Parking Tips, anyone?

[limpy]

We are staying off site and using a rental car. I was thinking about valet parking at BC and walking to Epcot. Is there any other resort where you can valet park and walk to one of the parks (AK and/or MK)?

Any other tips for parking? We have two small children with a stroller and I don't mind paying extra for the convenience of getting to and from our car quickly.

thanks!

 

[emorin]

I've recently learned about AAA Diamond Parking. I'm still trying to figure it all out myself so you might want to look into it as well. I heard about it on these boards. Basically, it's a pass from AAA that you can obtain if you are a AAA member (or you can find one on ebay) and that pass allows you to park right behind or close to handicap parking. From what I've learned there is limited availability for these spaces and you must still purchase parking for that day. It's worth a look.

 

[ses1230]

We are staying off site and using a rental car. I was thinking about valet parking at BC and walking to Epcot. Is there any other resort where you can valet park and walk to one of the parks (AK and/or MK)?

Any other tips for parking? We have two small children with a stroller and I don't mind paying extra for the convenience of getting to and from our car quickly.

thanks!

No to AK.

You can valet at the Contemporary and walk to MK.

 

[natatomic]

I recommend following the rules and parking in the lots at the park like every other guest with children and strollers does (and it's Disney so EVERYONE has kids and strollers). If you want to park closer, do what the previous poster said and buy the diamond membership from AAA.

 

[ArielRae]

We were off site last trip. We are early risers so we were at the parks at 6:30am each morning. So early they weren't even ready to charge for parking just a go on to your destination sign or just a green light on the booth. Disney Hollywood studios day we had the very front parking spots. Walked over to the boardwalk bakery for some breakfast and was back right before lines started forming at the tapstyles at around 7:30am. Epcot day we parked at DHS again same parking spot and walked over to the bakery again then continued on to Epcot international gateway enterance. Magic Kingdom day we parked at the TTC and walked over to the Poly for some breakfast and then took the monorail over to the MK. AK we didn't get there until almost lunch on arrival day so no advice there.

 

[limpy]

No to AK.

You can valet at the Contemporary and walk to MK.

Can you walk to AK from the parking lot? As opposed to having to take a shuttle, which I heard that you have to do from the MK parking lot.

 

[Praying Colonel]

I recommend following the rules and parking in the lots at the park like every other guest with children and strollers does (and it's Disney so EVERYONE has kids and strollers). If you want to park closer, do what the previous poster said and buy the diamond membership from AAA.

Valet parking is not against the rules. In fact, you're paying more for valet parking ($20) than you are for regular parking ($17). If there's any doubt, ask a CM at the resort parking lot who will confirm it's OK.

As for Diamond parking, you still have to pay for parking, there's no guarantee the parking will be available and oftentimes it's not much better than the regular parking.

 

[limpy]

I recommend following the rules and parking in the lots at the park like every other guest with children and strollers does (and it's Disney so EVERYONE has kids and strollers). If you want to park closer, do what the previous poster said and buy the diamond membership from AAA.

Valet parking is against the rules? I have never heard that, but I would be glad to be directed to this rule. I am not trying to get around anything, I am just looking for tips for the more convenient options, if they exist. This is my first time driving to the parks.

 

[Itinkso]

Can you walk to AK from the parking lot? As opposed to having to take a shuttle, which I heard that you have to do from the MK parking lot.

Yes, it's very easy to walk to the entrance. The Contemporary is an easy place to Valet park for MK. We eat at The Wave and leave our car in the Valet lot... No problem at all.

 

[ses1230]

Valet parking is against the rules? I have never heard that, but I would be glad to be directed to this rule. I am not trying to get around anything, I am just looking for tips for the more convenient options, if they exist. This is my first time driving to the parks.

Valet parking is fine.

 

[Praying Colonel]

Also, once you pay for valet parking at 1 resort, you can use valet parking elsewhere for the rest of the day.

http://allears.net/acc/valet.htm

 

[bumbershoot]

Can you walk to AK from the parking lot? As opposed to having to take a shuttle, which I heard that you have to do from the MK parking lot.

I'm sure you CAN, but it seems pretty dangerous to be walking where anyone might be backing up their car. We've never been parked close enough at AK to bypass the convenient tram.

