Visiting WDW Hotels without Staying in them?

[WDW1991]

Hi All :wave:

Me and my family have been to WDW a number of times and we always stay offsite. We love seeing all the images of the onsite hotels and would love to take a little tour of them (cameras in hand ) on our next trip.

A couple of questions, as non-hotel guests:

Are you even allowed on the hotel grounds?

Are you allowed to use buses that transport hotel guests from park to hotel?

Are the hotel restaurants/swiming pools off limits?


I have never stayed onsite so have never looked into this and wouldnt want to jump straight in and wrongly use the facilities that i am not entitled to.

Thanks for any posts in advance :wave:

 

[timeman]

You can use the buses to visit any of the resorts whether you are a guest or not. If you drive to a resort you will just need to tell the security guard that you are visiting and they will tell you where to park. You can visit any of the restaurants at any of the resorts and even eat there without being a guest, but the swimming pools are only for guests of each resort.

 

[WDW1991]

Thanks timeman fantastic!

 

[real mad hatter]

Spot On.

The Timeman has hit in on the head.Altho we stay onsite at the mods,we love to check out those deluxe resorts which are not in our price range,yet,unless I get a record contract:lol:But feel free to roam around.

 

[stevehousse]

great tip! if you have ADRs at any of the resorts circling the magic kingdom, and you plan on visiting the park that day, as long as you actually pay for the parking, you can leave your vehicle at the resort and take the monorail to the park. that way you dont have to mess with the trams and crazy packed monorail to get to the parking lots at the end of the night.

we went to poly to go to ohana character breakfast, paid for the parking since we were going to the park afterwards, i asked 2 different employees, 1 lady at the reservations desk, and also the concierge, if we had to move our car to the actual parking lot since i paid for parking or if we could leave it there. they both said as long as your parking ticket is displayed, your car can stay! we were thrilled as we ran upstairs immediatly and got on the monorail.

 

[lacarp40]

just got back and stayed offsite, we drove to the polly resort and had no problems getting in, they invited the kids to watch wishes and movies from the beach was a great time.

 

[DisDadEddie]

Can't wait to go visit Art of Animation this upcoming trip. A lot of photo oppertunities.

 

[wannabeBelle]

Hey there all, Yes you may certainly visit any of the resorts and feel free to check out the property, but as others have said the pools are strictly for the use of the guests of that resort. It is a great rainy day activity, that is for sure!!!! Have fun!! Marie

 

[tampabrad]

You can actually make a day of it. You may also want to take advantage of the resort recreation. Rent boats, bikes, go horseback riding or take a carriage ride. Some route ideas...

Magic Kingdom resorts....park at Wilderness Lodge. Take the water launch to the campground to explore eventually making your way to the Contemporary. From the Contemporary take the monorail to the Poly and Grand and then back to the Contemporary for the boat back to WL. LOTS of great places for any meal or a snack.

EPCOT resorts...park at Yacht/Beach Club or Boardwalk. Take a stroll around the lake to Yacht Club, Beach Club, Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin. May be wander to Fantasia Gardens for mini golf, Beaches and Cream for lunch or awesome sundaes. Tons of great places to eat on this loop.

DTD Resorts...park at DTD. Walk to Saratoga Springs. Take the water taxis to Key West or Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter. Yummy biniegts (sp) at French Quarter.

You may be able to walk between the three All Star Resorts but it is a far walk. There is a bridge connecting Pop and Art if it is opened. As for Animal Kingdom Lodge, Caribbean Beach and Coronado Springs you would have to drive to each individually.