Parking at the Contemporary for MK

[Deb & Bill]

You would have to pay at any non-DVC resort that you valet park at. Pay to park plus tip the valet.

DVC members are only entitled to valet park for free (but still tip) at VWL, BWV and BC/BCV. Not YC, not CR, not PR, not GF. When you enter the resort, you will see signs at the guard shack that says that they are sorry, but they cannot provide parking for the theme parks. So use the facilities at the resort and park there. Or pay to park at the theme park and go there.

 

[DrBond007]

Come on down to SSR a hitch a ride with the rest of them............j/k

 

[Scoootch]

OK, can you then valet park at the CR, BW, YC/BC, etc. and go to the park all day....?

Just to add my 2 cents here

Yes. However, that is exactly I suspect why a few yrs ago, they discontinued valet parking being free at all the resorts that offer it If you notice, the charge to valet park at resorts like the CR is the same amount as to park at the theme parks. Too many people were abusing the privelege trying to get out of paying to park and using the resorts for theme park access...now to valet park at the resorts it's costing extra $$. Really stinks for those of us who like to go over to the GF for a nice dinner at Citrico's or V&A's and only want to valet park for the duration of a meal I'm not cheap mind you...I can afford it, but all the same we work hard for our $$ and now that's all that much more to pay that we previously didn't have to and I find it a shame that it's once again thanks to those who've abused the privelege.

Please understand, I'm not trying to beat up on the OP'r...they very well may not have realized, but what a shame that between all those who've misunderstood or blatenly fully realized it ...that it's now one more thing of the past

 

[disney junky]

Okay then, back to the OP. You were staying on site, had a KW pass and could have parked at MK for free, but decided to park at the CR, where you weren't supposed to park. Am I missing something here? Why would someone park where they shouldn't park to go to a place where they could have parked for free? This one makes my head hurt....

 

[DebbieB]

Okay then, back to the OP. You were staying on site, had a KW pass and could have parked at MK for free, but decided to park at the CR, where you weren't supposed to park. Am I missing something here? Why would someone park where they shouldn't park to go to a place where they could have parked for free? This one makes my head hurt....

Because it's more convenient to park at the CR and walk over to MK than go through the parking tram & TTC. But the lot has limited space and needs to be reserved for people staying there or dining there.

Regarding valet parking, if you have a DDE card, you can get free valet by presenting the card and your dining receipt from that resort.

 

[disney junky]

Because it's more convenient to park at the CR and walk over to MK than go through the parking tram & TTC.

No question about convenience. Waiting in line for an hour to ride a ride is inconvenient, but it's what we do. My point is, circumventing the rules creates hardships for others, namely people who expect to be able to park at the hotel they've paid for.

 

[rigsby25]

I'm not sure if it was on the Community Board or the Budget Board where I first learned about this. But I thought it was here. Anyway, I put the warning up so others would not do it. I'm not condoning it since it is wrong. I got the impression from other posts that this was widely done, and a "perk" for those staying at other resort hotels. Before Saturday we were waived through with no questions asked. I know you are allowed to swim in the pools, etc. The bottom line is that if you feel compelled to lie about something, you know it is not right. That is why we moved the car to the MK lot and not the Poly or GF. I myself dislike people who think the rules are above them. We will never do this again! And I sincerely hope everyone else who reads this decides not to do it either. I'm all for taking this thread off the board so as not to give others any ideas!

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Here's a problem -
We're going to Chef Mickey's for a 7 am breakfast the week before Easter. I'd be happy to park at the MK lot at 6:30 that morning, and take the monorail over, but I don't think the MK lot opens that early. We want to go to the MK as soon as it opens (which is sometimes as early as 8 am that time of year), and stay until about 11 am when the crowds become unbearable.

If we don't leave our car at the Contemporary, at least one of us is going to have to use up an hour of prime non-crowded park time to move the car to the MK lot. If we stay in the Contemporary lot an hour or an hour and a half past our 3 hours (which would technically be up at 9:30 am if we pull in at 6:30) , will we be towed? We're not trying to beat the system, we just don't want to lose out on park time because of it.

 

[Pa@okw95]

Years ago it was possible to park there but not anymore. That is why I take the bus to MK. You can drive to the other parks if you want. The problem with MK if you drive is you have to get across the lake. From OKW it is always better to drive to the other parks in my opinion unless you can tolerate the bus rides.

 

[lllovell]

Unless you are like me and have small children that think the monorail IS a ride too.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Here's a problem -
We're going to Chef Mickey's for a 7 am breakfast the week before Easter. I'd be happy to park at the MK lot at 6:30 that morning, and take the monorail over, but I don't think the MK lot opens that early. We want to go to the MK as soon as it opens (which is sometimes as early as 8 am that time of year), and stay until about 11 am when the crowds become unbearable.

