parking at resorts

[lindajh]

I'm staying at Coronado. Can I park at a different resort - let's say the Contemporary - for the day, if I'm having dinner at California Grill?

 

[Jimmy G]

I just got back from the Poly and drove my car to the BC . I used valet and there was no problem. We were there about 5 hours. You should be able to do the same.

 

[JennBub]

Just got back on 12/3. If you're having dinner at a resort restaurant, you'll get a "pass" to leave on your dashboard for about a 3 hour window. Now, I have no idea what happens if you exceed that window. We ate at the Polynesian and then went to the MVMCP for many hours, so we opted to be safe and use the valet parking for the rest of the time (only $6 so worth it for peace of mind). When we were moving the car, I did see that the car next to us had one of these passes on their dash. It expired at 1:30pm, but it was 7pm and the car was still there!

Some of the staff (like at the Kona Cafe) that we spoke with said that pre-9/11, they would have been certain that exceeding the 3 hour window would have been fine, no repercussions, but with new security measures, they couldn't be sure anymore -- security *might* tow cars that are left too long. As the previous poster said, you're definitely safe with valet parking!

 

[DancingBear]

Unfortunately, too many people were parking at the monorail resorts and going to MK for the day, or parking at the Epcot resorts and going to Epcot for the day, so there weren't enough parking spaces for the resort guests.

Now you are not allowed to park at a resort unless you are eating dinner or something similar there (although they will generally allow you in if you just want to look around), and you will get a 3 hour parking pass. If you exceed the 3 hours you have a risk of being towed. Other posters on this site have reported seeing cars towed.

 

[DebbieB]

I used to park at the Polynesian with no problem before they started the 3 hour pass. We got a 3 hour pass on our trip in May. So this week I parked at the regular MK parking lot. I noticed when the monorail passed the Polynesian, the lot was practically empty. It really wasn't that much of a hassle parking in the regular lot, just the extra tram ride to the TTC. One thing that has changed - both days we went to MK they asked to see your ticket when exiting the TTC to the monorail ramps (where the gates are). I noticed when we were returning to the car on Thursday afternoon that they did not have a CM posted there, so it must be a morning thing.

 

[seashoreCM]

Suppose they tow cars at Polynesian and Contemporary only if the lots get full. Not sure whether this is what actually happens but it makes sense, especially to save the costs of bringing in a tow truck unless absolutely necessary. The guest getting his 3 hour pass won't know if or when a tow truck will appear so it is still wise to obey the rules.

Other Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

At a condominium where I used to live they towed someone's car for illegal parking and it took him $150. plus a 20 mile taxi ride to get it back. You really don't want to have a rental car towed.

 

[dcgrumpy]

I was at CSR 2 weeks ago. We ate at the CR, GF, Poly, BWI, AKL. The only one who gave us a parking pass was the POLY. All the others just let us in.

 

[wdwpixie]

We ate at the Poly, AKL, and spent time at the Boardwalk...no one issued us parking permits or passes...we just showed our ID at the gate, explained why we were there (breakfast, dinner, etc.) and were directed where to park...there was plenty of parkin g at all the resorts and we never felt that there was a fear of our car being towed, etc....and we spent about 8 hours at the Boardwalk as we ended up in Epcot and then met the rest of our party there and stayed beyond what we expected -- our car was still in the lot when we left that night....

That being said, if anyone's looking for a GREAT new restaurant to try, go to Boma's...what a fantastic buffet experience and my family (mom, dad, kids 22, 18 & 14) LOVED it....it was really amazing!!

Have a good trip!!