However, we have ONLY been parked close enough at MK to just walk to the monorail/boat area. Therefore we have actually never been on the tram at MK. We're either there so early we're up front OR we get there later after hopping, and the front area is empty. Of course, you do have to take the monorail or boat, but that has never been a hardship.

 

[sharadoc]

I'm sure you CAN, but it seems pretty dangerous to be walking where anyone might be backing up their car. We've never been parked close enough at AK to bypass the convenient tram.

However, we have ONLY been parked close enough at MK to just walk to the monorail/boat area. Therefore we have actually never been on the tram at MK. We're either there so early we're up front OR we get there later after hopping, and the front area is empty. Of course, you do have to take the monorail or boat, but that has never been a hardship.

You can always walk at any park within the tram loading lanes, but not in the actual road or tram road. I've seen folks do it at all parks. DHS is the trickiest because you have to cross a road if you're walking in the tram lane on the outside/right facing the park entrance. But look around, there's a safer lane on the other side!

Aren't discussion boards fun - you can get every side of the answer/information, and some of it will be VERY VERY wrong. Luckily there are enough folks on here who make sure the correct information gets out there. Just don't take the very first answer unless more than one person tells you the same thing.

Valet parking is the most expensive way to park, and you have to pay for it even if you are staying onsite. Therefore, you are absolutely permitted to pay and leave your car there. We have done it on many occasions at the Boardwalk, Beach Club, Grand Floridian and Polynesian. The other poster who said you can keep your receipt for other valets is also correct, we have done that as well.

Just remember you should also tip, we will do 2 or 3 dollars each way, so valet will end up costing about $25.

 

[limpy]

Thanks for the confirmation everyone. Although I am confused by this:

I'm sure you CAN, but it seems pretty dangerous to be walking where anyone might be backing up their car.

How would you get past your parking spot without walking by another car, aka where someone might be backing up? I guess, although I have never considered it before, that is the inherent danger in using a parking lot.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We always drive to the parks. Parking in the lots and using the trams is actually pretty convenient. If you get there early, you might end up close enough that you don't need to hop a tram to get to the gates. We've always ended up in the first lot at Epcot and have never needed to use a tram there. At DHS and AK, the trams are frequent and we've never had a problem getting one. We usually schedule in a lot more time for MK since it requires a tram and a ferry or monorail.

If you have a stroller and aren't too terribly far from the entrance, you could always divide and conquer. I've seen a few families where mom take the kids on the tram so they don't have to walk, while dad treks with the stroller to the entrance and meets them there.

 

[hdnwaters]

I've recently learned about AAA Diamond Parking. I'm still trying to figure it all out myself so you might want to look into it as well. I heard about it on these boards. Basically, it's a pass from AAA that you can obtain if you are a AAA member (or you can find one on ebay) and that pass allows you to park right behind or close to handicap parking. From what I've learned there is limited availability for these spaces and you must still purchase parking for that day. It's worth a look.

I'm a AAA member and I called recently about the Diamond parking. You have to buy your WDW tickets through AAA to get the parking pass. (3 day minimum ticket) You still have to pay to park. AAA has it's own lot that is close in most parks.

I've parked at the Contemporary and walked to MK. I'm thinking of parking at Epcot and just using WDW transportation from there. Maybe not as hectic at the TTC? Any thoughts on that.

 

[TinkSassy]

We usually park in the the lot for AK and DHS and at rope drop never needed the trams as we were so close. I have used valet for MK at all of the hotels before - I hate the TTC cattle call in the morning so it is worth it to me to pay more and walk right up to the monorail with a leisurely stop for a quick bite on the way. I have usually parked for Epcot as well - but am planning on doing valet one day at Boardwalk this trip as we are going in late in the day and only to the back of WS so I think it will be more convenient. (though we will have paid to park at AK that morning so I may end up being a cheapskate and parking in the main lot - late in the day I've usually gotten good parking here too.)

 

[disnut8]

My husband and I, in our early 50s, have used the trams at Disney parking lots maybe five times. We have never encountered any problems with simply walking to the front of the lot and the park entrance.

Disney parking lots are set up so each car just pulls into the space next to the next car. The spaces are angled very well so you can open your door and exit without having to fear trapping someone else in the vehicle next to you. From there, you just gather your things and then walk IN FRONT of the car to the next aisle. Fromm there, easy to walk to the entrance of the park.

Or, if you wish to do the trams, do the same but just wait for the next tram. Disney makes it very easy to get to the parks.