Is it true you can't visit resorts you're not staying at if you don't have a dining reservation?

[bnf0522]

We were there in November (staying at Port Orleans Riverside). We had no issue eating quick-service and shopping at Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Polynesian & Fort Wilderness but we used Disney transportation to visit all hotels.

 

[ppony]

Depends on the resort too. We've been denied in a car but never on Disney transportation.They don't care about that. People are generally coming to spend money. We wanted to visit the stables and gift shop at Fort Wilderness but they had something going there that week and weren't allowing anyone to come in w/o a reservation. Beach Club can be super sticky about that too just as a matter of course. Lots of people used to park there to visit parks. The guard shack is still extremely militant though.

 

[NavyDad]

If you are driving, explain at the guard shack, they might let you in. I visited AKL one afternoon to check out the property, I went to wilderness lodge to get something from their gift shop, back when ESPN club was open I went to boardwalk to visit that.

I was going to say this very thing. We have visited almost every WDW resort on property by car while we were not staying at that resort. I always drive up to the guard shack, explain them that we want to check out the resort as we are considering staying there on another trip and tell them we want to explore a bit, grab a bite to eat and visit the gift shop. I always make sure to say that if it's not possible that I will understand and not get mad. I have never had an issue although one time at the Grand Floridian we were directed park way out in the overflow lot towards the conference center which was no problem.

I really think it depends on which resort you go to and when. During busier times, I have heard the MK resorts (including FW) have to limit outside guests because their parking just gets overwhelmed.