Options for getting from A to B??

[mommyof3sons2004]

We are staying at Buena Vista Suites the first part of August. After reviewing their complimentary bus schedule to the parks, it appears some days they don't even leave until the park is opening. I was hoping to be at the parks for rope drop. Is there somewhere I can drive my car and park to catch one of the WDW buses in time to be at the parks for rope drop? I can't find what time the buses start from DTD...is it even an option to park there?? I was hoping to avoid the end of the day parking lot nightmares at the parks and would prefer to get on a bus to get out of the madness.
Also, we are have dining reservations at Chef Mickey on one of our non park days...am I allowed to park at the hotel even though I am not staying there or what is the best way to get there? Thanks for your help....you guys are a wealth of knowledge!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

No direct park access from Downtwn Disney.
Buses to/from Downtown Disney don't start until after the parks open.
Downtown Disney parking lot is horrendous, much worse than any park and not/minimally controlled by CMs.
Guests staying offsite driving to the parks need to use the park parking lots.

 

[tobikaye]

For your Chef Mickey reservation, you will be able to park in the parking lot at Contemporary. Depending on the route you take from your resort, when you go through the main gates for TTC/MK, stay in the second to right lane and let the guard know you are going to eat at the Contemporary. When you get to the Contemporary, the guard will ask why you are visiting and need to see the driver's ID. The guard will have a list of reservations and will let you through after verifying.

As for finding the best place to park, the parks themselves are probably going to be your best bet. I have actually heard more complaints about the lines for the buses at night than I have for getting out of the parking lot. If anything, you can use the same logic most do for the buses. As the park is starting to clear out, find a nice bench somewhere and wait for the crowds to mostly clear. Then slowly make your way to the exit and your car. Maybe by then, the parking lot will be mostly cleared.

 

[anonymousegirl]

Driving yourselves and paying the $15 (or it is $20 now?) will allow you and your family control over getting to Rope Drop. Once you have paid, that receipt will cover your parking at the other theme parks on property.

 

[jeffbear]

As for finding the best place to park, the parks themselves are probably going to be your best bet. I have actually heard more complaints about the lines for the buses at night than I have for getting out of the parking lot.

This

ALL of the parks open their lots well ahead of rope drop, so getting parked at the right place to start the day won't be an issue if you drive yourself right to the park. From there you can take Disney transport and then just make sure you land back at your place or origin.

 

[SteveMouse]

For your Chef Mickey reservation, you will be able to park in the parking lot at Contemporary. Depending on the route you take from your resort, when you go through the main gates for TTC/MK, stay in the second to right lane and let the guard know you are going to eat at the Contemporary. When you get to the Contemporary, the guard will ask why you are visiting and need to see the driver's ID. The guard will have a list of reservations and will let you through after verifying. As for finding the best place to park, the parks themselves are probably going to be your best bet. I have actually heard more complaints about the lines for the buses at night than I have for getting out of the parking lot. If anything, you can use the same logic most do for the buses. As the park is starting to clear out, find a nice bench somewhere and wait for the crowds to mostly clear. Then slowly make your way to the exit and your car. Maybe by then, the parking lot will be mostly cleared.

And you may park at the Contemporary for 3 hours. Your dining reservation does not entitle you to day-long parking at the hotel.

 

[goofy4tink]

It's not really fair to those that are paying to stay at resorts close to parks if you park there, for park access. Those staying off-site don't get WDW resort parking perks. So. You have two choices....
1. Park at the TTC for MK access, and the other park lots for access to those parks.
Or
2. Pay to valet park at a nearby resort and then head to a park. You have to pay for parking anyway, so pay a bit more (due to a tip) and have access to the park. For MK, park at the CR, for Epcot and DHS park at YC/BC, and at AKL for AK. Valet parking allows you to leave your car there all day, and do whatever you wish. Self-parking does not....that allows you to eat or shop at that resort, not head to a park.
And valet parking will allow you to avoid that park closing mess you speak off.

I don't want to sound snippy, but there is a reason people pay more to stay on Disney property.....buses early in the day, for park opening is one of them! Hardly seems right to have those from off-site help themselves to this perk.

