Parking at a resort

[Salf777]

So I am asking question here as to if this is allowed not looking to have a discussion on right or wrong or get yelled at. I am seriously asking is this allowed. Staying at the Beach Club and have tickets to Mickeys not so scary. Am able to get a 5 pm reservation at Grand Floridan cafe (yes I know we can get in at 4 but that’s not a priority). Can I drive to Grand park eat and take monorail over to MK and leave my car at the Grand while I’m at the party?

 

[DebLovesPooh]

I believe dining parking is allowed for 3 hours. So, I don’t think your suggestion is allowed.

 

[HopperFan]

So I am asking question here as to if this is allowed not looking to have a discussion on right or wrong or get yelled at. I am seriously asking is this allowed. Staying at the Beach Club and have tickets to Mickeys not so scary. Am able to get a 5 pm reservation at Grand Floridan cafe (yes I know we can get in at 4 but that’s not a priority). Can I drive to Grand park eat and take monorail over to MK and leave my car at the Grand while I’m at the party?

If you valet park then you can leave your car after your meal. Otherwise you are expected to move your car within 3 hours.

Honestly I would Uber/Lyft to GF for dinner, boat/monorail to party and then take the bus back to your hotel after the party.

You could drive to MK Lot where it is free for you to park, then catch the monorail to GF. After party return to your car.

I am actually staying onsite for our party because I just want a bus straight back to the hotel after the party. I don't want to get on boat or monorail to then walk to my car that late at night. At GF you would likely be sent to park across the street from the hotel so for me not very convenient after a party.

 

[Salf777]

If you valet park then you can leave your car after your meal. Otherwise you are expected to move your car within 3 hours.

Honestly I would Uber/Lyft to GF for dinner, boat/monorail to party and then take the bus back to your hotel after the party.

You could drive to MK Lot where it is free for you to park, then catch the monorail to GF. After party return to your car.

I am actually staying onsite for our party because I just want a bus straight back to the hotel after the party. I don't want to get on boat or monorail to then walk to my car that late at night. At GF you would likely be sent to park across the street from the hotel so for me not very convenient after a party.

Well what we were try to avoid is waiting on a bus after the party empties out we then have the option of monorail, walk, or even boat back to GF. Is that allowed to valet and leave the car there? Would we tell them we are going to the party and will be a while? Don’t want to skirt the rules but if that’s allowed with the valet that may be a viable option

 

[Salf777]

I believe dining parking is allowed for 3 hours. So, I don’t think your suggestion is allowed.

Thank you

 

[limegreenmonorail]

You are absolutely allowed to do this - if you have a dining reservation, you can leave your car parked there as long as you like that day. The "3-hour rule" was a very old policy and hasn't been in effect since they did away with those paper signs guests would have to place on their dashboard (and that ended more than 10 years ago). Security doesn't track visitor cars and they don't pay any attention to which car is yours or how long it's parked. I've parked at a resort for dining and gone on to a park for the rest of the day many, many times and it's never been an issue. Of course, if I'm wrong and anyone has seen actual rules published by Disney that state that 3-hour limit, I'd love to see it, but I'm confident that this is just a defunct rule that somehow keeps getting revived. You're always entitled to park at a resort with a dining reservation, and there's no restriction on how long your car is there that day after Security allows you through.

Your plan to dine and park at GF prior to the party is a great one and I'd do exactly the same thing myself.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Seems pretty clear to me:

Day Guests
Complimentary standard self-parking is available while enjoying select dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreation experiences at Disney Resort hotels.

Source: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/parking/

When no longer doing any of the above experiences, you’re no longer entitled to park there. If you choose to do so, then you’re pushing the intention of the above, in my opinion.

 

[limegreenmonorail]

Thanks for the clarification - so no time limit exactly, but I understand their intention. My experience is that I've directly asked security guards about this when I'm there for dining and been told I can leave the car there for the rest of the day if I go to a park after dinner. I'm comfortable with doing whatever the guards allow me to do with my car that day. I guess I've been lucky when I've been permitted to park longer. I will be more conscious about parking in the future, thanks for bringing the official policy to my attention!

