MK parking

[Robo]

1. But when you get to that gate, the big Magic Kingdom, the only way you get not to pay is if you are a resort guest.

2. I dont think you can say, Im going to valet my car at the resort, can you?

3. If this were the case then you could theoretically never have to pay for parking.

1. Nope.
2. Yes.
3. Just like telling them the age of your child, Disney expects you to be honest.

 

[Alfalfa]

@bsbrady , I see what you mean now. But even without a resort parking pass or AP they will let you pass through to the resorts--they're open to the public for visiting. My relatives without passes visited us many times last year to eat and hang out at the monorail resorts and WL, and a simple "We're visiting family" sufficed at that gate. They don't look up ADRs there or anything, so I guess they take it on your word. Could be different at very busy times.

In my experience, there's questions and guest/ADR lookups at the guard gates at the monorail resorts, unless you're valet parking, so that's where they handle that. I'm sure people get around the rules every day, but they do try to weed people out.

It's been years since they closed off the exit to Vista Blvd which was the non-park way to CR (below) and I have no idea why but then the far right lane became buses only, the second far right lane unlabeled for split use, and the third far right lane has "MK Resort Guests" painted on the road so it's pretty much expected if you go thru that lane that you are headed to an MK resort.

 

[mdb78]

When you get to the MK gate to pay for parking, you just let them know you're going to one of the monorail resorts. In the last 5 years We actually just do this now since we have a stroller that breaks down into 2 pieces and it's a pain to get on the parking lot tram with it. Twice we had adrs for breakfast at the resort and twice we didn't. Had no problems and to us it's worth the extra few bucks for valet.

 

[bigcrit]

OK, so you just go to the booth and tell them you intend to valet park at CR?

 

[mickeyluv'r]

Yes.
The lane that goes to the resort goes to the resorts. It's a dedicated lane. Trying to cut over after the booth would be pretty obvious.
It is also legal to drop guests off at the TTC.

For a number of years, we did not use the MK parking lot. In the last few years awe have. One advantage of the MK parking lot is getting to enter MK via the ferry or monorail. Both are fun. I don't think valet will save much time.

As for the poster who said they had to close a stroller, that's only the case, if you use the parking lot tram. We almost always find it easier and faster just to walk to the TTC. If you are arriving at MK near rope drop, then your parking spot will be an easy walk to the TTC. (even on fairly busy days).

I truly don't think you'll gain much advantage parking at CR. First, have to walk from CR to MK. We've stayed at CR many times. It is faster than the MK lot, but not a huge difference. Second, valet parking in the morning isn't instant; there's a line of cars at the security booth, and a line of folks checking in/out. Last summer, we did a split stay - GF to CR. I lost over half an hour dropping our bags at CR! and I left the bags at the curb. I didn't even wait for the CM to put them on a cart! I jogged from CR to MK- so about as fast as that distance could be done. (which was not easy given August heat). I was following the time because we had a FP. I missed my window by a solid 20minutes.

I'm not saying don't do it, I'm just saying it won't make a big difference- at least in terms of getting to the park. It might be a few minutes faster leaving MK, but it depends how long it takes to get your car from valet. If the difference was huge, more folks would do it. Parking in the MK lot is streamlined, valet is not.

I also don't see the point of arriving at the MK gate an hour before it opens.

However- it would be wise to leave your lodgings a FULL hour before the MK gate opens if you want to be in the park at anything approaching RD. You don't say where you're coming FROM, but the I-4 area sees plenty of rush hour back ups. A drive that takes half an hour during non-back up times- could take quite a bit longer if there is a back up.

On our last visit, it took us over half an hour to go 4 miles on I-4. It was painful. you may not have that problem, but you might. If you are not particular, I wouldn't stress it. If you have an ADR or your 3FP's, I would make sure to allow plenty of time for traffic.

 

[mdb78]

OK, so you just go to the booth and tell them you intend to valet park at CR?

Yes. We would say we're going to ___ resort. Never had a problem.

Another reason why we like to valet at one of those resorts is it just seems calmer walking through the hotel to get to the monorail. We're not morning people and usually make it to the park around 10am, but trying to get out in the morning gets stressful for us and I've noticed walking through the hotel relieves our stress. Idk, but that's just us! Lol!

 

[bigcrit]

We have stayed at CR in the past. We didn'y mind the walk to MK. Thanks for the tips though. Love the idea of saving time.

 

[bigcrit]

Yes.
The lane that goes to the resort goes to the resorts. It's a dedicated lane. Trying to cut over after the booth would be pretty obvious.
It is also legal to drop guests off at the TTC.

For a number of years, we did not use the MK parking lot. In the last few years awe have. One advantage of the MK parking lot is getting to enter MK via the ferry or monorail. Both are fun. I don't think valet will save much time.

As for the poster who said they had to close a stroller, that's only the case, if you use the parking lot tram. We almost always find it easier and faster just to walk to the TTC. If you are arriving at MK near rope drop, then your parking spot will be an easy walk to the TTC. (even on fairly busy days).

I truly don't think you'll gain much advantage parking at CR. First, have to walk from CR to MK. We've stayed at CR many times. It is faster than the MK lot, but not a huge difference. Second, valet parking in the morning isn't instant; there's a line of cars at the security booth, and a line of folks checking in/out. Last summer, we did a split stay - GF to CR. I lost over half an hour dropping our bags at CR! and I left the bags at the curb. I didn't even wait for the CM to put them on a cart! I jogged from CR to MK- so about as fast as that distance could be done. (which was not easy given August heat). I was following the time because we had a FP. I missed my window by a solid 20minutes.

I'm not saying don't do it, I'm just saying it won't make a big difference- at least in terms of getting to the park. It might be a few minutes faster leaving MK, but it depends how long it takes to get your car from valet. If the difference was huge, more folks would do it. Parking in the MK lot is streamlined, valet is not.

I also don't see the point of arriving at the MK gate an hour before it opens.

However- it would be wise to leave your lodgings a FULL hour before the MK gate opens if you want to be in the park at anything approaching RD. You don't say where you're coming FROM, but the I-4 area sees plenty of rush hour back ups. A drive that takes half an hour during non-back up times- could take quite a bit longer if there is a back up.

On our last visit, it took us over half an hour to go 4 miles on I-4. It was painful. you may not have that problem, but you might. If you are not particular, I wouldn't stress it. If you have an ADR or your 3FP's, I would make sure to allow plenty of time for traffic.

Thanks for the detailed info, I really appreciate it. We are staying at Silver Lake Resort off of Sherberth Rd. It is very close to AK. This will be our first trip staying off-site. We will have a rental car.

We are definite RD people. We are going in July so we are expecting heavy crowds and will likely do all we can to be at the head of the pack at RD.

Thanks again for your knowledge and advice.