Visiting Disney hotels

[Floridatilly]

Hi there. Friends of ours are there at the moment doing 4 weeks in a villa (lucky things) she had just emailed me a question so I want to check with you guys:
They are wanting to stay onsite in 2021 and looking at CBR, POFQ & POR
Can they visit for the day?
If so, will they be charged to park at the hotel?
Can they eat there?
Can they use the pool & facilities?
They want to get a good feel for each hotel before deciding which to stay at
Thanks x

[Guest]

Not sure on parking but they can definitely visit,eat and drink,only no no is they can't use the pools.If they ask at check in they might get to view an available room.

[sky13]

Anyone can visit any Disney hotel.

Not sure about parking. I've heard that you can tell the CM at the entrance that you're just wanting to visit the resort and they'll let you in; certainly my friend has driven into Disney resorts (Pop and BC being two of them) to pick me up before and she hasn't had an issue with parking in the resorts when she does this.

You can definitely eat in the resorts.

You can't use the pool and facilities unless you are staying at the resort (or unless you are DVC for certain resorts I believe). But nothing to stop you from wandering around the resort and looking at the pool and facilities available!

[mick]

Can't add much to the earlier replies and, as said, parking can sometimes be an issue. Ranging from only 3 hours if you have a dining reservation to yes just turn up park and have a look round. Multiple views on this over the years.

We've never stayed on site but every holiday park up at Disney Springs and catch a free WDW bus to one or more resorts. The most we spend is a couple of $$ on a soda.

Mick

[wifey]

If they park at one of the garages at Disney Springs they can use the Disney Buses to see the resorts, walk around and dine at any of the quick service locations and possibly see if there’s a table available if they love the look of a sit down place. Most restaurants keep some tables free for walk up guests. It’s a very good way of evaluating what’s available when it comes to room amenities and dining etc as often the housekeeping staff will leave a door open while they clean and if you ask nicely at front desk they may allow you to see a (empty /no guest currently staying)cleaned room. The bus rides can be interesting too you get to see the whole resort layout which can make a big difference whether or not you like the lay out and walking distances etc. within the resort. The only exceptions to that really are the Allstar Resorts where the buildings are all set well behind the bus loop area. I hope they have fun.

[THE WIZARD]

Originally Posted by wifey

If they park at one of the garages at Disney Springs they can use the Disney Buses to see the resorts, walk around and dine at any of the quick service locations and possibly see if there’s a table available if they love the look of a sit down place. Most restaurants keep some tables free for walk up guests. It’s a very good way of evaluating what’s available when it comes to room amenities and dining etc as often the housekeeping staff will leave a door open while they clean and if you ask nicely at front desk they may allow you to see a (empty /no guest currently staying)cleaned room. The bus rides can be interesting too you get to see the whole resort layout which can make a big difference whether or not you like the lay out and walking distances etc. within the resort. The only exceptions to that really are the Allstar Resorts where the buildings are all set well behind the bus loop area. I hope they have fun.

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Also a good way of learning about the bus system to and from the specific hotels. If its POR or POFQ then im sure they would love to get there on the boat instead of the busses.
As everyone else said using the pool facilities is a no no

[greekgranny]

You can park to look round and eat, we often go to AKL for QS meals. Just tell the parking lot attendant what you are doing, they ask to see driving licence and that's it.

[mick]

A word of caution if planning to visit some of the resorts from DS though. Buses to the monorail loop resorts or to the S&D, Y&BC & Boardwalk (same bus) don't start running until 11am.

This is to make it less attractive for people parking up free at DS and avoiding paying parking fees at the parks by walking to MK from the Contemporary or to HS/Epcot from Boardwalk.

They can still do it course if they want to start their theme park experience at mid-day and travel maybe an hour on each leg.

We also catch boats from DS to OKW, POR or SSR

Mick

[Floridatilly]

Thank you everyone. They will be very happy if they get to see an available room !