Parking cost if you leave park

[MacMaam]

Hi. Does anyone know if you leave park and return later do you have to pay parking fee again? We are renting a house 3 miles away and are thinking about leaving if kids need a break and coming back later. Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this

 

[maltdizzy]

Parking is good all day, including re-entry or even to a different theme park.

Save your receipt!

 

[scrappinginontario]

If you have park hoppers and switch parks your receipt will also cover parking at the new lot on the same day.

 

[subtchr]

Just a question -- 3 miles from where? The parks are miles apart, and WDW property is huge. Also, be aware the time to walk out the gates, and to your car (and add the time for the ferry/monorail for MK) can add up.

Not saying it wouldn't be worth a break during a longer day, just that the whole process of leaving a park and driving to your rental could take longer than you might think.

 

[auntlynne]

Keep the paper receipt you get at the gate to show on return.

 

[goofyernmost]

Just a question -- 3 miles from where? The parks are miles apart, and WDW property is huge. Also, be aware the time to walk out the gates, and to your car (and add the time for the ferry/monorail for MK) can add up.

Not saying it wouldn't be worth a break during a longer day, just that the whole process of leaving a park and driving to your rental could take longer than you might think.

Are you saying that out of experience or just speculation. Epcot and DHS are just a little over a mile from MK and although I'm not sure about DAK, it really isn't as far as it seems. Two miles at most from MK, probably less from Epcot/DHS area. They are basically spaced pretty close just to far to walk too. Since I park hop most of the time I will chose whatever park I am going to end my day in and take the monorail to or from MK. DAK I just drive too.

With 47 trips to WDW I have stayed onsite only once. I go after rope drop, but not long after. I still get to go on a lot of things before people start to show up. I have lunch at at quick serve spot that I am closest to when I get hungry. I then stay there until about 4:30pm and head on out of the park to take a break from the activity. Leaving regenerates me because I have rested my feet and filled my face much less expensively as onsite and return either to my original park or I hop to a different one and stay usually until closing and then head back to my hotel.

From experience of traveling with friends that stayed onsite, I know that at closing I can get to my car and out of the lot and arrive at my offsite hotel before my friends were even able to board a bus to go back to theirs. I know I am different. As much as I have loved WDW, it doesn't take me long to get bored with the crowds and heat so I take a break and return refreshed and ready to go. But, of course, that is just me.

I can only go to the parks two days in a row before I have to find some other place to go. Maybe just for a ride or Uni or some of the local cheap attractions in the area. Desires alter for everyone, but I lose interest quickly. It doesn't take long to get interested again, but it is what it is. For me it is never how long it takes to leave and come back, which is less they one would think, but it is a necessity for me to not start placing mouse traps out.

 

[subtchr]

Are you saying that out of experience or just speculation. Epcot and DHS are just a little over a mile from MK and although I'm not sure about DAK, it really isn't as far as it seems. Two miles at most from MK, probably less from Epcot/DHS area. They are basically spaced pretty close just to far to walk too. Since I park hop most of the time I will chose whatever park I am going to end my day in and take the monorail to or from MK. DAK I just drive too.

Experience.

Not sure where you are getting your distances. If you drop pins on Google maps, you'll see it's over 4 miles between MK and Epcot, and a little more between MK and DHS. And that's to and from the toll plaza, not the park. I know from running two runDisney half marathons that from Epcot to the heart of MK is about 6 miles!

AK is 5.5 miles from Epcot, 6 miles from MK, and 4 from DHS.

But more important than the distance is the traffic, and lineups at the parking booths.

But I'm glad you have found what works for you!

My point for the OP was to make sure they are aware that being "3 miles from Disney" doesn't mean they can be back at their offsite hotel 10 minutes after deciding to take a break, or to get back to the park quickly, either. Especially from MK, where they have to go through the TTC, it can easily be more like 45 minutes to an hour. Just a friendly heads up! They may still want to take a break some (or all) days, and now they have more information to help them decide whether that's a good choice for them.

 

[goofyernmost]

Experience.

