Parking for MK at Contemporary?

[seemickeysoon]

Is it possible to park at the Contemporary Resort when going to Magic Kingdom? That way we could take the Monorail which would be much easier -- two kids in two strollers. Do they check at the Contemporary if you're a registered guest? Is there a parking charge per hour/day? Also if we didn't get there until 10am, would their lots be full?

Alternatively, if we park at MK - would it be manageable to take a baby and a toddler, and two strollers, and stuff on the trams that pick up guests from the parking lot and take them to the Monorail? What is the MK parking charge per day?

Thank you! We're going in March.

 

[cd&kids]

We faced this issue last year...our very first morning we had a 7:30 breakfast at Chef Mickey's...drove there...then planned on hopping onto monorail and going to MK.
But, a guard greets you at the gate of Contemporary and checks a list of names to make sure your name is on the breakfast list. We then got a pass allowing us to park for something like an hour in the Contemporary lot.
Wife and kids hopped on monorail after breakfast...I drove to nearby Transportation lot (also on the monorail loop) and met them right after. Wasn't nearly as convenient as leaving car at Contemporary....but that would create a nightmare for resort if they allowed people to park there.

 

[Pete W.]

It's actually a 3-hour parking pass that they issue a non-Contemporary Resort guest with PS. Although I'm not sure they would actually tow someone who exceeded the three hours, I wouldn't want to risk it. Plus, if you were staying at the Contemporary, would you want non-resort guests filling-up your parking lot?

 

[Pea Picker]

The parking charge for all parks is $6 per day (that was last years rate). However if you are staying at a WDW resort then parking is free. I have seen many a family get on the trams with strollers and other items. Try to go for the double seats that will give you a little more room. Also if you park close enough to the entrance than you can walk to the TTC. Non guests can only park at resorts if they are eating a meal and then it is only for 3 hours.

 

[eeyore0062]

This is a BIG NO NO!!! We tried it, and got the 3 hour parking pass for the breakfast, but my dad took the van back to the WL (where we were staying) and hopped on the boat back to the MK and met us there.

Many people used to use the parking lots at the monorail resorts for this very thing, and then there was a lack of parking spaces for those paying to stay at those resorts... so they had to institute new policy. This has been in effect for at least 2 1/2 years. And don't think they don't tow... THEY DO, and are very efficient with it, too!

Your best bet is to drive to the Contemporary, get the 3 hour pass, and when done with your breakfast, one person move the car to the TTC lot (if you aren't staying at a WDW resort the parking fee is $7, but if you are staying onsite (doesn't include Disney Village resorts) you can park in the TTC lot for free), while the others walk to the MK (about a 5 minute walk, and faster than the monorail) and select a designated meeting spot, either near the turnstiles, or somewhere in the front of main street. Our favorite is the bench in front of Tony's Restaurant.

good luck!

 

[Safari Steve]

You don't have to go to the Contemporary in order to ride the monorail. In fact, taking the Express Monorail from the TTC (MK Parking) is faster than taking the Resort Monorail from the Contemporary. I think that it's important to note that you have to have a PS for a restaurant at the resort to be granted access. Also, while it's not 100% likely that your car will be towed if you slightly exceed the 3 hour pass (they won't have a truck standing by at 2hrs 55min), cars have been towed in the past, and that is certainly still a possibility. Unless you're eating at one of the Contemporary restaurants, there's no need or real advantage to park at the resort.

 

[strawberryblonde]

Instead of parking at the CR for breakfast and then having to move your car - you could park at the TTC, ride the resort monorail to CR, walk to MK after breakfast. When we stayed at CR we rarely used the monorail. With the double stroller, it was very convienent to walk on over to the MK instead. We will be at CR first week of March. I'm glad they don't let visitors park in the CR lots to visit the parks, hard enough to find a parking space!

 

[Dis-knee]

Is it OK for non Contemporary Resort guests to park at the CR and then proceed to the MK? Let me think.....

Is it OK for me to park in your driveway at home while I visit someone or shop at a store around the corner??

Of course not!

Guests at the Contemporary pay to stay there, and should expect to have a place to park. That is their privilege! Day guests and guests from other resorts should use the TTC parking. It is convenient and the trams pick you up in the parking lot and take you and strollers to the monorail or boat launch area.
So easy, and the boat ride is really quite enjoyable.

