Driving to Chef Mickeys- Can we leave the car??

[bettyann29]

We are deciding between breakfast at Chef Mickeys or breakfast at Crystal Palace.. We are staying onsite but since we are driving to FL this time, we will be using our own car rather than the bus system..

We are wanting to do breakfast on our MK day.. so if we drive to Chef Mickeys, can we leave our car there in the parking lot and take the monorail over to MK?? or do we have to take our car??

We arent trying to get out of paying parking as we are staying onsite and there is no charge anyways, but was thinking it would be nice to do this.. Is this something we will get in trouble for??

 

[WillCAD]

You'll have to move your car afterward.

Parking at the monorail resorts is limited to 3 hours for non-Guests.

However, you could simply park at the MK lot and monorail or walk to Contemporary for breakfast, then monorail to MK after breakfast. Then your car will be waiting for you in the MK lot in the evening.

 

[bettyann29]

That makes sense! I'll let DH know.. Thanks so much..

 

[goofy4tink]

You can also pay to valet park at the CR. That way you are free to leave the car there all day and go wherever you wish. You just aren't supposed to self-park and leave the car.
By the way..it is quicker to walk to MK from the CR rather than take the monorail. The walk takes less than 10 mins, the monorail can take 20 or so.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

You can also pay to valet park at the CR. That way you are free to leave the car there all day and go wherever you wish.

Although typically not enforced with Valet, this is a misconception that has continued to spread on the boards. All resorts, regardless of Valet or not are restricted to a 3 hour time limit for non-guests, this includes the MK resorts.

 

[goofy4tink]

Although typically not enforced with Valet, this is a misconception that has continued to spread on the boards. All resorts, regardless of Valet or not are restricted to a 3 hour time limit for non-guests, this includes the MK resorts.

Sorry to disagree, but not a misconception spread on the boards. I have personally asked at the CR, GF, BW if it's okay to valet park for the day and then go where you wish. Every single front desk and valet person said it was fine to do that. But, that there may be times of year when valet parking was limited to resort guests only (those paying to stay at the resort, not those just visiting).

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Sorry to disagree, but not a misconception spread on the boards. I have personally asked at the CR, GF, BW if it's okay to valet park for the day and then go where you wish. Every single front desk and valet person said it was fine to do that. But, that there may be times of year when valet parking was limited to resort guests only (those paying to stay at the resort, not those just visiting).

Conversely, I have received very different responses...

 

[dudspizza]

OP, this is one of those days that Disney Transport would come in handy. Simply bus to MK and walk over to CR. It is a short walk. Much easier than parking, walking, monorail/ferry, walking.....

Duds

 

[Iceman10]

While the rules say 3 hours, I seriously doubt they actually care how long you park your car there. I have never ever had a problem doing that. It's like a casino at Vegas, if your car is there, then you are too spending your money. Thus I will ask the question, has anyone ever had their car towed from any of the resorts?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Thus I will ask the question, has anyone ever had their car towed from any of the resorts?

Valet or Personal Park, I don't think I've ever heard of someone getting their car towed at a Disney resort outside of a mechanical breakdown.

 

[goofy4tink]

While the rules say 3 hours, I seriously doubt they actually care how long you park your car there. I have never ever had a problem doing that. It's like a casino at Vegas, if your car is there, then you are too spending your money. Thus I will ask the question, has anyone ever had their car towed from any of the resorts?

Yep, on several occasions. Once at the Polynesian. It was about 4pm. I did ask as I walked by if the car had a mechanical issue. No, I was told, it seemed that the car had been there since early that morning and there was no guest parking permit on it, so it was going away.
Then, at the CR I have seen a car towed...again, no parking permit to be seen and it was early evening.
I know that at BW (and probably at the YC/BC as well) you aren't allowed into the guest parking areas during the Food and Wine Festival dates on the weekends. There are guards up, with barriers and signage telling you that you have to be a resort resident in order to park there. I believe that is one of the times they blackout for Valet parking as well..have to be a resort guest in order to use valet services (but I could be wrong).
It was amazing to see how many upset people there were at the security house the day I was walking past (on my way to the Hess station). And a lot of those cars had Florida plates...so were most likely not staying there, but wanting to park there for easier access to Epcot, with no parking fees.

 

[frannn]

Or is it strickly a tipping thing?

 

[Iceman10]

I'll make sure my Guest Pass is visable! I ask because my kids will be at Disney Golf Camp in 2 weeks and we will be staying at SSR. On the last day of their camp we will be doing a version of a scavenger hunt for my son's Bday and I will need to leave my car at the Poly while we run all over the parks and end up back at the Poly.

 

[goofy4tink]

Or is it strickly a tipping thing?

