Parking questions

[Tinkermom3]

We have been to WDW many times but have always stayed on property (we are DVC owners). We are going down next month and staying at a timeshare off property. Although I am thrilled to be able to go to WDW again I am going to miss being on site.

Anyway, is the TTC the best place to park if we will be park hopping? Or should we park at the park that we will be visiting and hop from there?

We have dinner at Kona Cafe our first night and will drive to the Poly. Can we leave our car there and head over to MK? Please do not think I am trying to get away with something that is not allowed. I am asking so that we follow the rules.

Anyone have any special advice for the easiest way to get around using a rental car? We are AP holders so parking is free for us, correct?

Thanks for any advice!!

 

[Robo]

We have been to WDW many times but have always stayed on property (we are DVC owners). We are going down next month and staying at a timeshare off property. Although I am thrilled to be able to go to WDW again I am going to miss being on site.

Anyway, is the TTC the best place to park if we will be park hopping? Or should we park at the park that we will be visiting and hop from there?

We have dinner at Kona Cafe our first night and will drive to the Poly. Can we leave our car there and head over to MK? Please do not think I am trying to get away with something that is not allowed. I am asking so that we follow the rules.

Anyone have any special advice for the easiest way to get around using a rental car? We are AP holders so parking is free for us, correct?

Thanks for any advice!!

Many prefer to park the car at the AST location they will be visiting that day, and taking Disney transportation from there over to the FIRST place of the day.

Guests are not allowed to park at a resort (other than YOURS) and go from there to a park for the rest of the day.

 

[danny1649]

On this board can give you some solid information.

 

[Feralpeg]

TTC is a great place to park if you are planning on going to MK or Epcot. I would park at MGM or AK when visiting those parks.

You will be given a parking pass when you enter the Polynesian for your ADR. The parking pass will only be good for three hours. If it were me, I'd park at TTC and take the monorail to the Poly. Then, hop back on the monorail to get to MK.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I would also park at the TTC because once your finished a meal at a Resort where your not staying at, your not allowed to leave your car parked there and go off to the Magic Kingdom. In fact there is a sign at the Magic Kingdom Resorts which says "We Are Unable to Provide Parking for Park Access." So you don't want to take a chance and having your car get towed. Besides when guests leave their cars parked in the self parking area's at the Magic Kingdom Resorts after having a meal there, it causes guests who are paying a lot to stay there to not get a parking spot.

 

[shafke]

I believe if you Valet park at the Poly you will be able to leave the car there for the whole day. Otherwise you get a 3 hour parking pass.

 

[mom2of2]

and valet is $10.00 so that's not a savings. Park at the TTC and go from there.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

and valet is $10.00 so that's not a savings. Park at the TTC and go from there.

Don't forget it's $10.00 + the tip, so it would cost a bit more then parking at the TTC if the OP were to valet park all day at the Polynesian.

 

[Tinkermom3]

Don't forget it's $10.00 + the tip, so it would cost a bit more then parking at the TTC if the OP were to valet park all day at the Polynesian.

Actually since we are AP holders our parking is free so we would opt not to spend the money + tip to valet.

I thought I had remembered something about a limit to how long you can park at a resort for meals. Thanks!

Feralpeg - thanks for your thoughts about parking at the TTC and taking the monorail to the Poly (or maybe we will even just walk) and then we can hop the monorail to the MK. After dinner at Kona Cafe our first night we are planning on hitting MK.


No matter how many times we have been to WDW we always seem to learn something new! Thanks everyone for your thoughts/advice!

One more question though...

Is there a better time to get to either the TTC or AK/MGM to avoid lines to get into the parking lot? Is this even an issue? I guess I am picturing everyone trying to get into the lots just before park opening. We do not have to be there at opening and would be willing to wait a bit to avoid a surge. Or is it better to arrive early?? Thanks!!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Actually since we are AP holders our parking is free so we would opt not to spend the money + tip to valet.

I forgot you mentioned you were an AP holder so my mistake.

 

[Tinkermom3]

I forgot you mentioned you were an AP holder so my mistake.

No worries!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

No worries!

Good to know.

 

[dis-happy]

Getting into the parking lots first thing in the morning is never a problem---Disney is great at keeping things moving along. The only time I had to wait was when we got to Epcot for an early-morning (before the park opened) Segway Tour, and they hadn't opened the parking kiosks yet. We still made it inside in time to park and get to the tour.

If you have a DDE card you can valet for free where you are eating. I've been a DDE holder for 2 years and just found this out, when we used it for the first time at the GF in May. Not sure if applies in your situation though.

 

[Tinkermom3]

If you have a DDE card you can valet for free where you are eating. I've been a DDE holder for 2 years and just found this out, when we used it for the first time at the GF in May. Not sure if applies in your situation though.

We are DDE holders and I did not know about the free valet! Thanks so much for that info! That is good to know as we will be eating at various resorts during our stay. When do you show your DDE card?

 

[CarolA]

We are DDE holders and I did not know about the free valet! Thanks so much for that info! That is good to know as we will be eating at various resorts during our stay. When do you show your DDE card?

When you pick up the car, you show your DDE and your receipt from the meal.