Hi, Alexandria! Thanks for bringing your question to planDisney!
I'm so excited to hEAR that you'll soon be traveling to
Walt Disney World Resort! In addition to all of the Disney magic that you will experience during your vacation, I'm sure the chance to visit with your friends from Florida will make this trip even more special.
Although access to the pools at
Walt Disney World Resort Hotels has always been limited only to Guests staying at that particular resort, in the past, anyone was welcome to visit and explore the various resort hotels. However, during the
phased reopening process, to keep crowds low and promote physical distancing, access to Walt Disney World Resort Hotels is being limited to Guests staying overnight at the resort and Guests with
dining reservations for one of the resort's table-service restaurants.
If you would like your friends to be able to visit you at your resort hotel, I would recommend making a dining reservation to enjoy a meal at your resort while you catch up. They will be paying only for their meal. There is no cost to enter the resort, and
complimentary standard self-parking is available at no charge while enjoying a dining experience. When your friends arrive at the gates of your resort hotel, a Cast Member will simply verify that they have a confirmed dining reservation.
If you are staying at one of the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels that does not have a table-service restaurant, or you simply want another option for getting together with your friends, I suggest heading to
Disney Springs. There you will find a wide variety of dining, shopping, and entertainment experiences perfect for a fun time with family or friends. There is no charge to visit Disney Springs, and this area can easily be
accessed by car or by catching a bus from your Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.
I hope that you have a wonderful time with your friends and a magical Walt Disney World Resort vacation! Come back and visit us again if you have any additional questions. See ya real soon!
Samantha