DTD parking

[7165red]

For the last two yrs. we have not been able to park at DTD. Marketpace is always full and the one before it. We usually rent a villa. Is there any special time to get to Marketpace in order to park. Is there anywhere we can park our car and take a bus.

 

[AJKMOM]

Depending on the time of year, you might have to go when it opens. Or, try to park on the WEstside and walk over to the Marketplace. It is difficult to get a parking space after park, especially if the parks are closed.

 

[spiceycat]

you know the theme park buses do not go directly to DD anymore.

after you wait for a bus at DD - you would have to get a WDW resort bus - then switch at that resort to your theme park.

since the DD does not open until 9am - so the first buses to DD start until then - they go first to the WDW resort then to DD.

so you are talking at least an hour maybe closer to 2 hours to save yourself $12 - the price to park at the theme park.

once you pay the $12 you can come and go to any of the parking lots that you want that day.

disney stopped the theme park buses from going to DD - because some of the offsite hotels start to let their guests off at DD and told them to just take the WDW buses.

since disney was losing money - they charge more for the offsite buses to let off at theme parks than DD. they stopped the theme park buses from going to DD at all.

that say if you insist of doing this - then -

for the MK take the CR, Poly or GF bus - then ride the monrail to the MK.
for Epcot take BC bus go through the lobby out the backdoor and walk to Epcot
for studio take BW or D&S bus - then take the boat or walk to studios
for AK there is not a good one - so take any wdw bus and transfer.

the bus drivers will tell you - you must take OKW or SSR - don't.

they are close to DD - but you want close to the parks not DD.

 

[dioxide45]

For the last two yrs. we have not been able to park at DTD. Marketpace is always full and the one before it. We usually rent a villa. Is there any special time to get to Marketpace in order to park. Is there anywhere we can park our car and take a bus.

There are always lots of open parking at West Side. From there you can catch the water ferry to the Marketplace. Parking in one of the first three lots is fairly limited, the big lots are on the West Side end.

 

[cjb71870]

As we do every time, you have to follow someone to their car. It's pretty much become a "park" itself. Spot someone walking to their car, ask them if they are, and follow.

 

[DVC California]

Is there any special time to get to Marketpace in order to park. Is there anywhere we can park our car and take a bus.

I would say that if it is a busy time of year, you need to be there within the first hour or two of opening.

There is no off site parking and shuttle for DTD, only resort transportation is available.

you know the theme park buses do not go directly to DD anymore...

I don't think OP was asking how to get around paying to park at the theme parks. Trying to park at DTD is very often worse than parking at the local mall around Christmas.

As we do every time, you have to follow someone to their car. It's pretty much become a "park" itself. Spot someone walking to their car, ask them if they are, and follow.

This is what I do. I drop off wife and kids to shop, sit in the car and stalk shoppers walking out to their car. Takes 5 or so minutes of waiting as there is pretty good turnover at the Marketplace. If the lot is closed, you need to learn how to backdoor Lot 1 from Lot 2 or 3.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

I know what you mean about it always been full!

This year we dropped lucky and managed to park in lot 1 or 2 every time we went (and that was over Christmas) - mind you lot 1 was saying full - but we still drove in & were lucky to drop on someone going

I said to DH they ought to have a little tram from the farthest lots down to the shops as it is such a long walk when you have tired feet!!

The only thing I can think of is if you were at a park such as MK and wanted to go to DTD after, walk to say CR get the bus there and back agan & leave your car in the parking lot. Mind you, you would have to make sure what time the trams to MK stopped so you didn't get caught out.

 

[7165red]

Thank you all for your help. I think the cab is the best way to go.