Do you have to pay to park at Downtown Disney?

[bande]

If you are staying off site, can you park at Downtown Disney and then use buses to parks? Someone suggested this may be a way to avoid parking fees but I wasn't sure that this would work or was accurate. Anyone know? Thanks

 

[Ken_Breadbox]

If you are staying off site, can you park at Downtown Disney and then use buses to parks? Someone suggested this may be a way to avoid parking fees but I wasn't sure that this would work or was accurate. Anyone know? Thanks

No.

Well, you CAN park there and take the bus to a resort and then to a park, but there is no direct DTD-to-park service precisely because so many people had your idea. And though I think your odds of being found out are slim, I wouldn't want to risk it.

 

[Melino]

No.

Well, you CAN park there and take the bus to a resort and then to a park, but there is no direct DTD-to-park service precisely because so many people had your idea. And though I think your odds of being found out are slim, I wouldn't want to risk it.

Yes, you can park your car for free at Downtown Disney, similar to any Mall parking lot I guess. Though as Ken mentioned, there is no direct Disney transport to the Parks. You would have to go to a Disney Hotel, then take another shuttle to the Parks. This can take up a good hour of your time each way...it seems much easier to me just to pay the parking and save all the hastle. Just my personal thought of course!

 

[Kat&Dom]

If you are staying off site, can you park at Downtown Disney and then use buses to parks? Someone suggested this may be a way to avoid parking fees but I wasn't sure that this would work or was accurate. Anyone know? Thanks

I don't think parking at DTD is an effective use of your time. Parking at the Theme Parks is super easy and quick. As soon as you park your car, a Tram is waiting to take to you the entrance of the park. You just pay the $14 once a day and can use it at all the parks that day. For instance if you go to Magic Kingdom, you would pay $14 to park then if you leave to go back to your condo and want to go to Epcot - you just flash the parking pass they gave you at Magic Kingdom and park at Epcot.

And if you plan on having more than one trip in a 365 day period, you can buy an annual pass which means your parking will be free. We are heading to Disney in 31 days and I am upgrading my free 7 day Adult Ticket from Airmiles to an Annual Pass which should cost around $300 for the upgrade. We will have 5 days of parking this trip - $70 and will have 8 days next August - $112 that I don't have pay plus I can get 10% off of purchases and have my park hopper park tickets covered for both trips.

If you are looking at ways of saving money on your trip - collect Airmiles and get your Disney tickets for free - that is my best tip!

 

[tgropp]

Please do not park at DTD for free parking for the parks as it is hard enough to get a parking spot while shopping/eating there. I wish that Disney could patrol this better. The cost of parking is a small amount of a Disney vacation, especially to the hour plus you would waste going that route.

 

[World Showcaser]

I think it would be quick enough to park at DTD, get a bus to the Contemporary Resort or Poly or Grand Floridian and hop on the monorail to Epcot or MK. It might take more time to get to the other parks though. I don't think there are any signs indicating that parking is for Downtown Disney guests only.

 

[souris]

Please do not park at DTD for free parking for the parks as it is hard enough to get a parking spot while shopping/eating there. I wish that Disney could patrol this better. The cost of parking is a small amount of a Disney vacation, especially to the hour plus you would waste going that route.

I agree... we've had a hard time finding parking at DTD. The shuttles are meant for resort guests. The shuttles are one of the main reasons we stay on-site! I do think Disney could patrol better.

 

[ferris198]

I personally think that if you are concerned about paying for parking maybe you shouldn't be going.
Really after the cost of the whole trip and you are worried about that.
Let me guess you want to borrow a refillable mug so you can go in and grab a coffee or pop while you wait for a bus.

 

[tone.def]

I personally think that if you are concerned about paying for parking maybe you shouldn't be going.
Really after the cost of the whole trip and you are worried about that.
Let me guess you want to borrow a refillable mug so you can go in and grab a coffee or pop while you wait for a bus.

OMG! I was gonna post something similar!

So to the OP - don't be a cheapo! If $14/day is a big deal to you on vacation, you shouldn't be going.