Parking lot hours question

[Uncleromulus]

Need help--someone asked me a WDW question I really didn't know.
If AK is open until 6:00, how long is the parking lot open--in other words, how late can you actually leave your car on the lot??

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Buses will still run back to the AK parking lot from Epcot, Studios and TTC until each respective area is clear.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Thanks Tyler. Not sure what my friends were getting at with their question--probably parking at AK (which is near where they are staying offsite), doing AK in the AM, then maybe taking a bus to (and back again) to another park for the PM, then a bus BACK to the AK.

 

[safetymom]

I would suggest that your friends park in the lot where they are going to finish the night. Take the bus to AK and back to that other park.

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'll let them know.Thanks!

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Thanks Tyler. Not sure what my friends were getting at with their question--probably parking at AK (which is near where they are staying offsite), doing AK in the AM, then maybe taking a bus to (and back again) to another park for the PM, then a bus BACK to the AK.

Parking permits are good for any parking lot for the entire day... so once you pay for parking, you don't have to pay for it again. I would suggest taking the car with them as they park hop. This way, they don't have to take a bus to thier car at the end of the day, and then walk through a deserted parking lot to find it.

 

[SyracuseWolvrine]

The advice I always give people if they're going to be park hopping and trying to use WDW transportation: Park at the place you want to END your day. That way you don't have to worry about missing the last bus or anything, and at the end of the day when the kids are WAY tired, then you don't have as many stops to get back to your car.

(To answer your original question: Parking lot trams stop running 2-2 1/2 hours after park close, busses back to other parks will generally run until the park you're leaving from is clear of day guests. Ex: You're at Epcot, your car is at AK, there should be a bus from EC to AK until after Epcot is clear)

 

[Uncleromulus]

I'm letting them know all of this--thanks!!
Tyler--I suppose this may not have happened but what if (Lets say at the AK) the park closes at 6:00, the shuttle stops running around 8, and there are cars on the lot around 9-10-11. Can the owner get back to retreive the car? This assumes a scenerio where the people park at AK, then later in the PM take a bus to Epcot or MK, see the fireworks, then try to get BACK to AK to get their car.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I'm letting them know all of this--thanks!!
Tyler--I suppose this may not have happened but what if (Lets say at the AK) the park closes at 6:00, the shuttle stops running around 8, and there are cars on the lot around 9-10-11. Can the owner get back to retreive the car? This assumes a scenerio where the people park at AK, then later in the PM take a bus to Epcot or MK, see the fireworks, then try to get BACK to AK to get their car.

Yes. The shuttle back from TTC or Epcot will not stop running until that particular park is clear. So, if it's 10:30, and you need to get back to AK Park, the buses will still take you there.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Thanks.
It still seems to make more sense to just drive and as you say, avoid that LONG walk to the car.
THat's what I'm suggesting they do.