Visiting resorts if not a guest

[piglet5884]

I am traveling to disney world in a few weeks. We are staying outside of the resort but I would really like to be able to go and walk around the different resorts and visit them, just for something to do, maybe grab lunch or dinner at one. I was wondering how you go about doing this. Thanks!!!!!!

 

[Goofy's Muse]

We did this in December, piglet5884... it's great fun! We had breakfast or lunch at a few of the resorts, but just window-shopped at several others. We used Disney transportation as we don't rent a car while on premises. The resorts on the monorail loop are really easy to visit (Contemporary, Grand Floridian and Polynesian); we took a boat to the Wilderness Lodge and used bus transportation to visit the others. Enjoy and welcome to the DIS!

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

If you have a priority seating at one of the resort's restaraunts they let you park there for 2 hours, otherwise you could hop on the monorail and visit those resorts.

 

[piglet5884]

So, even if I'm off-site I can use the bus services? I didn't think that was right. Where would I park if I wanted to get on the monorail? And is there anyway that an off-site person can park their own car at a disney resort to walk around, even if it is just for an hour or two?

 

[KIRSTIN'S MOMMY]

You can park at the Transportation and Ticket center (MK). According to the UG, anyone with a multi day ticket has access to the transportation system, although it's not mentioned much here, flames start flying!

 

[Feralpeg]

You didn't hear it from me, but I know that people park at DTD and take the buses to the resorts to shop or eat and then return by bus to pick up their cars.

 

[MinnieM21]

I wish we had visited a lot more of the resorts on our trip. I think it would be a great idea for you to visit the resorts. I recommend you check out my favorite resort, The Grand Floridian. It is so beautiful! You could then use the monorial to go to the GF, Poly, and Contemporary. Also you could use the boat to go our to the Wilderness Lodge.

Perhaps you could have dinner at Chef Mickeys. That would probably be a lot of fun and a great opportunity to interact with the characters.

We had a 7:00am Priority seating at Chef Mickeys for breakfast and were given a 3 hour parking pass.

If you're driving into a particular resort let them know you have a priority seating and they'll ask for your confirmation number.

Have fun!

 

[twinklebug]

While I was inquiring about reservations for my parents to see Hoop-de-do-review I asked about parking and transportation. The CM I spoke with told me all they need to do is tell the ticket booth operator that they have reservations at the resteraunt, park in FW's lot and use the busses that operate through the campground to get down to the waterfront & restraunt area.

I'm not sure if they allow it if you're just out for a joy ride.

 

[twinklebug]

dobble post - oops

 

[GalDisney]

By law, all hotels public areas are open to anyone, not just paying guests so you will be able to check out the resorts if you are not staying at them.

 

[KayakDaddy]

I'm not sure what the rule is, but I've never been asked to show a room key to use Disney Transportation.

I've only once been asked to show a room key to enter the park early for EMH and that was at AK.

Resort hopping / visiting is very fun and relaxing. It is very free too! (until you get hungry) To break up the trip last time, we had a non-park day scheduled after a late night. This let us relax and sleep late. We got up in time to ride the boat over for a late PS @ Chef Mickey's. We spent the rest of the morning to mid-afternoon exploring the other monorail resorts. When that was done, we rented a pontoon for a spin in the lake and lagoon. There are lots of things to keep you busy.

 

[DMRick]

If you have a priority seating at one of the resort's restaraunts they let you park there for 2 hours, otherwise you could hop on the monorail and visit those resorts.

Was 3 hours when we were there in Feb.

 

[PolyHereWeCome]

I'm not sure what the rule is, but I've never been asked to show a room key to use Disney Transportation.

Ah, now I get why both times (different days, same week this past trip) we took the Epcot monorail, the CMs at the entrance asked us all for our ROOM keys. Both times I had to dig out our 4 Poly. room keys -- thought they wanted me to show park tickets -- but nope, they asked me clearly for ROOM keys.

No one ever asked at MK monorail. Why do you think they were cracking down at Epcot?!? It was Easter/Spring Break '05 -- tough CMs or crowded?

 

[Sammie]

Ah, now I get why both times (different days, same week this past trip) we took the Epcot monorail, the CMs at the entrance asked us all for our ROOM keys. Both times I had to dig out our 4 Poly. room keys -- thought they wanted me to show park tickets -- but nope, they asked me clearly for ROOM keys.

No one ever asked at MK monorail. Why do you think they were cracking down at Epcot?!? It was Easter/Spring Break '05 -- tough CMs or crowded?

The room ID check will be on random days at random parks at various times. That way you never know when you will be checked. Due to large guest complaints about various violations of policy, Room ID's will be checked more frequently in the past. I would always have mine, even at the pool.

 

[Lewisc]

Ah, now I get why both times (different days, same week this past trip) we took the Epcot monorail, the CMs at the entrance asked us all for our ROOM keys. Both times I had to dig out our 4 Poly. room keys -- thought they wanted me to show park tickets -- but nope, they asked me clearly for ROOM keys.

No one ever asked at MK monorail. Why do you think they were cracking down at Epcot?!? It was Easter/Spring Break '05 -- tough CMs or crowded?

Had to have been for early park hours. Anyone with a park hopper ticket is allowed to use the EPCOT monorail.

 

[MNSusan]

We did some resort hopping last week. We had our own car and just told the security guard that we weren't staying there but would like to check out the resort. Each of them was very nice, told us where to park and where to go. We did this at Beach Club, Fort Wilderness, Pop Century and Coronado Springs. When the lobbies weren't busy, I asked for a map of the resort, too. It was really fun and a nice break from the parks.

 

[HeatherPage]

Ah, now I get why both times (different days, same week this past trip) we took the Epcot monorail, the CMs at the entrance asked us all for our ROOM keys. Both times I had to dig out our 4 Poly. room keys -- thought they wanted me to show park tickets -- but nope, they asked me clearly for ROOM keys.

No one ever asked at MK monorail. Why do you think they were cracking down at Epcot?!? It was Easter/Spring Break '05 -- tough CMs or crowded?

Had to have been for early park hours. Anyone with a park hopper ticket is allowed to use the EPCOT monorail.

As Lewisc said, offsite people who are parked at the TTC for MK are allowed to hop to EPCOT via the monorail with their park hoppers, so either I would think it was for early entry or the CM's were confused.