Howdy Taylor! Welcome to planDisney!
It's so special that you're thinking of pairing your magical vacation at Walt Disney World Resort with some quality time with friends! I have a bunch of friends near the Orlando area and since we love to stay on property and skip car rentals thanks to
Disney's amazing transportation system, the only way my friends might see me when I visit is if they venture into the magic, too.
During your stay at your Disney resort, I am happy to report that your friends should be able to visit you. My fellow panelist
Diane addressed a similar question previously with some great tips on how to ensure a smooth visit. I also contacted the resort and spoke to a cast member who confirmed that this information is accurate as of today, but that some security cast members at some resorts can be a bit more strict. I think to be cautious, you may want to
call and ask about your resort specifically. The cast member I spoke to today said that the resort hotel I named when I called is a bit more lenient, but I gather that this advice can vary across resort hotels. She also said that it is imperative that your guests have identification and can provide your name and room number to security.
If your friends have
dining reservations at your resort hotel, they would be guaranteed parking and entry privileges. If you were considering booking dining with them, that might be something to consider. Depending on what resort hotel you'll be staying at, there are really great dining options available. You can
filter the list here to find what's available at your resort by selecting the drop-down menu that reads "All Walt Disney World Locations" at the top right of the page. Deselect that option, then select your resort to see what's available there.
Finally, while we're on the subject of dining, don't forget that if you purchase a Disney Dining plan for a 2026 visit,
kids eat free! If you're bringing any kids aged 3-9 along on your trip, this is a great deal so be sure to consider it while you're planning.
I hope this information helps, Taylor. I see that your planning is already off to a great start, but if you need additional help along the way don't hesitate to swing by again. We'll see ya real soon!
Magically yours,
Sakinah