Is Parking Free At Mnssp?

[usewickhouse]

Just curious if they are charging for parking for the MNSSP? We have gone the last 3 years but I can NOT remember if they charge for parking? The reason why I even care is because I am in a HUGE pickle...I am a FL resident with the 3 day play pass and have to upgrade to a annual/seasonal pass before we check into our hotel this coming Friday. Due to getting a room with a annual passholder rate. The only place we can upgrade our tickets is at one of the parks. Can anyone out there tell me is there anyway out there to do this without paying for parking? I hate to be so CHEAP but $10 is $10. Especially considering we will get free parking with our pass as well as with our room. I would really appreciate any help with this.

 

[M 'n C]

I am pretty sure you have to pay for parking. What you could do is to park at downtown disney and catch a bus to a resort from there and then catch a bus to magic kingdom but that is a pain.

 

[beattyfamily]

Yes, they charge for parking at hard ticket events like MNSSHP so those with an AP usually enter MK parking BEFORE 7:00p to get the free parking.

 

[hiyall804]

M n C,

Just curious, could you also park and the Swan and Dolphin and take the bus to the parks? Do they have bus pick up service?

Thanks Y'all

 

[paladin]

The Swan and Dolphin have Disney transportation to the parks, however they also charge for parking (not sure of price - last I heard it was 8.00, but it could have gone up)

 

[seashoreCM]

You can get your annual pass at Downtown Disney (if not already) prior to check in, when you have the AP rate room reservation.

Didn't realize they upped the parking fee and required AP holders to pay it too once the MNSSHP or MVMCP party starts (or an hour before?).

 

[safetymom]

AP holders don't pay for parking.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Two Guest relations offices at Downtown Disney.

 

[beattyfamily]

AP holders don't pay for parking.

I thought AP holders pay for parking at MNSSHP/MVMCP after 7:00p since it is a hard ticket event.

I've never had to worry about it as I always stay onsite but I'm 99% sure I've read here, more than once, that AP holder's had to pay for parking if they arrived 7:00p or later for the parties.

 

[rlovew]

You can always go to your resort and park and hop on a bus to a park- just take the first one that comes along. Upgrade your tickets and then take a bus back to your resort. You car can stay parked at the resort without a pass for long enough for you to do this, if you are at one of the monorail hotels it will take even less time.

 

[GoldenOldie]

I thought AP holders pay for parking at MNSSHP/MVMCP after 7:00p since it is a hard ticket event...

Correct. The actual verbiage is "Free parking is not valid for special events requiring a separate admission charge or special events that are not open to the general public."

As to the OP's original question, no need to worry or go out of your way. Simply pay the $10 parking fee and take that parking receipt along with your ticket to Guest Relations. They will refund your parking fee for you. But remember that if you are upgrading to a Seasonal Pass, you do not get the free parking perk. It is only available to AP and PAP holders. SP holders always have to pay for parking.

 

[Sleeping Becca]

I would just go to DTD and avoid all the drama!

 

[jwfla422]

The Swan and Dolphin have Disney transportation to the parks, however they also charge for parking (not sure of price - last I heard it was 8.00, but it could have gone up)

You are correct, wouldn't be beneficial to park at the S/D because you'd have to pay $8.00 to park there.

 

[DaisyD]

Yes, they charge for parking at hard ticket events like MNSSHP so those with an AP usually enter MK parking BEFORE 7:00p to get the free parking.

We've never been charged for parking during the MNSSHP. We simply tell the CM that we are AP holders. This was a few years ago when we were offsite. Maybe this has changed?

 

[hiyall804]

Another thought: Could you park at Downtown Disney and take the boat to POR. Once at POR take the bus to MK? You don't have to pay for parking at DTD do you?

Thank Y'All

 

[anewvance]

I second just going to the hotel you are going to be staying at. Your name is at the guard gate as a check in guest. You then can take the bus to the park and get your pass and go back to the hotel to check in.

Another idea is that we've gone to our hotel before and checked in and instead of going back to the car to put the parking slip up, we've just gotten on the bus to the park and put it in later and never had a problem.. so if you want to get to the MNSSHP and don't care about checking in until after, i'm sure there is no problem.. it's not like you are parking for free without being a guest, you just haven't officially checked in yet.

When we stayed at WL, they gave us our parking pass at the guard gate on the way in, not sure if all hotels do this...but then you wouldn't have any problems at all.

And one more thing, we've booked under a passholder rate before and have never been asked for the pass upon check in... nothing to depend on but just wondering if anyone actually HAS been asked for it before.

 

[CarolA]

We've never been charged for parking during the MNSSHP. We simply tell the CM that we are AP holders. This was a few years ago when we were offsite. Maybe this has changed?

Officially you are suppose to be charged.

However, I have read some stories of guest throwing a FIT when they were charged and I would bet the CMs just wave you in rather then risk the SCREAMING HISSY some folks are capable of.

(WDW is SUPPOSE to bring out the child in you. Unfortunately some folks view that as a chance to let thier inner two year old loose!)

 

[makinorlando]

We've never been charged for parking during the MNSSHP. We simply tell the CM that we are AP holders. This was a few years ago when we were offsite. Maybe this has changed?

You are supposed to pay for parking at hard ticketed events even with an AP. If you arrive prior to party start time, you can still park for free. After party they are supposed to charge you.

How do I know this? We have always entered early for parties, but this past year we did not. I did not have one CENT of cash on my person, got to the gate, and showed my AP, and the CM said - parking is not free for the party even with an AP.

He fortunately let me through, or I would have had to turn around and go find an ATM.

Moral of the story - get there early if you have an AP!!!

ETA - I was posting at the same time as CarolA....
PS - I did not raise a HISSY fit - the CM just spread some pixie dust my way on his own!