Hi Laura,
You can pretty much do almost anything at the other WDW Resorts when just visiting except swimming in their pools. The only exception to this is actually at the Value Resorts (where you will be staying). You are allowed to visit and swim in any of the pools at any of the Value Resorts because you are staying in one, but all other Moderate and Deluxe Resorts do not offer this "pool hopping" experience.
You can enjoy so much when visiting the other WDW Resorts such as dining experiences, shopping, water craft rentals and activities (fishing, horseback riding, petting farms, visiting horses in the barns at Fort Wilderness Campground, campfire sing-a-longs, etc...), arcades, special experiences such as the
Pirates and Pals Fireworks Voyage at the Contemporary Resort,
Specialty Cruises from many different locations or the
Wilderness Back Trail Adventure located at Fort Wilderness Campground just to give you a few ideas. If you are in doubt of what you can and can't do, please ask a cast member and they will be able to help you further, but there is so much to see and do at the different Disney Resorts and I hope you take the time and enjoy some of them. I spend most of my time visiting the other Resorts and have so many memories I otherwise would not have had if I had just stuck to going to the typical places like the Theme Parks, Downtown Disney, Water Parks, etc....
Have a wonderful trip!
Best wishes,
Brigitta