Hey Howdy Hey David and welcome to planDisney!
Resort hopping is one of my family's favorite activities while we are staying at the Walt Disney World Resort when not in the parks. We love checking out all the shopping, dining and entertainment of different resorts and often make a day out of it during one of our off days. Thank you for stopping by with your question about visiting a resort during your upcoming vacation. I will be happy to give you more information on what to expect during your stay. Giddy up!
There have been several times during recent trips where we have experienced a mixed bag of results when hopping to another resort. To your point, typically you can expect a stop at security and a question as to the reason for your visit. It is always good if you have a reservation, to have that handy in case they ask. Per the
rules on the ability to park at a resort, you should be able to visit the resort during the day with complimentary parking to enjoy dining, shopping and entertainment of the resort. In my experience, I have had to show proof of my reservation a couple of times and others just given a reason for a visit was good enough. There may be different expectations with security at the gate so just be ready for either scenario. You should be able to visit the resorts at any time for any of the reasons listed. Just know that different security guards might have different interpretations of the rules.
One tip that I have for you if you want to maximize your options with resort hopping is to try and use
Disney's Resort Transportation. The
Walt Disney World Monorail visits several of the resorts around Magic Kingdom and is super easy to get from one location to another. If you take a rideshare, you will be dropped off at the Transporation and Ticket Center which is a stop for the Resort Monorail. Hop aboard and relax on a ride on the highway in the sky to Disney's Polynesian Village Resort. Check out
Pineapple Lanai for a Dole Whip while you enjoy the ambiance of the resort and stroll around on the beach. It is an amazing resort and a great time!
Sorry, I was not able to give you a definitive answer as my experiences have varied a bit in the past. I hope with the rules you have some ideas on expectations for visiting the resorts that help to plan your day better. If you have any further questions, please feel free to reach back out and let us know. We are always happy to help!
To Infinity and Beyond,
Nick