Guaranteed Parking at Resort if you have ADR?

[pjnugget]

We will be there Christmas week and have ADR for Kona on Christmas Eve. Are we guaranteed parking if we get there about an hr before our scheduled time? I know it's supposed to be super busy so just wondering if they can guarantee us parking.

 

[loves to dive]

the only guarantee would be for valet parking, which you would pay for. Otherwise it's just the luck of the draw as to whether the lots would be empty or full, between the guests, the other people with ADRs, the people there to see the resorts and the people parking for ADRs but then leaving their cars when they shouldn't, there are no guarantees.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I agree with the PP that parking isn't guaranteed. Since the Poly is right next to the TTC, you can always park in the TTC lot and walk. But even that could be an issue if the MK is at the level of capacity where they close the parking lot. Are you staying onsite? If so, it might be best to take WDW transportation to the MK and then monorail, resort launch, or ferry over to the Poly.

 

[LilyWDW]

Parking is not guaranteed.

For example, I have seen them turning away all but guests at the Boardwalk during Food and Wine. Not even ADRs were being allowed past the guard shacks.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I never thought of this. I wonder how WDW would react to "We didn't show up for our ADR because we couldn't get a place to park." Although isn't valet parking guaranteed? I thought that's what I just read here.

 

[loves to dive]

I never thought of this. I wonder how WDW would react to "We didn't show up for our ADR because we couldn't get a place to park." Although isn't valet parking guaranteed? I thought that's what I just read here.

I've never seen valet parking not be available but I've never tried it on a super busy night like Christmas Eve. I don't think "we couldn't find a place to park" would cut it since WDW does offer transportation, one could always park at a park and take that transportation or take a taxi or uber.

 

[kiford]

I wonder how WDW would react to "We didn't show up for our ADR because we couldn't get a place to park."

I believe their reaction is to charge you for a no-show. As has been pointed out, there are many different transportation options so I doubt that they consider that a relevant reason for not showing up. They won't even guarantee you entrance to the parks for an ADR if it's at capacity closure status.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Parking is never guaranteed. There are times when even resort guests with room bookings struggle to park.

They won't even guarantee you entrance to the parks for an ADR if it's at capacity closure status.

Although it takes a Level 4 closure to get to that point. It is extremely rare that if you have an ADR you will not be let in. All intermediate closures (1-3) will let in guests with an ADR.

 

[maxiesmom]

You simply need to plan on it taking a while to park. I wouldn't drive I would taxi over. Much less fuss.

 

[pjnugget]

So if busy, I can park at Disney Springs and take a bus to Poly? since it's free parking there and I can just take a bus?

 

[maxiesmom]

So if busy, I can park at Disney Springs and take a bus to Poly? since it's free parking there and I can just take a bus?

You don't want to do that. Disney springs is a horrible place to transfer. Very slow.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

If Poly parking is a madhouse, Disney Springs isn't going to be better, and may possibly be full in its own right.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

You don't want to do that. Disney springs is a horrible place to transfer. Very slow.

I agree. Transportation to/from Disney Springs is horrendously slow.

 

[LilyWDW]

I never thought of this. I wonder how WDW would react to "We didn't show up for our ADR because we couldn't get a place to park." Although isn't valet parking guaranteed? I thought that's what I just read here.

You would get charged a no show because it is up to you to get there in time.

And valet is not guaranteed either. While our cab driver was talking to the security guard at Boardwalk, the guard mentioned that valet was full. Unless you were staying at the resort OR coming in by cab, you were not allowed in.

 

[supersnoop]

Although it takes a Level 4 closure to get to that point. It is extremely rare that if you have an ADR you will not be let in. All intermediate closures (1-3) will let in guests with an ADR.

But isn't a phase-1 closure when the close the parking lot. We're not talking about getting into a park here. We're talking about an ADR at a resort. So, if they hit phase 1, then you wouldn't be able to park at the TTC and walk to the Poly.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

But isn't a phase-1 closure when the close the parking lot. We're not talking about getting into a park here. We're talking about an ADR at a resort. So, if they hit phase 1, then you wouldn't be able to park at the TTC and walk to the Poly.

Parking lots close before parks do.

You're never guaranteed parking anywhere.

If you can find a place to stick the car, they'll let you into a park with an ADR even if they're in phased closure, unless they're at Phase 4, which is basically the apocalypse.

 

[Nancyg56]

If this was my situation, I would cab it, and let the issue go. There are enought things that are out of your control that can cause stress, so I always remove those potential problems whenever I can.

 

[IrishNYC]

I would take Disney transportation if staying on site, or cab it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

You would get charged a no show because it is up to you to get there in time.

1) Yep.
2) A $10 No-Show-Per-Person penalty is charged.
3) It is not Disney's job to get you to the ADR.
. . . some people just start out too late
. . . some people overstay when on rides
. . . some people just plan incorrectly
4) It is the guest's responsibility.
5) The are too many alternatives to getting to the eatery.
. . . park in the Toll Gate Parking Lot at any park and take a bus-boat-monorail.
. . . take a taxi
. . . if staying on-site, take a bus from your resort

NOTE: In many cases, if the buses are running late IN THE MORNING, the eatery will slip you in if you are late, but they need to hear this from a lot of other complaints of tardiness for people at the same resort. I have seen this on many, many occurrences. But, just one or two people claiming late buses is not adequate; the CM has to see the pattern.