If we don't leave our car at the Contemporary, at least one of us is going to have to use up an hour of prime non-crowded park time to move the car to the MK lot. If we stay in the Contemporary lot an hour or an hour and a half past our 3 hours (which would technically be up at 9:30 am if we pull in at 6:30) , will we be towed? We're not trying to beat the system, we just don't want to lose out on park time because of it.

I can't see it taking an hour. Someone drives the car to the MK lot - 5, 10 minutes, tops, from the CR - and parks. The rest in the party takes the monorail to the TTC and waits for the car mover; everyone goes to the MK!

And - at least as of today - the MK isn't opening any early than 9AM for the entire month of March....

 

[mrsR123]

Here's a problem -
We're going to Chef Mickey's for a 7 am breakfast the week before Easter. I'd be happy to park at the MK lot at 6:30 that morning, and take the monorail over, but I don't think the MK lot opens that early. We want to go to the MK as soon as it opens (which is sometimes as early as 8 am that time of year), and stay until about 11 am when the crowds become unbearable.

If we don't leave our car at the Contemporary, at least one of us is going to have to use up an hour of prime non-crowded park time to move the car to the MK lot. If we stay in the Contemporary lot an hour or an hour and a half past our 3 hours (which would technically be up at 9:30 am if we pull in at 6:30) , will we be towed? We're not trying to beat the system, we just don't want to lose out on park time because of it.

When we last obtained a Chef Mickey's parking pass, it was for two or three hours. MK'ing until 11:00 shouldn't be a "flamable" offense. Staying past lunch, however, seems to push the limits of fairness. JMHO

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Ok if you have a resort parking pass which also has the benefit to park for free at any park, why do you need to park at the Contemporary?

 

[crisi]

The MK lots may not open early enough for her breakfast at Chef Mickey's.

I think you have four choices:

Park in short term parking, leave your car and hope it doesn't get towed.
Park in short term parking, have one member of your party move the car
Take Disney transportation that morning. Get home either with Disney transportation or a cab.
Take a cab that morning, get home either with Disney transportation or a cab.

(personally, I'd do the taxi, but I'm a WDW taxi addict).

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

I appreciate all your comments.

We won't be able to take Disney transport from our hotel, because we are spending our first night off-site and coming to Chef Mickey's from there. We will check into BWV right after we leave the MK. We'd have to be at the Boardwalk about 5:30 am (with an 8 month old and a two year old!) in order to check in and then take Disney transport to Chef Mickey's!

I really do think it will take a long time to move the car after breakfast - walk to the car from Chef Mickey's, drive to the MK lot, take the tram to the TTC, ride the monorail to the MK, try to find the rest of the group. If this were a normal time of year I wouldn't be worried, but this is the week before EASTER.

Does Disney tow????

 

[CarolMN]

...(snip).... If this were a normal time of year I wouldn't be worried, but this is the week before EASTER.

Does Disney tow????

Which is exactly why you have to have a good plan! During peak seasons (which definitely includes the week before Easter), the guards at the CR will be very particular about parking at the MK resorts. If it were me, I'd drive to the CR and valet park. (I'd gladly pay the valet parking fee plus tips to have peace of mind). I'd eat, enjoy the MK until 11 and then pick up the car to go to the BWV. I'd tell the guard about the PS when questioned at the CR entrance - he/she may want to know the confirmation number. I'd also ask where I need to go to valet park.

Best wishes -

 

[DebbieB]

I agree with Carol, I would valet park. They aren't going to tow out of valet parking.

 

[donaldbuzz&minnie]

Whew! Thanks. Valet parking. That's going to be the plan.

Until I read this thread I hadn't realized we might be towed if we went an hour or so beyond the parking pass. Not a good way to start our vacation!

Don't think we're going to try a 7 am breakfast at Chef Mickey's again any time soon, but thanks for saving me from my naivete on this trip.

 

[CarolA]

I think this is a bad idea and when and if they build the CR so will you... Why should the guests staying there not have a space so you can walk to MK. Considering I see DVC members complaining about this for BCV and BWV turn about seems fair.

(Can't you see the posts... "I couldn't find a space for my car and saw people walking to MK from the parking lot")

 

[lllovell]

We did something similar once when eating a Char Breakfast at the Poly. We let the valet take the car and when we were leaving, THEY suggested just taking the bus from there and leaving our car. It never crossed our minds to be honest. The valet was even so nice as to run TO the car and get our stroller to take into the park because I said we weren't ready to go to the parks as some stuff was in the car still. Of course we tipped him well, but he had no guarantees of it. He offered and was wonderfully nice. It was one of our first Disney experiences and it is part of what made us trade in our hoppers for APs on that trip and then buy into DVC this past fall.

Not sure it if was rule breaking or not to be honest. I would never park in a lot and knowingly break the rules though. I figure others do enough of that for me. However, eating there, you do have some priviledges. If you can valet, I certainly would and it would seem to solve your problem!