Visiting Different Resorts

[Megsmachine]

Are we allowed to drive to any of the resorts to look around, shop etc? I would like to go to WDW and just visit resorts, shop, eat take pictures etc. What do we say at the security gate if we do that?

 

[CarolynFH]

Are we allowed to drive to any of the resorts to look around, shop etc? I would like to go to WDW and just visit resorts, shop, eat take pictures etc. What do we say at the security gate if we do that?

As long as you arrive via Disney transportation you’ll be fine. If driving, you’ll need an ADR or other reservation to park at the near-park or Skyliner resorts - but you could park at one of the parks and ride Disney transportation from there. For instance if you park at DHS you can walk, boat or Skyliner to BW, BC, YC, Swan & Dolphin, RIV, CBR, Pop and AoA.

 

[scrappinginontario]

As long as you arrive via Disney transportation you’ll be fine. If driving, you’ll need an ADR or other reservation to park at the near-park or Skyliner resorts - but you could park at one of the parks and ride Disney transportation from there. For instance if you park at DHS you can walk, boat or Skyliner to BW, BC, YC, Swan & Dolphin, RIV, CBR, Pop and AoA.

Yes, what @CarolynFH said is true in that you will not be permitted to park at a Disney resort without a reservation or ADR. The thing to note if you park at a park is that you will pay $30 to park at a park.

You can also park at Disney Springs for free and take Disney transportation to a resort.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You can go to DS and get on a resort bus to go look around at other resorts.

 

[Karalee402]

Resort hopping is one of our favorite things to do on our arrival day! Disney provides so much transportation, so once you make it to one resort, it's often easy to make your way to others. The monorail, the skyliner, the friendship boats - there are many transportation options and as previously mentioned, you could park at DS and then take a bus to one resort and go from there.

 

[_19disnA]

Disney has gotten more restrictive at resort parking to discourage people from parking for free so they can walk to a park and skip paying for parking. If they let everyone park there, the lots wouldn't have any space for those actually staying at the resort. Resorts within walking distance of a park tend to be the most restrictive and time of day or how busy they are can all be factors that matter. I am sure the parking guards have heard every creative excuse you can imagine when someone is trying to 'game' the parking fee when their real intent is to park there all day and go to a nearby park. Even having an ADR does not allow you to park there all day for free and walk to a nearby park.

Arriving by Disney transportation lets you enjoy the resort and not have to worry about whether or not you will be allowed to park there.

 

[kylenne]

You can go to DS and get on a resort bus to go look around at other resorts.

One of my fave things to do which I haven't in quite a while is bus roulette, go to DS and get on the first resort bus that shows up. I've explored resorts I probably otherwise wouldn't have and it's a lot of fun.

 

[dansdad]

One of my fave things to do which I haven't in quite a while is bus roulette, go to DS and get on the first resort bus that shows up. I've explored resorts I probably otherwise wouldn't have and it's a lot of fun.

We've been doing a version of this at our resort on our last full day. We hop on the 1st park bus that shows up. We've had some great days doing it.