These official policies were compiled from a variety of sources including emails from Walt Disney World Guest Services, written documentation, and signage at Walt Disney World. Enforcement of policies may vary. Rules and policies may change over time. If you have current documentation on a policy that is different from any of the information here, please email laura@TheMouseForLess.com.
I. OFFICIAL WALT DISNEY WORLD POLICIES
Resort parking
Complimentary parking at the resorts is available to all resort guests. Limited parking is available for those guests who are dining at one of the resort dining locations or shopping.
When arriving at the resort, those driving are given a card to display on their dashboard during their stay. Most of the time, those driving by car to a Disney Resort for a meal or to visit the shops are given a 2 or 3 hour parking pass to display on their dashboard. The enforcement of this policy may vary, and there may be times at certain resorts when non-guests are not permitted to park at a particular resort for any reason. This is to ensure that there is parking available to the guests of that resort.
Refillable mugs
The resorts each offer a refillable mug program. Purchase of a mug includes free refills during that stay at that resort. Current Disney written policy states that the mugs are only to be used during the stay during which the mugs are purchased. The mugs have an image on them identifying which resort they are from. Since the All-Star Music, Movies, and Sports are "sister" resorts, the mugs from those resorts can be used at any of their food courts; the mugs are all the same. Also, the mugs at Port Orleans French Quarter and Port Orleans Riverside can likewise be used at either foodcourt. Free refills are not available in the parks. Beverages, which may be included for refill typically, include coffee, tea, and sodas, although the selection may vary by resort.
Resort swimming pools
Use of the swimming pools at Disney resorts is limited to guests staying at each particular resort. For example, if you are staying at the Contemporary, you may not use the pool facilities at the Polynesian. For those staying at the All-Stars, this includes use of the pools at any of the All Stars (Movies, Music, and Sports), and for those at Port Orleans, any of the pools at Port Orleans (Riverside or French Quarter). Attendants at the pools may ask for resort ID and non-guests of that resort will be evicted.
Members of Disney Vacation Club, Disney’s timeshare program, do have some privileges to use swimming pools at resorts they are not staying at. Explanation of this program is provided to Disney Vacation Club members, and restrictions may vary.
Resort Restaurants, Shops, and Activities
Anyone is welcome to enjoy the restaurants, shops, and most activities at other resorts. Activities that anyone is typically permitted to participate in would include such things as rental of watercraft, fishing excursions, rental of bicycles, horseback riding, and other paid programs. Generally the childcare facilities are available for anyone to use, although they may at times restrict use of these facilities to guests at the resort at which they are located.
Resort transportation
Anyone staying at a Disney resort has full use of all Disney transportation, including busses, monorails, and boats. In addition, park admission entitles holders to use of most Disney transportation. For example, if you are staying offsite and have park hoppers, you can use the boats to go between Epcot and Disney Studios/MGM. However, to ensure bus transportation to the resorts is available for guests of those resorts, there may be times when resort ID is requested to use transportation to a particular resort.
Cooking in rooms
Coffee pots and small refrigerators are permitted. However, cooking is not permitted so no microwaves, toasters or other cooking appliances should be used in the resort rooms. The Home-Away-From-Home resorts do provide cooking facilities and cooking is permitted in those units. Most resorts will provide a refrigerator for a daily fee. Most resorts will also provide a free coffee maker for use in the room; inquire at check-in.
Room Occupancy Limits
Room occupancy limits vary by resort and room size. Exceeding room occupancy limits may result in being asked to leave, or to pay for an additional room to properly accommodate the number in the party.
Bringing food to parks
With the exception of food items for guests with specific dietary
restrictions, guests are not permitted to bring food and beverage items into the theme parks. Generally, however, plastic bottles for water, juice, etc. are allowed. For those with dietary restrictions, generally small coolers which can be carried by one person and which fit into the park lockers are permitted. At the Animal Kingdom, coolers are only permitted for medication, and must be stored in a locker or with guest relations.
All bags may be inspected prior to park entry. These inspections are done for security purposes only, and only those items that pose a safety or security risk are being looked for. Such things might include glass or weapons of any kind.
Guests of the water parks are permitted to bring food and may bring coolers of a size that may be safely carried.
No glass containers or alcoholic beverages may be brought into the four main theme parks or the water parks.
Use of companion restrooms
Disney provides companion restrooms in it’s parks for the convenience of those who may need assistance in the restroom. Examples might include those who use a wheelchair and need assistance transferring from it, or a family with small children.
At the Magic Kingdom Park, companion-assisted restroom facilities are at First Aid as well as at these locations:
The lower level of Cinderella's Royal Table
Splash Mountain
Mickey's Toontown Fair
Transportation and Ticket Center East
At Epcot, companion-assisted restroom facilities are located at all First Aid locations as well as:
FutureWorld East Block opposite Test Track
FutureWorld West Block opposite the Land
Near Canada
Near Morocco
Near Spaceship Earth
At the Disney-MGM Studios, companion-assisted restroom facilities are at First Aid as well as at these locations:
Opposite the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
Opposite Star Tours
FANTASMIC!
Rock 'n' Roller Coaster Starring Aerosmith
At Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park, companion-assisted restroom facilities are at First
Aid as well as at these locations:
Safari Village opposite Flame Tree Barbecue
Harambe Village in the Mombasa Marketplace
Chester and Hester's Dinosaur Treasures in Dinoland
Thank you to bonneville_89 for supplying these locations
Florida Resident Benefits
Florida residents are often entitled to special discounted passes or lodging. These are for residents of Florida only, and usually require that a Florida driver’s license be provided as proof of residency.
II. OFFICIAL DISNEYLAND POLICIES
Parking
Your first three hours of parking are FREE at Downtown Disney. An
additional two hours can be validated at AMC¨ Theatres and at table-service dining
restaurants. After that, the cost is $6 for each additional hour, charged in 20-minute
increments. The maximum fee is $30.00, plus an additional $6.00 if
the Valet is used. Valet Parking: Available from 5:00pm-2:00am for $6.
Please note that Parking availability and prices are subject to change.
Bringing food to parks
With the exception of food items for Guests with specific dietary restrictions, we do not permit Guests to bring food and beverage items into our Theme Parks. We request that all food and beverages brought to the Parks by our visitors be left in the lockers located near the Main Entry Plaza. Generally, however, small snacks and plastic bottles for water, juice, etc. are allowed.
Resort swimming pools
Guest are requested to use the pool at the Hotel in which they are staying. Access to each pool requires a room card.
