Parking question

[Cbrtls5]

We've never stayed offsite before so I've never thought about parking. This year we are off site. I am trying to read and learn about parking lots.

I'm a little confused about the Magic Kingdom parking lot. Is there a place to park at the park or do I have to park at the ticket and transportation center? I thought so but then I thought I just read someone parked and walked 3-5 minutes to entrance And took a tram to car another time.

Also, we have a minivan which my parents will be riding with us to the parks. My mother has a handicap placard and is renting a wheelchair in Disney. Is there a special parking lot we go to?
Thanks!!

 

[mesaboy2]

The MK lot is at the TTC. From your parked car you may take a tram to the TTC, then either a ferry or monorail to the park entrance itself--which is located across Seven Seas Lagoon from the TTC.

With the placard you should be directed to a closer spot to the TTC, just follow signs and CM directions.

 

[Tink_83]

For the MK you park and take a tram (or apparently now walk) to Ticket and Transportation. Regarding guests with disabilities according to the Disney World Website:

Parking for Guests with Disabilities
Designated parking areas are available throughout Walt Disney World Resort for Guests with disabilities. A valid disability parking permit is required.

Theme Park Parking
Guests with the ability to walk short distances and step onto courtesy trams should park in the main parking lots of Magic Kingdom park, Epcot, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and Disney's Animal Kingdom theme park. Courtesy trams will then transport Guests to each theme park’s Main Entrance.

Disability Parking Lots
Guests with mobility disabilities—including those traveling with personal wheelchairs, electric scooters or other mobility devices—should park in our Disability Parking Lots, located a short distance from the Main Entrance of each to each of the 4 theme parks at Walt Disney World Resort. Please note that courtesy trams are not needed, and therefore do not serve, these locations.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/parking/

You can also get an idea of what the parking lots look like at each of the parks by going to the link I provided.

 

[Klayfish]

Plan an extra 10 minutes or so for MK to get into the park. With AK, Epcot and HS, you take the tram from the parking lot to the front gate of the park. As already noted, at MK the parking lot tram takes you to the TTC. That's still a distance from MK itself. You then hop on the monorail or the ferry to get to MK. I'd recommend trying both, they are each fun in their own way.

 

[dreiwhit]

You then hop on the monorail or the ferry to get to MK. I'd recommend trying both, they are each fun in their own way.

FWIW, i've done both. If the monorails are running, and you are pressed for time, I would take a monorail. Its faster than the ferry.

 

[Klayfish]

Yep, it's faster if the monorail is running and there is no line. But if it's got a long line like it sometimes does in the morning rush, the ferry may actually be faster. Just depends. I recommend doing both simply for the variety.

 

[china mom]

If your Mother will be in a wheelchair or has difficulty with long steep inclines, plan extra time to use the ferry. I pushed Mom up the incline to the monorail and it nearly killed me.

 

[Cbrtls5]

Thank you everyone!

 

[Accident]

since the security change, if the TTC is really crowded they will also have a bus running to MK. It drops you off at a new curbside stop which is still after security so no additional security check but a small walk (wheelchairs available). I find this to be fastest as most don't pay attention that it is there when the ferry line is backed up to the arch and the monorail is backed up using the rope queue.

The bus is just off to the right of the monorail entrance and easy to see if there is cast members and buses running from the line for monorail.

 

[bryanb]

Some people think that it's inconvenient that the TTC parking lot is separated from the Magic Kingdom by the massive body of water. For me, it's a real treat (coming from Disneyland where there is no such thing).

I really enjoy taking a monorail or ferry and approaching the Magic Kingdom off in the distance. For me, it makes the Magic Kingdom feel like a far off land across a sea... and no trip is complete without entering MK this way.

 

[Accident]

Some people think that it's inconvenient that the TTC parking lot is separated from the Magic Kingdom by the massive body of water. For me, it's a real treat (coming from Disneyland where there is no such thing).

I really enjoy taking a monorail or ferry and approaching the Magic Kingdom off in the distance. For me, it makes the Magic Kingdom feel like a far off land across a sea... and no trip is complete without entering MK this way.

It's definitely a time consumer. It'll add 20-40 minutes to get to the entrance of MK. it's nice but it gets old pretty quick as well, especially if your in a hurry.

 

[bryanb]

It's definitely a time consumer. It'll add 20-40 minutes to get to the entrance of MK. it's nice but it gets old pretty quick as well, especially if your in a hurry.

