Can someone come pick us up @ MK w/o paying parking?

[lmbcdb]

We are headed to the World at the end of October, flying in, and using ME. My DH's grandmother (80 something) lives in Tampa and it has been suggested that we go see her, as she has been having lots of medical issues lately.

Darling, sweet, BIL, who lives in Tampa, has offered to come get us, go hang out with Grandma, and bring us back.

The day that has worked out best, though, is one of our MK days, which is our favorite park. In order to maximize our time at the park, is there any way for DBIL to pick us up at TTC without paying parking, or do we need to go back to Pop? Or should I just suck it up and give DBIL the $15? (or whatever it is)

Or any other thoughts?

I am not trying to "get around" not paying for the parking. I just want DBIL to be able to drive in, pick us up, and leave.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

The best bet is to meet him at the Contemporary area IMO, when at the main MK gates, he can tell them he is picking up someone at the Contemporary and they will waive him through and he'll just follow the road to the Contemporary. When we drop people off at MK, this is what we do.

 

[seashoreCM]

Yes.

Going to the Contemporary you also pass through the toll booth. Choose the second or third booth from the right. Not so rapidly tell the attendant where you are going, pause briefly, and then thank him and drive on.

The way to the drop off is the same bear right after the Magic Kingdom toll booth then you take the first allowable left at a traffic light. The drop off is a little way down.

Using the dropoff requires taking the monorail or ferry to MK but is a shorter walk without crossing a busy street.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

We were dropped off at the Poly in August by a taxi. We had to show the guy at the parking booth proof of our reservation before they would let the guy in. I couldn't understnd this b/c it was a passenger van- clearly a service car.

I'm wondering what's going to happen in April when we are in the same situation as op. My parents are going to drop us off so they can use our rental car to visit friends. At first I thought it would be no big deal just to drop us off but now I'm worried.

 

[tkldisney]

There are no guarantees the cm will let you through without paying. Same for us when ever we've stayed at MK resort, we had to show proof of the reservation. I know it's not the greatest, but have them drop you off at a resort and then take the bus to the park. Epcot & DHS is easy, just drop off at BW, the walk to Epcot and take boat to DHS.

 

[DebbieB]

There is an official dropoff spot by the Polynesian, I have seen the sign.

 

[HelenParr]

The closest he can get to you is Poly/TTC area, or Contemporary. But he does have to go through the MK gate.

Personally, I'd give him the $15 and if he can talk his way in with "I'm just picking up family" then you saved $15. I think he has a better than 50/50 shot.

If you really want to keep the $15, and add a little adventure, you could have him pick you up at WL -- you could take the boat over, and he can get there by car from the other direction (not through MK gate), but from the Downtown Disney side.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

There is an official dropoff spot by the Polynesian, I have seen the sign.

How do you get over to Poly without going through parking booth for MK?

 

[ddluvsdisney]

There are no guarantees the cm will let you through without paying. Same for us when ever we've stayed at MK resort, we had to show proof of the reservation. I know it's not the greatest, but have them drop you off at a resort and then take the bus to the park. Epcot & DHS is easy, just drop off at BW, the walk to Epcot and take boat to DHS.

I thought of the Epcot resorts as well, thanks!
I just think there should be a place where people could get dropped off if not in a taxi.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I've never have heard of a gate agent denying someone to enter a parking lot to drop someone off, not saying it doesn't happen, but I have never seen it.

 

[Eliza32]

Or take the MK bus to DTD, he can certainly pick you up there no bother.

 

[siskaren]

Or take the MK bus to DTD, he can certainly pick you up there no bother.

There isn't a direct bus from MK to DTD; you'd have to walk over to the Contemporary and pick up a bus there.

 

[mom2brooke76]

I also say go to the Contemporary and have him tell the guard what he's doing. My friend has picked me up there before without issue. They asked to see his ID and that was it.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

How do you get over to Poly without going through parking booth for MK?

You go through the booth...you just tell them where you're going and they wave you through. Most people using the far right booths are going to one of the MK/monorail resorts so its a very normal thing.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you chose a resort as the rendezvous point do you have cell phones to coordinate pickup at the street entrance of the resort?

Just in case the guard doesn't let you drive in.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

You go through the booth...you just tell them where you're going and they wave you through. Most people using the far right booths are going to one of the MK/monorail resorts so its a very normal thing.

In the past they've asked for a reservation # before they let us through.

 

[PEANUT1]

There is absolutely no problem doing any of the things people have mentioned. You can get to any of the resorts without paying a parking fee. What if you are going to the poly for lunch?? they don't make you pay to park even if you are not staying on a disney property. You can not get picked up at MK but you could easily walk over to the contemporary and get picked up there or go to the poly via monorail or the ttc.

 

[ddluvsdisney]

There is absolutely no problem doing any of the things people have mentioned. You can get to any of the resorts without paying a parking fee. What if you are going to the poly for lunch?? they don't make you pay to park even if you are not staying on a disney property. You can not get picked up at MK but you could easily walk over to the contemporary and get picked up there or go to the poly via monorail or the ttc.

As I mentioned before- when we were there in August with a car service bringing us to the Poly, the guy at MK parking booth asked for our reservation #. He would not let us go until I found the paperwork to show him. And there were cars lined up behind us.

 

[lmbcdb]

OP here and still pretty confused...

I think we'll shoot for the Contemporary and take our chances with him having to pay.

Many of the other ideas would work, but didn't help us save any time. (like going to WL or DTD) I was trying to spend as much time at MK as possible, and the Contemporary will be the closest, I think.

Thanks for your help, everyone.

And yes, we both have cell phones to coordinate.

 

[PEANUT1]

You can go to the poly anytime and tell them you have a dining reservation. They let you in with no questions asked. We do this every time we visit the world which is twice a year.