Parking Option

[mom2mickeyfan]

We travel to WDW each year and always stay off-site. On our MK days, we like to arrive very early and stay until closing. The past few years we have valet parked at the Contemporary and just walked to MK since the monorail is iffy sometimes in the morning, I don't like being on the ferry and I think it is the fastest way to get there.

So...
1. Is it still possible to do this?
2. What do we tell the gate guard if they ask why we are there?
(I ask this because I suggested this option to some family that had 2 scooters and didn't want the hassle of trying to get both on the monorail. The gate guard told them to turn around to leave that they were not allowed to do this and it had never been allowed. I'm thinking they told the gate guard that they were there to valet park and go to MK.
3. Has there been an increase in the valet parking fee since last year?

 

[Robo]

The past few years we have valet parked at the Contemporary and just walked to MK since the monorail is iffy sometimes in the morning, I don't like being on the ferry and I think it is the fastest way to get there.

So...
1. Is it still possible to do this?
2. What do we tell the gate guard if they ask why we are there?
(I ask this because I suggested this option to some family that had 2 scooters and didn't want the hassle of trying to get both on the monorail. The gate guard told them to turn around to leave that they were not allowed to do this and it had never been allowed. I'm thinking they told the gate guard that they were there to valet park and go to MK.
3. Has there been an increase in the valet parking fee since last year?

1. Yes.
2. Tell the truth. You don't know what any given guard will or won't do.
(If you lie, you are setting yourself up to who-knows-what.)
AND, as always... the availability to park at an MK resort can change with the crowd-level.

3. Not that I've heard.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

1. Yes.
2. Tell the truth. You don't know what any given guard will or won't do.
(If you lie, you are setting yourself up to who-knows-what.)
AND, as always... the availability to park at an MK resort can change with the crowd-level.

3. Not that I've heard.

Thank you Robo!

 

[cedricandsophie]

If it didn't work for someone you know, not sure why you think it would work for you, but you can certainly try it.

 

[Alesia]

If it didn't work for someone you know, not sure why you think it would work for you, but you can certainly try it.

Probably because they have done it multiple times without incident, as have many, many people.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Probably because they have done it multiple times without incident, as have many, many people.

 

[goofy4tink]

Seriously guys? If you pay to valet park, it doesn't matter what you do, or where you go!!! The only time that might be an issue is if there was some kind of event happening at that resort and they needed all valet spots for those attending that event. Happens a fair amount at the CR and other resorts with convention facilities.
It's the self-parking that is an issue! Not sure why some people feel it's okay to stay either off-site or at a different WDW resort, and then park their car at the CR for the day....there are people that are paying for this convenience!!! It's really not fair to those paying to stay at the resort to have to search to find a parking spot...and yes, I've had to do this at BLT on several occasions.

 

[Alesia]

Seriously guys? If you pay to valet park, it doesn't matter what you do, or where you go!!! The only time that might be an issue is if there was some kind of event happening at that resort and they needed all valet spots for those attending that event. Happens a fair amount at the CR and other resorts with convention facilities.
It's the self-parking that is an issue! Not sure why some people feel it's okay to stay either off-site or at a different WDW resort, and then park their car at the CR for the day....there are people that are paying for this convenience!!! It's really not fair to those paying to stay at the resort to have to search to find a parking spot...and yes, I've had to do this at BLT on several occasions.

I'm not sure why you're so upset - the op was asking if they still allow people to valet park since she had a friend who recently wasn't allowed to. As you pointed out, that's perfectly fine. No one was asking if it's okay to use the free self-parking.

 

[goofy4tink]

If it didn't work for someone you know, not sure why you think it would work for you, but you can certainly try it.

Probably because they have done it multiple times without incident, as have many, many people.

I'm not sure why you're so upset - the op was asking if they still allow people to valet park since she had a friend who recently wasn't allowed to. As you pointed out, that's perfectly fine. No one was asking if it's okay to use the free self-parking.

Not upset at all! But...when a poster gets an answer, but everyone has to have their say, and it starts getting confusing, well.....I respond. I had to read this thread a few times before I could figure out what the point was for the addtl comments. And if I wasn't sure where people were going with their comments, I'm sure someone else would have the same issue. No biggie.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

OP here. I valet parked the past 3 years to go to MK and all want to do was make sure there had not been any changes since last year especially when I had some family that was told they could not valet park and go to MK. We have breakfast before park opening and do not want to waste time trying to do something that isn't allowed. Never considered taking a free parking spot for a resort guest. That is why wasn't mentioned at all in my question.

Sorry if trying to get some info to help with our trip ruffled feathers.

 

[Woodview]

No idea where you are staying BUT try this

You have had breakfast then drive to Disney Springs Then Park in New Parking House

Orange ( Free ) go down to ground level & Take the Bus to Which ever Hotel & then

just try the Monorail . ( Or Ferry ) to MK

We did this twice this week

 

[goofy4tink]

OP here. I valet parked the past 3 years to go to MK and all want to do was make sure there had not been any changes since last year especially when I had some family that was told they could not valet park and go to MK. We have breakfast before park opening and do not want to waste time trying to do something that isn't allowed. Never considered taking a free parking spot for a resort guest. That is why wasn't mentioned at all in my question.