 

[Jimmy Mouse]

leaving your car that late is not fair to the resort guest that can't find a spot to park when they return to the resort they are paying for. Happened to me at The Contemporary and had to park at Bay Lake Tower and walk. It's selfish in my opinion .

 

[_19disnA]

Certain Disney hotels are more strict about enforcing the parking rules particularly if near one of the parks. There are many older threads on that topic. Disney has gotten wise to people trying to 'game' the parking fee at one of the theme parks by parking for free at a nearby hotel and then going to a theme park and spending the day. If they allowed everyone to do that, hotel lots would be full from those at the park and people actually staying at that hotel might not be able to find a parking space. Clearly some hotels are closer to the various parks then others. Since it costs MORE for valet parking then parking at a theme park, you obviously aren't trying to 'game' the parking fee.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

So I am asking question here as to if this is allowed not looking to have a discussion on right or wrong or get yelled at. I am seriously asking is this allowed. Staying at the Beach Club and have tickets to Mickeys not so scary. Am able to get a 5 pm reservation at Grand Floridan cafe (yes I know we can get in at 4 but that’s not a priority). Can I drive to Grand park eat and take monorail over to MK and leave my car at the Grand while I’m at the party?

As folks have noted above, it’s not really the intent of what little Disney puts in writing. The one “challenge” is Disney’s inconsistent (or in some cases nonexistent) enforcement and at times inconsistent information given to guests. 5 people will post they were told 3 hours and 5 more will post they were told they can stay all day. So, the conversation does often devolve into “what’s right or wrong” or “I was told XYZ so that’s Disney’s policy” and people usually have strong opinions. Plus exact procedures can change on any given day based on the CM, resort events, etc.

Personally I take Disney’s basic statement as their rule and once done eating one should move their vehicle. Is anyone typically monitoring/enforcing this? No, not really. Could they under tight conditions? Possible. If 100 people did it each party night would it create parking issues for legitimate paying guests and others using resort amenities? Yes. GF’s lots aren't all that big (the valet lot there is too big IMO, but that’s a separate topic)…. Throw in a full resort, a convention, a big wedding, or whatever, that’s why most will say moving on is the spirit of Disney’s policy. I usually stay at places like the monorail or Epcot resorts, parking at some of them can be pretty tight in the evenings.

To answer your question about valet, yes, you can park all day if you pay valet (you can even move resorts if you’d like - just take your receipt, you only pay once per day).

Hope that helps. Enjoy your party night.

 

[HopperFan]

As folks have noted above, it’s not really the intent of what little Disney puts in writing. The one “challenge” is Disney’s inconsistent (or in some cases nonexistent) enforcement and at times inconsistent information given to guests. 5 people will post they were told 3 hours and 5 more will post they were told they can stay all day. So, the conversation does often devolve into “what’s right or wrong” or “I was told XYZ so that’s Disney’s policy” and people usually have strong opinions. Plus exact procedures can change on any given day based on the CM, resort events, etc.

Personally I take Disney’s basic statement as their rule and once done eating one should move their vehicle. Is anyone typically monitoring/enforcing this? No, not really. Could they under tight conditions? Possible. If 100 people did it each party night would it create parking issues for legitimate paying guests and others using resort amenities? Yes. GF’s lots aren't all that big (the valet lot there is too big IMO, but that’s a separate topic)…. Throw in a full resort, a convention, a big wedding, or whatever, that’s why most will say moving on is the spirit of Disney’s policy. I usually stay at places like the monorail or Epcot resorts, parking at some of them can be pretty tight in the evenings.

To answer your question about valet, yes, you can park all day if you pay valet (you can even move resorts if you’d like - just take your receipt, you only pay once per day).

Hope that helps. Enjoy your party night.

Curious ... is this the lot that is "across the street" west side of Floridian Way?

