Parking at the Contemporary/Poly

[ameliahyde]

On our last few trips down to WDW, we have parked at the Contemporary and Poly while eating at the Contempo Cafe and Captain Cook's, and try to get there a few times each trip too. We really enjoy the food at those locations, and like the atmosphere of the resorts. I ran across a few posts where people were mentioning that people now had to pay to park and do this. Does anyone have any updated information? It may change our minds about whether we would do this or not. Thank you!

 

[Alesia]

On our last few trips down to WDW, we have parked at the Contemporary and Poly while eating at the Contempo Cafe and Captain Cook's, and try to get there a few times each trip too. We really enjoy the food at those locations, and like the atmosphere of the resorts. I ran across a few posts where people were mentioning that people now had to pay to park and do this. Does anyone have any updated information? It may change our minds about whether we would do this or not. Thank you!

You can park for free while you eat. If you wan't to stay parked there while you go to a park, you'll need to pay for valet parking.

 

[ArwenMarie]

I have been stopped at both without having an ADR.

 

[ameliahyde]

I have been stopped at both without having an ADR.

Hi, Were you not able to go to the resort and park at all - or did you just have to pay to park there to eat/check out the resort?

 

[ArwenMarie]

Hi, Were you not able to go to the resort and park at all - or did you just have to pay to park there to eat/check out the resort?

We did not have an ADR at either. We said we wanted to eat and shop. We offered to pay valet. They said to go park at the TTC. I'm sure it's a day-by-day decision that depends on how busy the lots are but just be prepared to be turned away without an ADR.

 

[Kathryn777]

I was able to do it on Easter even though they had warned parking would be restricted

 

[magic1636]

You can park for free while you eat. If you wan't to stay parked there while you go to a park, you'll need to pay for valet parking.

Or just tell them your exploring the resort and just hop on the monorail to MK. Not saying that I have ever done that thoughts

 

[Alesia]

Or just tell them your exploring the resort and just hop on the monorail to MK. Not saying that I have ever done that thoughts

They often give you a 3-hour parking pass.

 

[Good Morning Dewdrop]

IF they are charging for parking- remember it would be easy to park at TTC and take the monorail

 

[magic1636]

They often give you a 3-hour parking pass.

I personally haven't been given a pass yet but that easily could change lol

 

[Sevey13]

Or just tell them your exploring the resort and just hop on the monorail to MK. Not saying that I have ever done that thoughts

That would be lying.

 

[Polydweller]

I personally haven't been given a pass yet but that easily could change lol

They have now started handing out an orange 3 hour parking pass at the Poly if you are not a guest of the resort. They are getting more assertive about the parking being for ADRs only. There has been much too much abuse of the resorts parking and the resort's guest have had increasing difficulty finding parking.

 

[powbob]

IF they are charging for parking- remember it would be easy to park at TTC and take the monorail

It's a very short and pleasant walk.

 

[supersnoop]

Paid parking was just a test. Or maybe just a rumor. Nobody seems to have actually experienced it.

If you don't have an ADR (and yes won't if you're planning to eat at the quick service restaurants,) you will most likely be turned away at the gate and directed to the TTC. The Contemporary is the most stringent when it comes to parking regulations since its walking distance to the Magic Kingdom. Cars have been towed from that lot. The Polynesian seems to be cracking down now, too.

 

[SuzaBanana]

Well, this is frustrating news! DH and I were planning to go to Trader Sam's for late night bites and a drink before seeing the fireworks on the beach. It would be a non-park day and our only opportunity to see the fireworks since the kids just can't make it that long. Wish they would waive the fee if you could show your receipt!

 

[siskaren]

Well, this is frustrating news! DH and I were planning to go to Trader Sam's for late night bites and a drink before seeing the fireworks on the beach. It would be a non-park day and our only opportunity to see the fireworks since the kids just can't make it that long. Wish they would waive the fee if you could show your receipt!

They aren't charging for parking:

Paid parking was just a test. Or maybe just a rumor. Nobody seems to have actually experienced it.

 

[yulilin3]

I agree with PP, the Contemporary is more strict on parking, the Poly has become easier to park just because they have the Lounge, they ask you to park on the left side so you leave the parking lot closer to the lobby for actual guests of the resort.]
I have not been give any type of slip or asked to pay. I do this about 2 times a month cause I love the pineapple/coconut bread from Capt. Cook's So I eat lunch or dinner there

 

[aaarcher86]

Or just tell them your exploring the resort and just hop on the monorail to MK. Not saying that I have ever done that thoughts

Hey, I found your life motto.

 

[magic1636]

Thank you. I really should print it up and make a sticker out of it lol

 

[DizneyLizzy]

I've been reading for years on this board about the strict parking rules at both the Contemporary and Poly, and maybe that's why I was so shocked by my experiences last week. I visited the week after Easter - a super busy time, and here were my experiences. I was staying on site at Old Key West, but now that they don't give you parking passes, there was nothing to designate me or my car as "onsite."

1. On our arrival day, we had an 11:30 breakfast ADR at 'Ohana. We had not yet checked into our resort yet. We pulled right into the Poly parking lot at 11:00 and told the guy at the booth that we had breakfast reservations. He asked to see ID, glanced at my drivers license, and waved us through - nothing was said to us about not staying past 3 hours, he didn't check some list of ADRs, and he didn't see or ask to see Magic Bands. There was plenty of parking at the Poly. We could have stayed parked there all day had we wanted to. We didn't, and wouldn't, but it was definitely possible, and since nothing was said to us, it wouldn't have been like we were breaking any sort of rules.

2. On our last day, my parents were heading out of town and my husband, son, and I had an 8 AM Crystal Palace reservation. My parents dropped us off at the Contemporary around 7:30 so we could walk into the MK rather than playing bus roulette that early in the morning. When we pulled into the Contemporary, my dad, who was not wearing a Magic Band, just told the guy at the booth, "we're going to breakfast." Again, he was asked to show ID, the CM glanced at the license, and waved us through. The CM didn't ask where we were having breakfast, check a list of ADR's, or anything. Now, my dad didn't even park, he just pulled into a parking spot so we could get out and walk to the MK, but again, my dad could have parked his car anywhere he wanted in the Contemporary lot and stayed all day, and no one would have known or cared.

Two very similar experiences during a super busy week. I was really surprised. Given what I had read on the boards over the years, I had a screen shot of my ADRs and my Magic Bands ready to show.