 

[ukcatfan]

The worst part about parking in MK general parking is getting back to your car. If you do not arrive early, you will probably be pretty far back and would want to take the tram back to your car. The problem is the line for the tram is usually pretty long. It is better to leave at times when there are less people leaving.

 

[seemickeysoon]

Thanks everyone! By the way, my main concern is safety, not "beating the system". I do not want to use the busses, because I personally don't think lap babies (1 and 2yo) are safe on busses. Same issue with the tram, which involves balancing baby and toddler on our laps in an open sided car, while also managing two strollers and stuff. We may not get to MK early enough to walk from car to monorail area.

One more question...is it possible for my husband to drop off me/kids/strollers near the monorail, then go park the car? That might be a good solution.

Appreciate the advice. We will figure something out.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Yes it is possible for your husband to drop you and the kids off.....but how would you, an infant , a toddler & 2 strollers get on the monorail??? You didn't mention where you were staying??? I know you don't feel safe on the bus, but that may be your best bet. Or...... you can park in the MK lot....take your children only....forget the strollers & rent a double one at the park. Or another option would be to use a baby carrier for the infant & one stroller. I have gone with an infant, toddler & a 6yr old..... it is tuff, but almost everyone there is in the same boat as you are. You will find a way...... but I have to agree with everyone else on parking at the Contemporary. I have stayed there & was not able to find a spot....believe me I was no happy camper.....not with what I was charged to stay there!

 

[seemickeysoon]

I'm thinking:
- Have hubby drop off me and kids near where you catch monorail, and I wait there with kids (definitely want our own strollers and younger one way too big for carrier - they are 15mos and 2 1/2)
- Hubby parks car and takes tram to where we are
- Then we all get on monorail together to MK

DOes that make sense?

And wait i'm confused, I am a Sharon L too - do you know me, or is that *your* name?!!!!

 

[zagafi]

Hi, Shari!! It's PamM. You'll like it over here...you'll find out lots of great info!!

 

[Gillian]

I've never felt unsafe on the tram. They don't move that fast! You would put the adults on the outside & the toddler inside. The hardest part is holding all the stuff while you fold up the strollers!

You will most likely need to take a tram at all the parks, except maybe epcot, if you use the disney parking lots. You'll get used to it quickly!

Try to pack as little stuff as possible. There are some threads on the family board about diaper bags & what to take. A backpack is easy to carry while you are folding up strollers & getting the kids on board. Don't take the jumbo diaper bag.

 

[DMRick]

I've never felt unsafe on the tram.

I always thought that too..until someone fell off at AK in January while we were there. Everyone that was on the tram (we were at the curb walking to the tram) had to go fill out papers, etc, after the ambulance came. We noticed the ride we had, the driver annoucned, we are bearing right, we are bearing left..please hold on tight. THe day before they had gone way too fast in my opinion..much slower after the lady fell off.

 

[seemickeysoon]

Hi Pam! Funny seeing you here - LOL! Thanks for the recommendation - these boards are very helpful! - ShariL!

 

[EpcotBill]

seemickeysoon,
You came up with the best answer to your question. Have your husband drop you and the kids and the strollers off at the TTC. You can find a place to sit and wait for him while he parks. Remember, after you go through the toll plaza stay to the right. Like you're going to the Poly. There's a dropoff at the TTC before you get to the Poly.

 

[Safari Steve]

I agree, much better solution! Good thinkin', Lincoln!

 

[robinb]

I think the trams do go a bit too fast sometimes and and I have thought about how there are no restraints on the busses too. However ... I feel both the busses and the trams are fairly safe. Maybe I have my head in the sand. Maybe you're too nervous. {{shrug}}

I know that it will be a huge pain in the butt for your family for an adult and the kids to be dropped off and picked up at the gates of every park. I think it'll get old pretty darn fast. I have personally taken the tiny risk of the busses and the trams to make my life easier.

 

[seemickeysoon]

Thanks EpcotBill! I think that's what we'll do. I love the quote before your signature...LOL!

I know I'm a safety nut...but I remember last time (pre-kids) that the tram went pretty fast. My kids are little (2.5 and 1) and squirmers!

Also, we're only doing MK one day (no other parks - a brief trip) so I'm not too worried about inconvenience.

Thanks again!