Some (stupid) questions about Disney transportation

[PoutyFace]

Sorry, some very stupid questions coming up, but I'm the type who doesn't deal well with ambiguity and must have everything planned!

I'm going to be staying off-site, but would like to have a wander around the various resorts. So:

Is this a problem? Are the grounds meant for guests of that resort only? (I know I can't use the pool and so on, but just a lovely walk around the grounds?)

Am I likely to get trouble from the guards at the parking gate to access resort parking, just to visit (without a dining reservation etc)?

The various boats that go from park to hotels, or the ones that from from Downtown Disney to the resorts/DVCs - are these for guests only or could I jump on one of these to explore?

Finally - can anyone ride Disney buses, or is this just for Disney hotel guests? The whole "unlimited use of Disney transportation" listed as a benefit of staying on-site has me a bit puzzled there.

Thanks in advance, and again sorry about the stupidity!

 

[Disneykidder]

First off, these are nopt stupid questions.

You are welcomed to walk the grounds of any resort. They are beautiful. They want you to walk them. If you are traveling via car, you can tell them at the gates that you are dining there or visiting a friend and they will let you park for a couple of hours. But no, you cannot swim there.

If you are staying on property, yes, busing is for you. If you are not staying on property, you will need to park at the TTC for MK or each individual parks lot. Fees per day are $12 if you are not a resort guest. If you are staying on property, you may park for free.

While you are visiting DTD, you can park there and take a bus to a few of the resorts that allow this method of transportation. Then you can walk around and even eat there. They don't check your KTTW card. A boat ride is very relaxing. You can also get to other resorts via boat. For example, you can access GF, PR, CR or WL via boat from the launch at MK.

I hoper I have answered your questions to the fullest.

 

[Did Knee]

To answer your quetions:

Is this a problem? Are the grounds meant for guests of that resort only? (I know I can't use the pool and so on, but just a lovely walk around the grounds?)

They do their best to limit non-guests from easy access, but you won't get arrested if you are there.

Am I likely to get trouble from the guards at the parking gate to access resort parking, just to visit (without a dining reservation etc)?

I don't think they will let you in at all without a hotel or dining reservation. You wil have to park at DTD or at one of the parks parking lots I think.

The various boats that go from park to hotels, or the ones that from from Downtown Disney to the resorts/DVCs - are these for guests only or could I jump on one of these to explore?

Although I have heard of people being asked to prove that they are resort guests, I have never seen this happen. The transportation is supposed to be for resort guests, but you could probably get away with this. Be clear: as a paying resort guest I personally do not approve of people doing this.

Finally - can anyone ride Disney buses, or is this just for Disney hotel guests? The whole "unlimited use of Disney transportation" listed as a benefit of staying on-site has me a bit puzzled there.

See my last answer. Busses are the same as the boats for this purpose.

 

[CAPTAIN HOOK]

Welcome aboard :wave:

Am I likely to get trouble from the guards at the parking gate to access resort parking, just to visit (without a dining reservation etc)?

Oh yes - the resort gatehouses are fitted with a machine gun post for non resort guests trying to sneak in. Once captured you're taken to the Magic Kingdom and forced to sit through "its a small world" for half a day.










:ROFLOL:

Enjoy your visit

 

[hemloc]

To answer your quetions:
The various boats that go from park to hotels, or the ones that from from Downtown Disney to the resorts/DVCs - are these for guests only or could I jump on one of these to explore?

Although I have heard of people being asked to prove that they are resort guests, I have never seen this happen. The transportation is supposed to be for resort guests, but you could probably get away with this. Be clear: as a paying resort guest I personally do not approve of people doing this.

Finally - can anyone ride Disney buses, or is this just for Disney hotel guests? The whole "unlimited use of Disney transportation" listed as a benefit of staying on-site has me a bit puzzled there.

See my last answer. Busses are the same as the boats for this purpose.

This couldn't be more incorrect. The term Resort(In Disney's eyes) refers to ALL of WDW, and anyone is allowed to use any means of transportation to any location. And as long as you are on property, you are considered a "guest". Sure, they try to make it sound like transportation is an exclusive perk for you, if you stay at "select resorts", but that's just marketing for ya.

 

[Monty]

Any guest with a park admission can use Disney Transportation to get anywhere. They used to say resort guests only, but I imagine policing that was ridiculous so they dropped it.

