Parking at Resorts other than your own

[afc104]

It's been 6 years since we last went to WDW. I always have a car rental. One of the things we did last time, which worked really well, was to choose to eat at a restaurant at another resort and use their transporation to the park. For example when we went to the Magic Kingdom we went to the Poly to eat left the car there and used the monorail, one time we ate at the ESPN Zone and just walked to Epcot and took the boat to MGM. I liked this beause we avoided the rush of cars at the parking lots at the theme parks and also didn't have to worry about trams to get to your car.

Is this still a good strategy or is it even allowed. A Disney employee at the resort we were staying at actually gave us this tip and I really thought it was great. Thanks for any input.

 

[nhpooh]

We did and do the same thing. We did this during our last trip no problems.

 

[safetymom]

There are certain resorts where they are more careful about who they let park there. You may get a 3 hour parking permit. The ones around MK will enforce the policy.

Why not park in the lot at MK and take the tram to the TTC and then go to the Poly?

 

[TammiMcMan]

This can be sort of a touchy subject here. The resort parking lots are primarily for the guests of that particular resort. I'm sure they have some overflow to account for guests coming to tour the resort and/or have a meal there. In those instances, the security guards will issue a 3 hour parking pass. Parking at some of the resorts is very limited and I can understand how someone who is staying at Poly, would be upset to drive into their resort and have no place to park their car.

 

[skiwee1]

I do know they were towing folks at the Poly three weeks ago for leaving their cars there. This wasn't high season either. I have seen them tow cars for the past 4 years. I rarely drive to WDW but would not like having someone not staying at the resort taking up parking spaces. I think it's rude.

 

[nhpooh]

This can be sort of a touchy subject here. The resort parking lots are primarily for the guests of that particular resort. I'm sure they have some overflow to account for guests coming to tour the resort and/or have a meal there. In those instances, the security guards will issue a 3 hour parking pass. Parking at some of the resorts is very limited and I can understand how someone who is staying at Poly, would be upset to drive into their resort and have no place to park their car.

Never got one of those 3 hour parking passes. Eat and parked at the Poly, eat and parked at the CR and eat and parked at the AKL. NO 3 HOUR PASS was issued.

 

[afc104]

Thanks for the input. I can see where it could be a problem but the last time I did it at the Poly we parked far away and the lot was half full at best. I do find it odd that an employee would have given me the idea to begin with when it seem to be frowned on. But like I said that was 6 years ago and maybe too many people started doing it.

 

[TandCmum]

we only parked at one other resort other than our own and that was CR for ADR at chef mickeys. We never got issued a 3 hour parking pass, not that we would have stayed longer anyway> i'd heard that 3 hr parking permits were issued so i was quite suprised and presumed it was because we were onsite guests anyway

 

[jenjersnap]

We saw them preparing to tow cars from the Contemporary in December. They seemed to be taking careful note of the 3-hour passes and writing down plate numbers. I have read here of people with ADRs being turned away from the Poly when the lot is nearing capacity. Parking is tight for guests of many Disney resorts, add in restaurant customers who ditch their cars to go to the parks and it can be very crowded indeed.

Personally, if I am going to park at a resort where I am not a guest for an extended period of time I will pay to valet park. It is around $7 (someone will correct me if it's gone up in price this year) and feels like a reasonable compromise to me.

 

[mickeyluv'r]

This is a touchy subject here, but I think there is a big difference between an onsite guest parking at a different resort, and an off site guest parking at a given resort. I'm pretty sure they only tow the latter. If you are an onsite guest, you are allowed to park at any other resort. If you are an offsite guest than it is true they will only give you a three hour parking pass.

Having said that, in most cases, it won't save you time. In a few cases it might be easier, but in most cases it won't be, and you'll be inconveniencing other guests in the process. The bus sytem is pretty good. Let's say that you park at the Contemporary to go to the MK, you'll have to walk the extra distance to your car, when it's easier to take the bus back to your resort. It might save a few minutes of waiting time at the bus stop, or bus time while the bus drops off other guests, but usually the wait for a bus isn't very long.

If you drive to Epcot, and you go to the EMH hours, you might find yourself at the far end of the park at the end of the night. During Epcot EMH, most of the attractions are in the future world part of the park. Most of the WS food pavillions are closed. So you'd have to walk all the way to the far end of the WS, then all the way around the BWK/BC/YC, then all the way out to your car (unless you pay for valet service). (The Swan/Doplhin now charge for parking.) Since you aren't a resort guest, you aren't going to get a spot near the hotel. (We've gone to the BWK at night for dinner and evening activities.) Plus, for the drive home, you have to stay on the public roads. The buses have special access roads, so your drive home will likely require more driving. WDW is not the easiest place to navigate. You are going to be tired, and you'll have to concentrate. If you miss your turn, things could get ugly. Even if you do everything correctly, it's going to take you a LOT longer to get back to your hotel than simply taking the bus. AND last but not least, the designated driver has to remain sober.
From MGM to BWK for parking, you'll also have to take the boat from MGM to the BWK area. The wait for that boat is at least as long as the wait for your bus would be, and you'll still have to walk out to where your car is parked at the BWK. So again, I don't see how this is any easier than simply taking the bus back to your resort.

