Parking at Resorts for QS?

[wmjeffer]

Hi everyone! My family and I would love to visit some Disney resorts to eat dinner at their QS locations (QS so we don't need reservations - with a three year old, our schedule varies and we don't want to be tied down time-wise!). I've heard of people getting turned away from the monorail resorts without actual reservations - is this the norm? Will we have issues visiting other resorts and telling them we just want to eat and shop (like AKL, POFQ, WL, etc.)?

Thank you!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Getting turned away from Boardwalk, Beach Club, Contemporary, GF and Poly is not unusual. WL has been okay, but with the new villas opening and room capacity enlarging, they may start enforcing more. AKL generally won't care; mods won't care.

 

[Beer Me]

You will hear different views with many here believing Disney takes a hard line on resort parking for visitors. Personally I have found they try to be accommodating.

I would tell the guard your plans and follow their directions. Worst case for the monorail resorts is that they ask you to park at the TTC. The boardwalk is another place where parking can be an issue. Again, be honest about your intentions and most likely you will have no problems. Valet parking for a fee is an option but probably won't be necessary.

None of the other resorts should be a problem.

 

[LilyWDW]

And a lot depends on the time of year. Don't expect to be allowed to park at the Epcot resorts during Food and Wine for example (and especially on weekends). I have personally seen them turning away anyone who was not staying at the Boardwalk. Not even those with ADRs were being allowed to park in the self parking areas of the resort.

 

[wdwthanksgiving]

We tried to park at the Contemporary during F&W - wanted to eat at the Contempo - we were sent to TTC which was packed. That was the only restaurant we had a problem with..we parked at Beach Club and WL for QS and Poly for Trader Sams. We have parked at the Contemporary other visits when nothing special was going on and didn't have a problem.

 

[jwfla422]

And a lot depends on the time of year. Don't expect to be allowed to park at the Epcot resorts during Food and Wine for example (and especially on weekends). I have personally seen them turning away anyone who was not staying at the Boardwalk. Not even those with ADRs were being allowed to park in the self parking areas of the resort.

I understand trying to park there to go to Epcot would be a no-no...but...

Where do they expect you to park if you have an ADR for say...Bon Voyage breakfast...or FF dinner? Do they expect you to park at a HS or EPCOT and then transfer to a bus or boat (which adds another 30+ to your commute)? Do they tell you this when your ADR is
10 minutes from the time you're trying to get into the resort parking lot?

There is no information when making the ADR that says if you drive to the resort you may not be able to park there? If this is the case they better start adding this in BOLD clearly stating you may not be able to park at the resort you're making the ADR at and where to park so you are prepared to do that BEFORE you go. If they turn you away and you miss your ADR because that meal ends by the time you get there well I certainly wouldn't be paying a no show fee.

 

[tsme]

You could take a cab/uber to the resort you want to eat at, then there shouldn't be any problems.

 

[maxiesmom]

I understand trying to park there to go to Epcot would be a no-no...but...

Where do they expect you to park if you have an ADR for say...Bon Voyage breakfast...or FF dinner? Do they expect you to park at a HS or EPCOT and then transfer to a bus or boat (which adds another 30+ to your commute)? Do they tell you this when your ADR is
10 minutes from the time you're trying to get into the resort parking lot?

There is no information when making the ADR that says if you drive to the resort you may not be able to park there? If this is the case they better start adding this in BOLD clearly stating you may not be able to park at the resort you're making the ADR at and where to park so you are prepared to do that BEFORE you go. If they turn you away and you miss your ADR because that meal ends by the time you get there well I certainly wouldn't be paying a no show fee.

Well, the Disney web site states to allow 90 minutes to get to any ADR. So if you follow that, even having to turn around for parking you should have plenty of time to make a meal.