Free parking around disney parks and shopping????

[joannestrachan]

Hi, please would anyone know where I could park and walk to each of the parks please, seaworld and universal. That would be great - thank you very much folks.

Joanne

 

[ericstac]

if you parked in the center of everything it would probably be a 2-4 hour walk to the park of your choice.

 

[chalee94]

Hi, please would anyone know where I could park and walk to each of the parks please, seaworld and universal. That would be great - thank you very much folks.

that's not really an option...

 

[Alesia]

Hi, please would anyone know where I could park and walk to each of the parks please, seaworld and universal. That would be great - thank you very much folks.

Joanne

You can't.

 

[wdwrich]

Hi, please would anyone know where I could park and walk to each of the parks please, seaworld and universal. That would be great - thank you very much folks.

Joanne

I don't think you have a handle on the size of WDW or the Orlando area. The theme parks (even the ones within WDW) are miles away from each other. Walking from a central point is not possible. Check out the many area maps on line to get an idea of the layout and distances.

ETA- Unless you are staying at a Disney resort hotel or have an annual pass, you will have to pay for parking at the theme parks.

 

[Lewisc]

An interesting first post. I suspect the OP already knows the answers.

How many people in your group? One or two people? You could probably find free parking "on the way" to the parks and hitch hike. You could probably come up with a good story. I don't think that would work leaving the parks.

 

[rwdavis2]

Troll or just a sense of humor.

 

[maxiesmom]

Troll or just a sense of humor.

Or just clueless as to the size of the Orlando area.

 

[goofy4tink]

E only people that get free parking at the WDW parks are those staying on-site at WDW resorts or those with full benefit APs. Self-parking at resorts is for those staying at the resort, or those doing something at that resort. Self-parking at a resort for park access is not permitted. I guess you could find so e place off-site to leave your car, but it would be a long walk to any park, without any sidewalks.
I imagine the same foes for US/IoA and SW. In fancy, those staying at a US/IoA resort have to pay ro park at the resort.

There are no free parking perks if you aren't staying at a WDW resort. Sorry. Looks like you're out of luck.

 

[LisaS]

Hi, please would anyone know where I could park and walk to each of the parks please, seaworld and universal. That would be great - thank you very much folks.

Joanne

If you scroll down to the second map on this page you will get an idea of the size of WDW. As a point of reference, the top of the map shows Orlando airport, 20 miles away. Within the boundaries of WDW, there is no free parking anywhere unless you are staying at a WDW resort or you have an Annual Pass with the following exceptions: Parking at Downtown Disney is free for those shopping or dining there, Parking at WDW resorts is free for those with a dining reservation at one of the restaurants at that resort.

You are not supposed to park at either DTD or any WDW resort (unless you are staying there) while you visit one of the theme parks. There have been reports here over the years of cars being towed, particularly from the lot at the Contemporary resort and the Polynesian, both of which are close to the MK and have parking lots barely big enough to accommodate their paying guests.

If you found free parking outside WDW, you would be miles away from any theme park and as goofy4tink posted, there are no sidewalks and the roads are very busy. Chances are Disney Security would intervene if you tried to walk along any of the roads leading into the theme parks.

 

[joannestrachan]

Thanks. So no free parking - feel a bit stupid now but I am only from a very small town in England - I can even find parking off Regent Street in London so thought it was worth an ask! Would you know about paid parking - I heard WDW charged around $17 a day and you can park in any of their parks once paid up for the day. Cheers. Joanne

 

[vicki_c]

Parking is $15/day at Disney at the parks. I do not know the current Universal or SeaWorld prices but imagine they will be close to that as well. At Disney, you only have to pay once a day if you are leaving and returning or going to another park. Make sure to ask for a receipt.

If you stay on Disney property, park parking is free.

 

[DebbieB]

Parking is $15/day at Disney at the parks. I do not know the current Universal or SeaWorld prices but imagine they will be close to that as well. At Disney, you only have to pay once a day if you are leaving and returning or going to another park. Make sure to ask for a receipt.

If you stay on Disney property, park parking is free.

Parking has gone up to $17.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/faq/directions-parking/parking-costs/

The rate depends on your vehicle, but each theme park lot charges the same rate per day.

Automobile, taxi, limo or motorcycle: $17 USD
Camper, trailer or RV: $18 USD
Bus or tractor trailer: $21 USD

Once you pay for the day, you may park at any of the theme parks.

If you are a Guest of a Disney Resort hotel, you receive complimentary parking at Disney theme parks for the length of your Resort stay. You must present valid Disney Resort hotel identification to enter the parking lots. Parking is also complimentary with select Annual Passes.

Prices subject to change without notice.

 

[vicki_c]

Thanks Deb. And I was just there too. Oh, but I didn't have to pay. Haha, never mind.

 

[LisaS]

Thanks. So no free parking - feel a bit stupid now but I am only from a very small town in England - I can even find parking off Regent Street in London so thought it was worth an ask!

There is no reason to feel stupid -- we were all Disney World newbies at one time. A WDW vacation can be very expensive so most of us here are looking for ways to save where we can. It was a reasonable question to ask if there is free parking for those willing to walk a bit to get to one of the parks.

When planning my first trip to WDW I found this site (the DIS) and Mousesavers and between the two, learned enough to plan that trip. So welcome to the DIS! Read lots of threads on the various forums here (Resorts, Dining, Transportation, Theme Parks, there are even several forums for UK visitors) and feel free to ask questions.

 

[tobikaye]

I think some people have trouble understanding the size of WDW. I know a lot of people who have never been there. In the US, WDW is normally compared to being the same size as San Francisco or 2x Manhattan. I took a quick look at size of England cities and Manchester is about the same size as WDW. WDW is 43 square miles and Manchester is 44 square miles.

OP: I suggest looking at a map site, such as google, and looking at satellite views to get an idea of how the WDW area is set up.

 

[bumbershoot]

Please don't feel stupid.
We were recently in England, traveling around, and it's astonishing to an American how easy it is to get around England without a car. Buses and trains are everywhere.
But even to American standards, orlando is huge. And sprawling. You can take buses but it's not going to be as easy as it is in England.
I thought I had a handle on the size of just WdW property before our first trip, but I imagined my town, with neighborhood streets. We got there and it was highways at highway speeds running through the property. Quite an eye opener!