Generally speaking yes, there is a charge. I believe that AP holders and maybe DVC get valet for free, but others pay $12 a day, plus tip.

I'll make sure my Guest Pass is visable! I ask because my kids will be at Disney Golf Camp in 2 weeks and we will be staying at SSR. On the last day of their camp we will be doing a version of a scavenger hunt for my son's Bday and I will need to leave my car at the Poly while we run all over the parks and end up back at the Poly.

You still aren't entitled to park at the Polynesian. But, why not park at the TTC?? It's right next to the Polynesian..a less than 10 min walk or use the monorail. Then, you can park for free, because you are an onsite guest...put that guest parking permit in the window.
But just having a parking permit from another resort will not prevent your car from being taken away. Each parking permit has the resort name on it. It does not entitle that person to park at any resort they wish to...only at the resort they are staying at.

 

[Iceman10]

Diane,
Thanks! Having been a WDW bus driver I am pretty familiar with the TTC! Good idea.
BettyAnn29 - I guess you could do the same. Park at the TTC, Monorail over to Chef Mickeys and so on as WillCAD stated.

 

[Traveliz]

I'll make sure my Guest Pass is visable! I ask because my kids will be at Disney Golf Camp in 2 weeks and we will be staying at SSR. On the last day of their camp we will be doing a version of a scavenger hunt for my son's Bday and I will need to leave my car at the Poly while we run all over the parks and end up back at the Poly.

Sounds like you have business at the Poly and this is even a part of the camp? The guards will likely be aware of it. Just let them know when you arrive.

I just parked there Saturday for lunch (counter service) and was not given a parking pass when I pulled through nor a mention of any time limit. A guest who does not read these boards would have no idea there is a time limit or need of a parking pass from the actions of the guards. I would go with what the guards allow.

Liz

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I know that at BW (and probably at the YC/BC as well) you aren't allowed into the guest parking areas during the Food and Wine Festival dates on the weekends. There are guards up, with barriers and signage telling you that you have to be a resort resident in order to park there. I believe that is one of the times they blackout for Valet parking as well..have to be a resort guest in order to use valet services (but I could be wrong).
It was amazing to see how many upset people there were at the security house the day I was walking past (on my way to the Hess station). And a lot of those cars had Florida plates...so were most likely not staying there, but wanting to park there for easier access to Epcot, with no parking fees.

What if you have an ADR at the Flying Fish Cafe during that time, do they also tell you to park behind the Hess even though you have a legitimate reason to be parking there.

 

[ibela]

Sounds like you have business at the Poly and this is even a part of the camp? The guards will likely be aware of it. Just let them know when you arrive.

I just parked there Saturday for lunch (counter service) and was not given a parking pass when I pulled through nor a mention of any time limit. A guest who does not read these boards would have no idea there is a time limit or need of a parking pass from the actions of the guards. I would go with what the guards allow.

Liz

I think it depends on the time of day. Our first time at CR we went for an early dinner at CG and there was no mention of a pass or time limit, MK was having evening hrs so we left the car in the CR parking lot and enjoyed the park. Later on that same week we went early for a CM breakfast and got a pass that said 3hr time limit and the time we pulled in, being that it was our first trip to WDW we were surprised and hadn't thought to ask since there was no mention the first time we pulled in.

 

[goofy4tink]

What if you have an ADR at the Flying Fish Cafe during that time, do they also tell you to park behind the Hess even though you have a legitimate reason to be parking there.

Don't have any idea. Maybe they have a listing of all the ADRs at BW...and then put those cars in one particular spot. Interesting point. If you managed to sweet talk your way past the security shack, you had to go through another person when you entered the parking lot itself. Usually you can just drive in, but not during F&W time.....it's closed off, with an attendant there to let you in, or not as the case may be.

The majority of the resorts, especially those with access to the parks (Polynesian, GF, CR, BW, YC, BC) all have signage that states parking for park access is not permitted. I think I've seen that signage on just about every trip. The signs may come down at less busy times of the year...don't know. Can you get away with parking in a resort lot and then head off to a park? Sure. A lot of people do that. But if you do decide to try it, please be considerate of those paying to stay at that resort. They are spending a ton of money to stay there..one of the reasons the cost is so high is because of the park access!! So, park out in the far reaches of the parking lot...don't take up those spots closer to the resort, giving you a shorter walk. It's really not fair to have those paying to stay at the resort have the longest walks because others, from other resorts, took the better spots.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The majority of the resorts, especially those with access to the parks (Polynesian, GF, CR, BW, YC, BC) all have signage that states parking for park access is not permitted. I think I've seen that signage on just about every trip. The signs may come down at less busy times of the year...don't know.

Based on my families previous stays at the Contemporary they have always had that sign up during our stays in the months of August and December.