is parking free to eat at other resorts

[cecilia]

we are driving to disney so we will have a car. can we drive from all star music to pali so wecan eat at kona ? is it free ? i hate to take a bus to a park just to get on another bus to take me to the poli .

 

[vicki_c]

Yes, resort parking is free.

 

[cecilia]

good then i can just drive to kona for breakfast and drive back to all stars

 

[Cdn Friends of Pooh]

we are driving to disney so we will have a car. can we drive from all star music to pali so wecan eat at kona ? is it free ? i hate to take a bus to a park just to get on another bus to take me to the poli .

When you get to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, you will need to stop at the guard shack - just tell them you are there for breakfast/lunch/dinner and they will tell you where to park. The procedure is the same for all other resorts when you go to eat. Also when you check in at the All Stars resort, the CM will ask if you are driving - they will then give you a parking pass to display on your dash. You then show this parking pass to the CM at the gates to each park and you won't have to pay for parking (parking is free at the parks for resort guests).

 

[BriarRosie]

When you get to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, you will need to stop at the guard shack - just tell them you are there for breakfast/lunch/dinner and they will tell you where to park. The procedure is the same for all other resorts when you go to eat. Also when you check in at the All Stars resort, the CM will ask if you are driving - they will then give you a parking pass to display on your dash. You then show this parking pass to the CM at the gates to each park and you won't have to pay for parking (parking is free at the parks for resort guests).

They are eating at the Polynesian, not Animal Kingdom Lodge. But you're right, the procedure is still the same as when you visit any resort.

 

[fla4fun]

They are eating at the Polynesian, not Animal Kingdom Lodge. But you're right, the procedure is still the same as when you visit any resort.

Although some resorts can be more strict than others. I've been turned away at CR with a confirmed ADR when they have had large conventions in house. Resorts within walking distance to parks and convention resorts tend to be more strict at certain times than the other resorts - just so no one has any unpleasant surprises.

It's best if you can tie your resort meals to your park days. In the OP's case, I would plan an MK day on the day I was having my meal at Poly, so I could just use Disney transportation and not worry about parking. Even though I always drive to WDW, I seldom use my car once I get there, especially with gasoline prices so high.

 

[carrie1626]

When you get to the Animal Kingdom Lodge, you will need to stop at the guard shack - just tell them you are there for breakfast/lunch/dinner and they will tell you where to park. The procedure is the same for all other resorts when you go to eat. Also when you check in at the All Stars resort, the CM will ask if you are driving - they will then give you a parking pass to display on your dash. You then show this parking pass to the CM at the gates to each park and you won't have to pay for parking (parking is free at the parks for resort guests).

That's exactly how I remember it when I had a rental. Enjoy

 

[Uncleromulus]

If I had been turned away from the Contemporary when I had dinner reservations I would probably have just sat there in the car until a supervisor and/or security came to address the situation.
Which would have been finding one of the several spots that were almost certainly open and allowing me to park there for a couple of hours as I enjoyed dinner.

Hell would have been raised for certain!!

And to note we've been driving to resort restaurants on almost every trip since 1975 (that's 55 trips) and not once were we refused parking at a resort when we had dinner reservations. And that includes the Contemporary almost every trip, as California Grill is our traditional first night dinner.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The only time you would be charged for parking at the resorts is if you choose to valet park which is $12.00 + a tip, however self parking is 100% free.

 

[Britard]

You do have to pay for parking if you go to the Swan or the Dolphin to eat. The parking cost $12. The reservation line doesn't tell you that you have to pay. We did ask the hostess and she waived the parking fee. Not sure if this is standard or if we just got lucky.

 

[7165red]

FYI- GF parking lot fills up quickly. We went to dinner there and had to pay for valet parking due to no room in self parking. Never had a problem with all the other resorts.

 

[Uncleromulus]

At the Swan/Dolphin, Shula's, Blue Zoo and I think Il Mulino will validate your valet parking so there is no charge except ,of course ,any tip.

 

[tww369]

We've parked at Poly before and had no problem other than finding an available spot the lot there is not very large. If someone in your party is disabled (has handicapped placard/plate) the valet will park you for free (just tip them please)

 

[7165red]

The Poly is great for parking. Last xmas was the first time in yrs, that they asked for our dinner res. # and we didn't have one so we were turned away. The first time in many yrs.