Visiting Hotels During Christmas Season

[jmp117]

My family is visiting Disney the week of Nov. 24 - December 1. I (we), would love to visit the hotels, i.e. the Floridian, etc. to see there gingerbread decorations. However, we are not staying in a Disney resort, and are renting a house off site. Do you know if we would be allowed into the hotels or do you need a resort pass. We do have tickets to the MVMCP on 11/29 and six day disney park hopper passes.

In the summer season we wanted to check out the Yacht and Beach Club but wouldn't let us in because we didn't have a resort pass.

Any information you have regarding this would help.

Thanks!

 

[Nemo14]

My family is visiting Disney the week of Nov. 24 - December 1. I (we), would love to visit the hotels, i.e. the Floridian, etc. to see there gingerbread decorations. However, we are not staying in a Disney resort, and are renting a house off site. Do you know if we would be allowed into the hotels or do you need a resort pass. We do have tickets to the MVMCP on 11/29 and six day disney park hopper passes.

In the summer season we wanted to check out the Yacht and Beach Club but wouldn't let us in because we didn't have a resort pass.

Any information you have regarding this would help.

Thanks!

We've never been asked for a resort pass. You will have to stop at the gate and show your ID, then you just tell them that you want to check out the resort. Shouldn't be a problem.

Or....just park at the TTC and use Disney transportation to get to each of the resorts you want to see.

 

[MichWolv]

I have never had trouble visiting hotels even when I was staying off-site. For example, you don't have to be staying on-site to eat and shop at the hotels. And I've gone to the AKL and Wilderness Lodge "just to look around" without anybody complaining. It's always possible that they've gotten tighter about people just "stopping by" in their cars if they think you're just trying to avoid paying for parking at the parks, but I'd be surprised.

In any event, if they do give you trouble for some reason in terms of parking at the hotels, just park at Downtown Disney and hop on a bus to wherever you're going.

 

[mousefan1972]

My family is visiting Disney the week of Nov. 24 - December 1. I (we), would love to visit the hotels, i.e. the Floridian, etc. to see there gingerbread decorations. However, we are not staying in a Disney resort, and are renting a house off site. Do you know if we would be allowed into the hotels or do you need a resort pass. We do have tickets to the MVMCP on 11/29 and six day disney park hopper passes.

In the summer season we wanted to check out the Yacht and Beach Club but wouldn't let us in because we didn't have a resort pass.

Any information you have regarding this would help.

Thanks!

Also if you were trying to check out the pool at the Yacht and Beach Club, that's likely why you were asked for resort ID. Only guest at those resorts (and the BCV) can use the pool.

 

[Master Yoda]

There is only one way that I know of to get into the resorts if you are not already staying on property. It is kind of like a secret password so don't tell anyone else. When you get to the guard shack hold out your drivers licence in your left hand and say these exact words. "I am here to look at the beautiful Christmas decorations." The guard will then give you a 3 hour parking pass and allow you to enter.




:lol:
In all seriousness all you have to do is show ID and they will let you in to check out any of the Disney resorts.

 

[jim1051]

Of course you may visit. Hotel lobbies are basically public place. BUt even so, Disney wants to show off its displays.

 

[hcswingfield]

While you are at the park, just hop on one of the transportation options (or walk to the Boardwalk resorts from Epcot) and you won't have any problems.

 

[ngynnhu]

you can go w\o staying at the resort. I go many times to eat at the boardwalk or just walk around. They don't even give you a time limit anymore

 

[jajt6106]

The only place we've ever had a problem is the Grand Floridian. They must post pictures of our family not to allow us in because the past two years we've tried to go see the gingerbread house only to be turned away at the guard station...and we were staying on property. :shrug:

The first year the guy didn't even give us a reason, just said they weren't letting anyone in who wasn't a GF guest and pointed us in the direction of the exit. (This was the first week of December).
The second year the person said that due to crowds they were only letting resort guests through. This time it was Christmas Eve so I could believe that one a little more.

This year we are going to hop the monorail from the MK and go over so that we don't have to deal with the guard post!

 

[DisneyChick1984]

The only place we've ever had a problem is the Grand Floridian. They must post pictures of our family not to allow us in because the past two years we've tried to go see the gingerbread house only to be turned away at the guard station...and we were staying on property. :shrug:

The first year the guy didn't even give us a reason, just said they weren't letting anyone in who wasn't a GF guest and pointed us in the direction of the exit. (This was the first week of December).
The second year the person said that due to crowds they were only letting resort guests through. This time it was Christmas Eve so I could believe that one a little more.

This year we are going to hop the monorail from the MK and go over so that we don't have to deal with the guard post!

This is when you just tell them you have reservations for breakfast/lunch/dinner at one of the restaurants inside.

Works every time for me.

 

[tigsmom]

This is when you just tell them you have reservations for breakfast/lunch/dinner at one of the restaurants inside.

Works every time for me.

Anytime we have gone to a different hotel to eat they always check the reservation list to make sure our name is listed.

For the OP...I would try to use WDW transportation, that way you only have to park your car once. It may be a bit time consuming, but if you group hotels together (all monorail, all Boardwalk area, etc) then it won't be so bad.

 

[ThreeCircles]

I'm constantly going to the resorts to look around, have a drink, or eat a meal at one of the many restaurants. Only once have I been turned away and that was on New Years Eve. The security attendant said all resorts were closed due to the holiday and that only those actually staying at the resorts would be permitted to enter.

 

[LoriMistress]

We're going to be checking the GF, BW, BC, and the CR. I cannot wait to see all of the pretty decorations. :xmas:

 

[happymom52003]

We're going to be checking the GF, BW, BC, and the CR. I cannot wait to see all of the pretty decorations. :xmas:

You must go to WL too!! It is one of the best. The theming of the WL fits in so nicely with Christmas. So cozy! :xmas: Grab a cup of hot chocolate and sit by the massive fireplace in the lobby. I promise you will not be dissapointed! You will feel like you have been transported to a cozy mountain resort.

 

[MinnieLee]

We were there for an early Christmas two years ago. Take the boat at World showcase by United Kingdom and go to Boardwalk and Yacht & Beach. Easy walk around from one to the other. Go to MK and take the monorail around and just get off at GF, Polynesian and Contemporary. Any disney transporation will get you to any of the other resorts. Never had a problem. The decorations really are beautiful. Enjoy!

 

[Blackie Pueblo]

My wife and I love visiting the resorts. And usually will take a whole day just doing that. Especially during the Christmas season. But lately I've been hearing a lot of people having trouble riding the buses to resorts and such so tell me if what we do is ok.

We usually just hop on a bus from one of the parks, or we walk to certain resorts from the parks. There are an amazing amount of pathways.

When we don't have passes or tickets we usually park at DTD and walk to the resort that's right there. (Can't believe I can't remember the name of it. I'm so embarrassed) We then take the bus from the resort to a park, then hop on another bus to another resort. And back again. And/or we will walk from resort to resort when possible

"To all who come to this happy place... Welcome!"
---Walter Elias Disney