Parking at Contemporary for Cali Grill

[BalooHoo]

We will be dining at California Grill on our upcoming trip with a 7:45 ADR, and we would like to park at the Contemporary while we're there. This meal will be one of the highlights of our trip, and we would like to savor it and not be rushed. We also would like to do a little shopping at the resort before dinner and stay late enough after dinner to watch the fireworks at 10:00 pm. This could take around 4 hours total.

I am familiar with the many threads about the restrictions on parking at the Contemporary, and I do not intend to make this into another thread debating whether you can park at the Contemporary and go to MK. That is not my plan at all. My concern is if we plan to stay at the Contemporary for more than 3 hours but we only get a parking pass valid for 3 hours. Are they currently issuing 3 hour passes for parking at the Contemporary? If so, will they allow us to park for more than 3 hours if I explain our plans to the guard? If parking is limited to 3 hours at all times regardless of how long we'll be at the resort then we will make other transportation options, but it sure would be more convenient to just park there while we are using the facilities. If we're allowed, great. If not, then we'll make other plans. Thanks!

 

[winterman]

Spend the few bucks and use valet parking. The time won't be an issue.

 

[Lewisc]

I doubt Disney tows a car after 3 hours and 1 minute. I doubt Disney will tow a car at 10:30p.

You want to be safe? Either ask for a longer parking time or spring for valet parking.

 

[goofy4tink]

You shouldn't have any issues. Many times there won't be a 3 hr parking permit given...and this is why there is so much 'discussion' here on the boards about parking at a resort and then heading to a park, when you aren't a guest of that resort. It is truly a case of 'doing what you think is right'. We count on people 'doing the right thing' and not parking at the CR in order to walk over to the MK. But, if you are actively at the CR, using their facilities, then there should be no issue with parking there.

 

[Lewisc]

Restaurants like The Palm at the HRH and Shula's at the Dolphin offer complimentary valet parking to their guests. It's a shame Disney doesn't do the same to guests of their signature restaurants.

 

[seashoreCM]

Want to try this:
Hand carry the 3 hour pass out to the guard's shack. This almost proves you did not go to a theme park because no one in his right mind is going to return to the resort to "renew" his 3 hour pass and go to the park again.

(Or perhaps the concierge will issue you another 3 hour pass for you to run out to your car.)

By the way, if your ADR is at 7:15 and you stay for the fireworks at 10, are you overstaying your welcome? I read somewhere recently (I forget where) that one of the top ten complaints from wait staff is diners lingering too long, tying up a table that could accommodate another party and yield another tip.

 

[BalooHoo]

By the way, if your ADR is at 7:15 and you stay for the fireworks at 10, are you overstaying your welcome? I read somewhere recently (I forget where) that one of the top ten complaints from wait staff is diners lingering too long, tying up a table that could accommodate another party and yield another tip.

We wouldn't stay at our table for 3+ hours. We have a 7:45 ADR. If we have to wait to be seated, we may still be eating at 10:00. If our meal ends before 10:00, we plan to go out to the observation deck so other diners can have the table. I read that CG will give you a pass to return to the observation deck for fireworks if you ate there earlier in the evening. While we plan to be in the Contemporary for up to 4+ hours (leading to my original question about parking), we don't plan to be at our table for that long.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I read that CG will give you a pass to return to the observation deck for fireworks if you ate there earlier in the evening.

Actually if your meal is finished before the fireworks you go back to their 2nd floor check-in with your dinner reciept from that evening, show it to the Cast Member working there and they will let you back up in the elevator assigned for the California Grill.

 

[Alexander]

We eat at the Contemporary everytime we visit the world (3-4 times a year) at least twice (Chef Mickey's and California Grill). We have never been given a 3 hour pass. Often we spend more than 3 hours in the hotel between arriving early for dinner, having dinner, shopping, and my kids love the arcade there (it's huge compared to the other resorts).

Only twice (actually in the same trip) did we spring for valet because it was an absolute monsoon outside and we would have been drenched if we tried to walk 5 feet!

I don't think you are going to have any trouble at all. The only restrictions on parking at the Contemporary and Poly that we've ever encountered were on July 4th and other major holidays when everything is sold out and crazy busy.

 

[sotoalf]

It's not said enough on this board, but, really, it depends on the time of year and when the MK closes. If MK closes early, then the security guard rate at the gate will have far less of a problem allowing you to use guest parking. Disney only worries about guests using the CR lot to sneak into the MK during the day or to watch fireworks at night.

Otherwise, just valet.

 

[BalooHoo]

Thanks for the advice, everyone. Sounds like we should be OK. We'll just drive in and ask the guard if it's OK to stay until around 10:30. If he or she says no, we can always valet if needed.