Visiting other resorts???

[twinkles0819]

Hi guys.....
I am staying off-site for my first 3 nights at WDW then switching to the Swan for the remaining 5 nights......my question is "Could I go to any of the WDW resorts to see what they look like?" I have only been to WDW 3 times NOT counting this trip and the only Disney resort I have seen the inside of was the Dolphin.

Would they make a big deal from me just walking around, checking out the shops and eateries??? And since I am not staying on Disney property the first 3 nights(I would like to Hotel explore on my arrival day) could I still go exploring....where would I park and such???

TIA

 

[HopperFan]

What we do is make dinner reservations at different hotels, and then explore alittle bit. We get to have a variety of meals AND it is a good way to preview and see if we would like to stay there.

Having a reservation gets us through the gates no problem.

 

[sunkissed212]

Our family used to stay at the Poly every year when we went to WDW. We never once had any problems with "roaming" or "visiting" other resorts while we were there. I think that if you are staying at one resort, you are welcome to visit others. That's my experience, at least...hopefully that has been other people's experiences as well.

 

[wdwgoofeeee]

Everyone is free to go to any and all of the Disney resorts to look around, eat, buy souvenirs, etc. You don't have to be staying on Disney property to do this.
Since you will not be on Disney property the first three nights your question about parking is really the only question here.
You can always park at the TTC and take the monorail to the Grand Floridian, Poly or Contemporary. From Epcot or the Studios it's really easy to get to the Epcot resorts, Swan/Dolphin, Yacht/Beach Clubs and Boardwalk.
It would be trickier to visit the moderates or value hotels since you would then have to use the Disney bus system. The buses are supposed to be for Disney resort guests only, but I have never had anyone ask me for room ID. Keep in mind that to visit the moderates or values via the buses will take a LOT of your time. It's much easier to visit the MK and Epcot hotels.
Someone suggested that you can make a dinner reservation at one of the hotels. That will get you through the security gate, but I believe you will have a time limit for parking your car at the hotel.

 

[spiceycat]

since you are staying at the Dolphin - you can visit the Epcot resort then -

so make a lunch or dinner reservation at the Kona Cafe at the Polyn - when the front gate at the MK asks for your money tell him you have a dinner reservation at the Polyn - he will let you in -when you arrive at the Polyn the security guard will give you a time limit - anywhere from 2 to 5 hours - (depending upon when you come and how busy the Polyn is) - I would arrive 30 minutes before my reservation - time to check the gift shops at the Polyn - well time to look around - after you eat - I would go to the front desk and see if there is a room they can show you - if you still have time - go get on the monrail - ride over to the GF - look at it - again ask at the front desk to see a room - then if you still have time go look at the Cont.....

don't leave your car past the time allowed - some guests did and they were toaded away - it depends on how busy the lot is when you visit - if it is not busy you will probably be given a 5 hour time limit - if it is very busy 2 hours....

there are some other guest who have stayed all day and their car was their when they finished - so I don't look at this as the normal - I look at this as these people were just lucky. I am not!!!!

 

[purplebelle]

I see no problem in looking around any resort whether you're onsite or not. How else can you really decide which resort you'd like to stay at the next time? Scope out as many places as you'd like! We always stay onsite and walk through other resorts if we take the monorail, wanna get something to eat, shop, look at Christmas decoartions, etc. Enjoy!

 

[sunkissed212]

I think that as long as your're not taking advantage of the "guest only" type amenities, like the pool, spa, fitness center, etc. then I don't think that you'd have any problems at all. I think that the cast members at the WDW resorts see this type of thing all the time.

 

[yecats]

Disney wants you to visit their resorts because they know that one of them will appeal to you and more than most likely you'll stay at the one you love in the future.

I have driven to all of the resorts and looked around even when I didn't have PS for a restaurant. I love to walk around each of their properties and I usually do get something to eat while I'm there (sometimes I get lucky enough to eat in a rest. without a PS and sometimes I just get something to eat from their foodcourt area) and I usually do a bit of shopping as well.

Each resort is almost like a whole seperate smaller theme park. As I usually go to a different resort after visiting a theme park (and have already paid to park at the theme park for the day), the guards usually just wave us in after showing them the parking ticket. I've only been denied parking twice (once at Cont. and once at CS) and the guards were very nice in explaining that they had large conventions and needed the parking for that. Both times they did suggest taking the bus back to the resort.

The Monorail resorts and Epcot hotels are the easiest to visit due to their locations. You can also take a boat from MK to visit WL and Fort Wilderness. As for PORS and FQ and OKW, you can take the boats from DTD to access those resorts (very nice 20 minute ride). As for the others you can catch a bus from any of the theme parks. Enjoy the strolls.

 

[twinkles0819]

Thanks for your replies....Everyone!!!

I am pondering where to stay on my next trip so this is why I wanted to go "touring" the hotels.

Since I will be staying at the Swan when I am On-site, I think I'll leave the epcot resots till then. I was really curious about Poly, CR, and GF. But no, I will not be using any of the pools etc... I have a GREAT pool "the grotto" already. And don't plan on spending that much time there.

Thanks again

 

[mouseRD]

We were there in May & stayed at the Swan. We had dinner at Artist's Point (WL), Jiko's (AKL), lunch at Kona Cafe (Polynesian), & just walked through the Beach & Yacht Club to see what they are like. Now it will be even harder to decide because they're all beautiful! P.S. The heavenly beds & staff at the Swan are wonderful!