Driving and parking at WDW

[princesstigerlilly]

Hi ya!

We are taking our very first trip to WDW in October My DH is now hesitant about using DME and relying on the WDW bus system and says he would feel better having a car available should we need it. Fine with me--I don't want to be on a bus with someone who isn't happy--DH or not, lol. It's not worth the $$ to listen to him complain

Can someone please point me in the direction or fill me in on parking, drive times, etc? I am sorry if I am missing an obvious forum or thread here at the Dis, but I mainly hang out in the dining section Driving around ourselves is something I have never looked into as the plan up until now had been to rely on WDW transportation, so I'm not even sure where to start. We are staying at POFQ and I understand we will have free parking at the 4 parks, and a couple hours at the resorts for shopping, dining or checking them out. Is this correct? What about DTD?

Thanks in advance

 

[mecllap]

Parking at DTD is free -- it's kind of a Disney "mall." You will find that most people seem to like the on-property bus system just fine, altho sometimes there seem to be long waits in line. I think the bus may be better for MK, but driving is fine for all of them.

A lot depends on the size of your group, time of year, how long you'll be there, what else you might want to do, etc.

It can take quite a while to get back to your car after a long day at MK -- (after the fireworks, just getting to the front gate can be hard [crowded], then you have to take the monorail or ferry to TTC (the busses were picking up by the front gate, but I've read that that's changed to TTC, which would make the wait for the monorail or ferry even worse) -- then wait for the tram and ride it out to parking, then walk to where your car is parked (which can seem like a long way if you end up at the far end of the row as we often do). (This is the problem that I would most like WDW to fix -- it's not a problem at the other parks).

The last two times we've gone, we had two cars! And there were some days we used both of them for some reason or other. I like being able to get snacks, water, souvenirs, etc. at walmart and grocery stores off-property and go to other attractions and shopping outlets. We do usually stay off-property, largely because we are in the minority of people who prefer having our own car to using the busses (and it's cheaper and less restrictive).

Unless you need a big, flashy car, rental rates are reasonable. Gas may actually be cheaper (or at least not more expensive) at WDW (unless you go to walmart).

Sorry I don't know specific driving times, but they're not bad at all.

If you took a vote -- you'd likely find that most people would recommend you use the WDW system -- there's plenty to keep you occupied without ever leaving the property. I like having a car, just in case, even when staying on property -- even if I just needed to go get cold medicine or pepto only once!

Whatever you do -- take patience and sense of humor, relax, and have fun!

 

[goofy4tink]

While there isn't a 'specific' thread here regarding driving around WDW, I think you should get some good info.
Yes, you should get free parking at the parks. It is almost easier and faster to take a bus to MK but others may, and probably will, have different opinions.
You are allowed to park at the other resorts for a few hours. I would leave your POFQ parking pass right on your windshield. That way they will automatically know that you are actually staying on-site. No, you shouldn't try to stay parked at the CR in order to walk over to MK. The other thing you can do is valet park at the deluxe resorts for about $10 or so...that way you can leave the car for about as long as you would want.
There is plenty of free parking at DTD also...the lots are huge!!!

As far as driving times or directions, I can't help much. I can tell you how to get from the Dolphin to POP Century, but that's about it. Things are relatively well marked...just take your time, and keep your eyes open.

 

[princesstigerlilly]

Thanks for the quick replies! What great info so far. I am glad to know I am not beating a dead horse here, lol.

I find the MK parking info really helpful, it's good to know our options (driving v. bus system) and what we'd be looking at as far as getting to/from the park. I am used to Disneyland and walking everywhere, lol. I read posts about people hoping on the resort monorail at the end of the day, then riding another monorail to the TTC from that resort to bypass the big lines--is this something that is 'allowed'? Or is it frowned upon? I'm really green here and not trying to If it's a short cut that I can take, I'd do it, but if it's not, I'll wait with everyone else It really sounds like the bus here would be most simple...hmmmmmm.

Goofy4tink, if I have breakfast at Kona, can I pay for valet at the Poly and leave the car for the day and it would be no problem? Is this one of those grey areas where some do, some don't (like reusing mugs)? Am I gonna get flamed for asking?

Thanks again!

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks for the quick replies! What great info so far. I am glad to know I am not beating a dead horse here, lol.

I find the MK parking info really helpful, it's good to know our options (driving v. bus system) and what we'd be looking at as far as getting to/from the park. I am used to Disneyland and walking everywhere, lol. I read posts about people hoping on the resort monorail at the end of the day, then riding another monorail to the TTC from that resort to bypass the big lines--is this something that is 'allowed'? Or is it frowned upon? I'm really green here and not trying to If it's a short cut that I can take, I'd do it, but if it's not, I'll wait with everyone else It really sounds like the bus here would be most simple...hmmmmmm.

Goofy4tink, if I have breakfast at Kona, can I pay for valet at the Poly and leave the car for the day and it would be no problem? Is this one of those grey areas where some do, some don't (like reusing mugs)? Am I gonna get flamed for asking?

Thanks again!

If you eat at Kona the same day you want to go to MK, then you can still park at the TTC, and either take the monorail one stop to the Polynesian, or just walk there via the short path. It takes about 8-10 minutes.
Anyone can hop on the monorail at MK and go to the TTC. You have to understand that there are two monorail lines at the MK...one that stops only at the TTC and at MK..this is the express line, which travels in a counterclockwise direction. The other line, the resort line, makes stops at the Contemporary, the TTC, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and then the MK, and then to the Contemporary...etc, etc, etc. It runs in a clockwise direction. There is good signage so you won't be confused.

Of you can probably valet park at the Polynesian for the day, but I think that since you don't have to pay to park at the TTC you may be better off there.

 

[princesstigerlilly]

If you eat at Kona the same day you want to go to MK, then you can still park at the TTC, and either take the monorail one stop to the Polynesian, or just walk there via the short path. It takes about 8-10 minutes.
Anyone can hop on the monorail at MK and go to the TTC. You have to understand that there are two monorail lines at the MK...one that stops only at the TTC and at MK..this is the express line, which travels in a counterclockwise direction. The other line, the resort line, makes stops at the Contemporary, the TTC, Polynesian, Grand Floridian, and then the MK, and then to the Contemporary...etc, etc, etc. It runs in a clockwise direction. There is good signage so you won't be confused.

Of you can probably valet park at the Polynesian for the day, but I think that since you don't have to pay to park at the TTC you may be better off there.

I had been thinking I'd have to take a cab to get to the Poly for our Kona breakfast, I never thought to simply take the bus to the TTC and I certianly didn't think about parking there Thanks again!

Is it sad that I'm actually enjoying learning about getting around WDW? All of the 'fun' stuff (hotel, dining, general touring plans) has been done for so long, I'm just sucking up the new stuff to learn, lol. Ahhhh, only 46ish days to go...

 

[goofy4tink]

I had been thinking I'd have to take a cab to get to the Poly for our Kona breakfast, I never thought to simply take the bus to the TTC and I certianly didn't think about parking there Thanks again!

Is it sad that I'm actually enjoying learning about getting around WDW? All of the 'fun' stuff (hotel, dining, general touring plans) has been done for so long, I'm just sucking up the new stuff to learn, lol. Ahhhh, only 46ish days to go...

That's because Disney fanatics love to talk about anything that has to do with Disney!!! Even transportation planning becomes fun...makes that trip seem a bit closer!! Lucky you...I have 52 days to go, but who's counting??