Now, if you are planning on eating at the GF, say, and you're worried about getting there on time from your onsite resort, then it might be slightly faster to drive directly to their parking lot. But again, it might actually take you longer to get back to your resort at the end of the night. Or if you were staying at Pop, and you wanted to eat at CSR then go to a park, it would be easier to take a car to CSR, and then take your car to the park.

 

[arizonacolbys]

We were on-site guests at POP in May & on our last morning went to the Polynesian for breakfast, before heading to the MK for a couple hours before our flight out.

We were only given a 3 hour parking permit, so after breakfast we had to go over and park at the MK & hop on a tram, and then the boat over. It was aggravating at the time, but I would much rather go through this than have my car towed.

 

[Lan]

I stayed at Pop earlier this month and was given a 3 hour parking pass at the Poly. I was going there to eat at O'hanas.

 

[shoes99]

Never got one of those 3 hour parking passes. Eat and parked at the Poly, eat and parked at the CR and eat and parked at the AKL. NO 3 HOUR PASS was issued.

I have gotten 3 hour passes at the CR, the Poly and the AKL in the past year. We were just shopping, so we didn't intend on leaving our car parked at those resorts. I was surprised at getting one at AKL..

 

[dcgrumpy]

I've always been given a 3 hour pass at the Poly, at CR we've only been given a pass once.

 

[Lewisc]

Not really. The lots at the POLY and Contemporary aren't large enough to accomodate the WDW resort guests that would rather park there than in the MK parking lot. The parking pass you get allows you to park in your own resort and in the theme parks. Guests paying to stay at the POLY who can't find a parking spot don't care if the parking spots are being occupied by guests who're staying at POP, BC or in a Days Inn.

If the resort is full you may be issued a 3 hour parking pass. Exceed the three hours and you might be towed even if you're staying onsite.

This is a touchy subject here, but I think there is a big difference between an onsite guest parking at a different resort, and an off site guest parking at a given resort. I'm pretty sure they only tow the latter. If you are an onsite guest, you are allowed to park at any other resort. If you are an offsite guest than it is true they will only give you a three hour parking pass.

 

[lkneller]

Stayed at POR in September.

Had reservations at Poly (Kona) for dinner. Was given 3 hour parking pass.

Had reservations at CSR (Maya Grill), waved through with POR parking pass.

Went to BC for Beaches & Cream, (it was later like around 7:30PM), guard looked at POR pass and waved us through. Also there there was a sign saying they could not accomodate Epcot parking.

It seems to me it all depends on the guard, and maybe the time of day and maybe even the day of the week or the crowds for the day.

I can say that it isn't the way it used to be a few years ago. When you could come and go anywhere on the property with a resort parking pass.

Also I do agree that the people that are staying at the resort should be guaranteed a place to park. I remember the days when we used to stay at the BC and the parking lot was pretty darn full. So it does seem like they are trying to make sure registered quests have ample parking.

 

[afc104]

After reading the responses may rethink and take advantage of the Magical Express Service, although we will fly USAIR and can't take advantage of luggage portion, and just use internal transportation. Is it true that on your return trip to airport the express service has you leave 3 hours before flight. Seems overkill especially if you have a 7 a.m. flight.

We are thinking of staying at the CSR, waiting to see what deals are coming out for January. Those of you who have stayed there did you find the bus system efficient. My biggest concern is waiting for busus when I could be enjoying the park.

Thanks again to all who responded.

 

[iliketoby]

$5 or $10 to a valet person and I think they'd let you abandon your first born!

The rules are that even if you're staying on WDW property, you can't park at, say, the Beach Club all day just because it happens to be the most convenient to the World Showcase. Whether or not they are enforced, I dunno.

 

[nhpooh]

I have gotten 3 hour passes at the CR, the Poly and the AKL in the past year. We were just shopping, so we didn't intend on leaving our car parked at those resorts. I was surprised at getting one at AKL..

This past Sept we went to AKL to see it and stayed for a drink at the pool bar. At this time never givin the 3 hour pass, we were staying at POFQ for this visit .

 

[beattyfamily]

They are more strict about this practice at the monorail resorts, especially in the morning hours, as they know that many are trying to do what the OP is asking about.

I've stayed at the CR 3 times now and sometimes its so hard to find a parking space, so I'm very glad to hear that, for the most part, they are enforcing the 3 hour pass limit.

Once when we stayed at the BC but had an ADR at Chef Mickey's we were given a 3 hour pass.