Parking Question

[msk]

My DH and I have reservations for Sunday to Sunday at POFQ this fall. We decided that since we are driving we could do a late arrival at All Star Movie on Sat. I have a reservation at Boma for both breakfast and dinner on Sunday.
1. Can we park at Animal Kingdom Lodge all day for free? It would be great to just leave our car there after breakfast, go enjoy the F&W at EPCOT and then return for dinner. After dinner we would drive over to POFQ and begin our original reservation.
2. Should we let Disney transfer our luggage or maybe just pack a small bag for Sat night and leave everything in the car?
3. Does anyone have a better plan to suggest?
Thanks so much!

 

[Dan Murphy]

It would be okay if you valet parked.
Disney will transfer your luggage.

 

[seashoreCM]

No, you may not park in the Animal Kingdom Lodge open lots all day while you go off and do activities elsewhere.

If you drive in and park yourself at AKL for Boma in the morning, you are expected to drive out when you are done with breakfast. Actually it would be quickest to drive to Epcot for Food and Wine, then drive back to AKL for dinner, then drive to Port Orleans French Quarter for the night.

Change the scenario slightly. Now, if you were staying at AKL (hint hint) and checking out that day, then you may leave your car parked there until you got back from the parks, which could well be after a post-midnight extra magic hours closing which you are allowed to partake of.

 

[CAS239]

You can park at AK Lodge all day if you valet. If not you're allowed 3 hours

 

[msk]

Thanks to all - I had no idea that we couldn't park at Animal Kingdom Lodge with two dining reservations. I really thought that as a resort guest we could park for free at any resort or park. We are rethinking our plans for Sunday. We will arrive on Saturday and have full day park tickets on Sunday, we transfer from a value resort on Saturday to a moderate resort on Sunday. No matter we are looking forward to a wonderful week at WDW!

 

[Alesia]

Thanks to all - I had no idea that we couldn't park at Animal Kingdom Lodge with two dining reservations. I really thought that as a resort guest we could park for free at any resort or park. We are rethinking our plans for Sunday. We will arrive on Saturday and have full day park tickets on Sunday, we transfer from a value resort on Saturday to a moderate resort on Sunday. No matter we are looking forward to a wonderful week at WDW!

Resort parking is not unlimited and it is intended for people who have legitimate business at that resort. You can park there while you eat, but you're expected to move your car when you're done.

 

[supersnoop]

Thanks to all - I had no idea that we couldn't park at Animal Kingdom Lodge with two dining reservations. I really thought that as a resort guest we could park for free at any resort or park. We are rethinking our plans for Sunday. We will arrive on Saturday and have full day park tickets on Sunday, we transfer from a value resort on Saturday to a moderate resort on Sunday. No matter we are looking forward to a wonderful week at WDW!

The parking rules are most strictly enforced at the Monorail and International Gateway resorts. If you ask the guard at the gate if you can park all day with those two reservations, I bet he'll give you permission.

That said, driving to Epcot will be quicker.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thanks to all - I had no idea that we couldn't park at Animal Kingdom Lodge with two dining reservations. I really thought that as a resort guest we could park for free at any resort or park. We are rethinking our plans for Sunday. We will arrive on Saturday and have full day park tickets on Sunday, we transfer from a value resort on Saturday to a moderate resort on Sunday. No matter we are looking forward to a wonderful week at WDW!

Let me give you an example. Say you're staying at either the Polynesian or Contemporary. You have your car with you and you drive to DHS for the day. You return, later that day, only to find that you have to far in the further reaches of the lot. Why? Because day guests, heading to the MK, have driven to the resort and parked there, for easier access. There are a fair number of people that do this in order to avoid paying parking fees....they aren't staying onsite. Or those that find it easier to just drive to the resort for breakfast and then head to a park...not bothering to move their car.
So, you get up in the morning, only to find many empty spots closer to the front of the parking lot. Those spaces are from the non-resort guests leaving later the night before.

Some say this just doesn't happen. But, I've watched it happen at both BLT and BWVs. All day, self-parking, at a resort is a perk for those paying to stay at that resort. So sure, drive there, park and eat your meal. But, please, after you finish, move your car to whatever park you're heading to.

Also...I would just pack up my stuff and leave it all in the car when changing resorts. If you allow Disney to move the bags, you could very well be without your stuff until late in the afternoon, early evening. It isn't a fast service!!

 

[msk]

Thanks! I can totally understand the problem of day guests and other resort guests taking all the parking spots at a resort. It just didn't occur to me to Our current plan is to leave All Star Movies and go to breakfast at Boma. Go to POFQ and leave computers with them (rather than a hot car) and get our parking passes for the week. Go to Epcot and enjoy Food and Wine. Go to dinner at Boma. Go back to FQ and rest!

 

[msk]

goofy4tink - New question - When the new prices came out I upgraded my reservation from All Star movies to a night at Animal Kingdom Lodge. I have really always wanted to stay there. We will be checking in on Sat. then checking out on Sunday and going to POFQ for the next week. My plan is to let Disney transfer our luggage but leave our car at Animal Kingdom for the day since we are now guests of AK. We will return from EP for dinner at Sanaa then go to POFQ. Will this work? Once again thanks!!!

 

[msk]

Never mind - I just solved the parking thoughts - I now have a reservation for Sanaa on Saturday and I cancelled the Sunday evening. We can drive to WDW and relax at AK, eat at Sanaa that evening and just enjoy the resort. The next day we can enjoy breakfast at Boma, bring our stuff and car to POFQ, take a bus to EPCOT then enjoy Food & Wine. We won't have to worry about drinking and driving, stuff not arriving, where to park etc.
Thanks!