Not sure where you are getting your distances. If you drop pins on Google maps, you'll see it's over 4 miles between MK and Epcot, and a little more between MK and DHS. And that's to and from the toll plaza, not the park. I know from running two runDisney half marathons that from Epcot to the heart of MK is about 6 miles!

AK is 5.5 miles from Epcot, 6 miles from MK, and 4 from DHS.

But more important than the distance is the traffic, and lineups at the parking booths.

But I'm glad you have found what works for you!

My point for the OP was to make sure they are aware that being "3 miles from Disney" doesn't mean they can be back at their offsite hotel 10 minutes after deciding to take a break, or to get back to the park quickly, either. Especially from MK, where they have to go through the TTC, it can easily be more like 45 minutes to an hour. Just a friendly heads up! They may still want to take a break some (or all) days, and now they have more information to help them decide whether that's a good choice for them.

OK, I will accept your mileage figures but I'm not sure why it matters. No one can walk between parks except Epcot to DHS which is 1.25 miles. That is the only two that matter. By car, bus or monorail they all take the about the same time. I figured MK a little less then you have because for one thing because when I started going there the only place to park to see MK was at TTC and to me that was part of MK. The fun of the ferry ride or the monorail were part of the fun and experience even the tram was fun at one point. If DAK is that far away, it just never seemed that much and I drove there every time I went.

I guess that since I only went to WDW when on vacation, I never spent my time looking at my watch. I never found it any more of a hassle to go to my offsite place then it was to stand in a sweaty line waiting for a bus or monorail. I can't honestly say exactly how long it takes to get out and back to a 192 hotel, I just know that I beat my friends back to our hotel and we both left at the same time and they were staying at POP and I had to get from the park across the Seven Seas Lagoon to TTC and a tram to my car, travel down World Drive to 192 and to my hotel. (usually about 1 or 2 miles from the World Drive entrance.

 

[subtchr]

OK, I will accept your mileage figures but I'm not sure why it matters. No one can walk between parks except Epcot to DHS which is 1.25 miles. That is the only two that matter. By car, bus or monorail they all take the about the same time. I figured MK a little less then you have because for one thing because when I started going there the only place to park to see MK was at TTC and to me that was part of MK. The fun of the ferry ride or the monorail were part of the fun and experience even the tram was fun at one point. If DAK is that far away, it just never seemed that much and I drove there every time I went.

I guess that since I only went to WDW when on vacation, I never spent my time looking at my watch. I never found it any more of a hassle to go to my offsite place then it was to stand in a sweaty line waiting for a bus or monorail. I can't honestly say exactly how long it takes to get out and back to a 192 hotel, I just know that I beat my friends back to our hotel and we both left at the same time and they were staying at POP and I had to get from the park across the Seven Seas Lagoon to TTC and a tram to my car, travel down World Drive to 192 and to my hotel. (usually about 1 or 2 miles from the World Drive entrance.

As I wrote above, I am glad you have found what works for you!

I only brought up the mileage because you did.

For us, when we go to Disney World, we see at as an escape from reality, and that includes never having to get in a hot car, to navigate, to drive, to park. Funny you mention not looking at a watch. That describes us! We don’t mind if we have to wait for a bus or a boat or whatever sometimes. We talk and laugh and enjoy each other’s company, while someone else does the driving! We enjoy all the different types of Disney transport. Boats are a favorite, so lovely and relaxing. And the Skyliner is a new favorite! So peaceful and efficient.

That’s what is so great about Disney, there are options that suit everyone’s touring style, vacation vibe, and budget.

 

[Shellyred8]

Hi. Does anyone know if you leave park and return later do you have to pay parking fee again? We are renting a house 3 miles away and are thinking about leaving if kids need a break and coming back later. Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this

One more thing to consider, which you probably already have given your WDW experience, is park operating hours. Depending on when you go, parks may close much earlier than you are used to from pre-covid times. Our pre-covid routine was to hit the parks early, then take an afternoon break, and then come back in the evening to close down the park. With the parks closing so early now, it's almost not worth it to try the leave-and-come-back routine.

