Parking at Contemporary for Chef Mickeys...

[onemaybaby]

Hi Everyone!
Can anyone help me out with some information about parking at Contemporary for Chef Mickeys Character breakfast.

I thought I read somewhere that if you have an ADR at a restaurant in the resort they gave you a 3 hour parking pass, however if you parked in valet parking there was no time limit? Can anyone confirm this? We have an ADR at Chef Mickeys for 11am, so I would love to park at the resort early, then walk over to MK then back to Chef Mickeys, because after that we would be leaving to go to our hotel for some R&R for the afternoon. We did eat here during our last visit to the parks and all we had to do was check in at the little booth, and they confirmed that our name was on the reservation list and we were able to park. I don't remember being told a time frame, nor do I remember seeing a valet parking.

Any tips would be great! Thanks so much.

Stephanie

 

[bavaria]

Welcome to your first post!

Frankly, it all depends....

You may not realize it but you have posted about a touchy subject. Parking at the Contemporary is a little tight sometimes with conventions, and with construction now it is getting very tight.

Having said that, I have been at the Contemporary many times for dining and/or business (I don't like the resort so I don't stay there). Usually when I drive in during off season I am not asked for ID; I either show my room key from another resort, or am not asked to show anything at all.

Usually I am given a 3 hour pass; sometimes I am not given any pass. I recently asked for a pass and the guard laughed and said 'come on in!!!'

During busy periods, they may ask for your reservation number and check against a list.

There is no 'official' time limit for using valet; the general message from WDW is that valet parking is for use while enjoying the resort (applies to any resort with valet parking)

I realize that I gave you a non answer, but in my many experiences I have not had issues. Others have been told very specifically that they could only park for 3 hours while dining, and yet others have reported seeing cars being towed.

Your safest bet is to park at the TTC, take the monorail to the Conteporary, and walk to the MK.

 

[bavaria]

Valet parking is located at the very front of the resort; enter at the security booth and continue to your right to the valet area. Parking is $10 for the day, and the valet ticket will allow you to valet at other WDW with valet service for the remainder of the day.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Speaking as someone who always stays at the Contemporary it can be frustrating to park there some nights because of all the cars who park for Chef Mickey's, Concourse Steakhouse and the California Grill. On top of that there are there are also the small number of guests who leave their cars parked in the regular lot and go off to the Magic Kingdom for a few hours eventhough it's not allowed. Since we never use valet parking if you want to leave your car in the valet lot and go to the Magic Kingdom I guess there is nothing stopping you from doing that, however my personal belief is that if the regular parking lot is only for the Contemporary then it should be the same for valet parking lot. Also including the tip it will cost you more to valet park then it would pay the $10.00 flat fee to park at the TTC and to take the Resort Monorail over to the Contemporary.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yep, a very touchy subject. Welcome to the DIS boards though.
You will find that there are going to be some who say, sure, go ahead park at a resort and walk to the adjacent park. They will even tell you that you don't have to pay for valet parking. Others will tell you that no way, no how should you be parking at the resort for more time than is needed for your meal. Then, there are yet others who will tell you to valet park and then go about your business.
I guess I would fall into the last group. Only those paying to stay at a particular resort are entitled to 'long term' free parking at that resort. They are paying a hefty amount to have the ability to walk to a park from their resort. Those that come to eat and then leave their cars there in order to walk over to a park are infringing on those who need the parking spots (and have paid for them out of their nightly rates at that resort). This applies to the MK resorts as well as the Epcot resorts.
So...either valet park, or better yet, use the main parking lot at the TTC. It will actually be cheaper.
Again, Welcome to the DIS boards. You are going to find some terrific info here. Hope you continue to post and to share your insights and WDW info with others.

 

[onemaybaby]

I did not even think of all these factors when I asked the question. I was just thinking for convenience sake, and because I would be leaving WDW to go back to my own hotel right after breakfast (we have a later reservation) it would just be easier, but after all those valid points I would feel guilty parking there. Do the lots really fill up to the point that even on site guests can't even park. That would make me mad too!

