Is the monorail free for off-site people?

[emer95]

Sorry if this is a dumb question- I'm so new to this. I just read the post about how to kill time before check-in, and one person suggested getting on the monorail to do lunch in one of the resorts. Can anyone hop on it, even if we're not doing Disney that day? I think that would be a great way to spend our arrival day.

I know the monorail is free when we're actually hopping from park to park on our Disney days. If it is free on off-days, I'm assuming the only thing we'd need to pay for is parking?

Thanks so much!

 

[HeatherPage]

If they actually do ask to see your park-hopper (I've never been asked to show mine on any of the numerous on or offsite trips I've made) if you have a park hopper you can show that to them (they have no idea whether you are actually using it that day to get in the parks or not). Have a great time!

P.S. If you want to have lunch at one of the resorts, try to make a priority seating beforehand and you can park at the resort itself for a couple of hours while you have lunch/jump on the monorail, look around at the other resorts on the monorail line, etc.

 

[ttfn3]

Yes, as an offsite guest you can have lunch at a monorail resort and then ride the monorail. Just pull up to the resort and tell them that you will be eating lunch there (a PS would probably be a good idea so you can be guaranteed a seat). They may give you a 3 hour parking pass for self parking. Then you can ride the monorail after lunch. We have always checked out the resorts while staying offsite and have never had a problem going into the resort to check it out or have lunch/breakfast, etc. You will not need to pay for self-parking. Enjoy!!

 

[spiceycat]

get a PS - I like the Kona Cafe at the Polyn.

then with you get to the MK gate - tell the parking attendent that you have a reservation for lunch (or Dinner) at the Polyn. he will let your through at no charge - (make you are as far right as possible) - the Polyn is along the road to the right (not thru the MK parking lot) - at the light - turn left - the Polyn is along this road - past the bus depost, kennel, parking lot for guest dropoff,

it is a right turn. If you park in the valet parking it will cost your $6 to park plus a tip - so around $8. I would suggest self parking - look for the signs - here parking is free.

to ride the monrail you do need a Park hopper. we were only asked once - never at the MK - but at Epcot - there was a group that arrived by bus that only had one day tickets and they picked Epcot - but then several of them were trying to ride the monrail. A one day ticket to Epcot will not let you ride the monrail - a one day ticket to MK will. Anyway when he stopped us I got a little upset and told him unless he knew another way for us to get back to the Polyn he had better move. He got out of the way....We stayed at the Polyn that trip. So if you are traveling during off season and a bunch of people get out of buses at Epcot - just make sure you have your park hoppers handled.

the Epcot ride to the MK is not a big deal. Ride the monrail to Epcot and it is - very nice - especially enjoyable at night. It goes into Epcot.

 

[FishNette]

We were never asked to show identification when using Disney transportation. We stayed off-site & parked at DTD and took the bus to the Grand Floridian. We then rode the monorail around the lagoon and toured all 3 hotels & watched the Electric Water Parade. Then, caught the bus from the Poly back to DTD.

I haven't heard of anyone that has been asked for ID when boarding the buses, even though they clearly state to have your ID ready.

I just don't see Disney CM's trying to make anyone unhappy. The buses were all fairly empty everytime we were on them, and they have to make their routes regardless, so what does the driver care if someone staying offsite is riding the bus?