 

[Nabas]

Here's one I hope someone can answer.

What happens if you leave your car in a theme park lot overnight?

I'm thinking of someone who goes to Epcot, drinks too much, and decides to Uber back to their hotel.

 

[FCDub]

Here's one I hope someone can answer.

What happens if you leave your car in a theme park lot overnight?

I'm thinking of someone who goes to Epcot, drinks too much, and decides to Uber back to their hotel.

No issues. Leaving for days on end? Not fine.

 

[cgattis]

I know from running two runDisney half marathons that from Epcot to the heart of MK is about 6 miles!

And feels like twice that!!

 

[subtchr]

And feels like twice that!!

I don't mind that front half, it's the boring highway BACK to Epcot that seems to be a hundred miles long, to me! It's always hotter, and there's just not as much to look forward to other than being DONE!

 

[goofyernmost]

As I wrote above, I am glad you have found what works for you!

I only brought up the mileage because you did.

For us, when we go to Disney World, we see at as an escape from reality, and that includes never having to get in a hot car, to navigate, to drive, to park. Funny you mention not looking at a watch. That describes us! We don’t mind if we have to wait for a bus or a boat or whatever sometimes. We talk and laugh and enjoy each other’s company, while someone else does the driving! We enjoy all the different types of Disney transport. Boats are a favorite, so lovely and relaxing. And the Skyliner is a new favorite! So peaceful and efficient.

That’s what is so great about Disney, there are options that suit everyone’s touring style, vacation vibe, and budget.

I don't have a problem with you staying onsite because it is fun for you or a complete escape. The is your brain set. I have escaped my reality just by being in Kissimmee a footstep or two away from my favorite place, the parks at WDW. I don't need emersion 24/7. I am happy with that while in the parks. My reality is real and my fantasy is a completely different location. I can enjoy my escape more when I know that I haven't spent a ton of money for the same service I receive.

In the same way you don't like me talking like I do about my dislike for onsite containment and feeling fleeced. You don't like me saying that stuff, but you couldn't help but pointing out your perceived negatives about my going offsite. It is a personal choice and the only real difference is the cost. I don't think those resorts are worth what they charge and that I prefer a Days Inn since I only use it for sleeping anyway. That is how I choose.

Perhaps, I shouldn't say that people can go to Disney for a lot less then their website says they have to pay. That the total Disney experience is in our minds not our locations. Many people will miss out on the experience of WDW because they just cannot afford it unless they mortgage their homes to do it. They need to know the options to have a good time without breaking the bank. It can be done and I have been doing it for 38 years. I keep going back because while I am at the show the place carries me away from my reality. Maxing out my credit cards will ruin my escape very quickly. I'm happy for you that you can afford to stay there and that is all you want to do. I, on the other hand get a lot of enjoyment in exploring the area, going to Tampa, going to Cocoa beach or Kennedy Space Ctr. Going to Uni or just to Orlando, driving around Celebration, going a little further up to Silver Springs, Maybe to Sea World or Boc Tower or the famous Gatorland. They are all there within reach once you are in the area.

The only point is that everyone is different, not everyone has tons of idol money hanging around and have to find ways to enjoy life on a level that matches their financial ability and not have to feel like they are missing something hugely important if they don't open their wallets and spend every cent that have and usually a pretty good amount of what they don't have when it isn't necessary.

If I didn't love WDW I wouldn't have made 43 trips there with over half of them driving from Vermont to do it. I love Disney Parks, but to me everything else on property are just things I can get for less money offsite. Food and Lodging are the two largest controllable expenses in an extended stay at WDW. People need to know that there are other option and that the magic is available to everyone regardless of their financial situation. So with that I will end my part of this discussion and continue to attempt to let people know that there are indeed options.

