getting around the $6.00 parking

[mi2kdz]

We are staying off site this trip, and I was wondering if its possible to park at Downtown Disney, or at one of the hotels and catch a Disney Bus to get to the parks to avoid paying for parking. We have park hopper + tickets, and if I recall from trips past parking at downtown Disney was free. Can you catch a bus from there to the theme parks?

 

[tink2dw]

If you are a able bodied walker,and a AAA member,they have a AAA a parking lot,that needs a card from your travel AAA office,But be aware there is NO Tram,it is a walk, past the disabled parking, thru a underpass,in the front of TTC.


Some parks have AAA parking lots some don't and I can't remeber which do,except MK does.

 

[PhotobearSam]

You still have to pay with the AAA parking pass but you do get to park closer to the gates.

The time you would spend getting from one place to another would not justify the $6 you would save.

It can take a really long time to get from Downtown Disney to Animal Kingdom etc....

The only way to avoid paying the $6 is to stay on-site or buy an annual pass.

We paid for parking in October and loved the idea that the pass is good all day and you can drive to another lot and don't have to pay again.

 

[Poohlovr]

Just back from WDW today, and, for what it is worth, Disney no longer has bus transportation to the parks from DTD. You would have to catch a resort bus, then go to the park from the resort.
That wouldn't be such a big problem for MK, Epcot and MGM, I guess,since you could walk from a resort to those parks, but, for AK, it could end up being quite time consuming.

 

[iwannago!!]

I have no idea's for you for AK short of parking at DD and taking a bus to AKL and then to AK.

MK.. we have gone to breakfast at the Contemporary and taken the monorail to the MK.. not for a long time, maybe a couple hours.. after breakfast til lunchtime.

Epcot/MGM, we have been guilty of parking at the BW or Swan, renting the surrey bikes and getting pizza at spooles - then walking or boating to Epcot or MGM for evening. Transportation back to the Epcot resorts is a piece of cake after exiting Illuminations or Fantasimic.

We do not do this all the time, maybe one morning and one afternoon of our trip. But we have never tried to avoid parking fees - not even for a day - I imagine that it is possible, but I also can imagine that your trouble might not be worth the $6.

 

[CarolMN]

Your best option is to pay the $6 and park in the theme park lots. If you move between parks and keep your receipt, you will only have to pay the parking fee once per day.

Buses from DD do not start until well after the parks open. (As Poohlovr posted, there are no direct buses to the parks from DD). By the time you get to the park you've chosen, you will have lost at least 2 (probably more like 3) hours of theme park time. It sure wouldn't be worth that to me. Sounds like a perfect example of the old English saying "penny wise and pound foolish."

 

[CarolA]

The hotels have caught on to this trick and give you parking passes that are only good for 3 hours. I don't know if they actually tow, but I would hate to come back and find out they did.

Does your hotel offer shuttle service, that might be another idea.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Yes the resorts do tow. Yes, they got wise to the ploys to avoid the parking charge, which, in the long run makes everyone suffer.
I often wonder why people try to justify staying offsite to save money and usurp the perqs that people onsite pay for. Like free parking. Or, why people think it is ok to take a space at a resort where people are paying to stay. Why does anyone think that is ok? DD is for shopping, the spaces are for people who are shopping or going to PI at night. It is not for free parking for the parks.
Personally, if 6.00 a day was something I was trying to save I would stay home.

 

[mi2kdz]

I appreciate all who answered this post. Most were extremely helpful. I guess I had just lapsed into reality for a moment, but I've returned to my normal insane self now. You are right, $6.00 a day is a drop in the bucket compared to the whole scheme of a Disney World Vacation. I was just dreading the crowds at the end of the night, and thought a boat trip or bus ride to DTD or one of the DH's might be less traumatic. As for why we chose not to stay on-site, we would have loved to, but unfortunately when your party consists of a mom and 6 kids ranging in age from 3 to 13, (I told you you I was insane) it's impossible to find a Disney hotel that can accomodate you. Tickets alone ran into the thousands, not to mention the plane fare, four priority seatings for seven, Disney Quest tickets, the rental car, (small bus) etc...why I chose to ask about $6.00 parking, I haven't a clue. I should have been asking for a good shrink.

 

[tink2dw]

OPPS!! Forgot we had AP's so parking was FREE!! LOL!! Plus we were stay at A.S.! Sorry...

 

[ldh]

Don't count on AAA Diamond Pass. We just got back and none of the parks would let us use it. They all said that lot was being used for something else. Hello trams!

 

[Lisa P.]

Cindi, with your size group and all those children, it may be worth your while to look into renting DVC points from an owner for a 2BR at OKW onsite. Depending on when you are going, it may work out to be affordable or not. We like offsite timeshare resorts for nice 2BR and 3BR villas too. But if you want to look into onsite, check out the DVC points calculator for your stay dates and see if there is someone with points (usually about $10/point) on the Rent/Trade forum.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

I completely agree with Lisa on the DVC rental suggestion. It can save a lot of money, especially with a full kitchen to work with. It has tons of room and even a washer and dryer.
Also, you don't pay tax on a rental from a member, that also saves.
6 kids and one adult, oh my, you are definitely insane or a saint.

 

[wdisneelvr]

Just wanted to say hi, lived in Traverse City all my life, up till last year...and moved to NC where the weather is warmer (got tired of the snow) and I only live 5 mins from the ocean. Glad to see others from TC posting on the DIS boards. Have fun on your trip!

 

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

Cindi, depending on your length of stay, if ONE of you has an AP, it may well pay off in the long run. You can get lots of discounts for the resorts(even 2 rooms at the allstar), and free parking. Everyone, please don't park at the resorts if you are not a guest there. We have had trouble finding a park when we stay at the deluxes because of this. Disney is cracking down on this and I would hate to see you having to pay when your car is towed!
Have you checked out the mousesavers site?
Enjoy your trip!

 

[figgy4me]

Now I know why it is so hard to find a parking space when I am trying to shop at DD. Who would have "thunk" it. I pay the $6 and get to the parks early.

 

[Gillian]

I doubt many people try to park at DD. The lot is just small.

Cindi, welcome back to un-reality If you have any questions about renting points, email or PM me. I just did it for the Fall. If you need a 2 BR and are going in the summer, it can be quite expensive at $10 a point. It's still a better deal than going through CRO, but it may not be in your budget. Depending on when you are going, you may be able to find someone to rent you points for $8 each. That would make it more affordable. Also old key west is cheaper than the other resorts. And bigger!

 

[Debbie]

And I thought I was a crazy one! lol Cindi, my hat is off to you. DH said that I could drive my 2 youngest, but I want to share the driving, so he goes or we don't!

We've done the whole family (7) and then 6, but I can't imagine taking all the kids on my own. You are right, it's the tickets that seem to break the bank. And it it true, too, that one AP would do you well. It helps with shopping, and you just flash it at the parking gate to get in. A child's pass will do the trick for you. Another plus for staying offsite is that you'll be able to take advantage of the restaurants. Did you rent a vacation home?

To those who have been there recently, do the buses not run from TTC to DD?