Parking at resort when you have a dining reservation

[sam_rogers]

I was just wondering if the cms ask you whether you have a dining reservation when you arrive at the resort to park and are not staying there or if they will let us straight through? I have a reservation at sanaa that is a surprise for dh so I don't want him to find our about it until we arrive at the restaurant if possible, so being quizzed about it at the resort entrance might give the game away!

 

[mom2rtk]

I can't imagine they won't ask.

 

[LBlovesM&WDW]

When you arrive at the gate, you may be able to get away with just saying your name and the time of the ADR, but don't be surprised if the guard asks the restaurant or says it.

 

[sam_rogers]

If we have time I might look at getting a bus to AK then getting a bus to akl and uber back. We're only at the all star sports so it's not a long journey .

 

[Pumbaa_]

They will absolutely ask why you are there.

 

[Dumbo7]

And scan your magic band so confirm your reservation

 

[pattyw]

Yes they'll ask. You may be able to say you have a dining reservation and hand them your magic band to confirm without saying where.

 

[1GoldenSun]

They will always ask why you want entrance to the resort. They may or may not ask for proof of an ADR. I've told guards that I was there for a meal and they let us through without even asking the name of the restaurant, and I've also had to pull up my ADR on my phone or scan my magic band. Just yesterday we went to brunch at California Grill (we're fairly local). We were not going to the parks and did not have Magic bands with us. They asked to see my ADR. I should have thought to pull it up on my phone ahead of time but did not, and it took a few minutes to do so as traffic backed up behind us.

I think your idea of taking the bus is the best option. Often resorts will let you in just to look around if they're not too busy, but you can't count on it.

And what a wonderful surprise for your husband! Have a great time!

 

[richmo]

A couple comments just confirming above...

Yes, they will ask and most likely scan your MagicBand to see the reservation.

On taking the bus from a resort: If you do that, allow lots of time. One time I had Boma reservations at AKL while staying at Wilderness Lodge...left WL 1.5 hours prior to reservation and showed up at AKL 20 minutes late. Resort to resort Disney transportation is shaky at best...I might be inclined to reverse your thinking and Uber (or splurge and get a Minnie Van) from your resort to dinner, then bus back when time isn't a constraint.

 

[GillianP1301]

I have always been asked when entering for an ADR my reason for being there and they always verify by either scanning my band or sometimes they have a printed list they check your name off on. You might be able to say something like "We're here for a little suprrise" and just hand them your band and they will most likely go with it. I would think that by the time you are entering the AKL parking lot that your husband is going to know something is up anyway, no?

 

[DisBuckMan]

"We're here to tour the resort and view the animals on the savannah".

This isn't that hard, folks.

 

[ericf70]

What if you don't have an ADR? I've parked at resorts to eat there with no ADR in the past without issues. Has this changed?

 

[sam_rogers]

I have always been asked when entering for an ADR my reason for being there and they always verify by either scanning my band or sometimes they have a printed list they check your name off on. You might be able to say something like "We're here for a little suprrise" and just hand them your band and they will most likely go with it. I would think that by the time you are entering the AKL parking lot that your husband is going to know something is up anyway, no?

I was just going to ask dh if he fancies going to akl to see the savanna there and maybe get something from the mara for dinner we've looked around a few resorts but never been to akl so I don't think he'll protest too much.

 

[1GoldenSun]

Yes, you could just say you want to take a look around and this usually works, but not always. We've been denied entry to a resort before, although not at AKL. You could try it and if they won't let you in, you could just let the cat out of the bag regarding the ADR. It would still be a surprise for your DH, just a bit earlier than planned. And the chances are good that they'll let you in.

 

[gharter]

When we drive to a resort for our meal, at the gate, they always ask and scan the magic band.
You might try saying you want to look around and see the animals. Sometimes they will let you in if the resort isn't too crowded. Much more diffficult at the EPCOt resorts as people try and park there, then go to the park. Not really a concern at AKL.
You might check with your front desk CMs and see if they can help with this as well. Or call AKL front desk and explain the situation and see what they suggest.

 

[WaltDavisWorld]

We went there recently just to visit the resort and it was no problem. They did ask if we had a reservation but we just said we wanted to check out the resort and they let us right in.

 

[GillianP1301]

I was just going to ask dh if he fancies going to akl to see the savanna there and maybe get something from the mara for dinner we've looked around a few resorts but never been to akl so I don't think he'll protest too much.

I would try that first then at the gate, say you are dining at Mara. If they give you a hard time, then you may have to say you have an ADR and the surprise will be up at that point, but you will most likely be fine saying resort tour and Mara. The issue with parking and them ensuring people have ADRs is more of an issue for the monorail and EPCOT area resorts because people lie, park their car and then leave it there for the day while they go to the parks.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

Maybe try, "we are here to look around, see the animals and get a bit to eat". As you are saying it, hand the guard your MB so he/she can scan it and see the reservation. Obviously, no guarantee they won't say anything, but, that way YOU won't have to say you have a reservation?! Or, yes, taking the bus would solve everything except a long transport time.

 

[bryanb]

Maybe try, "we are here to look around, see the animals and get a bit to eat". As you are saying it, hand the guard your MB so he/she can scan it and see the reservation. Obviously, no guarantee they won't say anything, but, that way YOU won't have to say you have a reservation?! Or, yes, taking the bus would solve everything except a long transport time.

And just in case the guard does let the secret out inadvertently, have your confetti and noisemakers ready, turn to DH, and blurt out, "SURPRISE!!!!!"

 

[DaisyDuck001]

I've found that they either scan the magic band to verify the reservation, or sometimes they say their scanner is down but then they always look up the reservation some other way.