is it possible for guests to be dropped off and picked up at the park entrances?

[Claire4dpins]

Hi All

During my holiday in Sept. only the first 4 nights will be spent at 'Disney' - either Village Courtyard by Marriott - first two nights - and then All Star Music for two nights. We will be using the bus service to the parks on these days.

The rest of the vacation - another 2 weeks - will be at a Timeshare. During this time we will be sharing a car with my parents. Now I FINALLY reach my question - is it possible for guests to be dropped off and picked up at the park entrances? Where and how? How does it work when you go through the pay booths? Are these drop off points easy to find? Are some parks better than others - easier?

I have the idea that because Epcot is open the longest hours it may be easier - especially for Dad dropping us off - to always be dropped off and picked up there - then make our way on to everywhere else. Opinions needed!!!

Sorry this post is so long! Hope it makes some sense - I really value any help and opinions!!

Thanks

 

[SueM in MN]

I can only answer the "is it possible to...and where are they" parts of your question.
I don't know how it works at the parking ticket booth, but I have seen the drop off points at AK and Epcot. They are located by the handicapped parking area. I don't know about MK since we always take the bus there. I'm sure the Studio also has drop off near the handicapped parking, but that area is more busy with buses, so I'm not sure exactly where it is.

 

[drgnfly30]

I can answer the MK part... NO!! My DH took the kids (w/ the car) to Blizzard Beach & I took the bus from POR to MK... he was to pick me up outside of MK at a certain time.. turns out you can't drive up to MK... I had to take the boat to TTC & meet him there in the parking lot. It was a hassle, if we had known I would have taken the monorail to Epcot & met him there instead!
HTH

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

The only "Authorized" Guest Drop off/Pick up area is at the Transportation & Ticket Center, just before the Polynesian entrance. This is the closest you can get to the Magic Kingdom.

As for Epcot and Studios... I have never seen a designated area, however, I have seen a lot of folks park in the medical parking area, and wait for thier groups. Whether this is allowed or not, I do not know. If you choose to use the Medical Lot, do so at your own risk, for it may be frowned upon. But that is your own perrogative. However... one thing I will stress... Please... follow all directional signs, watch out for pedestrians, and stay in the parking area only. Please do not attempt to go into the Bus Load Zones...

As for AK... To be honest, I have no clue.

Best bet though would be to ask the kind folks at the Toll Plaza, and they'll direct you to the appropriate area.

 

[SueM in MN]

As for Epcot and Studios... I have never seen a designated area, however, I have seen a lot of folks park in the medical parking area, and wait for thier groups.

When we were at WDW in March 2001 and 2002, there were several designated spots at Epcot and AK that had signs which said they were for drop off only. At both of those parks, the designated spots were in front of the Handicapped (Medical) parking. Unfortunately, at both parks, we did see people parked in those spots. One sort of distinctive van was parked at Epcot one morning when we walked by when we arrived at the park. The same van was still parked there when we left, despite the sign that said the spot was for loading and unloading only.
We saw taxis using the pick up/drop off area at AK. We've also seen taxis leaving the Studio, but we had no idea where they dropped people off, only that it appeared to be somewhere near the handicapped parking area.

 

[Claire4dpins]

Thanks everyone!!

I hope guest drop off is allowed at the parks other than MK - but if not I guess we will have to be dropped off at TTC and make our way from there. I would never want to do into medical or disabled areas - clearly that would be wrong - if it was not an authorized area for drop off.

We would be able to use the Disney Transport system to move on to where ever we wanted from TTC wouldn't we?

I guess we will have to find out about the drop off when we get there!!

Thanks!

Claire

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by Claire4dpins
I hope guest drop off is allowed at the parks other than MK - but if not I guess we will have to be dropped off at TTC and make our way from there. I would never want to do into medical or disabled areas - clearly that would be wrong - if it was not an authorized area for drop off.

We would be able to use the Disney Transport system to move on to where ever we wanted from TTC wouldn't we?

It probably is there, I've just personally have never seen it. When you get to the park, just ask the Toll Plaza folks, I'm sure they can point you in the right direction. Sue mentioned that there were a few spots in the medical lots that were designated as drop off spaces. Hopefully no one has abused these spaces for your visit.

As for Disney Transport, as a park hopper ticket holder, you do have access to our entire transportation system, so you can park hop if you want

 

[Lewisc]

Some timeshares offer bus service to Disney. There might be a charge but that might be an alternative to having your parents drive you around.