EWR Self Parking Questions, please help

[js]

Hi.
We are leaving for Disney in a few weeks and thinking about parking at Newark for the week.
Can someone please explain this to me in steps please LOL
Do I have to arrive a few hours early? How far away is the lot and what is the best strategy?
Does my dh drop off the 2 kids, my mom, my inlaws and me at the terminal and then drive to the parking spot? Is it far away and how long of a drive to the parking and how long is the shuttle back?
How much approximately does the parking cost for a week?
Who do you use and have you been happy?
THANK YOU ALL very much. If I get some good responses I think we are going to try this although right now we have a van rented which cost approximately $300 roundtrip to drive the 7 of us from Staten Island to Newark.
Thank you again.

 

[salmoneous]

Parking at the EWR lots is either really expensive or really inconvenient. I'd suggest an off-site parking lot - Avistar probably gets recommended the most in recent threads.

Given the numerous things that can go wrong, yes, give yourself a couple hours extra time. There's shops and restaurants to kill time in if you get there too early.

I wouldn't drop anybody off - just have all of you get off at the parking lot and take the shuttle bus over. Parking is $15-16/day, but you can usually find a coupon of AAA discount to make it a bit cheaper.

 

[js]

Thank you. I just called them and all sounds very good.
They said about five minutes away from EWR and shuttles run about every five to ten minutes. Is this correct?
My husband is a little weary about doing this AND leaving our keys.
What are the cons?
Has anyone had any trouble with them?

 

[Pete W.]

The perceived negatives of using the economy parking lot at EWR are overblown in my opinion. I use the long-term (economy) lot all the time for business (will be parking there next tuesday) and have always had a good experience. It's $12 per day which is comparable to the off-site parking services. The shuttle buses to the terminals arrive every 10-15 minutes and I have never waited longer than that. It's less than a 10-minute ride from the economy lot to the first terminal (A). The lot is gated and security-patrolled.

We used Avistar once for one of our Disney trips and the drop-off + shuttle to the terminal was fine, but we waited 20 minutes after we called for the shuttle to pick us up when we arrived back at EWR, and my car had a new ding on it which the Avistar employees were not sympathetic about.

Of course, the above does not mean that the on-site parking is inherently better than off-site. But I think most of the negative opinions of the economy lot come from people who don't park there regularly.

 

[sue1013]

I agree with Pete W. We always use the long term parking at the airport haven't had any problems. Our kids are grown but when they were travelling with us we would use curbside checkin then DH would go park the car. That way we didn't have to drag our luggage on the shuttle. We'd meet him inside at the gate.

 

[js]

Pete and Sue, hhmmm, would it just be the same/better if we used the economy/long term(?) parking at EWR? Why would I want to use Avitar if I can park directly at EWR? Do the lots fill up quickly?
I am leaving on Saturday, October 21 and plan to be at the airport approximately 8 am? Thank you.

 

[Pete W.]

Pete and Sue, hhmmm, would it just be the same/better if we used the economy/long term(?) parking at EWR? Why would I want to use Avitar if I can park directly at EWR?

My point exactly!

Do the lots fill up quickly?
I am leaving on Saturday, October 21 and plan to be at the airport approximately 8 am? Thank you.

The economy lot usually seems pretty full but I've always been able to find a spot because it's huge. I think you should be fine on Saturday morning.

 

[Desnik]

I have to agree about the economy lot at EWR. We parked there in May, with our 2 kids and it was great. Very simple, but we did get lucky finding a parking almost immediately from where you pull in. The shuttle was there within 5 mins and it took about 10 mins to get to the airport. We felt it was safe, well lite, plenty of security, fenced and our car didn't have any damage, and it's a new one too! We were worried about parking there but my mom and boyfriend use it all the time and put my fears at ease. We left our car there for 9 days and it was I believe about $120. We will be leaving our car there in May. Our flight was leaving at 8:30 am so we arrived at the airport about 7am. We had plenty of time.
All you do is drive to the airport, follow the signs for the economy parking lot. Pull in, get the ticket, then find a spot. Leave the ticket in the car so you don't loose it. You don't need to put it in the window. Make sure you write down somewhere in your purse where you parked. Then walk over with your luggage to the shuttle stop(they are all over) Get on and get off at the airport!

 

[dvc guy]

We use Avistar all the time at JFK & LGA. I like the fact that the lot is guarded 24/7 and that you have a confirmed reservation. Nothing like driving around the lot looking for a spot.

If you use Avistar remember they have 2 lots at EWR so that you get to the correct one. They offer discounts for AAA members and have on line coupons.

 

[tink_n_pooh]

I haven't parked long term at EWR in a long time but I could tell a laundry list of stories about the long term parking at EWR. It has gotten better in the last few years but I would rather just leave my car in a secure lot and pay less. We always use Vista airport parking (it's right next to the HoJo) and it takes about 2 minutes to get from there to the airport terminals plus they move all the bags for us and drop us off/pick up right at the door. Depending on what coupons/online deals I've had, I have paid anywhere from $8-12 a day for Vista. The lot is secure as well.