Parking at Other Resorts

[hoff41]

So i'm interested in resort hopping to check out the other resorts quick dining option (so no reservations) and grounds. I know pools are off limits but if I wanted to do this is parking allowed or do i need to take the disney buses?

 

[_auroraborealis_]

It varies. It's at the discretion of the guard, and you may have some issues at the monorail and Epcot resorts. If it's near a big holiday, the answer will often be 'nein.' Other times, it may not be a big deal.

A lot of people try to park at the monorail resorts and Epcot resorts to go to parks, which is not permitted.

 

[phillymummer]

So where is the best place to park when resort hopping? TCC or DS?

 

[halfpintpeggy]

As long as the resorts are not at full capacity, you should be able to park at them.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I'd park at TTC to be on the safe side, if you plan to visit the monorail resorts. Since you're staying on property, you don't have to pay to park there.

 

[loves to dive]

I tend to stay at the Epcot resorts and I can tell you the parking at BW and YC is limited. If you plan on going to those, I would say hop a bus to the studios and either walk or jump on the boat. You can park free at the studios and don't have to enter the park to get on the boat.

 

[mikerohlfing]

I'd park at TTC to be on the safe side, if you plan to visit the monorail resorts. Since you're staying on property, you don't have to pay to park there.

Would it be okay to park at Disney Springs for a day of Resort Hopping?

 

[KrazeeK120]

Would it be okay to park at Disney Springs for a day of Resort Hopping?

I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with that, but I don't think it's the most convenient.

Taking the monorail around would be the easiest way to see the monorail resorts. If you're looking to visit the Epcot-area resorts, it would be best to park at DHS and either walk or boat over to the area.

If you want to see both areas, I'd actually park at TTC and visit the monorail resorts, then drive to DHS in order to visit the Epcot-area resorts. If you want to visit AKL, I'd just drive directly there. To visit WL, take a boat from MK.

Parking at DS is going to put you way out of your way, no matter where you're going.

 

[mikerohlfing]

I don't think there's necessarily anything wrong with that, but I don't think it's the most convenient.

Taking the monorail around would be the easiest way to see the monorail resorts. If you're looking to visit the Epcot-area resorts, it would be best to park at DHS and either walk or boat over to the area.

If you want to see both areas, I'd actually park at TTC and visit the monorail resorts, then drive to DHS in order to visit the Epcot-area resorts. If you want to visit AKL, I'd just drive directly there. To visit WL, take a boat from MK.

Parking at DS is going to put you way out of your way, no matter where you're going.

I guess the point would be to save the $15/20 it costs to park at TTC. Aren't there busses to every resort at DS? Thanks!

 

[AngiTN]

I guess the point would be to save the $15/20 it costs to park at TTC. Aren't there busses to every resort at DS? Thanks!

Yes, you can get to a resort from DS. Parks no, Resorts yes.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I guess the point would be to save the $15/20 it costs to park at TTC. Aren't there busses to every resort at DS? Thanks!

Oh, sorry, I thought you were staying on property.

 

[mikerohlfing]

Oh, sorry, I thought you were staying on property.

It's okay. I'm doing a funky trip in October. Doing a half-day of Disney resort hopping and Disney Springs-ing while waiting for my wife to arrive in Orlando. Then a day at Universal (staying at Cabana Bay and mainly seeing the Harry Potter stuff), and then a day at Magic Kingdom. We'll be staying at Pop Century the night of our Magic Kingdom visit.

 

[Marionnette]

I guess the point would be to save the $15/20 it costs to park at TTC. Aren't there busses to every resort at DS? Thanks!

Personally, I would spend the $20 to park at TTC instead of wasting time parking in the DS garage, walking to a bus stop, waiting for a resort bus and then taking the long ride from DS to either the Epcot Resorts or MK resorts (and then doing the reverse to get back to DS to get my car).

ETA: I'd park my car in the TCC lot and take the tram to TCC. Instead of the monorail, I would walk to the Poly from there. Then I'd monorail over to GF, followed by the CR. Once done at CR, I would walk over to the MK and grab the first bus I saw for one of the Epcot resorts. Visit the Epcot resorts and then take a bus back to MK. Take the ferry or monorail back to TCC, tram to your car and you're done! Twenty bucks spent for a full day of resort hopping and you never need to move your car once it has been parked.

 

[mikerohlfing]

Personally, I would spend the $20 to park at TTC instead of wasting time parking in the DS garage, walking to a bus stop, waiting for a resort bus and then taking the long ride from DS to either the Epcot Resorts or MK resorts (and then doing the reverse to get back to DS to get my car).

ETA: I'd park my car in the TCC lot and take the tram to TCC. Instead of the monorail, I would walk to the Poly from there. Then I'd monorail over to GF, followed by the CR. Once done at CR, I would walk over to the MK and grab the first bus I saw for one of the Epcot resorts. Visit the Epcot resorts and then take a bus back to MK. Take the ferry or monorail back to TCC, tram to your car and you're done! Twenty bucks spent for a full day of resort hopping and you never need to move your car once it has been parked.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[HopperFan]

It's okay. I'm doing a funky trip in October. Doing a half-day of Disney resort hopping and Disney Springs-ing while waiting for my wife to arrive in Orlando. Then a day at Universal (staying at Cabana Bay and mainly seeing the Harry Potter stuff), and then a day at Magic Kingdom. We'll be staying at Pop Century the night of our Magic Kingdom visit.

If you only have half a day, you will be pressed to do Disney Springs and resort hop.

- Disney Springs opens at 10 am.
- I would go there and park in the Orange Garage.
- The bus depot is right next door and buses will start at 10 am.
- I would take bus to Contemporary, Polynesian or Grand Floridian.
- Visit all three via Monorail but ending at Contemporary.
- Walk across street to MK Bus Depot.
- Catch bus to AKL (because it's beautiful and great resort to visit)
- If you still have time you can take the bus to DHS and walk to YC/BC and BWI.
- Personally I would probably skip those and just take a bus from AKL to Disney Springs.
- Enjoy what time I have left at Disney Springs, there is so much and it turned out really pretty.

https://wdpromedia.disney.go.com/me.../destinations/downtown-disney/ds-jul-2016.pdf

 

[_auroraborealis_]

While DS has buses to every resort, the bus situation in DS is not exactly optimal. Worst buses on property.

 

[mikerohlfing]

While DS has buses to every resort, the bus situation in DS is not exactly optimal. Worst buses on property.

Though the nice thing about it is that only 1 out of 3 monorail-resort-busses needs to show up, and I'll be fine.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Though the nice thing about it is that only 1 out of 3 monorail-resort-busses needs to show up, and I'll be fine.

Ah, but then you need to get BACK.

 

[mikerohlfing]

Ah, but then you need to get BACK.

I have a reservation at Kona in the evening... so maybe they'll let me park at Poly in the afternoon?

 

[Marionnette]

I have a reservation at Kona in the evening... so maybe they'll let me park at Poly in the afternoon?

You will be able to park for a few hours when you have a dining reservation. How much earlier than your ADR begins would be at the discretion of the guard at the gate. Chances are pretty good that if you have an 8 PM dinner reservation, you're not going to be permitted to park at 3 PM. But if your ADR is at 5 PM, it would not be unreasonable to ask to park at 3 PM so that you can have a cocktail in one of the lounges, shop at the resort gift shop and take a walk around the resort prior to dinner. But again, it is up to the guard at the gate.

If you were to be turned away, what would your back up plan be?