GCH parking ??

[Danauk]

Where abouts is the GCH self parking located (I have read it is imbetween DTD and the PP hotel) and is it easy to drive to and from the hotel? We will be arriving after dark and have not been to DL before. I am guessing it would be easier to vallet park the car for the night when we arrive then move it to the self park the next day (rather than pay $12 a day for our car just to sit there!)
Also we will be staying on DVC points, when at WDW DVC get free valet parking is that the case when staying on points at DL or not?

 

[dee519]

I don't believe valet is free for members in the DL resorts . . . have fun out there don't forget to check out the Columbia

 

[challada]

We were just there. Valet costs daily (I believe $12/day) but selfpark is free. It is across the street from GCH so you must cross the street and walk up the driveway. Selfpark is a large lot and well-lit, though so it shouldn't be a problem finding a space and getting back to the hotel.

 

[DisneyCrocsRUS]

I've been wondering this myself, we're staying at GC at the end of June. Even though we will be arriving around noon, I was more concerned about whether it would be a LONNNNNNG walk from self-parking to the hotel, considering we'd be coming from the airport & have lots of luggage, and 2 little girls in tow (7 & 2).

Is there maybe a drop-off point in front of the hotel where DH could drop off me & the girls along w/the luggage, and then he could self-park & walk to meet us? Or is the walk from self-parking really not that far? (Hearing that it's across the street makes me think it'd be a hassle w/all our luggage & 2 little girls who will be exhausted after a long airplane flight).

 

[monorail91]

Self-parking is really close to the hotel. It's right across the street, close to the Downtown Disney parking area.

 

[SANDIEGOFAN]

I've been wondering this myself, we're staying at GC at the end of June. Even though we will be arriving around noon, I was more concerned about whether it would be a LONNNNNNG walk from self-parking to the hotel, considering we'd be coming from the airport & have lots of luggage, and 2 little girls in tow (7 & 2).

Is there maybe a drop-off point in front of the hotel where DH could drop off me & the girls along w/the luggage, and then he could self-park & walk to meet us? Or is the walk from self-parking really not that far? (Hearing that it's across the street makes me think it'd be a hassle w/all our luggage & 2 little girls who will be exhausted after a long airplane flight).

There is a drop off point, we used the same method unloading and loading last summer. The walk isn't that far but it's more convenient to drop everything and everyone off then park.

Have a great time!

 

[caimakale]

We always pull into the GCH and unload all of our stuff before going over to self park. I go park the vehicle while my wife waits in line to check-in.

There is no way I want to haul all of our luggage across the street and up to the hotel.

 

[Kupiecb]

We just returned and Valet is $14.00 per day. We valet the first night cause we arrived after dark also and for me it is quite a walk. We then self parked the rest of the time.

 

[Danauk]

Cheers for the info guys. I think we will valet for the 1st night as it is easier (it is a 12 hour flight from the UK so by the time we get there we will have been up for 24 hours and will be shattered!) then move to free parking the 2nd day. How far exactly is the free parking? I looked on google earth and if we parked at the lower end of the free parking lot is looks further away than some of the off site hotels!! We are visiting August so I am presuming the parks and hotels will be busy.

 

[challada]

You HAVE to pull in to unload since you need your window tag for the car to park in the self-park lot. The guys out front are wonderfully attentive and will be very helpful in getting where you need to go.

It's not a long walk, but I would suggest that you do it in the daylight since you have to go around some shrubbery to get to the path that meanders up to the GCH.

Thanks, yes, valet was $14 last weekend....we didn't use it so I ignored the price, LOL.

Have fun!

 

[GailT]

The first 2 nights I valet parked then finally smartend up and went to the self serve, paying 14 dollars a day to sit there without me using it is not a very bright idea. I'll do the same when I in September, I'll drop my bags off, let them hold them till my room is ready and off to self pak it then go into the park.

 

[Peri]

is there the same self park option if you stay at Paradise Pier?

 

[GailT]

is there the same self park option if you stay at Paradise Pier?

I have never stayed at PP but I am ssuming that all hotels have some type of self parking.

 

[kittysmommy]

I love pulling up to the gate at the GC and having them welcome my me and my family. The attendants by the door are also so nice and helpful. We always drop everything off, checkin (even though it is before the room is ready), drive across the street to park, and then enjoy a walk through DD to enjoy the atmosphere.

You're going to love the GC. Walking in to the lobby almost overwhelms me because it's so neat.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Here's a link to an aerial of the Grand Californian & you can see the parking lot there.

Grand Californian Aerial


At the Paradise Pier Hotel, you can unload your luggage at the front of the hotel, and then park in the parking structure behind the hotel.