Staying off-property, eating at Resorts?

[BetsyH]

Hi - we're taking our first family trip 11/29-12/3. We will stay off-property but want to eat at some of the resorts, and maybe get acquainted with them for future trips. Can we drive to a breakfast at WCC at WL? Or to a dinner buffet at Cape May Cafe?

 

[jayhjay]

You should be able to eat at the resort hotels w/o being a guest. I believe you can park in their lots for a few hours while you are eating if you have an ADR (they have some sort of list I think). Some places seem to be stricter than others about parking, especially those that are close to the monorail where folks try to ditch their cars. We drove to a few places even though we were staying on site last year just b/c it was easier to get to. For example, we drove from WL to the GF and parked with no problem. THe only thing is I am pretty sure you need to have ADRs (versus just walking up) b/c they need to see your name on the list.

 

[kathie859]

I'm an "off site" sorta girl myself but love to wander thru WDW resorts to check the atmosphere, etc. I adore Boma and Jiko at AKL and O'Hana's @ the Poly is fun. Just look at the menu section on allears.net and you will find all the restaurants, even those at the resorts, listed with menus.

Another thought. If you happen to have an AP, you can get a DDE which gives you 20% off food and drink at most WDW restaurants along with free valet parking at the resorts when you eat there. Someone in the family usually gets an AP (that's usually me because I am the real Dis-Freak in the family) and gets the DDE. We do like to eat in the parks and at the resorts.

 

[Mkrop]

Hi - we're taking our first family trip 11/29-12/3. We will stay off-property but want to eat at some of the resorts, and maybe get acquainted with them for future trips. Can we drive to a breakfast at WCC at WL? Or to a dinner buffet at Cape May Cafe?

You can always use Disney transportation if youa re going during a park visit. Like you could take the boat over from MK to WL on your MK day.

 

[fla4fun]

If you drive to the resort, they will sometimes ask for your ADR# at the guard shack, so be sure to have it handy. They may also give you a parking pass for a limited time in the resort parking lot (typically three hours). It's extremely rare for them to not let you park at the resort if you have an ADR. In all my years of going to Disney resorts to eat, it's only happened to me once, when they had two conventions booked at CR and I had an ADR at Concourse Steakhouse. With the meeting attendees and resort guests, they didn't have enough parking. Even with the ADR, they made me leave and park in the TTC lot.