AP and resort parking question

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

I searched the forum, but didn't see this answered anywhere. I seem to think I saw a passing reference to AP holders getting free parking at Disney resorts? We are staying at the BC in August, and will probably use valet parking for the week, with limited in-and-out. As an AP holder, is that free (we will tip, of course)?

Thanks!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Annual Pass holders don't get free valet parking at the WDW Resorts which offer valet parking.

 

[catne]

valet parking will run you $12 a day, you can in & out as much as you want (plan a $2 tip per car move) Keep your receipt, that first $12 covers valet parking at other deluxe resorts...like if you pay to valet park at Beach Club, and pay $12 there...then decide to go to the Grand Floridian for dinner, show the receipt at Grand Floridian and you will not get charged for parking there. You can also then leave your car valet-parked at the Grand Flor. and hop the monorail over to Magic Kingdom. As long as you paid to valet park, there's no limit for how long you leave the car there (although if you leave it overnight, they will add another $12 per day fee on. If I recall correctly, I was told if the car is still in the hotel's valet parking at 6:00 AM next day another day of valet parking will be charged to you.

As far as I know, there is no valet parking at the parks...

 

[MickeyNicki]

No it isnt free, there is a daily charge

If you have the TIW card you can get free parking for dining at that resort but just for a few hours

 

[WEDWDW]

AP Holders get free parking at the THEME PARKS.

As mentioned they do not get free Valet Parking and are held to same "time limits" while visiting a Resort (other than their Resort) as everyone else.

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

Got it! Free parking at the theme parks only. Still have to pay to park at the resort hotel itself. Thanks everyone!

 

[catne]

Got it! Free parking at the theme parks only. Still have to pay to park at the resort hotel itself. Thanks everyone!

Not quite...It can be free to park at hotels too, if you're staying at that hotel you have free parking at that hotel. And if you're just visiting a hotel for 3 hours or less there is free self-parking areas. Depending on how busy Disney World is, the guard at the kiosk will either give you a 3 hour parking permit to put in your window, or not. Then you can eat or shop for 3 hours at that resort. They do sometimes tow cars parked more than 3 hours with no permit showing in the window, so be aware the parking rules might be enforced the expensive way.

The only time you absolutely have to pay to park at the hotels is (1) if you want at the door valet parking or (2) you want to park for more than 3 hours.

 

[Jestocost]

The only time you absolutely have to pay to park at the hotels is (1) if you want at the door valet parking or (2) you want to park for more than 3 hours.

Those really are the same thing, as the only way visitors to a resort should be able to park for more than three hours is if they use valet parking (and that may be subject to the discretion of the parking attendants). Visitors to a resort aren't supposed to use self-park for more than three hours at any price.

 

[Mom-2-2Princesses]

Ok, let's make sure I understand... (can you tell we don't typically have a car when we go?? lol!)

Since we are staying at the BC, we can park for free for the duration of our visit if we self park. I am guessing we will get some kind of parking pass at check in? If we valet park, there is the $12/day fee. As an AP holder, theme park parking is free.

Did I get it right?

 

[Missytara]

Ok, let's make sure I understand... (can you tell we don't typically have a car when we go?? lol!)

Since we are staying at the BC, we can park for free for the duration of our visit if we self park. I am guessing we will get some kind of parking pass at check in? If we valet park, there is the $12/day fee. As an AP holder, theme park parking is free.

Did I get it right?

Yes, at time of check-in, you will get a parking pass good for your resort and the parks. Parking at the parks is free for anyone staying on-site. So you are good on both sides.

If you go to a resort for up to three hours, you can park for free.

If you are more than three hours, then you should valet park and that is $12.00.

 

[MelissathePooh]

If you are staying at a WDW resort - parking at theme parks is also free. You will most likely get a pre-printed pass at the guard shack when you check in - put it on your dash and that is your parking pass.

You may park free at any other resort for a limited time for dining or shopping (sometimes its enforced sometimes not, but not something to chance). You can valet park at any resort (including your own) for $12 a day. Valet is free for disabled and TIW (with a receipt from dinner), but tips are still customary.

