Hey, Chris! Welcome to planDisney.
Oh, the Walt Disney World Resort hotels! These are the places where the storytelling doesn’t stop when you leave the parks. Each hotel is like stepping into a whole new world, whether you're devouring a DOLE Whip at
Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort, listening to animals rustle through the savanna at
Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, or catching fireworks from the beaches of
Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa. The hotels themselves are full of immersive details, delicious dining, and that signature Disney charm around every corner.
You'll be pleased to know that you can visit any of these hotels even if you're not staying there. However, there are a few caveats. Anyone is welcome to explore the resorts, especially if you have a dining reservation at a table-service restaurant or are using Disney transportation to get there. You can check out the lobbies, browse the gift shops, grab a snack from a quick-service spot, or just walk around and soak up the ambiance. However, parking is usually restricted to resort Guests and those with confirmed dining or spa reservations, so if you're driving, you may be turned away without one if they're running out of parking spots. That’s why using Disney transportation—like a monorail,
Disney Skyliner, boat, or bus—is often the easiest (and most fun!) way to visit. Also, the pools are reserved only for Guests staying at that specific hotel. So don't show up expecting to showcase your cannonball.
Pro tip: Do a little self-guided "resort hop." The monorail resorts (Disney's Contemporary Resort, Disney's Polynesian Village Resort, and Disney's Grand Floridian Resort & Spa) are especially great for this. They're easy to reach from Magic Kingdom Park and packed with great food and gorgeous views. Bonus points if you time your visit to catch the
Electrical Water Pageant or
Happily Ever After fireworks over Seven Seas Lagoon.
Mike