Staying off site, visiting disney hotels?

[pantherlj]

I thought I read on here somewhere that it wouldn't be a problem to park at a disney property if we were staying off site if we wanted to explore the hotel. How do you get a parking pass? Do you just say that you want to explore the hotel to see if you want to stay there sometime in the future? How long can you stay there?

I don't want to do anything wrong but thought it might be nice to watch fireworks from the Poly beach one night but I also understand that might be considered more of a privilege for a paying guest at the disney resort.

Is it different if you are going there for a meal? DH doesn't think they will just let us drive up and go strolling around. We do have a breakfast planned at Poly one morning.

Thanks

 

[CrazyDisneyMommy1]

We have driven up to many resorts to just look around and they will ask to see a picture I.D. and then you can go park in the guest parking. Have fun!!

 

[pantherlj]

We have driven up to many resorts to just look around and they will ask to see a picture I.D. and then you can go park in the guest parking. Have fun!!

You just told them you wanted to look around? Did they give you a certain amount of time (30 minutes? 2 hours?)

thanks!

 

[ajleone]

You'll get a 3 hour parking pass. Keep in mind that depending on how busy it is they may not let you park there. Also they can and do tow for being there beyond your 3 hours.

 

[redrosesix]

You'll get a 3 hour parking pass. Keep in mind that depending on how busy it is they may not let you park there. Also the can and do tow for being there beyond your 3 hours.

ITA! Unless you're a guest, there's no guarantee that you will be allowed to park there, especially if you don't have an ADR at the resort's restaurant.

 

[Princess Disney Mom]

We were alowed to park at AK to look around. Other times at the Contemporary and GF when we had ADR's. Never stayed more than 2 hours though.

 

[ajleone]

We were alowed to park at AK to look around. Other times at the Contemporary and GF when we had ADR's. Never stayed more than 2 hours though.

Most of the time it doesn't seem to be an issue. My concern for the OP is that looking at their sig they'll be at WDW not only during free dining but The Food and Wine Festival as well. Which makes things quite hectic at most of the WDW restaurants, and is going to lead, I believe, to less people being allowed in for non dining reasons.

 

[CrazyDisneyMommy1]

We have been to The Poly, The Grand Floridian, The Boardwalk x 2, The WL and Pop and have never been told that we only had a certain time. We said we would like to look around and they just asked to see I.D. and told us where to park. The only time we were turned down was due to fireworks on New Years Eve. The security thought we could go to AKL, as there are no fireworks around there. Other than that, we have never had problems. Just try it, if they say no...for some reason, just ask if there are any Resorts that are open to look around and I am sure they will be willing to help. Have a great trip!!!

 

[Tinkerbella001]

You could also park at the TTC, esp if you are visiting a park as well. You can then take the monrail to check out those resorts that are on the monorail. We were there at Christmas, and even though it was very busy everywhere we were never questioned. We were staying on-site, and had ADR's, but no one ever asked us why we where there.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

My recomendation is taking a bus, monorail, or ferry to the resort(s) you want to visit from one of the parks or the TTC.

 

[pantherlj]

My recomendation is taking a bus, monorail, or ferry to the resort(s) you want to visit from one of the parks or the TTC.

We aren't going to any of the standard disney parks - just water parks that close at 5. I assume there is a charge to park at TTC? I guess if I paid to park I wouldn't feel guilty going to visit resorts

 

[zaja]

Don't feel guilty. The resorts are beautiful, definitely worth taking some extra time to see them! Just tell the front gate attendant that your there to do some shopping, maybe get a bite to eat at Captain Cook's. Trust me, one thing I've learned from over 10 trips is...Disney's not gonna turn down ANYONE'S money, lol.

 

[DVCtinkerbell]

Even when we have had ADR's, we have been given a parking pass with the time and time limit on it. It is only fair to the guests that are staying there.

 

[DannyDisneyFreak]

Is there a charge to park in DTD?

 

[ericf70]

Is there a charge to park in DTD?

no

 

[grammynelliebelle]

Don't feel guilty. The resorts are beautiful, definitely worth taking some extra time to see them! Just tell the front gate attendant that your there to do some shopping, maybe get a bite to eat at Captain Cook's. Trust me, one thing I've learned from over 10 trips is...Disney's not gonna turn down ANYONE'S money, lol.

I totally agree with above poster. We have visited the all of the resorts many times and of course never left without buying something. If there is a special event or something going on that limits the parking they will tell you nicely and ask you return at a future time. I love to visit the resorts and see what is new and never felt we were taking anything from registered guests. We have even taken the launch to the campground and had breakfast at Trails End. We always used to camp at the Fort when our kids were young so we all especially enjoy visiting there. Grammy