If so that is the only lot I have been allowed to self park in except once when we had a handicapped tag. In that case they had us park at the DVC which ironically was a longer walk than had we just been sent to the lot across the street. Great spot for DVC, not so great for hotel.

 

[Salf777]

As folks have noted above, it’s not really the intent of what little Disney puts in writing. The one “challenge” is Disney’s inconsistent (or in some cases nonexistent) enforcement and at times inconsistent information given to guests. 5 people will post they were told 3 hours and 5 more will post they were told they can stay all day. So, the conversation does often devolve into “what’s right or wrong” or “I was told XYZ so that’s Disney’s policy” and people usually have strong opinions. Plus exact procedures can change on any given day based on the CM, resort events, etc.

Personally I take Disney’s basic statement as their rule and once done eating one should move their vehicle. Is anyone typically monitoring/enforcing this? No, not really. Could they under tight conditions? Possible. If 100 people did it each party night would it create parking issues for legitimate paying guests and others using resort amenities? Yes. GF’s lots aren't all that big (the valet lot there is too big IMO, but that’s a separate topic)…. Throw in a full resort, a convention, a big wedding, or whatever, that’s why most will say moving on is the spirit of Disney’s policy. I usually stay at places like the monorail or Epcot resorts, parking at some of them can be pretty tight in the evenings.

To answer your question about valet, yes, you can park all day if you pay valet (you can even move resorts if you’d like - just take your receipt, you only pay once per day).

Hope that helps. Enjoy your party night.

Thank you for this! I never intended this to turn into what it has, people calling others selfish etc. it was a question as to if its allowed. Maybe I should have clarified and said does Disney allow it. I really did not know. Thats why sometimes I cringe posting a question on here because of the inevitable arguing that follows about who is right and who is wrong. I really believe thats not what these boards are intended for and that they should be a nice way for people to exchange information and ideas.
If the valet parking is correct I have no issue paying the valet fee.

 

[GADisneyDad14]

Curious ... is this the lot that is "across the street" west side of Floridian Way?

If so that is the only lot I have been allowed to self park in except once when we had a handicapped tag. In that case they had us park at the DVC which ironically was a longer walk than had we just been sent to the lot across the street. Great spot for DVC, not so great for hotel.

No, the valet lot is part of the area right in front of the main building/lobby. On Google maps it’s section with the different shade of paving it’s either all or a decent portion of that area.

It’s never personally happened to me but I’ve read occasional reports such as yours about having to park across the street, which if I’m not mistaken is really more for CM parking(?). That’s a hike.

 

[HopperFan]

No, the valet lot is part of the area right in front of the main building/lobby. On Google maps it’s section with the different shade of paving it’s either all or a decent portion of that area.

It’s never personally happened to me but I’ve read occasional reports such as yours about having to park across the street, which if I’m not mistaken is really more for CM parking(?). That’s a hike.

WOW That is the bulk of the parking, why wouldn't they valet across the street where we were sent? Maybe where we were sent is for convention guests too. That hotel has virtually no guest parking, how do they let anyone not staying there park at all?

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Thanks for the clarification - so no time limit exactly, but I understand their intention. My experience is that I've directly asked security guards about this when I'm there for dining and been told I can leave the car there for the rest of the day if I go to a park after dinner. I'm comfortable with doing whatever the guards allow me to do with my car that day. I guess I've been lucky when I've been permitted to park longer. I will be more conscious about parking in the future, thanks for bringing the official policy to my attention!

Put yourself in the shoes of a guest who has paid to stay overnight in that resort. You return to the resort to attempt to park and it's lot if full of guests who have come to have breakfast and leave their car there all day to go to the park. You can't park there, or if you do, you park very far away. Seem fair to you?

