Experiences parking at resorts without room reservation/ADR?

[wrighteous]

So I am on property right now, annual passholder and staying at pop with a rental car. Today was our scheduled off day from the parks, so we wanted to rent a sea raycer to cruise around seven seas lagoon and bay lake. We thought we’d venture out of wilderness lodge. So we drove to the gate, and my husband told the guard we were just visiting, and he asked visiting anyone in particular, and my husband said we wanted to rent a boat. The guard said unfortunately if we don’t have a room or dining reservation we’d have to turn around. We told him we were annual pass holders, to which he said that won’t help but we could park at Disney springs or the ttc and get transportation from there. Not super friendly, so we were like ok now what.

We were just gonna park at the ttc, but thought we might as well try the Polynesian since it’s right there. We pull in, tell the guard we want to rent a boat. He made a joke about not wanting to swim, he scanned my husbands band and said no problem you’re all set and let us right in.

So I know they’ve been cracking down on parking at the resorts, but I was surprised at the very different experiences we had literally minutes apart on a Wednesday at around 1 pm. As annual pass holders, it’s not like we are trying to avoid paying the parking fees. So I was kinda taken aback when the wilderness guard was basically like nope turn around here bye lol.

I was thinking of going to animal kingdom lodge one night for dinner and dessert at the Mara, but now I’m afraid we’ll get turned away so we may not even bother.

Curious what experiences everyone has been having lately???

 

[dansdad]

It's been very or miss just like you've experienced.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'd be much more surprised if you got different responses minutes apart at the same resort. It sounds like WL enforces 'parking for guests only' much more strictly than the Polynesian. Probably different managers = different practices. I mean, I definitely don't see WL as being harder to park.

 

[megs1313]

I wonder if it is partly related to how full the lots are? It really is hit or miss.

 

[dansdad]

I wonder if it is partly related to how full the lots are? It really is hit or miss.

A little of both.

 

[georgina]

I'm hoping to valet park at the Contemporary and grab a sandwich in the Wave Lounge before our MK after hours event in a few weeks. If they won't let us I guess we will just park at the TTC.

 

[Jack15129]

On 1/26 we checked into Animal Kingdom Lodge for the weekend after a cruise. We had a car and wanted to get a Dole Whip float at the Poly and they wouldn't let us in. They told us to park at the TTC and take the monorail. There were plenty of empty parking spots. It was super annoying as we just wanted Dole Whip and then planned to leave. I get it if the parking lot was full but it wasn't even close!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It is worth noting that APs don't get free resort parking, just park parking.

It is also worth noting that just because there are empty spots doesn't mean they want to fill them up with cars. Particularly between 11-3 or so, some of those vacancies may be turnover, and it really sucks for the next guests to come to check in and be unable to park.

 

[Amanda Hall]

There is a lot of information out there about visiting the resorts to see Christmas Decorations, or eat at the bar/quick service areas, maybe do some of the activities that are supposed to be available to anyone. This seems to contradict doing that. We plan on eating the POFQ this April and taking a carriage ride. Now I wonder if we will not be allowed to.

 

[dansdad]

There is a lot of information out there about visiting the resorts to see Christmas Decorations, or eat at the bar/quick service areas, maybe do some of the activities that are supposed to be available to anyone. This seems to contradict doing that. We plan on eating the POFQ this April and taking a carriage ride. Now I wonder if we will not be allowed to.

You should have no problem. There's usually only issues at the Deluxes with so many people trying to avoid paying for parking at the parks, eating at the Table Service restaurants, etc. With that and the actual registered guests, the lots fill up quickly.

 

[Lynne M]

There is a lot of information out there about visiting the resorts to see Christmas Decorations, or eat at the bar/quick service areas, maybe do some of the activities that are supposed to be available to anyone. This seems to contradict doing that. We plan on eating the POFQ this April and taking a carriage ride. Now I wonder if we will not be allowed to.

All Disney resorts are open to the public, and visitors are welcomed. You'll have no problems parking at POFQ, dining there, or taking the carriage ride. The guard at the parking lot entrance will ask why you're visiting, and maybe ask to see a photo ID, and you'll be waved on through.

As @dansdad said, the deluxe resorts can sometimes have restrictions on parking for visitors. This is because they're located near theme parks and have walking, boat or monorail access, and offsite guests trying to avoid paying to park in the theme park lots get tempted to use their parking lots. The moderates and values don't have that problem, so you won't have trouble parking at POFQ.

 

[AngiTN]

It is worth noting that APs don't get free resort parking, just park parking.

It is also worth noting that just because there are empty spots doesn't mean they want to fill them up with cars. Particularly between 11-3 or so, some of those vacancies may be turnover, and it really sucks for the next guests to come to check in and be unable to park.

Yep, your being an AP has no bearing on parking at a resort.
Your being allowed, or not, would not have changed had you had one or not.
It's still hit or miss.
It's basically up to the guard on duty and up to their whims at the moment (my opinion)

 

[Mambo Junkie]

I'm going to the Halloween party, but just made a reservation for Chef Mickey's at 2:00. I really don't want to have to move my car so, is TTC and MK parking lot one and the same? Is there anywhere I park that's closer to TTC? I will probably eat then take the monorail to MK, then at the end of the night MK to TTC? Just trying to get a plan. Thanks!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Same lot.
Instead of monorail to MK, it's about a ten minute walk.
Monorail or ferry (if it's runing) back to TTC.