Resort Hopping

[supernova]

I take one day out of each trip just to visit the other resorts. And while I don't usually purchase much, I love to visit the gift shops and see what different merchandise they carry by location. I always have a rental car, so getting around isn't an issue.

 

[Her Dotness]

I always have a rental car, so getting around isn't an issue.

Pre-covid, driving your rental car to look around a resort was a good means of getting around at your convenience with lots of room to haul any goodies that followed you. You just said to the gate guard you wanted to look over the resort and were waved in much of the time.

However, unless relaxed mask policies are accompanied by fewer resort access restrictions soon, people aren't allowed into most resorts when driving unless you've a dining reservation.

That's why taking Disney transportation is advisable.

 

[HashberryOTG]

However, unless relaxed mask policies are accompanied by fewer resort access restrictions soon, people aren't allowed into most resorts when driving unless you've a dining reservation.

I have seen no indication they have or will lighten up on this. It gives them better control over busy parking lots and pick up/drop off areas. I expect it to stay.

 

[legler2250]

This is just one of the many aspects about Disney that is absolutely amazing. If you get tired of parading around the parks and braving the crowds day in and day out, the option to engage in lobby tours is there for the taking =). For me this was useful before buying into DVC so that I could get a feel for what resorts I enjoyed without having to spend hundreds / thousands staying at different resorts.

 

[supernova]

Pre-covid, driving your rental car to look around a resort was a good means of getting around at your convenience with lots of room to haul any goodies that followed you. You just said to the gate guard you wanted to look over the resort and were waved in much of the time.

However, unless relaxed mask policies are accompanied by fewer resort access restrictions soon, people aren't allowed into most resorts when driving unless you've a dining reservation.

That's why taking Disney transportation is advisable.

Not at all. I've been to WDW nine times since they re-opened, including last weekend. Zero issue getting past the guard houses.

 

[Her Dotness]

That's a surprise, because we saw people do a u-turn and leave 3-4 times when we were there in November.

If not for a fairly lengthy conversation with the guard and some animated gesturing, we'd have figured they were simply asking directions or for something else.

I suppose trying to see if you can get in would be an option, then.

 

[HashberryOTG]

The strictness varies greatly based on the resort proximity to a park.

 

[_19disnA]

^^ I agree, Disney is wise to those who try to park at say one of the monorail resorts for free in order to avoid paying to park @ MK. This was true prior to covid. I am sure the guards hear all sorts of clever reasons to obscure the fact someone is basically trying to 'game' the parking system. Same is true of resorts near Epcot/HS. If you arrive via Disney transportation no one is going to ask where you came from or where you are going.

 

[Jabroniville]

I take one day out of each trip just to visit the other resorts. And while I don't usually purchase much, I love to visit the gift shops and see what different merchandise they carry by location. I always have a rental car, so getting around isn't an issue.

Interesting- I wasn't aware gift shops changed much in terms of what was around- Pop & AoA mostly carry the same stuff, and I don't remember the Contemporary having much else, but I was out of there pretty quickly. What tends to be unique to certain locations? And which are the most fun resorts to visit?

I've always kind of wanted to try this, but I live far away so I never take rest days as my vacation time is too valuable and expensive- one thing I'd like to do is visit Animal Kingdom Lodge, though.

 

[supernova]

Interesting- I wasn't aware gift shops changed much in terms of what was around- Pop & AoA mostly carry the same stuff, and I don't remember the Contemporary having much else, but I was out of there pretty quickly. What tends to be unique to certain locations? And which are the most fun resorts to visit?

I've always kind of wanted to try this, but I live far away so I never take rest days as my vacation time is too valuable and expensive- one thing I'd like to do is visit Animal Kingdom Lodge, though.

I didn't either until I started visiting. I found a great ornament at the Contemporary a couple of weeks ago, a DVC-resort puzzle at the Polynesian, and a 1971 WDW map puzzle at the Riviera. I hadn't seen these items at any other resort or at Disney Springs. The puzzles might make their way to other areas, but the resort-specific items are among my favorites. I have a few items from Wilderness Lodge, my home DVC resort.

 

[akscruggs10]

Sooo.. thats a thing? can someone point me to a trip report to get a GiST of what this is.


You just take Disney transportation and go look at the other Hotel lobbies?

i admit most of my stays at Disney when DD was in cheer so it was always value resorts. am i missing something by not just heading to AKL and looking around the lobby?

Have i bene missing out? LOL

Chris

The resorts are awesome! The hardest part about using Disney transportation, without your own transportation is that you will have to go to a park and get on a the resort bus that you want to go to, then be back to the park before the busses stop running and get on a bus to your resort. AKL is a gorgeous resort, and in my opinion is if you have down time to not be in the parks, most definitely go check out the other resorts.

 

[supernova]

The resorts are awesome! The hardest part about using Disney transportation, without your own transportation is that you will have to go to a park and get on a the resort bus that you want to go to, then be back to the park before the busses stop running and get on a bus to your resort. AKL is a gorgeous resort, and in my opinion is if you have down time to not be in the parks, most definitely go check out the other resorts.

I only travel WDW by rental car, so it's never an issue to hit most or even all of the resorts on any trip.