How can you ride the monorail for free?

[Monorail_Red_77]

Park at Disney Springs, take the bus to a resort with monorail access, take monorail.

You can wleasily make a day out of just touring the resorts and Disney Springs. Park at Disney Springs, take a bus to a resort like Wilderness Lodge. Take a boat to Contemporary, ride the monorail around the resort loop. I love checking out all the different resorts. Grab a bite to eat here and there. Take the monorail from TTC to EPCOT and back. A few years ago we stayed at Poly. My oldest son and I would walk over to TTC next door Adblock just ride the parking Tram out to the parking lot and back. We rode in very back and had a few nice conversations with the CM.

 

[Monorail_Red_77]

Right. They are going to let you in for sure with a reservation. They can turn you away for other reasons.

As most have stated, if it's not super busy, they'll probably let you in. I've faced more scrutiny lately, especially when attempting to go to the Contemporary. Not much I care for as far as lunch goes there. But I do buy some of the exclusive records to resell in my record store, and with my AP discount, they're a good deal. There's a store at the Contemporary that is well stocked.

Once, we were turned away. We told the guard we were just going shopping, knew what we wanted, and would be spending at least $300. No dice. So we made a quickie ADR at the poly for lunch, parked there no problem, took the mono to the Contemp, made our purchase (slightly miffed.)

Another time, same explanation, they let us in. But there and the Boardwalk (General Store works for me as well) they've been asking more questions and giving "looks" lol.

During slow or average times I generally don’t have a problem getting into a resort with no reservations. During busy times I usually park at Disney Springs and bus in. I resort hop often during my AP blackouts to get pressed pennies, etc.

 

[Joebradley62]

Unless it is a really busy time, we have never had an issue parking at the resorts. We just say we have a reservation for dining, or if we don't we say we are just checking out the resort.

Many now check reservation lists for this. You can just say you are coming for dinner as a walk in. Usually works just fine.

 

[Joebradley62]

I tried to park at the Polynesian in Dec 2017 because I was going to rent one of the bayliner boats and ride around in 7 seas lagoon. The guard told me that the parking was for hotel guests only, and said I had to park in the MK lot and take the monorail to POLY.

A good way to go to any resort is Disney springs then bus. Or you tell a little fib at the gate to the resort that you are coming to eat. Usually works. Lately guards know if reservations are needed or not. Getting smarter.