Car Rental Quesions

[Momandjake]

Hello!!
My son and I are heading to Disney for our 4th time. Because we are going to spend a few days at Universal Studios too, I have opted to stay off site for the first time. I'm a bit nervous about this but we'll see how it goes. We are booked at the Sheraton Safarri and I'm leery of being dependant on off-site transportation so I have rented a car. Is there a trick to parking at the parks? I'm thinking I will go to one park and use the busses or monorails to get around during the day (we have park hopper tickets). I know I'm probalby going to have a hike to the gate, from the parking lot but are there shuttles or anything? Or any tips to parking? Is it pretty easy to get around?

Any suggestions, advise, feedback, will be appreciated!
Thanks!!!!

 

[kosmo]

Parking is $7 and at Disney there are constant shuttles running to the front gate from the parking lots. We were just there in May and never had to wait. At Universal, they have people movers for the most part of the hike from the lots to the front gate. At both parks, just remember what lot and row you parked in. Also, you can leave and come back the same day and only pay parking once (like if you wanted to go back to the hotel and rest, etc, and go back in the evening) -- just save your ticket.

 

[Steve P]

be advised too, that Universal has valet parking and if you eat lunch in certain restaurants (i.e. Emeril's) they'll validate your valet slip. The valet parking area is just an escalator ride
up to the entrance to Universal citywalk.

 

[disneyeveryyear]

If you plan to park hop most days, then park your car at the last place you plan to be. i.e., Epcot. Two reasons:

1. At night when you are exhausted, there is less traveling to get to your car to get back to hotel. Getting from MK to car can be an exhausting trip.

2. In the a.m., it is easier and closer to park at Epcot than at MK, where you have to park, take a tram, take Monorail or Ferry. If you park at Epcot, you park, take tram, take Monorail to MK or T&T for bus to other parks. Same number of stops, but a lot less walking and you can avoid huge lines at MK for monorail or long wait for and long trip over on Ferry!

It has worked for us.

If you are having character breakfast at Contemporary or Polynesian, then park there and monorail over to MK. (I have heard they may be limiting you to 3 hrs parking when you have a meal---you may want to check on this first.)

Hope this gives you some ideas.

 

[Momandjake]

Thank you for the tips! Much appreciated and they will come in handy.

--Steph

 

[Lewisc]

If you have an AP parking is free in the Disney theme parks. You only have to pay once per day. Just show your parking ticket at the next park you go to.

Might be easier to just move your car. Don't worry about parking too far from the gates, Disney runs parking lot trams.

 

[Pixie_Dust]

Originally posted by Steve P
be advised too, that Universal has valet parking and if you eat lunch in certain restaurants (i.e. Emeril's) they'll validate your valet slip. The valet parking area is just an escalator ride
up to the entrance to Universal citywalk.

That's a good hint! Is the validation good all day if you do the parks? If so, I'll think about eating at one of those places

 

[Steve P]

Very good quesiton.

I'm not sure if you have to be in and out of there within a certain time limit to get the comp'ed valet parking. We were just there to go to Emeril's, we walked around citywalk for an hour or so after lunch and then left.