Visiting other resorts okay even though we

[JJ&JSMOM]

wouldn't have an ADR? Why I'm asking is we want to visit AKL, WL and maybe BC just to scope them out for our next trip . I have no idea which day we'll do this so I thought we'll just go when we can & maybe eat counter service while we're there. I know security is great at Disney so I just want to make sure this is ok because essentially we don't have a reason to be at the different resorts except to look around. Is that an ok reason? I know we can't use the pools - just interesting in looking!

Thanks!

 

[luna99]

I'm pretty sure that's totally ok to do! As a matter of fact, I've wanted to do a tour of the different resorts myself but I've never had the time too...

especially if you're going to be eating there, you should have no problem.

When I used to live in Kissimmee... two friends and I went to the grand floridian for lunch once and I don't remember having a hard time at all... and we had breakfast at the Polynesian and just told the security guy that we were coming for breakfast.

I don't know if this is true or not, but I've heard stories of people who live in town going to the hotels just to use their pools!

 

[DisneyJimbo]

It's no problem to look around the resorts. My family and I have done it many times.

If you drive to the resort, just tell the guard that you would like to tour the resort and they will give you a 3 hour parking pass.

If you take a bus to the resort, then nobody will ever question why you're there.

Enjoy!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

It's no problem to look around the resorts. My family and I have done it many times.

If you drive to the resort, just tell the guard that you would like to tour the resort and they will give you a 3 hour parking pass.

If you take a bus to the resort, then nobody will ever question why you're there.

Enjoy!

Thanks for all the replies. We were thinking of timing our visits when we're at the nearest park to the resort & then having lunch and look around. So for AKL we thought we'd go to AK and then take their bus back to AKL and tour the resort. We could walk to the BC after an Epcot day & have an ice cream at B&C. Sounds like so much fun...I hope we'll have time to do it.

Thanks again.

 

[BabyFu18]

It seems to be no problem, I did this last time I was at Disney just to check out the grounds and shops and stuff at a couple resorts. It was fun and gave me an idea on if I'd like to stay at those resorts or not. I even went to guest services and had them show me rooms and such in the resort, but you don't have to do that (not at all). At some of the resorts all I did was walk around, look in the gift shops, admire the lobby, and maybe grab a bite to eat.

Have fun checking out the other resorts!

 

[luna99]

Thanks for all the replies. We were thinking of timing our visits when we're at the nearest park to the resort & then having lunch and look around. So for AKL we thought we'd go to AK and then take their bus back to AKL and tour the resort. We could walk to the BC after an Epcot day & have an ice cream at B&C. Sounds like so much fun...I hope we'll have time to do it.

Thanks again.

what a great idea! You should totally do a report on your resort visits and what you thought of them.. that would be really interesting.. at least to me!

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

what a great idea! You should totally do a report on your resort visits and what you thought of them.. that would be really interesting.. at least to me!

It does sound fun doesn't it? My sister toured the monorail MK resorts when she was there & l thought we'll have to do that especially for the ones we're interested in trying sometime. She absolutely loved the Poly and GF and thought CR was kind of blah compared to the others but she did walk from there to the MK and loved the proximity. Its so hard to pick a resort being so far away so we'll try & see our runner up resorts when we go. AKL is a must and WL and BC....I could go on & on! I will write a trip report when we get home we don't go until October so its still a while away !

 

[Tikicampers]

When we went just after Christmas, we toured the monorail resorts. We wanted to see all the Gingerbread Houses. When we finished we took the boat to the buffet at Ft. Wilderness. We had a wonderful time, and it was nice to see the resorts in person. We now know that GF is out for us (no offense anyone, it's just not our style), and that the Poly is still the first Deluxe we want to try. Not one person asked us why we were there.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

When we went just after Christmas, we toured the monorail resorts. We wanted to see all the Gingerbread Houses. When we finished we took the boat to the buffet at Ft. Wilderness. We had a wonderful time, and it was nice to see the resorts in person. We now know that GF is out for us (no offense anyone, it's just not our style), and that the Poly is still the first Deluxe we want to try. Not one person asked us why we were there.

Wow - I would love to go around Christmas time - it must be beautifully decorated! I agree w/you on the GF. How was the buffet at Ft. Wilderness? I was thinking about maybe eating there - sounds like our kind of food! We're staying at the Poly in October - I've always wanted to stay there and w/the monorail and 3 kids - I think it'll be convenient as well.

 

[Tikicampers]

It was really neat to see all the decorations. The gingerbread house at GF was incredible. We liked the Ft. Wilderness buffet a lot, it was good for DS who is a picky eater. He got to get exactly what he wanted.
I'm so jealous of your Poly trip. We've gone there every time we've been to WDW to eat or look around. Someday we'll actually stay there.

 

[LilBlackSheep]

Resort hopping is quite alright.

 

[jimmalru80]

Resort hopping is always on our schedule. We usually spend an afternoon or early evening visiting three or four different resorts. It's a lot of fun!!

 

[Dizneydaz]

We too enjoy checking out the other resorts. The only one you might have a problem with is Poly. They are very strict on parking and everytime we've eaten at Kona (or 'Ohanas) they've checked IDs and checked their lists to make sure we're on it. This won't be a problem if you park at TTC and ride the monorail. We've been to the MK and Epcot resorts many times but the one it took us the longest to finally go to see was WL. We finally went there when we had ADRs for HDDR. Now we've gone several times, the last time we rode the boat over to FW and DD got to ride a pony and pet a few others.

I figure that Disney realizes that if they allow guests to check out other resorts, it's more likely they might actually stay there on another trip.

 

[JJ&JSMOM]

We too enjoy checking out the other resorts. The only one you might have a problem with is Poly. They are very strict on parking and everytime we've eaten at Kona (or 'Ohanas) they've checked IDs and checked their lists to make sure we're on it. This won't be a problem if you park at TTC and ride the monorail. We've been to the MK and Epcot resorts many times but the one it took us the longest to finally go to see was WL. We finally went there when we had ADRs for HDDR. Now we've gone several times, the last time we rode the boat over to FW and DD got to ride a pony and pet a few others.

I figure that Disney realizes that if they allow guests to check out other resorts, it's more likely they might actually stay there on another trip.

Sounds like fun - maybe we'll get to FW. I think you're right - Disney probably likes people resort hopping.

 

[Renee1061]

If you have time, ride the boat from MK to WL. It takes longer than the bus, but it is so relaxing and will get you in the mood for exploring the lodge!

 

[Truelovernr1122]

I apologize for being slow...lol, but what does ADR mean? I'm starting to catch on to all of the other abbreviations but I've seen this one used several times and I can't figure out what it could mean other than a dinner reservation? Or no? lol - someone help me!

 

[Dizneydaz]

Advanced Dining Reservation previously called PS (Priority Seating)

 

[byoung]

Disney has no problems visiting any of there resorts. Do it around Christmas the decorations are great!