The boats are for everybody to use. People use them to visit the restaurants at the PBH. There have been occasions, during busy times when the parks close and restaurants are closed, that they will check to make sure you have a hotel key to return to the hotel. However, it is not a big deal as it is only a 15 minute walk back to the hotel from the parks.
Also, if you plan on parking at the hotel, there will be a $15.00 charge to park.
But if you are that close to the Portofino, you are close enough to just head over to the parks and don't need to try to use Portofino transportation and can leave it for paying guests.
Thanks for the info. We am staying at the Fairfield Inn on Vine street, we will probably walk, but read that the hotel transportation to the park makes a roundabout trip to get there.