Parking at WDW while staying off-site

[wintersunsets]

I'm wondering how far the parking lots are from the entrance. We are staying off-site and have AAA parking passes. Is it a long walk? We plan on getting there before rope drop, but it is Pres week.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I made a map of the AAA Diamond lot area at EPCOT, DHS, and DAK.

If you are there before rope drop, then you shouldn't have any problems.

I like the AAA lanes because it means no trams...which has been a pain for us with a stroller before.

 

[mtblujeans]

I made a map of the AAA Diamond lot area at EPCOT, DHS, and DAK.

If you are there before rope drop, then you shouldn't have any problems.

I like the AAA lanes because it means no trams...which has been a pain for us with a stroller before.

'Ya gotta love talented people!

 

[buzz2400]

Animal Kingdom, after you pay you keep to the right and go all the way right before the handicap parking (you actually follow the signs for handicap). Very close to where the tram will actually drop you off.

Epcot. Follow to the kennels. When you are facing the big epcot ball, you will be on the left side of that area and you will walk past the kennel area. Again very close to the front entrance.

MGM-You will need to still take a tram. You ask the parking lot attendant and he will put in at the end of the row so you don't have a lot of walking to the tram.

MK-Right before the handicap parking. This is a very long walk to the monorail. You will have to walk through the handicap and then under a bridge and you will come to the monorail entrance. We still use it because at the end of the day, there are wheelchairs all over and we use them to get to the car.

 

[nmanning19]

Where did you get the AAA passes?

 

[buzz2400]

Where did you get the AAA passes?

you have to be a member of AAA and buy a package or tickets from their office and they will give you one if you request it.

 

[GrnMtnMan]

MGM-You will need to still take a tram. You ask the parking lot attendant and he will put in at the end of the row so you don't have a lot of walking to the tram.

You do not have to take the tram at DHS. You can walk to the tramway and follow the marked pedestrian path to the smaller (and much less crowded) security checkpoint, near Guest Relations.

 

[wintersunsets]

So going back to the car for the cooler is out of the question!!
I am concerned that trying to rent a locker ( for our cooler) will take precious time away from getting FP's and such. We are going Pres week and all the buzz is about getting there at RD & doing as much as possible in those first few hours. Maybe I am overthinking this?? Can renting lockers be time consuming?

 

[livndisney]

So going back to the car for the cooler is out of the question!!
I am concerned that trying to rent a locker ( for our cooler) will take precious time away from getting FP's and such. We are going Pres week and all the buzz is about getting there at RD & doing as much as possible in those first few hours. Maybe I am overthinking this?? Can renting lockers be time consuming?

Going back to the cooler in the car from MK would be a pain (unless you want a mid day monorail break). But it is do able for the other parks.

The lockers at Epcot are under the golf ball. At MK under the train station, Ak to the right of the entrance, same with the Studios. I don't think it takes all that long to rent a locker (unless of course there is a line).

 

[buzz2400]

You do not have to take the tram at DHS. You can walk to the tramway and follow the marked pedestrian path to the smaller (and much less crowded) security checkpoint, near Guest Relations.

After a long day at the parks, I feel that this is a long walk.

 

[mhsjax]

If I remember correctly, AAA parking at the MK was a total pain in the butt. All other parks it was great, but it seems it was a very long, if not longer walk than normal at MK.

 

[crisi]

So going back to the car for the cooler is out of the question!!
I am concerned that trying to rent a locker ( for our cooler) will take precious time away from getting FP's and such. We are going Pres week and all the buzz is about getting there at RD & doing as much as possible in those first few hours. Maybe I am overthinking this?? Can renting lockers be time consuming?

No, but I recall the lockers as being fairly small and rather expensive - the cooler had better be a small one.

We just haul backpacks into the parks. Everyone carries their own bottled water and snacks. You'll carry it for a few hours - mostly it will be at your feet between rides - and then it will be time to eat and the backpack will get lighter. Unless you are planning to bring a LOT of lunch into the parks, sandwiches for four and some fruit isn't heavy. If the kids are stroller age, pop the backpack in the stroller - if they're older than stroller age, they can carry their own lunch.