Sorry if trying to get some info to help with our trip ruffled feathers.

No ruffled feathers at all!!! It's always a good idea to see what the official word is before doing something.

No idea where you are staying BUT try this

You have had breakfast then drive to Disney Springs Then Park in New Parking House

Orange ( Free ) go down to ground level & Take the Bus to Which ever Hotel & then

just try the Monorail . ( Or Ferry ) to MK

We did this twice this week

Seriously? You do all that to avoid paying to park? The buses aren't running all that early from DS to the resorts. I'll never understand why people do this. Spend an hour or so to save parking fees. But, to each his own I guess.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

No idea where you are staying BUT try this

You have had breakfast then drive to Disney Springs Then Park in New Parking House

Orange ( Free ) go down to ground level & Take the Bus to Which ever Hotel & then

just try the Monorail . ( Or Ferry ) to MK

We did this twice this week

We aren't interested in avoid paying to park. In fact, valet parking cost more than parking in the MK parking lot especially once you include the tips for the attendants at drop off and pick up. We want to be at the gate very early and do not want to rely on the monorail to get us there. But it is not right to take the free parking from the paying guests of that resort hence my question about valet parking.

What you suggest is way to much trouble to avoid the parking fee and there is no way you would make it to the park before rope drop! The first 2 hours in the park that you would miss trying to do this is so not worth the $20 you might save! And besides, we want to avoid Disney's transportation! Which is why we are willing to pay even more than normal parking to avoid it.

 

[mom2mickeyfan]

Seriously? You do all that to avoid paying to park? The buses aren't running all that early from DS to the resorts. I'll never understand why people do this. Spend an hour or so to save parking fees. But, to each his own I guess.

Not to mention all the extra time, walking, standing and waiting it would take to get back to your car at the end of your day once you are tired from being at the park! No, it definitely isn't worth it for our family. As much as we've spent on tickets, we want to spend all the time we can in the park, not waiting and riding buses. I am also surprised anyone would go through that much trouble to save $20. Guess we all see things differently.

 

[goofy4tink]

Not to mention all the extra time, walking, standing and waiting it would take to get back to your car at the end of your day once you are tired from being at the park! No, it definitely isn't worth it for our family. As much as we've spent on tickets, we want to spend all the time we can in the park, not waiting and riding buses. I am also surprised anyone would go through that much trouble to save $20. Guess we all see things differently.

I agree. For me, time is money. I would much rather be in the park, waiting to ride my second or third ride, vs parking at DS and busing. There's a reason there are no buses running to the parks from DS. Disney does this for a reason.

 

[seashoreCM]

We travel to WDW each year and always stay off-site. On our MK days, we like to arrive very early and stay until closing. The past few years we have valet parked at the Contemporary and just walked to MK since the monorail is iffy sometimes in the morning

Sometimes on extra magic hour mornings at Magic Kingdom, the first express monorail and the first ferry are held and timed so as to arrive at MK about 15 minutes before public opening. This can result in a large backlog of day guests held at Transportation and Ticket Center.

I don't like being on the ferry and I think it is the fastest way to get there.

(OT) In my earlier lifetime one of my work colleagues would not fly and for a business trip we worked out a transcontinental Amtrak train route for him. As it turned out, at the last minute someone else was able to go instead (by air and with me).

Fortunately for going to MK, the travel time differences (except for the tongue in cheek comment regarding Orange Disney Springs garage) are not as profound. Corey Sandler, in one of his Econoguide books wrote, "... 5 minutes by monorail, 7* minutes by ferry ... if the line for the monorail is long, go by sea. ..."

* From when the ferry pulls clear of the starting dock until it noses into the destination dock.

 

[Woodview]

I have not been to any of the parks for a few years BUT We do visit The Boardwalk for a

night out & This time used The Monorail , Bus from Parking House Orange & Lime , &

the ferry Boats .

We did This trip on Monday & today Thursday.

Yes we did see the Fireworks from The Grand Floridian & at the Lighthouse ( Boardwalk )

Nobody has stopped us from doing any of these enjoyable outings ..

I am not wasting my time or trying to avoid parking fees But we Enjoy seeing other people having Fun

 

[goofy4tink]

I have not been to any of the parks for a few years BUT We do visit The Boardwalk for a

night out & This time used The Monorail , Bus from Parking House Orange & Lime , &

the ferry Boats .

We did This trip on Monday & today Thursday.

Yes we did see the Fireworks from The Grand Floridian & at the Lighthouse ( Boardwalk )

Nobody has stopped us from doing any of these enjoyable outings ..

I am not wasting my time or trying to avoid parking fees But we Enjoy seeing other people having Fun

And that's fine, if it works for you. But, for people trying to get to a park, early in the day, it's a whole different scenario.
Oh, and by the way? The lighthouse is at the YC/BC dock. There is no lighthouse, that I know of, at BW. Just want to make sure only correct info is out there.