late in the day parking dilemma

[DisneyMom2000000]

We ALWAYS get to the parks at rope drop. ALWAYS.

Well, our first day this trip is going to be a little different. We will get to the MK at rope drop, but we are going to need to leave in the middle of the day. We plan to go to the hotel (off-site), check in (we are coming in town from two hours away that morning), letting our kids sleep (probably in the car while husband checks in and I wait in the car), then head back to MK. We do not want to wait until 9 o'clock PM to check in and drag all of our stuff in the room.

Anyway, so my main concern is parking at the ticket center when we come back. I don't like parking far away and needing to ride a tram because we have a double stroller, and folding that thing and putting it on one is NOT fun with two small kids.

Can we pay for preferred parking? Will it get us close enough to the monorail to walk? We have AP so not sure how much preferred parking will cost and if its usually available around 5 PM?

 

[bumbershoot]

We've always had terrific luck getting close when coming in in the afternoon. Everyone else has left (like you will have done).

But what if just one adult leaves to go check in? Does everyone have to go? If they kids can nap in the car while the car stops driving and your husband goes into the hotel, couldn't they sleep in the stroller while an adult hangs out there? That way you don't have to worry about the stroller and a tram in case my luck doesn't happen to you?

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

You can generally park in any open spot if you arrive later in the evening after the parking attendants leave.

We like to hop into MK around 8 pm when the park closes at midnight and can often park on the first row, easily within walking distance of the TTC.

 

[Klayfish]

I can relate, exactly. Have 3 kids, including a set of twins. We always stay off site. We've long ago given up rope drop, just not worth it for us, but we do have plenty of days where we go to the parks later in the day. Like others said, in the afternoon, they start refilling the parts of the parking lot that the rope droppers used and then left. So you'll have a good shot at getting a parking space near the front. Having said that, at MK, unless we were at the VERY front, we never walked when the kids were little...and we had a single stroller, a double stroller and a large cooler bag. Yeah, it was a bit of a pain to put it on the tram, but at least for us it beat the long walk. Also remember that in late afternoon, the trams won't be full like the are in the morning, so DH can take the stroller by himself and sit in one row and you and the kiddies can sit in another row.

 

[CAS239]

Coming back at 9pm, the parking booths will be closed so you'll just drive right through. Also that late they won't be directing traffic so you can park wherever you want. Generally when we head to a park around 6pm or later we can park as close as we want.

 

[biondagirl]

We've ended up in the first row when we've come back later in the evening. It was awesome when we left!

Have a great trip.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

We've always had terrific luck getting close when coming in in the afternoon. Everyone else has left (like you will have done).

But what if just one adult leaves to go check in? Does everyone have to go? If they kids can nap in the car while the car stops driving and your husband goes into the hotel, couldn't they sleep in the stroller while an adult hangs out there? That way you don't have to worry about the stroller and a tram in case my luck doesn't happen to you?

That's a good point. Maybe a stroller nap will be the way to go.

Everyone has certainly eased my worries if we do it the other way though!

 

[decoy7375]

Does anyone know what time the parking attendants leave?

 

[CAS239]

Does anyone know what time the parking attendants leave?

It varies. There's not a set time that they'll be gone. Sometimes we've gone in at 5pm and their gone, sometimes we've gone in at 6pm and their there. 5pm on there's a good chance, after about 8 I'd pretty much guarantee it

 

[Asherry25]

We always return late in the day . Sometimes we get lucky with parking, sometimes not. Regardless, even with one stroller, almost every time we just hoof it no matter what lot we are in and what park we are at. We have so much stuff loaded in the stroller, it's easier. A few times, we've split up, with one of us taking the kids on the tram and the other walking with our rolling fortress (stroller). Each time we've done that, the walker has beat the tram to the car by several minutes.

Added bonus: easier to rationalize that next Mickey bar.

 

[DisneyMom2000000]

We always return late in the day . Sometimes we get lucky with parking, sometimes not. Regardless, even with one stroller, almost every time we just hoof it no matter what lot we are in and what park we are at. We have so much stuff loaded in the stroller, it's easier. A few times, we've split up, with one of us taking the kids on the tram and the other walking with our rolling fortress (stroller). Each time we've done that, the walker has beat the tram to the car by several minutes.

Added bonus: easier to rationalize that next Mickey bar.

Hahaha! I love your thinking!!! I guess there's no parking space really TOO far?! We are in pretty decent shape and I don't mind walking. It may be a good idea though to split up like you said, at least for the entertainment purposes.... 3 year olds love the tram, right!?

 

[CindySwims]

I've pushed my double stroller from just about every place in the parking lot at all the parks. I'm a runner and never mind the extra walking, none of it seems too far.