Well, thank you for the insight! And by the way, love the board...I have gotten some great info already!
Stephanie

 

[goofy4tink]

I did not even think of all these factors when I asked the question. I was just thinking for convenience sake, and because I would be leaving WDW to go back to my own hotel right after breakfast (we have a later reservation) it would just be easier, but after all those valid points I would feel guilty parking there. Do the lots really fill up to the point that even on site guests can't even park. That would make me mad too!

Well, thank you for the insight! And by the way, love the board...I have gotten some great info already!
Stephanie

The parking lot at the Contemporary can be a bit of a squeeze now. They are demolishing the North Wing and have subsequently lost all the parking in that area, so that has left fewer spots open. Most of the resorts that are close enough to walk to a park (CR, BW, YC/BC, S/D) have parking lots that can fill up as the day progresses because there are always going to be those who feel entitled to park there, even though not staying at the resort. Then, those who are staying there, can't find a 'good' spot when they return to the resort. So, thanks for your understanding. Sure do wish more people 'got it' when it comes to using the parking at other resorts.

 

[NJDad18]

I just drive and park at MK and get there for when it opens. It's one of the best times to be in the park and then just walk over to the Contemporary. If you were willing to pay to valet park at the Contemporary, then just pay to park at MK. If your resort has transportation to MK, then just get to MK early and use your free transportation.

The last time we ate at Chef Mickey's we parked at the Contemporary and they made us park in a certain section of the lot with a 3-hour permit that you need to put in your window.

I would think that with all of the new construction and parking limited I think that they will really look at every car that wants to park there.

 

[bavaria]

I would think that with all of the new construction and parking limited I think that they will really look at every car that wants to park there.

Actually, I do think that they do that only during busier periods. I parked at the Contemporary several times this past Jan and Feb when the parking lot was torn up and the guard didn't even want my room key.

Also, for all that we endlessly debate these topics, remember that the majority of people travelling to WDW don't read message boards, and don't think about these things. They probably don't realize that it's not considered appropriate to park at the Contemporary by some, or they valet park without thinking about it.

I'm not condoning things one way or another; frankly I do think that it is a 'hot' topic here but not in WDW's eyes or they would take further measures in regard to resort parking.

 

[onemaybaby]

I was intending on paying at the contemporary and then again at the MK when we get there after lunch. I just assumed that I would have to pay at the contemporary for the breakfast, so that is where my original thought came from of staying there for a few hours.

But I will definately be parking at MK and walking over. How long of a walk is it anyway?

 

[bavaria]

It's about a 5 min walk to the MK but factor in a little longer to get to the bag check and entrance - about 10 min total probably.....

 

[NJDad18]

But I will definately be parking at MK and walking over. How long of a walk is it anyway?

You can also take the resort monorail from MK to the Contemporary. I don't know if the Contemporary is the first or the last stop on the monorail. If it's the last, walking will be shorter.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

You can also take the resort monorail from MK to the Contemporary. I don't know if the Contemporary is the first or the last stop on the monorail. If it's the last, walking will be shorter.

When taking the Resort Monorail from the Magic Kingdom to the Contemporary the Contemporary is the next stop.

 

[tinktime]

We stayed @ POP in dec 2005.

Bus picked up @ POP for chef mickey... took us straight to the CR.
The bus had "chef mickeys" on the sign... and the bus driver opened the door... and said " anyone for breakfast with Mickey??"
This wasnt planned at all.... we were planning taking bus to MK and walking over.
We were soo exicted we forgot to ask bus driver........ if that was the norm...
It was a nice surprise to say the least... call your resort and ask them... do the buses - communicate with ADR???

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

We stayed @ POP in dec 2005.

Bus picked up @ POP for chef mickey... took us straight to the CR.
The bus had "chef mickeys" on the sign... and the bus driver opened the door... and said " anyone for breakfast with Mickey??"
This wasnt planned at all.... we were planning taking bus to MK and walking over.
We were soo exicted we forgot to ask bus driver........ if that was the norm...
It was a nice surprise to say the least... call your resort and ask them... do the buses - communicate with ADR???

I have found out these boards that sometimes in the mornings they will have buses from the other Resorts that will take guests to the Contemporary for Chef Mickey's very early in the mornings. I can not say for sure that happens all the time but a lot of guests like you have had the same experience.