We tested Disney’s Contemporary Resort access after social media claims of new guest restrictions
After Disney introduced new transportation restrictions and mobile ordering geofencing at select Walt Disney World Resort hotels, social media quickly filled with claims that non-resort guests might not be able to visit monorail resorts or use the resort’s walkway to Magic Kingdom. So I put the theories to the test.
To see what guests could actually expect, Attractions Magazine visited Disney’s Contemporary Resort on July 2 to document the experience firsthand.
Visiting Disney’s Contemporary as a non-hotel guest
Because the Independence Day holiday weekend was expected to bring heavier crowds July 3-5, I intentionally chose a quieter afternoon to avoid taking dining capacity or seating away from resort guests. Disney’s operations can change at any time, and experiences during busier periods may differ.
Starting at the Transportation and Ticket Center
Using my valid Walt Disney World Annual Pass, my son and I parked at the Transportation and Ticket Center before boarding the Resort Monorail to Disney’s Contemporary Resort. Once inside the resort, we walked through the lobby and public areas without issue.
Testing the new mobile ordering restrictions
During our visit, we tested Disney’s new mobile ordering restrictions at Contempo Café. When we first opened the restaurant in the My Disney Experience app, a pop-up stated that mobile ordering was “only available to Guests staying at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and Bay Lake Tower.”
After dismissing the message and reopening the restaurant a few minutes later while still physically at the resort, the restriction no longer appeared; we were able to place a mobile order and received an arrival window to pick up our food.
Guests may encounter different app behavior depending on their location or other operational factors. Disney could change how the system functions at any time.
Photo by Dani Meyering
Once our small mobile order was ready, we sat at Outer Rim, where my son wanted to sit because “Bluey” was playing on the lounge’s television. There were about eight to ten other guests in the lounge area, and I purchased a nonalcoholic beverage, the Royal Berry Spritzer, which I will order again in a heartbeat, especially for $7.00.
Related: All the ways to experience Bluey at Disney
Before leaving, our son also used his own money to purchase a small souvenir from the shop. Throughout our visit, cast members were welcoming, and we did not encounter any restrictions while visiting the resort’s publicly accessible shops and dining locations.
Geofencing restrictions on mobile orders
Later, after walking from Disney’s Contemporary Resort to the Magic Kingdom entrance using the public walkway, we tested the app again. At that point, mobile ordering for restaurants inside Magic Kingdom was available even though we had not entered the park. However, Contempo Café was no longer available once we were away from the resort.
This echoes social media posts I have seen showing a similar screenshot, stating that you must be at the desired Disney resort to place a mobile order.
Walking to Magic Kingdom
Another rumor circulating online claimed that the walkways from the monorail resorts to the Magic Kingdom have become reserved for resort guests. During our visit, we walked the path from Disney’s Contemporary Resort to the Magic Kingdom entrance without encountering any checkpoints or restrictions. There were no signs indicating any access policies, just the standard park regulations and rules.
Photo by Dani Meyering
Once we passed through security, we continued toward the Magic Kingdom entrance. I timed our walk so that we would not be in the way of anyone heading to the park at the last minute to catch the parade.
After spending some time near the park entrance, I made sure we hadn’t gotten there until after the afternoon parade crowds had cleared. Then we boarded the Express Monorail back to the Transportation and Ticket Center. We did not experience any change in procedure here nor any signage indicating any policy change.
Photo by Dani Meyering
What we observed
Based on our July 2 visit, we were able to visit Disney’s Contemporary Resort, purchase food and merchandise, use the public walkway to Magic Kingdom, and enjoy the resort’s public spaces while remaining mindful of hotel guests.
This was a single visit conducted during a relatively quiet afternoon before the busy holiday weekend. Disney can adjust its policies, app functionality, or operational procedures at any time, and guest experiences may differ during peak periods.
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