Parking on 12/24

[leebee]

We will be in Orlando 12/21-12/27, staying at the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista at Disney Springs, which is an "Official Walt Disney World Hotel;" it's liked to my MDE account, we could make FP at 60 days out, etc. I do not know if this includes free parking at Disney parks and resorts. On December 24th, we have a Candlelight Processional Breakfast package at Ale&Compass (so the Yacht Club), then will spend the day at Animal Kingdom. Late afternoon we plan on hopping over to Epcot, will see the 8:15 show of the CP, then stay for the fireworks, and then maybe hit Jellyrolls if it isn't packed (or we aren't exhausted).

I'm trying to figure out where to park our rental car. Can we leave it at the Yacht Club all day? This would be endlessly convenient, as we are starting and ending our day in that area. If we can't park it for free (I don't know if we get free parking as guests at the Hilton or not), is it possible to valet our vehicle at A&C and just use the buses all day? I suspect road traffic will be heavy and it might be easier/more convenient to take Disney buses between parks. Any recommendations?

 

[SteveH]

@leebee your stay at the Hilton won't qualify you for free parking at WDW, you will need to pay at some point to park at either Epcot or AK, but you only need to pay once. For your breakfast you could park at YC for up to three hours because you have an ADR. But you can't park at any hotel resort parking lot for the day, that's only for resort guests at that hotel. From all I've read that time of year they are even more strict about parking rules. I think you are right and can expect it to be very busy, parking it at Epcot after breakfast, then taking the bus to AK and back to Epcot would be less stressful.

 

[Christine]

I believe that you could valet park at the Yacht Club and that will cover you for the whole day ($33). Free self-park won't and I imagine that on 12/24 they are going to be enforcing that. As to whether they will have room to let you do valet, you won't know until you try it but if they do, I believe is fine for you to stay all day with that.

If not, you'll have to do regular Theme Park parking for $25 daily and that will cover you on every theme park lot you use during the same day.

 

[maxiesmom]

You cannot park for free, but you may be able to valet park all day. With it being a major holiday, you may not be able to valet park either.

The problem is, you won't know until you try. And if you are turned away, then you are going to waste a lot of time and maybe miss your ADR.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I believe that you could valet park at the Yacht Club and that will cover you for the whole day ($33).

Plus tip.

Option 1. Lyft/Uber/Minnie Van to YC; bus to AK; bus to Epcot; Hotel Plaza Boulevard bus back to hotel.
Option 2. Drive to YC; Drive to AK; drive to Epcot; drive back to hotel.
Option 3. Drive to DHS, walk/boat to YC; bus to AK.
option 4. As advised above, drive to and Valet park at YC, then bus to AK, bus to Epcot, exit through IG, drive back to hotel...
Variety of other options, too.

 

[DisneyDar]

In the morning, From the Hilton, walk over to the Disney Springs bus stop, and take a bus to Yacht Club for breakfast, and then walk into Epcot through the International Gateway. From Epcot, go to any resort via bus, (Boardwalk if going to Jellyrolls), and then back to Disney Springs when done, and walk back to Hilton. More walking, but no parking fees. No reason to drive. Keep in mind, though, that you will need to have a later breakfast time at Yacht Club if doing this.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Buses from Disney Springs to the resorts might not start early enough for that to work.

 

[kaytieeldr]

From Epcot, go to any resort via bus

Why, when there is a direct bus between Epcot and AK?

 

[leebee]

I am generally not a fan of the Disney buses, but awhile ago the general consensus was that vehicular traffic will be crazily busy on 12/24 but there are dedicated bus lanes to get into the parks, so taking the bus would be more time-efficient. That's why I was wondering about parking and taking the buses rather than driving ourselves. I think I might Uber/lyft to the Yacht Club in the morning (9am breakfast/CP package) and then take the bus for the rest of the day. We can take the Disney Springs bus in the evening and walk back to our hotel.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We can take the Disney Springs bus in the evening and walk back to our hotel.

Or you could, you know, take the Hotel Plaza Boulevard from whatever park directly back to your hotel

 

[SteveMouse]

Hotel plaza bus to DHS.
Walk or boat to AC.

End of day: Disney bus from BW to Disney Springs , walk through DS to the skybridge back to the Hilton. (We did this last week)

If you end your day at a park, you can just take the hotel plaza bus back to the hilton (note that at the MK, the Hilton bus pickup is at the TTC).