 

[mommyof3sons2004]

It's not really fair to those that are paying to stay at resorts close to parks if you park there, for park access. Those staying off-site don't get WDW resort parking perks. So. You have two choices....
1. Park at the TTC for MK access, and the other park lots for access to those parks.
Or
2. Pay to valet park at a nearby resort and then head to a park. You have to pay for parking anyway, so pay a bit more (due to a tip) and have access to the park. For MK, park at the CR, for Epcot and DHS park at YC/BC, and at AKL for AK. Valet parking allows you to leave your car there all day, and do whatever you wish. Self-parking does not....that allows you to eat or shop at that resort, not head to a park.
And valet parking will allow you to avoid that park closing mess you speak off.

I don't want to sound snippy, but there is a reason people pay more to stay on Disney property.....buses early in the day, for park opening is one of them! Hardly seems right to have those from off-site help themselves to this perk.

Sorry...I wasn't trying to use any perks meant specifically for those staying on-site. I have read numerous blogs/articles that said using Disney Transportation was available to all guests...apparently I was misinformed. I am fine driving to the parks I was just trying to see if there was an alternative. I never intended to park at a resort (that I wasn't staying at) and use the transportation (that seems wrong to use their valet parking that way) which was why I thought maybe Downtown Disney was an option.

The main reason we are not staying on-site is because when I called Disney the person I spoke with was less than helpful but just I chalked it up to someone ready to get off work or just having a bad day. I understand there are perks such as extended magic hours , magic bands, etc that I don't get to have due to staying off-site I just didn't think using Disney Transportation was one of them...

Thank you for helping to clarify for me!!

 

[grimley1968]

Sorry...I wasn't trying to use any perks meant specifically for those staying on-site. I have read numerous blogs/articles that said using Disney Transportation was available to all guests...apparently I was misinformed. I am fine driving to the parks I was just trying to see if there was an alternative. I never intended to park at a resort (that I wasn't staying at) and use the transportation (that seems wrong to use their valet parking that way) which was why I thought maybe Downtown Disney was an option.

The main reason we are not staying on-site is because when I called Disney the person I spoke with was less than helpful but just I chalked it up to someone ready to get off work or just having a bad day. I understand there are perks such as extended magic hours , magic bands, etc that I don't get to have due to staying off-site I just didn't think using Disney Transportation was one of them...

Thank you for helping to clarify for me!!

Disney transportation is available to all guests, whether they're staying onsite or offsite. But their transportation is meant to get all guests from park to park or park to onsite resort (and vice versa). You can certainly take their free transportation from parks to resorts to shop, dine, etc. But you're not supposed to park for free at a Disney resort you're not staying at for the purpose of going to a park. You can park at resorts for free up to 3 hours for the purpose of dining, shopping, etc., but some resorts might require an ADR in advance.

Valet parking at resorts is open to offsite and onsite guests, all day and it allows those guests to enter the nearby park if they wish. But this costs the same or more (when you include tip) than simply parking at the park's parking lot, and will usually take longer to get to the park than parking at the park's lot (with the possible exception of MK). Some people might prefer this option, but it's not saving any money or time doing so, unless you're doing so to get to a resort ADR.

 

[rwdavis2]

I think I read the OP differently than anyone else (I could very well be wrong).

OP: You are not required to use Disney Transportation to get to the parks. As was mentioned, your best bet is to drive to the park to which you want to go and then park in that lot.

IMHO, driving directly to each park (or TTC for Magic Kingdom) is the fastest way to get to a park. We always rent a car even when staying on site.

 

[bumbershoot]

I was hoping to avoid the end of the day parking lot nightmares at the parks and would prefer to get on a bus to get out of the madness.

I admit I've never been there in august. Maybe that's why I've never had any sort of difficult time getting out of the lots.

My family have, however, experienced very long waits for bus transportation that made us long for our car. There was the epic 2 hours it took h and my aunt to get from DHS to OKW, when buses weren't being sent to get them because there were only a few people waiting. Finally an SSR bus stopped for them after passing them more than once. There was the very long wait at MK to get back to pop. There was also the very Lon wait at DTD to get a bus to wherever we were going.

I would rather just dawdle on my way out of a park so I'm not in a possible crush of people then cars, rather than be in the crush of humanity trying to get a bus or monorail.

There no central park-and-pay lot for wdw. (Unless the ttc is intended for that, but I'm not sure I've heard of that use). Kind of too bad, as it could be useful. I'd just drive to where you will be and call it good. Keep your receipt so if you move parks during the day you don't have to pay again.

 

[mommyof3sons2004]

Thank you all so much!! We will drive to the parks and be good with it!!