Disney Resorts tour on the first day

[happymomof2]

Hi guys!
This will be our first time on Disney property and we will be staying at ASMo. On our first day there after traveling, we really didn't want to visit any parks but wanted to tour each of the different resorts.
1. So as a guest on Disney's property are you able to visit the other resorts, just to tour and see the grounds and their amenities?
2. Also as for getting around, do the buses take you to the other resorts or just to the parks?
3. Are you able to use the amenities (i.e. pools, restaurants) on the other properties?

Thanks guys, your comments are so informative

 

[Northern Lights]

1. Yes!

2. No, only to the parks. However, you can see several of the resorts by linking transportation. For example, take your bus to MK and then hop the monorail to see each of the monorail resorts. At the Contemporary, hop on the boat and you will also be able to tour WL (and Fort Wilderness, but I would not recommend Fort Wilderness as it is very spread out). Another option, take your bus to MGM and then hop the boat to tour Swan/Dolphin, YC/BC and BW. Finally, you could hop on the bus to DTD and then get the boat ride to POR. As you will note, this tends to work only for tours of the Deluxe resorts (other than POR). There really is no way to tour the moderates and other values efficiently w/o a car.

3. Restaurants - absolutely! Pools - absolutely not (although many here will debate this).

 

[BostonRob]

Hi guys!
This will be our first time on Disney property and we will be staying at ASMo. On our first day there after traveling, we really didn't want to visit any parks but wanted to tour each of the different resorts.
1. So as a guest on Disney's property are you able to visit the other resorts, just to tour and see the grounds and their amenities?
2. Also as for getting around, do the buses take you to the other resorts or just to the parks?
3. Are you able to use the amenities (i.e. pools, restaurants) on the other properties?

Thanks guys, your comments are so informative

We like to check out other resorts too. The answer to #1 is yes.

#2 No, not directly. The busses will take you to the parks, and you can get a bus from there to the distination of your choice. I'd say your best bet here is to get a bus to the Magic Kingdom, then hop on the monorail. You can use that to check out the Contemporary, the Polynesian, and the Grand Floridian. That ought to keep you busy for an afternoon. But going from resort to resort is a nightmare.

#3 - no and yes. You are welcome to use stuff you have to pay for at other resorts - restaurants, shops, boat rentals, etc, but the free stuff like pools are restricted to guests of those resorts. I've never been carded at a pool, so you can likely get away with it if you want, that is your own choice.

 

[BostonRob]

1. Yes!

2. No, only to the parks. However, you can see several of the resorts by linking transportation. For example, take your bus to MK and then hop the monorail to see each of the monorail resorts. At the Contemporary, hop on the boat and you will also be able to tour WL (and Fort Wilderness, but I would not recommend Fort Wilderness as it is very spread out). Another option, take your bus to MGM and then hop the boat to tour Swan/Dolphin, YC/BC and BW. Finally, you could hop on the bus to DTD and then get the boat ride to POR. As you will note, this tends to work only for tours of the Deluxe resorts (other than POR). There really is no way to tour the moderates and other values efficiently w/o a car.

3. Restaurants - absolutely! Pools - absolutely not (although many here will debate this).

Wow, great minds think alike. I've got to learn to type faster.

 

[happymomof2]

Thanks so much for the suggestions.

So you are given a card to indicate that you are staying on the property?

Thanks again

 

[BostonRob]

Thanks so much for the suggestions.

So you are given a card to indicate that you are staying on the property?

Thanks again

Yes, your room key doubles as your resort ID.

 

[WillCAD]

Resort hopping is one of my favorite activities at WDW! I have a couple of strategies I use.

First, I like to tour the MK resorts. They're easy; just ride the monorail around to each in turn, get of and explore. Then, when you're finished at the monorail resorts, catch a boat from MK or from Contemporary to visit Wildernes Lodge. Don't skip WL; it's spectacular!

Later (usually on a different day) I like to tour the Epcot resorts. I leave Epcot from the Internatiojnal Gateway entrance and take a Friend Ship launch around to the Yacht & Beach Clubs, the Swan and Dolphin, and the Boardwalk. You can walk instead of taking the boat, and walking is quicker, but the wonderful boat ride is part of the experience.

You can also take a bat from Downtown Disney to the Port Orleans resorts. This boat ride is a bit longer, almost 20 minutes, but very scenic and relaxing.

Make absolutely sure to catch a bus from one of the parks to Animal Kingdom Lodge. Words alone cannot describe how beautiful and awesome this resort is; you have to see it to believe it! Make it an evening by securing a PS at Boma or Jiko and having a wonderful meal, then explore the grounds and maybe sit in on the African storytime outside.

Taking a bus to Coronado Springs or Caribbean Beach are also worth the time, but not as much as AKL.

 

[happymomof2]

Thanks WillCad,
That sounds awesome! I can't wait.