Arrival day ? Sat. 11/22

[AUTUMNSAM]

We are staying offsite and arriving around 5-6pm. After picking up groceries, we would like to see the Christmas decorations and see the water parade and maybe fireworks.

What is a good plan to see the most/best decorations on arrive night and also see fireworks and the electric water parade without park admission? Any tips on where to park, which order and just the best way to do this?

Any suggestions? Thanks!

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I don't know where you can park at a resort for a long period without paying. The resorts may want you to have an ADR or give you a 3 hour parking pass.

But if you can park at one of the resorts, do that, then ride the monorail around to look at the resorts. Polynesian may not have much in the way of decorations this year though. If you can, go out to Wilderness Lodge on the boat and check out their lobby. (You might be able to park there if you say you are just visiting, they have a large lot and are not on the monorail. They have a boat over to Contemporary where you can pick up the monorail.)

Places you can watch fireworks/water pageant without making a restaurant ADR: 4th floor Contemporary has an outdoor patio, boat dock at the Grand Floridian, or the TTC. I don't know whether or not to suggest the Poly beach. Water pageant goes by the Contemporary and Wilderness Lodge too.

 

[MattM]

You can still get a pretty good view at the Poly Beach, even with the construction. But the advice above is spot on!

 

[Dallas_Lady]

That's my arrival day

Park at the TTC (MK parking lot) and ride the monorail. Then maybe take the boat from the Contemporary to the Wilderness Lodge- you can't beat the Lodge for Christmas decorations! You can also see the water pageant from the beach at the WL.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Park at the TTC (MK parking lot) and ride the monorail.

You'll have to pay to park at TTC.

 

[EagleFlyer]

That's my arrival day

Park at the TTC (MK parking lot) and ride the monorail. Then maybe take the boat from the Contemporary to the Wilderness Lodge- you can't beat the Lodge for Christmas decorations! You can also see the water pageant from the beach at the WL.

That's exactly what we did on arrival day on a trip a few years back. Parked at TTC, rode the monorail to see the decorations at the Polynesian and Contemporary (saw the Grand Floridian a few days later at dinner), and then got off at the MK stop and took the boat to the WL. It was a great (and free, since we were on site guests) way to start the trip.

 

[Dallas_Lady]

You'll have to pay to park at TTC.

Yes, you do.

 

[itchin2go]

You can still eat at a resort without an ADR (walk up and/or QS). I think parking at the Wilderness Lodge is a good idea if you would like to try to park for free. I have actually parked free at the Grand Floridian, but we did have an ADR. We were not asked about our ADR when we parked - we just said we had a reservation to dine.

Also, you can valet park at any of the resorts. I have valet parked at the Contemporary (to eat at Cali Grill), and no one batted an eyelash. It was far more convenient than parking at the TTC.

 

[sgfgrover15]

You can also park at Downtown Disney then ride the bus to WL or GF. When we are offsite I don't feel like I am taking Seats from onsite guests because I have not seen those buses to capacity like Allstars. Then there is no cost other than shopping or dinner. Then you can still hop around on monorails to get the Disney feel your first night

 

[Ali]

You can still eat at a resort without an ADR (walk up and/or QS). I think parking at the Wilderness Lodge is a good idea if you would like to try to park for free. I have actually parked free at the Grand Floridian, but we did have an ADR. We were not asked about our ADR when we parked - we just said we had a reservation to dine.

Also, you can valet park at any of the resorts. I have valet parked at the Contemporary (to eat at Cali Grill), and no one batted an eyelash. It was far more convenient than parking at the TTC.

How long ago did you do this? Wilderness lodge has been a very difficult entry for a long time, second to the contemporary is strict guards. With the advent of Magic Bands and the constant flow of people trying to avoid the parking fees the resorts have tightened up.

To the OP, you will have to pay to park somewhere at TTC or on the monorail line unless you have a dining reservation. I don't know the schedule for the Gingerbread house at the GF so if it is open you should start there and end up at the Poly for the fireworks and water parade. I will also be there on that day and there are many conferences over that weekend so it will be a busy time. I have an ADR at the Poly so I can see the fireworks.

 

[itchin2go]

How long ago did you do this? Wilderness lodge has been a very difficult entry for a long time, second to the contemporary is strict guards. With the advent of Magic Bands and the constant flow of people trying to avoid the parking fees the resorts have tightened up.

To the OP, you will have to pay to park somewhere at TTC or on the monorail line unless you have a dining reservation. I don't know the schedule for the Gingerbread house at the GF so if it is open you should start there and end up at the Poly for the fireworks and water parade. I will also be there on that day and there are many conferences over that weekend so it will be a busy time. I have an ADR at the Poly so I can see the fireworks.

It's been a few years since we parked at GF. On our last trip (10/13), we valet parked at the Contemporary with no problem whatsoever.

If it were me, I would MUCH rather pay to valet park at the Contemporary (or another resort) than to park way out in the TTC lot and have to deal with the walk, and then the extra monorail ride just to get to something interesting, and finding my car later.

 

[AUTUMNSAM]

Thanks for all the great tips!