 

[subtchr]

I don't have a problem with you staying onsite because it is fun for you or a complete escape. The is your brain set. I have escaped my reality just by being in Kissimmee a footstep or two away from my favorite place, the parks at WDW. I don't need emersion 24/7. I am happy with that while in the parks. My reality is real and my fantasy is a completely different location. I can enjoy my escape more when I know that I haven't spent a ton of money for the same service I receive.

In the same way you don't like me talking like I do about my dislike for onsite containment and feeling fleeced. You don't like me saying that stuff, but you couldn't help but pointing out your perceived negatives about my going offsite. It is a personal choice and the only real difference is the cost. I don't think those resorts are worth what they charge and that I prefer a Days Inn since I only use it for sleeping anyway. That is how I choose.

Perhaps, I shouldn't say that people can go to Disney for a lot less then their website says they have to pay. That the total Disney experience is in our minds not our locations. Many people will miss out on the experience of WDW because they just cannot afford it unless they mortgage their homes to do it. They need to know the options to have a good time without breaking the bank. It can be done and I have been doing it for 38 years. I keep going back because while I am at the show the place carries me away from my reality. Maxing out my credit cards will ruin my escape very quickly. I'm happy for you that you can afford to stay there and that is all you want to do. I, on the other hand get a lot of enjoyment in exploring the area, going to Tampa, going to Cocoa beach or Kennedy Space Ctr. Going to Uni or just to Orlando, driving around Celebration, going a little further up to Silver Springs, Maybe to Sea World or Boc Tower or the famous Gatorland. They are all there within reach once you are in the area.

The only point is that everyone is different, not everyone has tons of idol money hanging around and have to find ways to enjoy life on a level that matches their financial ability and not have to feel like they are missing something hugely important if they don't open their wallets and spend every cent that have and usually a pretty good amount of what they don't have when it isn't necessary.

If I didn't love WDW I wouldn't have made 43 trips there with over half of them driving from Vermont to do it. I love Disney Parks, but to me everything else on property are just things I can get for less money offsite. Food and Lodging are the two largest controllable expenses in an extended stay at WDW. People need to know that there are other option and that the magic is available to everyone regardless of their financial situation. So with that I will end my part of this discussion and continue to attempt to let people know that there are indeed options.

Where did I say or imply in any way that I didn’t approve of your choice, or that I didn’t like that you shared the options that work for you??

I was completely and sincerely positive about how great it is that we can choose different ways to vacation that work best for our families.

All I tried to do was to share some of the reasons we make the choices we do, some of which are intangible rather than pragmatic.

You don’t need to defend your choices to me or anyone else, so I’m not sure why you feel the need to continue to do so!

We aren’t wealthy, but we do value travel (not just to Disney), and are at a point in our lives that we have no problem spending whatever we think will give us the experience we desire. It also helps that we are a military family, so that gives us some pretty significant discounts.

I will say it again — I’m happy you have found what works for you!

 

[MacMaam]

I don't have a problem with you staying onsite because it is fun for you or a complete escape. The is your brain set. I have escaped my reality just by being in Kissimmee a footstep or two away from my favorite place, the parks at WDW. I don't need emersion 24/7. I am happy with that while in the parks. My reality is real and my fantasy is a completely different location. I can enjoy my escape more when I know that I haven't spent a ton of money for the same service I receive.

In the same way you don't like me talking like I do about my dislike for onsite containment and feeling fleeced. You don't like me saying that stuff, but you couldn't help but pointing out your perceived negatives about my going offsite. It is a personal choice and the only real difference is the cost. I don't think those resorts are worth what they charge and that I prefer a Days Inn since I only use it for sleeping anyway. That is how I choose.

Perhaps, I shouldn't say that people can go to Disney for a lot less then their website says they have to pay. That the total Disney experience is in our minds not our locations. Many people will miss out on the experience of WDW because they just cannot afford it unless they mortgage their homes to do it. They need to know the options to have a good time without breaking the bank. It can be done and I have been doing it for 38 years. I keep going back because while I am at the show the place carries me away from my reality. Maxing out my credit cards will ruin my escape very quickly. I'm happy for you that you can afford to stay there and that is all you want to do. I, on the other hand get a lot of enjoyment in exploring the area, going to Tampa, going to Cocoa beach or Kennedy Space Ctr. Going to Uni or just to Orlando, driving around Celebration, going a little further up to Silver Springs, Maybe to Sea World or Boc Tower or the famous Gatorland. They are all there within reach once you are in the area.

