

Let me know your secret...although after so long I dont think he'll change

 

[Claire L]

Alot of the hotels have food courts so you could get a burger there. Go to the ESPN club, at the Boardwalk, they do good burgers or get one at Beaches and Cream across the way at the Beach Club.

Claire

 

[Graeme]

Don't forget there's the DIS dining section where you can see the full menus these resort restaurants offer. DH would be able to see what would be put in front of him and there wouldn't be any suprises .

 

[merlin307]

Don't forget there's the DIS dining section where you can see the full menus these resort restaurants offer. DH would be able to see what would be put in front of him and there wouldn't be any suprises .

thanks for the tip...will check oot the menus

 

[merlin307]

I just checked the dining pages on the site and I am ecstatic that nearly all of the diney resorts provide simple american food (for DH) ..... burgers etc.

One last question - not being a Disney hotel guest- would it be polite to time eating at say the Polynesian for Wishes......then maybe be hanging around on the beach afterwards? (or as I suspect is this restricted to guests only)
Does anyone know?

 

[Claire L]

One last question - not being a Disney hotel guest- would it be polite to time eating at say the Polynesian for Wishes......then maybe be hanging around on the beach afterwards? (or as I suspect is this restricted to guests only)
Does anyone know?

You should be able to see Wishes from the beach as it is open to anyone, not sure if any of the restaurants offer a view of Wishes though due to their location.

Claire

 

[Graeme]

I just checked the dining pages on the site and I am ecstatic that nearly all of the diney resorts provide simple american food (for DH) ..... burgers etc.

I've been there! I took my wife to the Boma buffet at AKL and she had chicken nuggets and fries.

 

[CustardTart]

You can see see Wishes from Ohana's tho' not from Kona Cafe. You can hear it too as they play the audio track at the same time. You'll be fine watching it from the beach - it's very romantic and you can get some fabulous photos plus the Poly is very atmospheric at night with it's torch-lit pathways...

One of my favourite places to watch Wishes is from outside Narcoosees at the Grand Floridian - the audio track is played there too...