Pains of an over-planner...how to use this $20 pass

[lmhall2000]

I originally had booked the Hilton Doubletree burning some points, so I went ahead and bought a $20 parking pass for our first day thinking that would save us time over waiting/paying for ARTS. Then Courtyard Theme Park had a great deal I could not pass up (under $200 a night for 5-August 2-5)...and we don't need the $20 parking pass.

It says it's non refundable and non-transferable. Should we just go ahead and use the $20 parking pass on our first morning (arrive at 10am before rooms are available)? I read somewhere the Disney parking lots were a hike away...will it be faster to park at Courtyard and walk over or use this parking pass? It's just $20, but hey, that's a $39.95 Tshirt I might find on a clearance rack Or $20 I could have applied to MaxPass...yes, over planning has its pitfalls.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

First, wow! How did you score that deal on the Courtyard Theme Park? To address your question though, are you going to the park on your leaving day? If yes, it would be best to move your car from the Courtyard so you don't accrue an extra day parking fee there and use the Disney parking pass. If you aren't going to the park on check-out day, you would want to use it on the first day as you suggest if the Courtyard would charge you an additional parking fee for arriving so early (I have no idea if they would but seems like a good thing to check). Otherwise, personally I would just eat the $20 and walk. You will spend more time and hassle driving, parking, and getting from parking lot to the park then simply walking to the park from the hotel.

 

[lmhall2000]

That's what I wondered. They don't charge you for parking early, wish I could gift the parking pass to another! My sister will drive over from Marina del Rey, wonder if I can just screenshot the scan code and let her use it, she is family and we haven't seen her in two years She has to work most the week, so they will come to the parks on Friday to enjoy it all with us

 

[lmhall2000]

Oh! I kept checking their direct site, just every so often, lowest I found was $334 a night for 5, then one day I plugged it in and complete 3 night stay WITH taxes was $609!!! I think the rate was $189? I nabbed it! the convenience of walking over makes it worth it.

 

[longtimedisneylurker]

That's what I wondered. They don't charge you for parking early, wish I could gift the parking pass to another! My sister will drive over from Marina del Rey, wonder if I can just screenshot the scan code and let her use it, she is family and we haven't seen her in two years She has to work most the week, so they will come to the parks on Friday to enjoy it all with us

I have no idea if that would work or not. If you're really wanting to be sure it gets used, my only other suggestion would be to have your sister pick you up at the hotel or somewhere and have you be in the car with her when she parks at the park on the Friday so you can provide the parking pass.