Advice for visiting other WDW resorts.

Just drive up to security, wind your window down, show your resort ID, smile, and say something like "Hi we are staying at Riverside and we have come to the Polynesian to have a wander round and look at the resort" Security have always happily let us in. I always figured honesty was the best policy. Often, you are just waved through when they see your resort parking permit or ID.

Yes they are getting more strick, especially during the busy season. We were told once last year that the lots were full due to a convention at the Boardwalk, I said we were using valet and they let us in, but I don't know if they would have if we were parking on our own. The Poly is being very strick with the refurbishment and busy season. They have half the amount of parking they usually do, but BuffaloBill got in. The holiday's are the worst.

Parking at the Poly is awful, if you are just going to eat. We always wind up parking way far out. And there is no good place to push a stroller, you are always in traffic. But all of that is worth my meal at Ohana. So I am not complaining a lot, just a smidgeon of a gripe.

Yea verily, MrHub, I didn't have an issue parking at the Poly in Feb or in April, but having an honest face goes a long way.

Generally, the process for parking at any resort, even the one you're staying at, is the same. Show the guard your parking permit and a resort ID. Be forthcoming, don't be a jerk, and let security do their thing. I can't say I am always truthful IF I am asked why I am coming to a resort. Admittedly, sometimes I will park at the Poly to expedite a quick visit to the MK while telling the guard that I'm going to dinner or meeting someone in the bar. But for the most part, I just tell the guard I want to look around. Often they will ask me to park in the boonies, which is OK with me.

Having a parking permit and a resort ID sort of means you're a member of the club, you know the secret hand shake and the password. Security is only looking out to be sure you're not going to cause trouble and, if parking is very full, take up a space that a legit guest should have.

From a Disney perspective, I think they want you to visit the other resorts in the hopes you'll spend even more money the next time you come to WDW. But at the same time I think Disney merchandising has shot themselves in the foot by eliminating most of the resort specific stuff in the gift shops.

Go visit the resorts. It's part of the magic.

I have made about 63 trips to WDW. I only went to a theme park on 2 of those trips. All the other times I resort hopped. I have been to every resort in the World many times over. I always use Disney transport and love it. I have never ever been asked for any form of ID other than the day I check in at my resort using WDW transportation. I have never been in such a hurry at WDW that I had to take my own car to save time. To me the Disney transportation is part of the Disney thrill that I don't want to miss. To each his own.
Joe

We have always taken Taxi's to out ADR"s and have never had to explain anything. The cabbie just drives up and says they're dining or something about eating and we go straight through. A few times we were not even eating, we just went to visit. We usually eat and go, but we really should explore the resort.

Joe, I am going to take your approach and ride the transport more this trip. You are right on about slowing down and letting the transport be a part of the experience. I think I rush around too much!

We always do the transportation. If you are going early and can catch a bus from AK or HS if really isn't that bad. It's always pretty easy to connect through the MK and then take a monorail to the Poly or GF. I love resort hopping! So many places to discover for the next trip!

I don't mind using Disney transportation. It's one less thing that I worry about while I am at Disney and I really don't mind the wait. It gives me a chance to catch my breath.

If I may jump on this thread. I've never been to AKL, so on my next trip I plan to visit there. I have a reservation at Sanaa. I am a DVC member, so if I stayed there, I would be staying at a DVC villa. Is there a special building I should visit to get a feel for the place and the views? I honestly don't know the difference between Jambo and Kidani and whatever else there is. Guidance would be appreciated so I don't wander around the place aimlessly. I have a feeling it's pretty big. Also, can I use the pool there? I'm not sure about the pool hopping policy.

TIA

As far as I can remember, there are only two buildings, Jambo House and Kidani Village. Sanaa is in Kadani Village. I like both buildings for different things. As far as pool hopping goes, I do not think you are allowed to at the one at Jambo House which is probably my favorite of all of the pools so far.

Colonel, try this site. http://www.aklresort.com/

Jambo is the main resort, Kadani Village is DVC, but there are DVC rooms in Jambo.

We have never stayed at AKL. From what I have been led to believe, to get the true Disney resort feel, Jambo House is the place to be. Because it is DVC & non DVC you still get the typical deluxe feel. Kidani Village is 100% DVC, so it has a more DVC feel.

Having never stayed there, I don't actually have an educated opinion. This is what I have gathered from just reading forums. I am not sure that I care either way, I want to stay at both!!!

Thanks Mr Hub and others

We are planning a resort hop one evening during our trip. We have a 9PM ADR at Ohana. We want to resort hop the other resorts prior to our ADR. I planned on using WDW transportation between resorts, but I never thought I might have an issue parking at the start of the evening. We are staying at WBC, and not at a WDW property. What is the best place to park to do this? This is on our off day and we won't be going into any parks that day.

What resorts were you planning to check out? , Just the monorail resorts? I would park at the Poly, use valet, its $15, drop the car at the door, let them park it, check out the resort, take the monorail to the Grand Floridian, then the Contemporary, then back to the Poly for your ADR. When you pull up to the guard shack, if they ask tell them you are here for a reservation later, but you want to check out the resort for your next vacation. That should be fine. They really only are strict over holidays and special events.

Your quite welcome. AKL is really an amazing resort. I just wish it was one of the monorail resorts, that would make it perfect. When you first walk into Jambo House's main lobby, it almost takes your breath away, it is quite remarkable what they did with that resort. And when its decorated for the Holidays, WOW!.

I must concur, Jambo is so stunning. I actually had ressies for Kidani village again, but after my spring trip to Jambo, and a visit to Kidani's smaller lobby area and pool, I switched. Jambo it is - and I love the smells of Boma wafting everywhere, the animals outside, the drums in the lobby, the cultural stuff. I know that at some point I may try Kidani - I hear that it is so quiet and the rooms might be a bit larger (?), but I am just loving Jambo.

OK more help please. As I said I have reservations in Sanaa which is in Kidani Village. Kidani appears to be pretty far from Jambo. Should I visit both? Can it be walked? How would you approach it? I want to get a feel for the place and see the animal views if possible and what type of room I would want if I stayed there on points. I have a 5pm ADR at Sanaa and I'll probably do AK that morning. Pool hoppong is not allowed at AK, so that's off the table.

There is a small shuttle van that goes between Jambo House and Kadani every 15 minutes and it is free. you just go outside and tell the valet you want the shuttle to Kadani from Jambo or vice versa. It can be walked, but its about 15 minutes. I would definitely visit both or you would have nothing to compare.