BC parking is pretty easy access to the resort - or BCV parking is at least - where we usually stay.

 

[catne]

Those really are the same thing, as the only way visitors to a resort should be able to park for more than three hours is if they use valet parking (and that may be subject to the discretion of the parking attendants). Visitors to a resort aren't supposed to use self-park for more than three hours at any price.

Not really the same thing...there are a fair number of people who ARE staying at the deluxe hotel who would have unlimited free parking time at that hotel...but they do not want to self-park & hike across parking lots. So they pay for valet parking every day. Have sat on the benches waiting for our car at deluxe resorts & chatted with others waiting for cars to be fetched. I would guesstimate at least 1/2 of the people I talk to in those circumstances are actually staying at the same hotel. One lady I chatted with said she also hired a town car to take her & kids to the parks so they didn't have to bother with parking at the theme parks either. Some folks just want the full deluxe hotel-luxury-resort-services, and are perfectly willing to pay for it.

 

[Missytara]

If you are staying at a WDW resort - parking at theme parks is also free. You will most likely get a pre-printed pass at the guard shack when you check in - put it on your dash and that is your parking pass.

The CM's at check-in give you the resort/parks parking pass as part of your welcome package.

The guards issue three hour parking passes only for those guests who want to wander around or have dinner at that resort.

 

[catne]

Ok, let's make sure I understand... (can you tell we don't typically have a car when we go?? lol!)

Since we are staying at the BC, we can park for free for the duration of our visit if we self park. I am guessing we will get some kind of parking pass at check in? If we valet park, there is the $12/day fee. As an AP holder, theme park parking is free.

Did I get it right?

You also get free parking at the parks because you are staying at a Disney hotel...they give you a hotel parking permit to put on your dashboard...when you get to the parking lot kiosks at the theme parks, just hold up your hotel parking pass and they will wave you through (this is faster than pulling your AP out, handing it over to be looked at, etc...the hotel permit is big enough they can read it from the kiosk )

 

[MelissathePooh]

The CM's at check-in give you the resort/parks parking pass as part of your welcome package.

The guards issue three hour parking passes only for those guests who want to wander around or have dinner at that resort.

The guard shack often has it as well. We've almost always been given ours there and get an extra at the front desk for my mom. We're DVC - I don't know if that's why or not, but we get it at the guard shack usually.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The guard shack often has it as well. We've almost always been given ours there and get an extra at the front desk for my mom. We're DVC - I don't know if that's why or not, but we get it at the guard shack usually.

Were not DVC members however during our previous stays at the Contemporary, Polynesian, Wilderness Lodge and Boardwalk Inn, we also got our parking passes from the guard shack after saying we are checking-in and we also got an extra one from our welcome package.

 

[MinnieGirl33]

Free THEME PARK parking = Resort Guest OR AP holder (either/or will suffice, don't need both)

Free Resort* SELF Parking = Resort Guest or Visitor on a 3 hr pass

Free Resort VALET Parking = TiW holder that can show receipt from dining that day

*Only caveat here is Swan/Dolphin who, I believe, charge resort guests to self park.

 

[Deb & Bill]

...Free Resort* SELF Parking = Resort Guest or Visitor on a 3 hr pass

Free Resort VALET Parking = TiW holder that can show receipt from dining that day....

There are times when no one other than the guests actually staying at a resort can part there. You are not supposed to park at at resort to visit at theme park unless you are a guest at that resort. There are signs posted at the guard shacks that the deluxe resorts (that are very close to the theme parks) cannot provide theme park parking.

For TIW free valet parking. You cannot valet park for more than three hours with the TIW card. You must show the receipt you just got from the restaurant at that resort in order to get free valet. But you still need to tip the valet.

 

[mmouse50]

What is your receipt? - when I valet park at my resort I am never given a receipt just the number to pick your car up by - the valet parking is always added to my room charge at the end of the stay.

So if I am staying at Beach, valet park and then have dinner at California Grill what am I going to show the Contemporary valet that I am paying for valet parking at the Beach?

 

[tkldisney]

If you have TIW and valet park, (which is free after 5pm for dining only) Show your dining reciept adn TIW card to valet and no charge, just tip him/her.