Driving to The Mara

[dspads]

Hi,

We are checking into SSR on a Tuesday. Our flight arrives early and we are not doing a park that day. I thought it may be nice to go see AKL and eat lunch at the Mara. I am seeing mixed things about whether or not this allowed. I think it would take too long to get there by bus for it to be worth it.

We plan to do the pool at SSR after, check in, then evening at the Springs.

Any other ideas for lunch/something to do other than Artist Palette or DS. our flight arrives around 9.

Thanks!

 

[DaniPoppins]

Hello! You could definitely go to AKL and eat at The Mara! Anyone is allowed to visit resorts and eat at the food courts/restaurants. The only thing that isn't allowed is parking at some resorts unless you are a resort guest or have a dining reservation. But if you are using Disney transportation, it is totally fine!

To get to AKL from SSR, you would have to take a bus to a park or DS, then switch to an AKL bus, which could take a while for sure! Another idea would be to take a bus to HS and then hop on the Skyliner to Epcot. You would get off the Skyliner at the International Gateway entrance which is right by the Boardwalk area. You could wander around the lake and eat at any of the Epcot resorts (Boardwalk, Yacht Club, Beach Club).

Have fun!

 

[dspads]

Thanks. Darn, I was hoping we could drive.

 

[kwdw]

You could drive to AK, park, take the bus to AKL, then bus back to AK and back to your car. The bus ride to AKL is short. So - its a bit of a pain. Now - you can also ASK at the gate to AKL. If the alternative is to park at AK, this really isn't out of the way. And if they let you in, all the better.

Another idea is to book lunch Sanaa. It's really yummy!

 

[Beer Me]

Thanks. Darn, I was hoping we could drive.

There’s a very good chance they would allow you to park - the heaviest parking enforcement is at the monorail and Epcot resorts - but there is no guarantee.

However I believe valet is an option. You could try your luck with free parking but have valet as a back up you’re willing to pay the fee.

 

[dspads]

Thanks for all the ideas. I’ll check into Sanaa too. But I think the valet if needed may be worth it. I heard it’s very nice to see.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Does anyone else remember over 20 years ago, when AKL first opened, they were planning to make AKL a resort where you couldn't drive in to visit or just look around. At that time there were so many complaints that Disney changed their mind. Now they just do it anyways. Kind of reminds me of some other unpopular decisions they just make and don't seem to acknowledge complaints.

 

[DizneyFamof4]

We have driven our own car a number of times to AKL, there should not be any issue. They mainly ask if you are staying at a WDW resort and scan your MB.

 

[Aimeedyan]

FYI, AKL is the only place we've been turned away from with our car without a dining reservation. We were hoping to visit the shop and animals with our toddler and were staying onsite. Even Poly and CR have let us park to shop.

It may have been a fluke by a random security guard but wanted to mention it so you're not surprised

 

[Wings3496]

We have driven our own car a number of times to AKL, there should not be any issue. They mainly ask if you are staying at a WDW resort and scan your MB.

They usually ask if you're staying at that particular deluxe resort, not usually just any WDW resort. It varies based on how strict the attendant wants to be, but the official policy is to only let you in if you are staying at the resort, have a dining reservation at the resort, or are visiting a guest of the resort (and you must provide the guest's name who you are visiting).

 

[DizneyFamof4]

They usually ask if you're staying at that particular deluxe resort, not usually just any WDW resort. It varies based on how strict the attendant wants to be, but the official policy is to only let you in if you are staying at the resort, have a dining reservation at the resort, or are visiting a guest of the resort (and you must provide the guest's name who you are visiting).

I can only tell people, my experience, and if they even ask, its just are you staying at a WDW resort. At least for the last 19 years. I am sure there are guards that may be more strict, but like I said we never had an issue at AKL. Our last trip during Thanksgiving week, we drove to GF and BW, again with no issues and the only thing they did was scan my MB.

 

[Starport Seven-Five]

I would probably try to visit AKL by driving there first but if get turned away and your heart is still set on it you could park at Disney Springs for free. From there you can catch a bus to any resort including AKL. You will want to park in the orange garage as the escalator will be very close to the bus stops.

 

[Leight19]

I think official policy is need hotel or dining reservations so definitely a risk of being turned away depending on the security guard. That said back in November I was able to drive in to AKL just telling them I wanted to buy zebra domes. Since you said staying at ssr if I were you I’d plan to walk/boat to Disney springs and take bus from there.

 

[KPeterso]

I stayed at AKV-Jambo last week. One night, my friends dropped me off at the resort for the night. Said they were just dropping me off and then guard asked to see my ID (or maybe ID of someone in the car). No scan of my MB at all. Not sure we would have gotten through the gate if I had not been staying there.

 

[meremac]

So to echo everyone else, the official policy is that you must be staying there or have a dining reservation. However, it's up to the discretion of the security guard. My advice is to just be friendly and tell them exactly why you're there: you're coming from the airport on the way to check in at SSR and wanted to stop for a quick-service lunch. I can tell you from personal experience that I have driven/Ubered up to MANY resorts over the years. I just tell them the truth: I'm a TA who wants to check out whatever updates have been made to the resort and grab some pics, maybe get a quick bite to eat, and I'll leave as soon as I'm done. Then I keep my word. The only time I've been turned away is at the Contemporary, and I knew that was a longshot .

 

[tetera]

.

 

[Mle8308]

You can do a Mobile Food Order in the WDW app for The Mara then drive over and tell the security guard you have a food order ready to be picked up (they will probably ask where you are staying and to see your ID, as others have mentioned).

That doesn't always work. They will have you cancel the mobile order. Not always, but it's not the same as having a dining reservation.

 

[tetera]

.

 

[rdaky]

FYI, AKL is the only place we've been turned away from with our car without a dining reservation. We were hoping to visit the shop and animals with our toddler and were staying onsite. Even Poly and CR have let us park to shop.

It may have been a fluke by a random security guard but wanted to mention it so you're not surprised

Yes, they can and do turn you away. I was turned away from Caribbean Beach Resort, of all places. They told me that they would let me in only if I had a mobile order. But I've heard from others who had different information from security guards and couldn't get in even with a mobile order. So officially if you're hungry, I wouldn't risk it unless you have a table service reservation.

 

[Mle8308]

Yes, they can and do turn you away. I was turned away from Caribbean Beach Resort, of all places. They told me that they would let me in only if I had a mobile order. But I've heard from others who had different information from security guards and couldn't get in even with a mobile order. So officially if you're hungry, I wouldn't risk it unless you have a table service reservation.

Yep! We were staying there for one night before moving to the WL (change in flight so we had to arrive a day early and no availability at the WL). My friends, who are also CM’s, were coming to see us, gave our name and room number and even then, the guard wouldn’t let them in! The next day, they were driving us to the WL, it was no problem at all, the guard just waved them in….