Do we park at the resort or the park?

[Castlebound]

We are driving to Disney and after a night in a hotel along the way we plan to get to Disney a little before the parks open. We are staying at AKL and were wondering what we should do about parking our first day. We didn't plan on checking into the rosort until the afternoon. Without a resort tag will we have to pay for parking at a park lot? Should we park at the resort and take the bus to the parks?

Thanks,
Christal

 

[Pryncess'mom]

Do you already have your park tickets or do you have to pick them up or purchase them? If so you will need to go to the resort and get checked in, even in room isn't ready. When you get checked in you will get a parking slip to put on the dash of your car so you won't have to pay to park. You can take your car even if you are checked in, but you will have to pay if you don't have the parking paper. CMs are on duty 24/7 so someone will be at the desk no matter how early you get there. My .02 : check in at the hotel and then go have fun!

Hope this helps.

Deb

 

[safetymom]

I would suggest checking in. You can check in anytime but the room might not be ready. At least you would have your room keys and the all important parking pass allowing you to park for free at the parks.

 

[Castlebound]

We do already have our park tickets so we don't have to check into the hotel to get them. Truthfully my big thing is that I don't want to pay to park at the parks when I don't have to pay. So we will just go to the resort first and check in and then go to the parks. Thanks for both of your replies.

Christal

 

[Pryncess'mom]

Have a wonderful trip!!!

Deb

 

[swilphil]

I would check in and then take the bus to the park. When I leave the park, I hate having to take a tram to the car and then drive back to the resort, find a parking spot, blah, blah.

 

[safetymom]

You will be in and out of the building checking in quickly. Later on in the day you will be glad you checked in first. Have a great trip.

 

[cinmell]

I agree with the other posters and I would check in as soon as I arrived at WDW. Enjoy your vacation!

 

[webray]

I would check in first...park the car and head to the parks.

Saves a lot of hassle later on...when the big check in crowds arrive.