Is a non-resort guest allowed to visit for a few hours with a resort guest?

[touloo]

My father lives about an hour away from Disney. Would he be allowed to visit with us for a few hours one day while we are staying at the Contemporary. We live in Maryland and only get to see him a few times a year. He would only be there for a couple of hours, not staying overnight. Not using the pool. Would that be ok? or do I have to add him to the reservation or try to book a dining reservation for all 5 of us which has been difficult to find to allow him on the property?

 

[SteveMouse]

You want to tell the front desk about your father’s visit . Do this at the front desk after you arrive. They can add him to the list of visitors so the guard gate will let him by.

 

[touloo]

SteveMouse- Thank you

 

[teawar]

My parents live in the Orlando area and visit with us all of the time when we are at WDW. They usually just tell the gate guard they are visiting with their children and give our names and room number. No big deal.

 

[Eastern]

When I have had visitors they tell the guard at the gate, 'I am here to visit X' and they give them a parking pass and let them in. Not sure if they would charge them now for parking?

 

[bookgirl]

Do you have an extra magic band?

If so you could send him one and he can go through the guest gate...unless those are disabled due to new protocols.

 

[touloo]

I just called guest services at 407-824-1000 and they said they answer the phones for the resorts, said he has to be on my reservation or a dining reservation to be allowed to enter and visit. Rep said that would be the same answer that I would get at the Contemporary Front desk or at the guard shack. I hope not, seems ridiculous to have to put another adult who would not be staying there on the resort reservation and have to pay a fee for an adult in the room not staying in the room.

 

[martikus]

I just called guest services at 407-824-1000 and they said they answer the phones for the resorts, said he has to be on my reservation or a dining reservation to be allowed to enter and visit. Rep said that would be the same answer that I would get at the Contemporary Front desk or at the guard shack. I hope not, seems ridiculous to have to put another adult who would not be staying there on the resort reservation and have to pay a fee for an adult in the room not staying in the room.

Is it possible it’s because of COVID right now?

worst case meet him at Disney springs.

 

[bookgirl]

Is it possible it’s because of COVID right now?

worst case meet him at Disney springs.

This. Parking there is free. Plenty of resturants to eat at. Then you can all go back to the resort on the bus and hang out. He can bus it back to DS when he's ready to leave. In fact I think the bus stops are near the parking garage bridges...

 

[sponica]

I just called guest services at 407-824-1000 and they said they answer the phones for the resorts, said he has to be on my reservation or a dining reservation to be allowed to enter and visit. Rep said that would be the same answer that I would get at the Contemporary Front desk or at the guard shack. I hope not, seems ridiculous to have to put another adult who would not be staying there on the resort reservation and have to pay a fee for an adult in the room not staying in the room.

Don't trust anything anyone tells you on the phone...you might get better traction on the Contemporary Resort thread. You might find someone staying there right now who can find out the "on the ground" answer.

Worst case scenario, you can try adding him as a day guest when you're there...

 

[Sunnywho]

Worst case, he gets turned away, which would be surprising, have him pay to park at the magic kingdom parking lot and take the monorail to the Contemporary.

 

[cakebaker]

I wouldn't depend on what guest services tells you over the phone. Talk to the front desk and tell them he's visiting. They may or may not have you add him to the reservation. It doesn't cost a lot regardless. The rules have changed due to Covid and an awful lot of abuse with people finding excuses to park at the Contemporary to get to the MK has caused them to tighten down on the rules.

 

[Eastern]

I would go to guard shack, tell the guard you are visiting your child for X hours and let guard tell you what you need to do. At best he waves you in. At worst you pay for parking for the day. In some crazy universe they make your child add you to their reservation and pay for parking as well.

Another ‘at worst scenario’ they tell you NO VISITORS ALLOWED which sounds insane, so you drive over to TTC, pay to park, and take the monorail over.

 

[Pooh2]

Just before Covid, my son and his family who lived locally were allowed to visit with us for the day at the resorts.
The were allowed to use the pools except the big pool at Beach Club (we had a split stay).
Disney was so gracious about it!

 

[Nabas]

I believe parking is only charged for those staying overnight.

We also have found that some resorts are much more strict than others, with the Grand Floridian probably being the hardest to get into the parking lot if you are not staying there.

Using a spare Magic Band to a registered Guest is the easiest way to get in.

 

[SLP_PoohBear]

This is not true! Last month I was staying an Yacht Club and my friends who live nearby came to visit. They just told the guard my name and room number and were able to get in no problem.

I just called guest services at 407-824-1000 and they said they answer the phones for the resorts, said he has to be on my reservation or a dining reservation to be allowed to enter and visit. Rep said that would be the same answer that I would get at the Contemporary Front desk or at the guard shack. I hope not, seems ridiculous to have to put another adult who would not be staying there on the resort reservation and have to pay a fee for an adult in the room not staying in the room.

 

[cakebaker]

This is not true! Last month I was staying an Yacht Club and my friends who live nearby came to visit. They just told the guard my name and room number and were able to get in no problem.

They tend to be much more strict at the Contemporary than any other resort. And experiences vary - you were able to do it, but the rules technically say you can’t. If they allow it, it’s as a courtesy and not guaranteed.

 

[_19disnA]

^^ Likely one of the reasons they are more strict at the Contemporary is to prevent those trying to get out of paying to park at MK and think they can 'game' the system by parking for free. I am sure people use all sorts of imaginative explanations of why they want to park there and Disney is wise to that. I think giving the guard the name/room # of the guests they are visiting is probably the best alternative. They will either say yes or no. Weekends are also probably a busier time with less available parking in the lot. Otherwise meeting at Disney Springs could be another option.

 

[Disneyfan754321]

I agree never trust the people on the phone, just ask the desk when you get there or go walk to the road and drive in together.