First time at MK - parking question

[sdjen]

sorry if this is a dumb question but I need some help.

We are planning a one day MK visit precruise. We will be staying by the airport and will have a rental car to get to and from the park. I found the cost of parking $17 - but the maps don't make a lot of sense to me. It looks like the parking is on the other side of the water in front of MK - is that right? How do you get to the entrance from there?

Also, we are planning on staying for the fireworks at park closing time. In February, what could we expect for time to get to the car and on our way?

Thanks! If there are any other options that would be easier, I would love to hear them!

 

[Robo]

sorry if this is a dumb question but I need some help.

We are planning a one day MK visit precruise. We will be staying by the airport and will have a rental car to get to and from the park. I found the cost of parking $17 - but the maps don't make a lot of sense to me.

1. It looks like the parking is on the other side of the water in front of MK - is that right?

2. How do you get to the entrance from there?

Also, we are planning on staying for the fireworks at park closing time.

3. In February, what could we expect for time to get to the car and on our way?

Thanks! If there are any other options that would be easier, I would love to hear them!

1. Correct.
2. Guests ride either a monorail or ferry boat to the MK gates.
3. Figure 30-50 minutes after the fireworks end.
The Wishes fireworks show runs about 14 minutes.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

Parking is near the TTC. You can take a tram to the TTC or just walk. From there it's a ferry boat or a monorail to the MK entrance. The monorail likely will be packed after wishes but it does move very quickly. I would take my time getting to the park exit to avoid some of the mass of humanity that will be heading that way at that time.

We were there in September and drove to the MK one day. We left a little before closing and it took us about 45 minutes to wait in line for a monorail, get to the TTC and walk back to the truck. We weren't in any hurry though.

 

[ellie05]

You will have to take the monorail or a ferry to the entrance of the MK from the parking. How long it will takes depends how crowded it is the day you are going.

 

[SoarinSC]

In a nutshell, you park..walk to the end of the row, get on a tram that will take you to the Transporation and Ticket Center (TTC)...you can walk to the TTC but that only makes sense if you're parked near the front of the lot on the TTC-side..then get on either a monorail or ferry to the park, your choice...both are great experiences. The lagoon is there to create that sense of going someplace away from it all..plus it gives acreage for all the nifty hotels around the lagoon...it's very cool.

The other question depends on the crowd level...most folks head straight for the exit once the fireworks are done so you'll be in a crowd for both the monorail and ferry back. Then you'll have to possibly wait to get on a tram...again depending on crowd level.

Have a great time!

 

[sdjen]

Thanks everyone! Getting excited for our trip!

 

[Misfit928]

I hate to repeat what everyone else is suggesting but crowd levels are a major factor on wait times to get out of the park.

 

[wendow]

I hate to repeat what everyone else is suggesting but crowd levels are a major factor on wait times to get out of the park.

Yes, keep the crowd levels in mind. With crowd levels of 4-5, it took us 45 mins to get through the monorail line and to the TTC. We have never done the ferry so cannot comment on the time.

Also, it is very common to see people leaving as Wishes is going on to try to get ahead of the crowds. We have never done that so not sure how much that helps.

 

[Drusilla99]

Upon leaving on two separate evenings in June the monorail was down, so the only option was the ferry...talk about a mad house!

 

[chicagogrl]

Make sure to take note on where you parked. We had a general idea but did do a little walking to look for the car. Next time I will be better at where the car is!

I was wondering what someone would do if they have no idea where they parked!

 

[Robo]

Make sure to take note on where you parked. We had a general idea but did do a little walking to look for the car. Next time I will be better at where the car is!

One trick is to take a digital photo of the location ID when you first park.

 

[chicagogrl]

I usually do that but my husband said he knew so I didn't pay attention. We weren't far from where we thought but when you look at the big parking lot. It is just a good idea to have a sense of where you parked!

 

[sdjen]

Would it make more sense to browse the shops at the end of fireworks and take our time to avoid some of the rush? Are any of the shops open after the park is officially closed?

 

[aaarcher86]

Make sure to take note on where you parked. We had a general idea but did do a little walking to look for the car. Next time I will be better at where the car is!

I was wondering what someone would do if they have no idea where they parked!

I need to second this. I almost divorced my husband over him being absolutely positive we were in "unicorn" when we were actually in dinosaur.

 

[J'Adore Disney]

sorry if this is a dumb question but I need some help.

We are planning a one day MK visit precruise. We will be staying by the airport and will have a rental car to get to and from the park. I found the cost of parking $17 - but the maps don't make a lot of sense to me. It looks like the parking is on the other side of the water in front of MK - is that right? How do you get to the entrance from there?

Also, we are planning on staying for the fireworks at park closing time. In February, what could we expect for time to get to the car and on our way?

Thanks! If there are any other options that would be easier, I would love to hear them!

If your only reason for renting a car is to drive to Magic Kingdom, try using UBER instead. There is a great post here on the DIS Boards from an UBER driver who specifically drives around the Disney area. He drops you off at the Ticket and Transportation Center. IMO, it is cheaper to use UBER than to rent a car, plus you won't have to pay for parking. Go to SEARCH FORUMS and enter keyword "UBER" for more information.
http://www.disboards.com/search/?type=post

 

[Robo]

There is a great post here on the DIS Boards from an UBER driver who specifically drives around the Disney area. He drops you off at the Ticket and Transportation Center.

Taxi's and other driver services should drop guests heading to MK at the Contemporary Resort.

 

[sdjen]

How far of a walk is it from MK to the Contemporary resort? I like the UBER idea for speed and convenience!

 

[J'Adore Disney]

How far of a walk is it from MK to the Contemporary resort? I like the UBER idea for speed and convenience!

For my kids and I it's about a 10 to 15 minute walk ... depends on how fast you can walk.

 

[Robo]

How far of a walk is it from MK to the Contemporary resort? I like the UBER idea for speed and convenience!

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

Would it make more sense to browse the shops at the end of fireworks and take our time to avoid some of the rush? Are any of the shops open after the park is officially closed?

Absolutely. We have never tried to leave immediately after Wishes or right at park close. They aren't going to "kick" you out if you want to linger a bit while the majority of the mass of humanity boards monorails and busses to the TTC.