Visiting resorts

[lborne]

Its been a long time since I've driven to a Disney resort just to look around, but I'll be in Orlando next weekend and wanted to explore the AKL to see if we might stay there as it is one of the resorts we've never been to.

I've visted resorts that I was not staying at when I've met people who were staying there, or when I had dinner reservations, so its never been a problem to park. Just wondering if there will be any problems just driving up to AKL and asking if we can just look around.

 

[chalee94]

depends on how busy they are probably.

if you have a reservation for sanaa (in the kidani building) or jiko, they will give you a 3 hr parking pass...if they are not packed, i suspect they will wave you through also.

you could also park at DTD and take the bus to the AKL (the first stop is kidani, i think, which is all-villas and the next stop is jambo house/AKL). it would take longer though.

i think you can get a really good idea of the resort from pics. here is a link to AKL information and pics. but it is nice if you get a chance to see the lobby and maybe walk through to see the savanna out back...

 

[chipscamping buddy]

I have never tried to drive in, usually we do our sightseeing by Disney bus. The security guards might ask for ID, but I would guess that they would let you in to look around.

 

[cm8]

Its been a long time since I've driven to a Disney resort just to look around, but I'll be in Orlando next weekend and wanted to explore the AKL to see if we might stay there as it is one of the resorts we've never been to.

I've visted resorts that I was not staying at when I've met people who were staying there, or when I had dinner reservations, so its never been a problem to park. Just wondering if there will be any problems just driving up to AKL and asking if we can just look around.

Don't do it!! The "ones" that paid to stay there will be upset that you are taking away from their space that they paid $$$$$ for J/K

I say have a blast and ask to see a room if one is available to make a decision. It can't hurt and you will have learned what you like/disliked about the room and resort itself!

 

[lborne]

We had no problem getting in and looking around and seeing a room. We were on our way to Blizzard Beach and so had the kids in their swim suits and I was worried the guard would think we were pool hopping. But he let us right in.

 

[Wild4Walt]

I have gone into several resorts to eat, shop and just take pics.

I've never had a problem entering.

 

[rgf207]

Everytime I have been in Orlando on business (ranged from April to August time frame) I have always driven to a Disney Resort and asked to look around. I was only given a parking pass 1 time and that was at the Poly. The other times I just had to show my ID and was allowed through with no problems. I like to park at a monorail resort and take the monorail to the other resorts on the line and look at them all. It has never been an issue.

 

[kymom99]

This past weekend, we were staying at CBR and we had a reservation at Boma. I drove over to the resort, because trying to take a bus would have taken a year. The guard looked at our parking pass for our resort and asked if we were familiar with AKL. When I said we were not, he gave us directions about where to park. He didn't ask for a reservation number or anything like that.

BTW, my son was blown away by AKL. He says that when he is older he is going to stay there! Hopefully, I'll be able to take him there myself one day. It was awesome!

 

[lborne]

Its a great resort. Not sure if I'd want to spend an entire week there. I really like the Poly and Contemp for their views of the lake and the monorail is just so cool and I'd miss that at the AKL. But I love how Disney has something for everyone.

 

[madalex]

depends on how busy they are probably.

if you have a reservation for sanaa (in the kidani building) or jiko, they will give you a 3 hr parking pass...if they are not packed, i suspect they will wave you through also.

The OP will not have any problem being allowed in to visit AKL, nor will the OP receive a 3 hour parking pass. The 3 hour passes are generally given at those resorts that are very near the parks (Contemp, Poly, Epcot resorts) that people try to park at to avoid paying Disney's parking fee. This is not the case with AKL, so I would not expect there to be any issues or time limits with visiting the resort.