The only point is that everyone is different, not everyone has tons of idol money hanging around and have to find ways to enjoy life on a level that matches their financial ability and not have to feel like they are missing something hugely important if they don't open their wallets and spend every cent that have and usually a pretty good amount of what they don't have when it isn't necessary.

If I didn't love WDW I wouldn't have made 43 trips there with over half of them driving from Vermont to do it. I love Disney Parks, but to me everything else on property are just things I can get for less money offsite. Food and Lodging are the two largest controllable expenses in an extended stay at WDW. People need to know that there are other option and that the magic is available to everyone regardless of their financial situation. So with that I will end my part of this discussion and continue to attempt to let people know that there are indeed options.

Like you I have been numerous times, staying onsite in the beginning, having to get several rooms for our family. This trip we are renting a 5 bd/5 bath house with a private screened in pool and hot tub for $1500 for a 9 day stay We love getting home from that days adventures and the kid having the pool. Also love having a full kitchen and usually a play room for the kids, and because we are not spread out over several hotel rooms spend more time together as a family. That said, occasionally we will still stay onsite with the main benefit being EE and ease of getting to parks, That was a no factor for this trip. Regardless, we will have a great time with many thanks to the posters on this site.

 

[lovethattink]

Please remember to keep it friendly. It’s ok to disagree, but then move on.

For years my son lived behind the MK. Awesome view of fireworks. He use to work at Disney Springs and it would take him 30 to 45 minutes to get to work. While the mileage is close, the traffic lights are plentiful. And with new transportation patterns to drive to DHS, it adds time to get to that park. Also traffic patterns changed getting to the TTC and the MK resorts. It took us 20 minutes to get from his apartment to the TTC after they changed traffic flow.

 

[goofyernmost]

Like you I have been numerous times, staying onsite in the beginning, having to get several rooms for our family. This trip we are renting a 5 bd/5 bath house with a private screened in pool and hot tub for $1500 for a 9 day stay We love getting home from that days adventures and the kid having the pool. Also love having a full kitchen and usually a play room for the kids, and because we are not spread out over several hotel rooms spend more time together as a family. That said, occasionally we will still stay onsite with the main benefit being EE and ease of getting to parks, That was a no factor for this trip. Regardless, we will have a great time with many thanks to the posters on this site.

I loved the villa that we stayed a few years back. It was a family trip with my kids their husbands and kids, my sister and her son, my girl friend, at the time. (I think it was All Stars Real Estate), or something like that. I remember having to enter the area nest to the old, now gone, Splendid China Park.

That was pure luxury. Especially that fenced in pool and jacuzzi. 6 bedrooms, Dining Room, Full Kitchen, Play room with pool table and air hockey, incredible furnishings. Just about one mile or less from World Drive. There were 11 of us and we were all in the same building. We had 7 nights and if I recall it was about $1200. for the week. They also threw in a rental car. I actually rented a second car as well. I had driven down from Vermont ahead of the rest of them so we had three vehicles. It wasn't totally necessary, but it allowed us a little more flexibility as to what other activities we might want to do. Although I bought a 7 day, one park ticket. We actually only went to Disney for 4 days and at the time they were good forever, so all of us made another trip and used the remaining 3 days but not all at the same time.

Sometimes we all dined together at one single place or because we had the extra vehicles we sometimes split up and small groups or family would eat in different places. We also had some meals at the Villa since we had a full kitchen it was like being home with a lot more people to feed. I later upgraded my ticket to park hopper and at the time I considered DHS and DAK as half day parks so I got to them all sometimes more then once.

It would be pretty pretentious of me to do that now, since I mostly go there solo but it was a great experience. For me, at least, I wanted to just stay there forever.