Driving/parking in WDW

[goofy4wdw2]

We usually fly but we’re planning to drive to WDW in August. We’re staying at Boulder Ridge at WL. Will we need to pay to park at the resort or any parks? What about parking at Disney Springs, miniature golf, or if we drive to another Disney resort for a meal? Any particular locations your recommend driving vs taking Disney transportation? Thanks!

 

[BillPA]

Parking at all WDW locations is free if you stay at DVC or any WDW resort.

 

[disneynutz]

Parking at all WDW locations is free if you stay at DVC or any WDW resort.

I think only as a DVC member, not a cash guest, correct?

Bill

 

[drusba]

DVC members staying on site and those renting from members get free parking, and if you made the reservation before March 18, 2017, there is also free parking for cash guests who reserved through Disney.

As to where to drive rather than taking Disney transportation, the pattern we usually follow is take Disney transportation to and from parks and drive if going to another resort or Disney Springs (exception for BRV and other WL resorts is taking trip to Contemporary or Fort Wilderness since you can take a boat that travels among the three resorts). Note that to be able to park at many resorts, like AKL and the MK or Epcot area resorts, you usually need to have a reservation for a resort restaurant

 

[chalee94]

What about parking at Disney Springs, miniature golf, or if we drive to another Disney resort for a meal?

Parking at the near-park resorts can have some restrictions as some people abuse that privilege to park all day and go to one of the theme parks.

Disney Springs has great parking lots but sometimes they do fill up.

 

[goofy4wdw2]

Do you take a tram from the park parking lots or are you ever able to park close to walk? I know with MK you must take a ferry. Wondering about Epcot, DHS, AK, and the water parks...would we save time by driving (not waiting for bus) or would we end up needing to take a tram anyway?

Sounds like it might make sense to drive to mini golf and Disney Springs. Can we park at Boardwalk to eat at Trattoria or are there restrictions since it’s close to Epcot?

 

[The Jackal]

If you get there early you can park close and walk. The water parks have much smaller parking lots. At Boardwalk they might have you park in the overflow parking lot. I don’t think they have any restaurants that have reservations, then they would allow you to park in the main lot. When you go to Typhoon Lagoon via Disney buses, they drop you off at Disney Springs and you need to board another bus to the water park. This takes up more time. For the most part they drive by TL and would save fuel and time by stopping there.

 

[chalee94]

Do you take a tram from the park parking lots or are you ever able to park close to walk? I know with MK you must take a ferry. Wondering about Epcot, DHS, AK, and the water parks...would we save time by driving (not waiting for bus) or would we end up needing to take a tram anyway?

MK - the buses are almost always faster since you'd likely take a tram to the Ticket Center and have to take a monorail or ferry from there.

If you get there early, I'd think you could walk at the other parks instead of having to take a tram - just depends on how active you are. As the parking lots fill up, the hike to the entrance can be more daunting.

But it's true that driving won't always beat the onsite transportation.

Sounds like it might make sense to drive to mini golf and Disney Springs. Can we park at Boardwalk to eat at Trattoria or are there restrictions since it’s close to Epcot?

You can typically park at the Boardwalk Resort with an ADR - but if the lot is full, you might have to park at DHS and walk (long-ish) or take a boat to the Boardwalk.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Each of the theme parks now have preferred parking and there is a cost for that. They took the close up parking spots and turned them into preferred parking. Otherwise, you take a tram or walk if you don't mind the walk.

As for Disney Springs, with the additional of the Orange and Lime parking garages, there is more parking. And when you drive up to the parking garages, there is an electronic sign that tells you the number of vacant parking spaces on each floor. Plus each row has a light to tell you if there are vacant spaces on that row. You get into Disney Springs by parking on the second floor (the first floor means you take an elevator or escalator up to the second floor, cross over and then an elevator or escalator down to the ground level of DS. Between the parking garage and the shopping area there is a delivery road that you cross over on the second floor.