It has nothing to do with what's allowed it is all in what's right.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Certain Disney hotels are more strict about enforcing the parking rules particularly if near one of the parks. There are many older threads on that topic. Disney has gotten wise to people trying to 'game' the parking fee at one of the theme parks by parking for free at a nearby hotel and then going to a theme park and spending the day. If they allowed everyone to do that, hotel lots would be full from those at the park and people actually staying at that hotel might not be able to find a parking space. Clearly some hotels are closer to the various parks then others. Since it costs MORE for valet parking then parking at a theme park, you obviously aren't trying to 'game' the parking fee.

Technically, the problem is they don't really do anything about it. There is no enforcing going on for folks who dine and leave their cars for the day. I don't even think it's got a thing to do with trying to get out of paying for parking, not in most cases. Some maybe but not most. Most are trying to get out of using transportation. Or are just trying to not drive a 2nd time. Most are just driving to breakfast from their other on site Disney hotel and then heading to the park from there, usually walking since most breakfast spots are also walking distance to a park. To my knowledge Disney doesn't do anything to track those cars, do they?

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Thank you for this! I never intended this to turn into what it has, people calling others selfish etc. it was a question as to if its allowed. Maybe I should have clarified and said does Disney allow it. I really did not know. Thats why sometimes I cringe posting a question on here because of the inevitable arguing that follows about who is right and who is wrong. I really believe thats not what these boards are intended for and that they should be a nice way for people to exchange information and ideas.
If the valet parking is correct I have no issue paying the valet fee.

The issue is Disney's rule is too vague for it to be perfectly clear. They no longer provide parking passes so that's of no help at all. Guards don't evem have the answer because there isn't really one, since there isn't a spelled out rule anywhere. One thing that is clear, Resort parking is first and foremost for overnight guests. They should get first priority, obviously. That should at least I think, be left up to little debate. At least I'd hope it is. So as I've mentioned, I try to put myself in that situation (and have been in it before) of trying to find parking and not been able to. That is annoying, when you are just about certain some of those cars are belonging to guests who have parked, dined and gone to a theme park.
To be 100% sure you are not overstaying, you move the vehicle after you are done eating. That is very simple. No questions left on what is courteous. Because it is always going to be a grey area now. Simply because it is not spelling out one way or the other. So all you can get in regards to this is opinions. And you know what they say about those.....
The valet parking is clear. You can leave it there

 

[Salf777]

The issue is Disney's rule is too vague for it to be perfectly clear. They no longer provide parking passes so that's of no help at all. Guards don't evem have the answer because there isn't really one, since there isn't a spelled out rule anywhere. One thing that is clear, Resort parking is first and foremost for overnight guests. They should get first priority, obviously. That should at least I think, be left up to little debate. At least I'd hope it is. So as I've mentioned, I try to put myself in that situation (and have been in it before) of trying to find parking and not been able to. That is annoying, when you are just about certain some of those cars are belonging to guests who have parked, dined and gone to a theme park.
To be 100% sure you are not overstaying, you move the vehicle after you are done eating. That is very simple. No questions left on what is courteous. Because it is always going to be a grey area now. Simply because it is not spelling out one way or the other. So all you can get in regards to this is opinions. And you know what they say about those.....
The valet parking is clear. You can leave it there

Of course if its not allowed I wouldnt do it. I am a DVC owner at VGF (not staying there this time) and once came back and there was no parking I had to park in the convention center and it annoyed me. I asked the guard and he said it was busy so he was directing dining guests to the DVC lot. However, from what your saying is I can go to the valet and tell them I am leaving my car there and they wont have a problem? Im honestly asking because I dont want to do something thats against the rules

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Of course if its not allowed I wouldnt do it. I am a DVC owner at VGF (not staying there this time) and once came back and there was no parking I had to park in the convention center and it annoyed me. I asked the guard and he said it was busy so he was directing dining guests to the DVC lot. However, from what your saying is I can go to the valet and tell them I am leaving my car there and they wont have a problem? Im honestly asking because I dont want to do something thats against the rules

Correct. You can leave the car parked with valet
It’s a different system since #1, you pay for it and #2, it’s a different secure, non public lot and #3 they can move your car when needed