Hi Rebecca and welcome back to planDisney. I am an Annual Passholder and love all the benefits of the
Annual Passholder Program but the ability to explore
Walt Disney World Resort hotels is a privilege for everyone.
Anyone may visit a Walt Disney World Resort hotel but only Guests staying or
dining at the hotel are allowed to park there. If you want to hotel hop and shop then you should take Disney transportation either from your own Walt Disney World Resort hotel to a transfer point such as
Disney Springs or any Theme Park and complete your journey by foot,
watercraft,
Disney Skyliner,
Walt Disney World Monorail System, or
Walt Disney World Bus Service. If you need to travel by car and do not want to wait for a bus then check out the
Minnie Van Service Connected by Lyft. Minnie Vans are door to door service and the closest thing to a Cinderella Carriage if you are not getting married.
In the past when I had my own car and drove to a Resort I am not staying, I asked the gate guard if I can come in and look at the Resort and shop. When shopping I usually know what I want such as a special pin that could only be found at that Resort hotel. Sometimes they say "yes" and other times "no." I had more luck at the Value and Moderate Resorts than at the Deluxe Resorts but you can always try.
planDisney Pro Tip: When I Resort hop, I try and bunch them together. I will visit all the EPCOT Area Resort hotels in one trip or ride the Walt Disney World Monorail to see the Magic Kingdom Area hotels. My favorite time of year to hop is during the late fall and early winter when the
gingerbread houses and chocolate sculptures are on display.
I hope this helps. Please
let me know if you have any other Disney planning questions because answering them is what Tiggers like me do best.
Rebecca, enjoy making many Magical Memories.
~Jason