It's quite a valid point. I almost added to my post: "but I have a very relaxed style of touring, and this isn't everyone's idea of great scenery when they're in a rush to get started on the rides."

I think everyone should do it at least once though. I also have a personal appreciation for watercraft and monorails and used to operate the Mark Twain at Disneyland (which is of course on guide rails) among other attractions.

 

[DisneyOma]

We've never stayed offsite before so I've never thought about parking. This year we are off site. I am trying to read and learn about parking lots.

I'm a little confused about the Magic Kingdom parking lot. Is there a place to park at the park or do I have to park at the ticket and transportation center? I thought so but then I thought I just read someone parked and walked 3-5 minutes to entrance And took a tram to car another time.

Also, we have a minivan which my parents will be riding with us to the parks. My mother has a handicap placard and is renting a wheelchair in Disney. Is there a special parking lot we go to?
Thanks!!

If you are planning on renting a wheelchair just for inside the parks - there's a lot of walking for your mom to get into MK, as the tram does not stop at the HC parking area. There may be complimentary wheelchairs there to get her to the TTC, but they are first come, first served, and only get her to the TTC area. Then she'd need to walk from the ferry/monorail area to the scan area, etc. Look on Google maps to get an idea of how much walking is involved to get into MK, as it is quite a lot!

 

[dreiwhit]

It's definitely a time consumer. It'll add 20-40 minutes to get to the entrance of MK. it's nice but it gets old pretty quick as well, especially if your in a hurry.

On one of our MK days last year, the monorails were down and everyone was having to use the ferry (no buses were running.) It took us almost 90 minutes from the time we left our car until the time we cleared the tapstiles.

FWIW, I can't really see the parking lot from Epcot, MK or DHS once I go through the tapstiles. I really wish parking for MK was closer to the entrance.

 

[Tink_83]

Some people think that it's inconvenient that the TTC parking lot is separated from the Magic Kingdom by the massive body of water. For me, it's a real treat (coming from Disneyland where there is no such thing).

I really enjoy taking a monorail or ferry and approaching the Magic Kingdom off in the distance. For me, it makes the Magic Kingdom feel like a far off land across a sea... and no trip is complete without entering MK this way.

As a child I remember this as being very exciting to watch the MK off in the distance as you approach it. I look at it as all part of the experience but I also don't go that often (right now we've been doing once a year but short 2 day vacations or something like that)... anyway it brings me back to my childhood and now sharing that with DD and watching her face light up as we approach the park is just the beginning of a great day for me! But I'm sure if I was late for an ADR or trying to make rope drop (we're trying this for the first time next month) my opinion my change...

 

[Accident]

FWIW, I can't really see the parking lot from Epcot, MK or DHS once I go through the tapstiles. I really wish parking for MK was closer to the entrance.

I do really miss the other entrance and parking lot way back in the day that was behind the castle.

 

[deedubb]

It's definitely a time consumer. It'll add 20-40 minutes to get to the entrance of MK. it's nice but it gets old pretty quick as well, especially if your in a hurry.

I agree. After doing it once, the novelty has worn off and it's the one thing I hate about MK now, especially if you leave right after Wishes and have to battle the crowd to get back your car.

 

[Accident]

I agree. After doing it once, the novelty has worn off and it's the one thing I hate about MK now, especially if you leave right after Wishes and have to battle the crowd to get back your car.

I actually lyft to MK and never drive it just so I can take any mode of transportation or walk to contemporary at the end of the night to speed up getting home... i'll only drive if I know i'm going to get out before night entertainment.

 

[dreiwhit]

I agree. After doing it once, the novelty has worn off and it's the one thing I hate about MK now, especially if you leave right after Wishes and have to battle the crowd to get back your car.

I agree. Its the one thing that I hate about MK as well. Trying to get in or out can be an absolute pain.

FWIW, in the past we watched Wishes from the archways by the train station. When it was done, we were out of MK in a flash to get to the ferry or monorails.

 

[Cbrtls5]

If you are planning on renting a wheelchair just for inside the parks - there's a lot of walking for your mom to get into MK, as the tram does not stop at the HC parking area. There may be complimentary wheelchairs there to get her to the TTC, but they are first come, first served, and only get her to the TTC area. Then she'd need to walk from the ferry/monorail area to the scan area, etc. Look on Google maps to get an idea of how much walking is involved to get into MK, as it is quite a lot!

Thank you! I didn't realize that, off to research now. Our plan was to rent inside the parks but may need to reconsider