Getting around when staying offsite

[GirlMomx3]

Hello Dis experts

My first post

I'm looking for info on the best ways to get around. We are staying near Sea world offsite. And I've been searching these forums for a few weeks and haven't found what I was looking for. Are there links? Can you park at an on-site hotel and utilize bus or monorail services. Do I just commute from downtown Disney daily? I'm traveling first week of Dec, 6 months pregnant and with a 2 & 3 year old.

This is our first family trip to WDW and first family vacation...so all suggestions welcome

Thanks so much for your help.

 

[Gracie09]

You are only suppose to park at on site hotels if you are visiting or eating that hotel. Then you will have a three hour window to do your business. You can pay for valet ($15 + tip) and stay as long as you like. You can also just park in the parking lots. There is one for each park.

 

[jel0511]

No, you won't be allowed to park at a Disney resort for the day and use it to get it to the parks from there. DTD isn't to be used as a parking area to the parks, there is as of right now no direct park buses from DTD so it will make for a VERY long day to have to go to a resorts then transfer to the park of your choice, and do the same thing on the way back to just not park at the park you plan on going to that day. Just drive and park at the park you're going to that day it will make your life so much easier. If you're going to visit DTD or a hotel do that on a different day.

 

[sam_gordon]

Hello Dis experts

My first post

I'm looking for info on the best ways to get around. We are staying near Sea world offsite. And I've been searching these forums for a few weeks and haven't found what I was looking for. Are there links? Can you park at an on-site hotel and utilize bus or monorail services. Do I just commute from downtown Disney daily? I'm traveling first week of Dec, 6 months pregnant and with a 2 & 3 year old.

This is our first family trip to WDW and first family vacation...so all suggestions welcome

Thanks so much for your help.

Since you'll have a car anyway, pay to park at whatever park you're going to for that day. Even if you're park hopping, you only pay once (keep your ticket) per day. It's $15 to park.

Let's say you decide to "break the rules" (and that is what you're suggesting) by parking for the day at a resort or at DTD. At MINIMUM, you'll waste an hour, more likely 2-3 each day by then waiting on Disney transportation. Is saving $15 really worth losing at least an hour a day?

 

[kwill20]

Spend the $15, you'll be happier and it'll be way easier. Also since this is your first trip, the bus system can be confusing for some the first time. Even though it can be a tempting thought, it's just not worth it, especially if you value your time at the parks.

 

[goofy4tink]

Welcome to the DIS! Parking at resorts is for those that are paying to stay at that resort, or for those that are using the facilities at that resort. Parking there is a perk of staying at that resort. So please don't park at a resort for park access. Parking at DTD is really awful right now. With the construction of the new parking garage, parking is at a premium, and the traffic in that area is nightmarish. Not to mention, it will take you quite awhile to get to a park from there....you have to get to a resort and then to the park. Resort buses early in the day at DTD are not reliable.
You really should plan on paying to park in the park lot. If you head to another park that same day, just show your parking receipt at the second park. You pay just once a day.

 

[GirlMomx3]

Thanks so much, I wasn't sure about daily park parking if we take an afternoon break daily. $15 isn't terrible. shame they don't have a weekly rate or something

 

[LadyBeBop]

Hmm. Might not be a bad idea, and a potential money-maker for Disney. For $95 a week, you can access the parking lots for a seven day period. (I picked $95, because it's the additional fee that those trading into DVC from RCI have to pay for parking/DME.) Here is the money-maker. Although parking for seven days is $105, I think most people going a week's Disney vacation would only go for no more than six days (normally $90). Still, it's a convienence factor for both Disney and guests.

 

[seashoreCM]

I'm looking for info on the best ways to get around. We are staying near Sea world offsite. And I've been searching these forums for a few weeks and haven't found what I was looking for. Are there links? Can you park at an on-site hotel and utilize bus or monorail services. Do I just commute from downtown Disney daily?

Yes, you can park at on-site hotels.

Yes, you can utilize bus or monorail services.

However, except at theme park parking lots, when you drive to a venue, you must drive your car away when you leave that venue, or use valet parking.

Overall, the best way to travel when driving is to drive to each and every venue. (Magic Kingdom requires a monorail or ferry ride to get to or from "its" parking lot.)

Idiosyncrasy: The official self parking area for the Steam Train Tour is the Contemporary Resort.
Idiosyncrasy: To get to resorts and golf courses near Magic Kingdom, you need to go through the toll booth. Use the second or third booth from the right. Tell the attendant where you are going (or ask). Then thank him and drive on. Bear right at the big fork just beyond.

Although lot hopping is free, valet parking in one place does not cover theme park parking in another place, or vice versa.

 

[chartle]

... shame they don't have a weekly rate or something

Hmm. Might not be a bad idea, and a potential money-maker for Disney. For $95 a week, you can access the parking lots for a seven day period. (I picked $95, because it's the additional fee that those trading into DVC from RCI have to pay for parking/DME.) Here is the money-maker. Although parking for seven days is $105, I think most people going a week's Disney vacation would only go for no more than six days (normally $90). Still, it's a convienence factor for both Disney and guests.

I really don't think it would be that big of a draw.

Disney uses ticket pricing to get you to stay longer or more likely stay more days at Disney during a trip to Florida. If you lower parking fees they would just raise the price somewhere else.

Also many guests don't have 7 days in Florida so buy 6 get one day free wouldn't really help people.

 

[Tink575]

Thanks so much, I wasn't sure about daily park parking if we take an afternoon break daily. $15 isn't terrible. shame they don't have a weekly rate or something

You just keep your ticket and show it when you come back after your break. Parking at the parks is the way to go. 6 mos pregnant and with two little ones, you'll enjoy having a seat and the time used will be the least.