If you want to visit a resort driving, just let the guard know you want to look around and they'll give you a short term parking pass. Disney wants you to see how wonderful their resorts are to entice you to stay there in future. I don't think this would work with the MK resorts, you'll have to pay for parking, but you can certainly drive to the various resorts to wander around.

Enjoy! :wave:

 

[PoutyFace]

Thanks for the replies and friendliness! I doubt I'd use buses much anyhow, but like I said I like to plan everything ahead of time lol.

But again, thank you for all the replies and for not mocking me....too much ;-)

 

[scottnj1966]

Visiting the resorts is one of the things I love doing at WDW.

Here are some pointers so you dont have to drive everywhere.

MK resort area

If you want to look around the Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contemporary, Wilderness Lodge, & Fort Wilderness then park at the Polynesian or Wilderness Lodge. Both are easy to get in. You can get to all these resorts via the monorail and the boats. No tickets needed.

Epcot Resort Area

Boardwalk, Beachclub, & Yacht are easily walked too. Just park at the Boardwalk. You can easily walk to the Swan and Dolphin. Just tell them your going to have some lunch or dinner at espn.

Downtown Disney Area.

Free Parking at Downtown Disney. From there you take a boat ride to Old Key West and Port Orleans which consist of French Quarter and Riverside. Saratoga Springs can be walked to from Downtown Disney.
Taking that boat ride you will see the old treetops villas which are closed to guests.


The other resorts you need to take a bus or drive.
http://www.bigfloridacountry.com/theresorts.htm

 

[jonnyc]

oh yes - the resort gatehouses are fitted with a machine gun post for non resort guests trying to sneak in. Once captured you're taken to the magic kingdom and forced to sit through "its a small world" for half a day.

:roflol::roflol::roflol::roflol:

 

[crazydaveh]

The only time I have even been turned away was on July 4th at the Poly when they were at a "hard close" and were not allowing anyone to park there that didn't have reservations and / or was staying there. Every other time that I have gone resort drinking (kind of like drinking around the world at Epcot, but at the resorts), I've had no problems.

 

[kimmychad]

Any guest with a park admission can use Disney Transportation to get anywhere. They used to say resort guests only, but I imagine policing that was ridiculous so they dropped it.

If you want to visit a resort driving, just let the guard know you want to look around and they'll give you a short term parking pass. Disney wants you to see how wonderful their resorts are to entice you to stay there in future. I don't think this would work with the MK resorts, you'll have to pay for parking, but you can certainly drive to the various resorts to wander around.

Enjoy! :wave:

around the first part of december in 2006 we decided we would check out the various christmas displays at the different resorts. the contemporary had something up, i want to say it was pinochio and his creator. we rented a car that trip, and when we told the guard the purpose of the visit we told us to turn around, we couldn't park at the resort. i think we ended up parking at magic kingdom and riding the monorail over.

 

[Lynne M]

To answer your quetions:

Is this a problem? Are the grounds meant for guests of that resort only? (I know I can't use the pool and so on, but just a lovely walk around the grounds?)

They do their best to limit non-guests from easy access, but you won't get arrested if you are there.

Am I likely to get trouble from the guards at the parking gate to access resort parking, just to visit (without a dining reservation etc)?

I don't think they will let you in at all without a hotel or dining reservation. You wil have to park at DTD or at one of the parks parking lots I think.

Sorry, that's not the case. Non-guests are welcomed at all Disney resorts, with or without a dining reservation. The guard at the resort parking lot entrance will ask why you're visiting; just tell them you'd like to have a look around the resort and they'll welcome you right in. The monorail resorts sometimes issue a 3-hour parking pass, but that'll give you plenty of time to explore.

You can walk around the grounds, shop, eat, even use the recreational facilities - boat rentals, bike rentals, etc. The only thing you can't do is use the pool, but all other resort facilities are available to you.

If you'd prefer, you can use Disney transportation from the parks to the resorts.

 

[SnowWhiteMomma]

Last year, we were travelig by car and we stopped at the gates of each hotel and told them we wanted to look around. They said okay, looked at my ID and let me in. Simple as that. We did this at several resorts.

 

[RiversideBunny]

The resorts near the Magic Kingdom are tougher on parking rules than the other resorts are.
The reason is that some park guests try to park at the resort to avoid the parking fee at the regular parking lot, or they don't want to take the ferry/monorail from the TTC.

It's understandable that those resorts have to have stricter parking rules.