Hi, Don!
Welcome to planDisney. It looks like you might already be at Walt Disney World Resort, and I have to admit, I'm just a little bit jealous. You'll be glad to know that you are certainly welcome to explore all the fabulous hotels on property. In fact,
"resort hopping" is one of my favorite Disney World activities. Let's take a stroll through the details!
When arriving in a personal vehicle or via a rideshare provider, you'll be greeted by a friendly Cast Member at each
Disney Resorts Collection hotel's entrance gate. While there are no fees to enter the hotel property and
"standard self-parking is complimentary for day Guests while they enjoy select dining, shopping, entertainment and recreation experiences," you may be asked for confirmation of a room reservation or a dining reservation before being permitted to enter. This happens most often at resorts along the
Monorail loop and at
EPCOT area resorts to ensure parking is readily available for hotel guests and not taken up by guests parking to visit the parks. It can also happen during busy times of year or at a Cast Member's discretion as a crowd control measure.
In my opinion, the easiest (and most fun) way to visit the resorts is by using the
complimentary resort transportation, which allows you to arrive in pixie-dusted style and explore without worrying about reservations or time constraints. My family makes a goal of trying to travel by bus, boat, Monorail, and
Disney Skyliner on each trip. We spend time at our favorite destinations (even if we're staying at a different hotel on that particular visit), and always try to check out a new resort "for research." I just need to explore Disney's Old Key West Resort and both Disney's Port Orleans Riverside and French Quarter Resorts to complete my to-do list!
Don, I hope this helps. If you have additional questions or need some guidance on how to get around, be sure to come back and let us know. In the meantime, feel free to
use the convenient map feature in the My Disney Experience app for directions.
Magic and memories,
Amy