Visiting Resorts as a Non-Guest

[potc]

We were planning on taking the monorail from MK one evening or just walking to visit the Contemporary, Poly, & GF resorts. We wanted to walk around and maybe watch the show that takes place on the lake. (Does anyone know what this show is called & when it starts? And is it every night?)

Does anyone have any idea how long it would take to see these three resorts? I know it depends on what we do there, but I am just looking for a general idea of how much time we could spend?

Also, are there any other resorts that you would recommend visiting?

Are you allowed to park at a resort just to visit it?

Thanks!

 

[minnie mum]

We were planning on taking the monorail from MK one evening or just walking to visit the Contemporary, Poly, & GF resorts. We wanted to walk around and maybe watch the show that takes place on the lake.
1. (Does anyone know what this show is called & when it starts? And is it every night?)

2 Does anyone have any idea how long it would take to see these three resorts? I know it depends on what we do there, but I am just looking for a general idea of how much time we could spend?

3.Also, are there any other resorts that you would recommend visiting?

4.Are you allowed to park at a resort just to visit it?

Thanks!

I. It's called the Electric Water Pageant and is nightly (weather permitting). It occurs between 9-10 pm every night, depending on time of year and which resort you're at.
2.Totally depends on what you want to do at each resort and how well the monorail is running that night. You could spend a couple of hours or most of a day. Don't forget to factor in transportation time on the monorail between each resort.
3.Sure. Wilderness Lodge has beautiful public areas that are nice to explore, especially at Christmas time. And no resort tour should omit a visit to AKL! This is a VERY special resort that everyone should make time for if they can.
4. Yes, you can park at a resort just to visit. You will likely be given a 3 hr pass at the hotel- plenty of time to explore the resort and have a meal or shop. Note that you can't park at one of these hotels and then spend the day at a park. If you want to do that, then you would have to pay for valet parking.

 

[ExpatDisneyLover]

I've just gone along the resort monorail line stopping at each resort along the way.

Some ideas -
listen to the jazz/big band in the lobby of the Grand Floridian
had ice cream at Gasparillas at the GF - make your own sunday/soft serve
strolled
shopped at the shops at the GF - Basin is one of these
taken the boat transportation from any of the resorts to the MK

Shopped at the Contemporary
lunch at the CS at the contemporary
or Chef Mickey's
boat transportation to the Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness

Pork Sandwich at the Polynesian or sushi at the Sushi bar
more shopping
walk along the beach at the Polynesian
hammock bliss

 

[potc]

I. It's called the Electric Water Pageant and is nightly (weather permitting). It occurs between 9-10 pm every night, depending on time of year and which resort you're at.
2.Totally depends on what you want to do at each resort and how well the monorail is running that night. You could spend a couple of hours or most of a day. Don't forget to factor in transportation time on the monorail between each resort.
3.Sure. Wilderness Lodge has beautiful public areas that are nice to explore, especially at Christmas time. And no resort tour should omit a visit to AKL! This is a VERY special resort that everyone should make time for if they can.
4. Yes, you can park at a resort just to visit. You will likely be given a 3 hr pass at the hotel- plenty of time to explore the resort and have a meal or shop. Note that you can't park at one of these hotels and then spend the day at a park. If you want to do that, then you would have to pay for valet parking.

Thanks for your help! Is it possible to walk between all three of those resorts or is the monorail the best option? I did not know you could get a pass for a few hours to park at the resorts! Awesome. I know we can't park and go to the park, but thanks for letting me know just in case

Why is AKL so special?

 

[potc]

I've just gone along the resort monorail line stopping at each resort along the way.

Some ideas -
listen to the jazz/big band in the lobby of the Grand Floridian
had ice cream at Gasparillas at the GF - make your own sunday/soft serve
strolled
shopped at the shops at the GF - Basin is one of these
taken the boat transportation from any of the resorts to the MK

Shopped at the Contemporary
lunch at the CS at the contemporary
or Chef Mickey's
boat transportation to the Wilderness Lodge or Fort Wilderness

Pork Sandwich at the Polynesian or sushi at the Sushi bar
more shopping
walk along the beach at the Polynesian
hammock bliss

Ice cream at GF sounds like a good idea. Also we are doing a late breakfast at Chef Mickey's one day!

Sounds great! We will definitely spend one night doing this after the pool all day or maybe leave a park early! Thanks.

 

[jojomoore]

We have had dinner reservations at CR and GF. Both times they allowed us to park at resorts. I would not recomend parking at GF if you are traveling during a busy time. In 2010, weekend before thanksgiving, the resort parking was full and we had to park accross the street in small parking area and it was quite a hike to get to our dinner reservation. In 2009, on thanksgiving day, We had no trouble parking at the CR. There was plenty of parking and they didnt give us a pass but told us to park where we would like. THis was kind of nice. If I were you, (if you want to visit more than one MK resort at a time), I would park at the TTC and catch the resort monorail. It makes a loop from the TTC around to the CR, GF, and the Poly. Just hop on and hop off. THere are estimated times for the Electrical Water Parade to arrive at each resort each night depending on weather and time of year. You can view it from the beach at the poly, GF, and contemporary. You can also see the fireworks taking place at Mk from the beaches at each of these resorts. I have heard that the view from the poly is the best. I second the PP suggestions about visiting AKL. Lots of interesting things going on here at night. Visit aklresort.com for a sample of activities to see if any appeals to you. I have reservations at Sanaa located at AKV - KIndani for our trip in November, we plan on hanging out at the resort for some of the nightly activities after our early dinner. We will most likley drive, get a pass and park in their parking lot for visitors in front of the building.

I almost forgot, you can take a boat from the CR or MK to WLodge to visit also.

 

[livndisney]

Thanks for your help! Is it possible to walk between all three of those resorts or is the monorail the best option? I did not know you could get a pass for a few hours to park at the resorts! Awesome. I know we can't park and go to the park, but thanks for letting me know just in case

Why is AKL so special?

The monorail does not go to WL or AKL. It only runs from TTC , POLY, GF, MK, Cont.

You can walk from Poly to GF but that is it. There is a boat from MK to WL. AKL is not near MK it is over by AK. You would need to drive or take a bus from a park.

 

[stepdisney]

AKL is wonderful because you can view the animals. It is very cool to see a zebra or giraffe walking right in front of you. The story telling each night, the drum lesson, etc. Love, Love LOVE this resort. When we are not staying at AKL or Kidani, we make sure to book Boma for dinner so that we can enjoy the resort.

 

[jojomoore]

You can visit Steve Soares website or wdwwent.com. Electrical parade times are posted each week. This is great to look at when planning a trip to wdw just to get an idea of what is available at wdw and a general timeline. We always look at it again when our vacation draws near. SO helpful.