Parking suggestions for Disney lots during New Year's week

[salovesdisney]

We are visiting DisneyWorld during New Year's week and must stay off property. We prefer to leave the property for a midday break, but hear that the lots might be full when we return if we should do so even if the parks aren't yet full. Any suggestions? We are planning to visit Magic Kingdom on Dec 30 and Epcot for New Year's Eve.

 

[peg110]

Just a thought, but couldn't you park at DTD and catch the bus to the park? Especially now that they have their new parking garage. (They were still building it when I was there in November 2014, but I heard it was done.)

 

[chartle]

Just a thought, but couldn't you park at DTD and catch the bus to the park? Especially now that they have their new parking garage. (They were still building it when I was there in November 2014, but I heard it was done.)

There are no buses to the parks and DTD will probably be just as crowded.

But OP not the answer you are looking for but don't leave is probably the best tip.

 

[Alesia]

Don't leave.

If you do insist on leaving, be prepared to not get back in.

Here are the stages of closing:

Stage 0 - Due to limited available parking, Guests may be directed to alternate parking areas where they will use Resort transportation to travel to the park of their choice.

Stage 1 - At this stage each Guest in a vehicle must have a valid multi-day ticket. Also Guests with a Park Hopper or re-entering the Park, by showing a currently dated Parking Receipt, will be allowed in. Also, any Guests using Disney transportation are allowed.

Stage 2 - At this stage, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders, Guests with Park Hopper tickets crossing over from another Park, Guests re-entering this Park today. Guests with written confirmation of reservations for Dining or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League within one hour are also admitted. Guests using Walt Disney World Resort Transportation will be admitted. Guests not meeting the above criteria are told the Theme Park has reached capacity.

Stage 3 - At this stage, Theme Park admission is limited to Disney Resort Guests*, Annual and Premium Annual Passholders. Guests with written confirmation of reservations for Dining or Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique or The Pirates League within one hour are also admitted.

Stage 4 - Nobody is allowed in.

Also, if you are staying at a Disney owned and operated Resort and have a ticket, you are guaranteed entry into A park. Not necessarily the one you want (unless you want to go into AK). And if you have entered and left a park and do not have a hopper you may not get into anything.

*Guests of WDW Swan and Dolphin Hotels and Shades of Green at the Walt Disney World Resort are considered part of this group for Stages 2 and 3. In addition, Guests from Hotel Plaza Boulevard hotels arriving by bus are included.

As you can see, you would be locked out at stage 2.

 

[salovesdisney]

I am accustomed to getting to the parks as early as possible, but in this case, I want to get there as late as possible in order to have the energy to stay as late as we can without that precious afternoon break. Does anyone have an idea of what time stage 0 or stage 1 is likely to start in regards to parking on New Year's week? I have heard that Magic Kingdom could begin these stages as early as 11 am at the entrance gates, but I wonder what time is safe enough for arrival at the Epcot lot and the TTC lot. We are coming primarily to see the special events and decorations for the holidays. I am getting resigned to shutting my eyes in the back of a dark theater in the afternoon if necessary...

 

[chartle]

I don't think Epcot sees many early stage closings and the last time it hit stage "no one let in" was NYE 1999, but the MK lot closing at around 11 sounds like what I have read.

I do think even when the MK hits stage 4 it doesn't last long and if you wait until late afternoon it may open up but not sure back to stage 0.

 

[salovesdisney]

Thanks.

 

[chartle]

Oh and you should get a lot more tips if you post this in the Main "
Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies" forum.

http://www.disboards.com/forums/theme-parks-attractions-and-strategies.2/

 

[Alesia]

If I were you I would be in the parking lot by 10 am.

 

[salovesdisney]

Oh and you should get a lot more tips if you post this in the Main "
Theme Parks Attractions and Strategies" forum.

http://www.disboards.com/forums/theme-parks-attractions-and-strategies.2/

Thanks. I will.