Free parking at MK

[Paula H]

Just got home from a day at the MK. We've been members for 10 years and have lived locally for 5 year - we go through the MK gate ALOT. I always show my DVC card and park for free. Back when we bought at VWL our guide told us we would always be able to use our card to get free parking since you have to go through the MK gate to get to the resort (the same would be true now of BLT). We've parked at MK countless times without having to pay and with no questions asked. When I showed my card to the attendant this morning, he asked for $14 and said that unless I had a current room key our card meant nothing. I couldn't believe it and said we had parked for ten years by showing our card, and he said we were just lucky in the past. Has anyone else had this happen?

 

[drusba]

Do not know how you got what you did all those years. Being a DVC member does not in and of itself get you free parking at the parks; it only applies if you are staying on site (and thus it is same as anyone staying on site at Disney). As far as I am aware there has never been free parking at the parks just for being a DVC Member and I have been one for 14 years.

 

[CarolMN]

Do not know how you got what you did all those years. Being a DVC member does not in and of itself get you free parking at the parks; it only applies if you are staying on site (and thus it is same as anyone staying on site at Disney). As far as I am aware there has never been free parking at the parks just for being a DVC Member and I have been one for 14 years.

Agree with drusba - DVC members do not get free parking just because they are members..

The free parking is a perk of staying at an on-site WDW resort (including the WDW DVC resorts).

You do not have to pay to get to the VWL or BLT or any of the MK resorts, but if you are not actually staying at an on-site resort you have to pay for parking at the theme parks unless you happen to be an annual passholder. Free parking is one of the current perks for annual passholders.

 

[Paula H]

Thanks for the responses. I guess we have been lucky.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

That said, if you go through the gates "ALOT", do you have an annual pass? The AP gives you free parking, but not certain about the Florida resident pass.

MG

 

[Dean]

That said, if you go through the gates "ALOT", do you have an annual pass? The AP gives you free parking, but not certain about the Florida resident pass.

MG

FL resident pass does not provide free parking, that and the date restrictions are the only differences that I recall.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

FL resident pass does not provide free parking, that and the date restrictions are the only differences that I recall.

I thought that might be the case.
That's kind of a hose job for resident pass holders. I mean, if they drive and visit often it seems like a better deal to go with a regular AP. I know some residents stay on property, but I would think many are close enough for day trips.

MG

 

[DebbieB]

FL resident pass does not provide free parking, that and the date restrictions are the only differences that I recall.

I thought that might be the case.
That's kind of a hose job for resident pass holders. I mean, if they drive and visit often it seems like a better deal to go with a regular AP. I know some residents stay on property, but I would think many are close enough for day trips.

MG

Only the Florida Resident Seasonal pass does not provide free parking. The full year one does.

 

[drusba]

If you are one that actually buys the Florida resident annual pass (rather than just seasonal), you get free parking and the regular AP DVC discount does not cost much more and also gives free parking
.

 

[CarolAnnC]

This thread has been edited for discussion of intentional ways to avoid parking at Disney.

The OP was inadvertently parking using their DVC Member Card, which was explained to them as not being allowed. The discussion as it pertains to DVC is on topic and fine.

Discussion on various ways to avoid paying for parking will not be allowed as it is against DIS policy to publish such. Thanks everyone in advance for your compliance.

 

[SusanU]

You are correct. It used to be a dvc perk for many years. We also went through the gates by just showing our dvc card. Sorry it was discontinued too.

 

[disney junky]

You are correct. It used to be a dvc perk for many years. We also went through the gates by just showing our dvc card. Sorry it was discontinued too.

When was it discountinued? I know I used it all the time when we had a place nearby.

 

[Dean]

You are correct. It used to be a dvc perk for many years. We also went through the gates by just showing our dvc card. Sorry it was discontinued too.

The thread is over 3 yrs old. It was never a perk of DVC but a perk of staying on property. That members were often waived through the gates was simply by laziness of the CM there or some other procedural reason but not by rule.

 

[DebbieB]

I agree. I've been a member since 1999 and it was never a DVC perk. Members did get free valet parking for a time (since discontinued).