Options for parking

[goofymom23]

Are there any other options other than the $11 parking fee for the garage? Possibly a parking pass, a shuttle from an off site location or street parking and walk into the park. Thanks

 

[mark2311]

A-lot of off-site hotels around the area offer a free shuttle to the park. There's also a few restaurants across from the main entrance if u wanted u could park there and walk across. It's about a 10-15 minute walk. Don't know if that would be acceptable by the restaurants' owners though

 

[damo]

Where are you staying?

 

[yaytezIOA]

And how much is disney's parking these days...out of curiosity?

 

[goofymom23]

We are renting a townhouse at Winsor Hills. I'm sure our options are very limited and understand that we will most likely be paying to park, I was just curious.

 

[damo]

We are renting a townhouse at Winsor Hills. I'm sure our options are very limited and understand that we will most likely be paying to park, I was just curious.

You're right. Your options are very limited. There really isn't anything within walking distance where you can leave you car. I think you'll just have to pay. If you had an annual pass, you wouldn't have to pay for parking!

 

[kenban]

And how much is disney's parking these days...out of curiosity?

I am pretty sure its $10. At least both are cheaper then some of the Six Flags parks including Magic Mountain and Great Adventure which are now charging $15.

 

[yaytezIOA]

You're right. Your options are very limited. There really isn't anything within walking distance where you can leave you car. I think you'll just have to pay. If you had an annual pass, you wouldn't have to pay for parking!

Or even better, you get half price valet parking....which is cheaper than parking at both parks. The thing about Orlando is that it has great public transportation....busses will take you anywhere, and then there is always the option of a cab.
AND....you do realize that disney sets the precedent on prices. When they raise prices, so does everyone else.

 

[robvia]

It's $11 to park, the sign is here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images2007/IOA1mp02040720.jpg

You can park for free in the TGIFridays lot across the street. No one will mess with your car, the walk is about 10 minutes to the garage.

Universal Orlando Offsite Hotels

The problem with hotel shuttles is that they don't start running until 9 or 10am. This takes away your early morning advantage. The other thing is hotel shuttles are spotty when it comes to the schedule, and at some hotels, you have to pay.

 

[damo]

It's $11 to park, the sign is here.
http://www.nogodforme.com/images2007/IOA1mp02040720.jpg

You can park for free in the TGIFridays lot across the street. No one will mess with your car, the walk is about 10 minutes to the garage.

Universal Orlando Offsite Hotels

The problem with hotel shuttles is that they don't start running until 9 or 10am. This takes away your early morning advantage. The other thing is hotel shuttles are spotty when it comes to the schedule, and at some hotels, you have to pay.

Rob, is the TGIF close to the Portofino? Are there any other restaurants around the corner from it on Vineland and Kirkman and is there a shortcut through the shrubbery somehow? I've been looking at the aerial maps but can't make out what exactly is there and how close it is. There are some strip mall looking buildings but I'm not sure what is in them. It looks like it may be a Ponderosa?

 

[rangebob]

The Fridays is right across the street on Major and Kirkman. There is a Dennies a bit further down Major and a Cracker Barrel if you take the first right after you cross over Kirkman if you are leaving Universal.

The strip mall that you are talking about use to have a Ponderosa but it is now a Golden Corral. There is an Orlando Ale house and a Japanese type restraurant. If you want some fast food in the same area there is a BK and a Wendy's. There are many other restruants in the area FKC, Taco Bell, McDonalds, Waffle House, Carrabas, and several sub shops if you make a left out of Universal.

As for the walking you can cross at the intersection of Major and Kirkman and then you can cut through the parking lot.

 

[kenban]

AND....you do realize that disney sets the precedent on prices. When they raise prices, so does everyone else.

Except like I said above I am pretty sure Disney's parking is still $10...

 

[phamton]

Honestly, I would rather have my car in a covered and secured parking lot rather than left at a shopping center or restaurant. Is is worth saving $11? You'll be walking for 15-30 minutes and crossing major roads with lots of traffic and using an insecure parking lot. Your car could be towed if you are spotted parking at an establishment that you are not shopping at or eating at. Most of those places do have signs saying for customers only. Your car would be left unattended for hours while you are at the park and could be vandilized.

Personally, I'd pay the $11 to park at Universal. Your car is safer and you won't be walking at night across major roads just to get back to your car.

 

[robvia]

It only seems like $11, but it adds up if visiting multiple parks over many days. People in RRC would laugh at me when I posted about parking across the street at the various parks and walking. But let's pretend I'm going to visit IOA for 3 days, and SWF twice on different days. The parking would be about $55. That can buy dinner for a family.

When we stay onsite I pay the parking and don't mind it that much because it's only 2 nights which is $24. But look at people who are staying for a week, they don't want to pay $50 - $70. They call the hotel manager and work something out.

For Universal, the TGIFridays lot is fine, but you'll walk an extra 10 minutes and have to cross 10 lanes of traffic.
For SWF you'd have to park in the Hilton Garden Hotel lot and walk.
For BGT there's a few fast food places but the walk from them is very far.

-------------------------
To get to the restaurants across Kirkmam from the PBH, you have to walk to the front of the hotel, and follow the sidewalk to Kirkman. There are shortcuts thru bushes which you can take from the east side of the hotel, but there's a fence you have to duck under. We did this when taking our dog to/from the kennel.

 

[sha_lyn]

It only seems like $11, but it adds up if visiting multiple parks over many days. People in RRC would laugh at me when I posted about parking across the street at the various parks and walking. But let's pretend I'm going to visit IOA for 3 days, and SWF twice on different days. The parking would be about $55. That can buy dinner for a family.

Parking should be counted as part of the budget, just the same as meals, tickets etc. I seriously doubt the TGI fridays is ok with their customer parking being used for USO guest. Don't surprised if eventualy they start having cars towed.

 

[brooker]

Is there a parking fee at the hotel if you are staying at one of the 3 onsite hotels?

 

[yaytezIOA]

Yes. Its about 12 bucks a day.