Parking and Restaurants

[knebkagnau]

If you are staying off-site can you eat at any of the resort restaurants? Do you pay for parking when you eat at the resorts? What about park restaurants, you have to have a ticket to the park in order to eat there correct? Also if you have ADR at a park first thing in the AM, does this put you in the park prior to opening? How does this work? What if you have ADR at 8:05 and the park doesn't open until 11:00? Can you tell I have never been to WDW before.

 

[KatMark]

If you are staying off-site can you eat at any of the resort restaurants? Do you pay for parking when you eat at the resorts? What about park restaurants, you have to have a ticket to the park in order to eat there correct? Also if you have ADR at a park first thing in the AM, does this put you in the park prior to opening? How does this work? What if you have ADR at 8:05 and the park doesn't open until 11:00? Can you tell I have never been to WDW before.

Yes, you can eat at the resort restaurants. I assume you'll have a rental car. You would drive to the resort and tell them at the security check-in that you are there for a breakfast (or lunch or dinner) reservation; they will probably ask for identification and you could be given a 3-hour parking pass (especially at some of the deluxes). You do NOT pay for parking at the resorts.

Yes, you must have a ticket to the park that you want to eat at on that particular day. If you have an ADR first thing in the morning like you suggest -- 8:05 a.m., they will allow you into the park early (there is a separate line at the front gate for "restaurant reservations."

I hope this answers all of your questions.

 

[WEDWDW]

I just wanted to add that NONE of the Parks ever opens as late as 11:00.

They usually open at 9:00.

 

[winterman]

I just wanted to add that NONE of the Parks ever opens as late as 11:00.

They usually open at 9:00.

I'm guessing that the OP meant the World Showcase part of EPCOT, which is listed as opening at 11:00 AM.

 

[TDC Nala]

You can get into WS for breakfast at Akershus, but you won't have access to Maelstrom until 11, any of the shops or snacks, or any pavilions other than Norway. Everything past Norway will be roped off. You walk by Mexico, but that pavilion is located indoors and won't be open early.

Same thing if you enter the International Gateway prior to 11. The bridge leading toward France is roped off. You walk through England and Canada, but nothing in the pavilions will be open.

 

[knebkagnau]

if you plan on eating at a resort in the AM and then go directly to the park...do you need to park at the park and not the resort since you can't park at the resort for the day? There is so much to know!

 

[KatMark]

if you plan on eating at a resort in the AM and then go directly to the park...do you need to park at the park and not the resort since you can't park at the resort for the day? There is so much to know!

For park restaurants, you will park in the park parking lot. If you are eating, let's say at the Polynesian, you can either park at the hotel and then move your car to whatever park you are going to, or you can park at the MK parking lot (assuming that is the park you are going to that day) and take the monorail to the Polynesian.

 

[Hoolie1]

Parking is free at the resorts but signature resorts also have valet service. The free parking is usually way out in the middle of nowhere.

On our last date night took the wife out to California Grill at The Contemporary. We were some what dressed up and the $10 charge plus a $5.00 tip were worth not having to hear her complain about walking so far in heels.

 

[JDUCKY]

Parking is free at the resorts but signature resorts also have valet service. The free parking is usually way out in the middle of nowhere.

On our last date night took the wife out to California Grill at The Contemporary. We were some what dressed up and the $10 charge plus a $5.00 tip were worth not having to hear her complain about walking so far in heels.

You should get a Tables in Wonderland card, then. 20% discount on the meal plus complimentary valet parking.

(still have to tip the valet, though!)

 

[chartle]

You should get a Tables in Wonderland card, then. 20% discount on the meal plus complimentary valet parking.

(still have to tip the valet, though!)

Isn't TiW just for AP holders and Fl residents>

 

[lpizzuro123]

We had the TIW card l(it just expired) and I thought I had read somewhere that they were doing away with the free valet parking perk. We were there in May and ate at Sanna and the valet was included at that time.

Linda

 

[JDUCKY]

Isn't TiW just for AP holders and Fl residents>

Yes, it is. I noticed the previous poster was from FL so I mentioned the TiW card. I'm about to get one, myself.

We had the TIW card l(it just expired) and I thought I had read somewhere that they were doing away with the free valet parking perk. We were there in May and ate at Sanna and the valet was included at that time.

Linda

The DIS says valet is still a benefit:
http://www.wdwinfo.com/disneydiningexperience.htm

Allears says it's still included, too:
http://allears.net/din/dde.htm

 

[TDC Nala]

It's DVC, not TIW, that did away with free valet parking for members. With TIW I believe you have to present a restaurant receipt for the free parking.

 

[lpizzuro123]

It's DVC, not TIW, that did away with free valet parking for members. With TIW I believe you have to present a restaurant receipt for the free parking.

Thank you for this information - definately makes it more worth the money if valet is included.

When we ate at Sanna last May we just had to show our TIW card and the valet took our car. I don't remember if we gave him our reservation number or not but we did have reservations.

Linda

 

[knebkagnau]

It is so confusing...I feel lost.