[MsLynn]

I am going to WDW Thanksgiving week and we are staying off-site (MIL and FIL traded for condos). We have been planning a trip for next year and I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to look at the various Disney Resorts "up close and personal". I know that you can go to other resorts if you are a guest, but what about if you aren't staying on-site? Will there be any problem with looking around? Taking pictures?

I have read a lot of the posts here and need some suggestions on where would be the best place to stay with 2 adults and 4 children (ages 14, 11, 5 and 2 next year) . I am looking at moderate or lower (or a great deal, LOL).


Thanks, Lynnette

[CowboyMickey]

Welcome to DC, MsLynn!

Viewing the other Disney resorts in my opinion is one of the greatly underrated things to do in WDW. The resorts are fantastic, each obviously with it's own theme. You certainly used to be able to visit the resorts if you were an 'off-siter', but recently the security has been stepped up so I'm not sure. Anyone know? The viewing of the Grand Floridian, Contemporary and Polynesian should certainly be no problem, as they are on the resort monorail loop. Talk about 'up close and personal'...walking into one of these as your first Disney Hotel experience would be more like a punch in the mouth! The theming and scale of these places is incredible, well worth a visit.

I'll bet that there's not a problem with visiting...I'm sure Disney would encourage it to entice you there next time! You can happily use the shops, restuarants, etc. at the resorts as well. Only word of caution is that I wouldn't try and use the pools...Disney can be quite strict about this.

For a 'viewing strategy, first off I'd go see any of the value All-Stars Resorts. Your kids are probably at the right age to appreciate the theming here, and some very reasonable rates can be found as well. And if you have an Annual Pass, you may even get discounts of up to 45% off the room rack rate (this applies to any Disney Resort).

Next up I'd try either Caribbean Beach Resort or the Coronado Springs Resort. Both are very good moderate hotels. Although I haven't stayed at the CBR, I think it may be better tailored for kids...CSR tends to be more of a convention resort, and scores of conventioneers wandering around may put the kids off.

Taking photos is certainly not an issue either...you'll be using up rolls of film (or megabytes of memory card! ) on taking pictures of the theming alone!

Enjoy!

CowboyMickey:)

[Quidam]

While they might not be suited to your needs, the EPCOT resorts (Beach, Yacht, Boardwalk, Swan, Dolphin) are a quick walk from the back entrance of EPCOT. You can see them all in a short period of time and not have to worry about how to get there and back.

[llama]

Even though you're staying off-site, I don't think visiting the resorts should be too much of a problem. Just explain to the security what you're wanting to do. They're always very nice. We stay on site, but last time visited AKL. Just told them we wanted to look around. No problem. Because it's an attraction, Boardwalk is easy to visit, as well as the Yacht and Beach Club just across the lake. You can walk from Epcot.

Have you considered booking 2 rooms at Pop Century or one of the All-Stars. With 4 children and a difference in their ages, this might work out well. A family we know did this, and they were able to book two adjoining rooms for less than the price of a moderate resort. Just opened the door between the rooms and you have a suite.

I'm not up on all the discounts to be had, but so many others at DC know so much. I know www.mousesavers.com give lots of discount advice. And welcome!

[craziebabie1]

Everytime I have gone, I have visited other resorts. There are so many great things to do at the various resorts that you don't need to be staying there to enjoy. I have even booked at some of them for my later trips.

[inluvwithdisney]

I encourage you to visit Port Orleans Riverside it was fantastic!!!

We just got back from staying there!! It is very nice without being too pricey and can accomodate 5 in a room!!! It is very conveinient!!! We had terrific bus service, the food court was great and the pool was fun!!!

We stayed in bldg. 14 and it was terrific!!!!:)

It also had a great Piano bar that our kids went to with us and the singer got all the kids on stage for various songs for them to perform!!! It wa a blast!!!!

good Luck on deciding!!!!:) :) :)

[mickaholic4077]

I would suggest that one day that you are there to drive to,say,Downtown Disney and take the bus to the various resorts if you don't want to deal with the hassle of trying to get onto the grounds of the various resorts. Or,alternatively,if you want to go somewhere in the afternoons during the days you will be in the parks,take the bus to the resort you want to go to from a park.(For example,go to Animal Kingdom Lodge from the Animal Kingdom). It will take you about 5 minutes to get there. I will echo Cowboy Mickey's advisory about NOT swimming in the Disney pools. They will make you leave if you aren't a resort guest and you are caught swimming in the pools.

[Dana]

I always visit the other hotels. Especially the ones on the monarail route. I have taken pictures inside them, but I haven't ever asked to see the rooms. I can't see them saying no if it's unoccupied. They WANT you to come back. I find this to be a great rainy day fun thing or just a way to take a break from the crowds if there are any or just a break in general which we all need from time to time.

[Ragin]

Isn't it a small world? We're going Thanksgiving Week, too, and plan to resort hop. We wanna see Christmas decorations! GF, AKL, and Poly are DEFINITELY on my list of "must sees." We stayed at CBR in June, and during Thanksgiving will be at AS-Music. I'm very much looking forward to this trip (but what's new?)

[MsLynn]

I'm now sure that I'll visit the resorts and pick my favorite during this trip. Christmas decorations go up the weekend after Thanksgiving, don't they? I had forgotten about the decorations!

Rest assured, I would never think of swimming in their pools. That would irritate even the friendliest of companies.

Ragin- Here I thought we were the only crazy ones who have to go during a standard school vacation time. I just hope that this Thanksgiving week has very light crowds.

[dznygrl]

Bus drivers are very unlikely to ask you for a resort ID...they've never done that in the hundreds of times I've stepped onto a Disney bus. So if you use Disney transportation to get around, you should be able to see all the resorts you want! Just allow yourself a LOT of time...getting between resorts by bus takes a loooong time, and sometimes you may find that even walking between neighboring resorts (like the Swan, Dolphin, BWI & Yacht & Beach Clubs) can get exhausting...so don't expect to do too much at one time.

We explored 11 resorts on our trip last week...but WAIT, there I go getting ahead of myself yet! I'm supposed to write a TRIP REPORT about this stuff!!!! :D

[DisneyAnne]

We always visit a couple of resorts while on our trips to WDW. We always explain to the security that we are resort shopping for future visits and have never had a problem with being allowed in. They usually give us a placard with a time limit or even just tell us how long we have. No big deal.... They want you to come stay on their properties so it benefits them for you to come look around. Have fun!

[Park Hopper]

If you want to use your car, you won't have any trouble getting onto the various resort grounds. Just tell the guard at the security gate what you're doing. He'll ask to see your driver's license and then you'll be on your way.