Parking tips

[Laura353741]

We are staying off property and I need advice / tips on parking at Epcot, HS, and MK. Any help would be appreciated!!

 

[CAS239]

What exactly are worried about? Parking is pretty easy as you're fully guided everywhere

If offsite and don't have AP's it's $20 per day to park. If you hop, keep your ticket because you only need to pay once per day. If you go late enough in the day sometimes you'll find the parking lot CM's are gone and you can park wherever you like.

Just follow the CM's directions and don't try to back up in a space you see that's closer and open (at least don't do it with CM's around)

 

[Laura353741]

Ahhh ok, for some reason I thought it was much more complicated than that. Just trying to cover all my bases. GREAT advice, thank you so much!!

 

[ravenclawtrekkie]

Parking at the parks is pretty easy. You drive to the booths at the entrance, pay your parking fee (if applicable), get your receipt, and then follow the cones/signs/directions from parking CMs to whatever lot and row people are being parked in at that time.

Once you're parked, make a note of what lot and row you're in, so you can find your car when you leave. Proceed to the end of your row to board the parking tram, or walk towards the park entrance. Don't get hit by cars - walk in front of the rows that are currently being parked, not behind them.

If you're going in the next couple of weeks, be aware that DHS's parking is regularly being redirected, primarily to Epcot, once their lots fill up.

 

[Laura353741]

Ok yes thank you, the HS and Epcot stuff I had seen on another thread and that confused me a little. I will keep that in mind! Thank you for taking the time to help

 

[dISNEYlOveer]

The HS parking lots are busy and are filling up somedays as early as noon. From what I've heard, usually around 4-5pm so you'll probably be good parking at HS, but just follow the signs and you'll be fine.

 

[disnut8]

As others have mentioned, just follow the Cast Members' directional signals (usually hand signals), don't drive over cones that have been set up (saw that happen after Illuminations one night and that car got - two cars ahead of where he was before), park where they tell you to park. Now - this will be all in a row so just follow the car in front of you into the next space. The beauty part of all this is the spaces are angled just the right way so you don't have to really worry about the passengers on either side of your car to open a door so you can't get out of your car. Also, there won't be a car behind you so you can easily get out, walk to your trunk and get out your things. But - after you are all assembled, and the Cast Members will be telling you this, walk to the front of your car and then either to the front of the park or to the aisle where the trams will pick you up.

Important - walk to the end of the aisle you parked in (for safety's sake as well as that's where the trams will pick you up and is usually the direct way to the entrance is you don't want the tram) as that will have the aisle identifier on the ground. Either snap a photo of it or, if you are old school like me, write it down. That will help immensely after a day in the park and you want to leave.

 

[goofyernmost]

I once saw a person attempting to park in a row that they hadn't gotten to yet for regular parking. The CM's made a major fuss and the guy ignored them because he wanted to park closer to the tram stop. They got on the radio and called security. It wasn't long before he reconsidered and parked where he was told. They don't mess around, just go where they tell you and all will be fine and easy.

 

[gap2368]

also do not jump out of your car right a way there will be another car parking right next to you so wait 2 seconds then get out you do have a lot of space but give the drive next to you a second to park. I had a guest do this to me then yell at me because I should have waited for him and I had parked and got out of my car before he was done getting out of his

like other have said it is easy just listen to the CM where every you are they know the best ways to go and remember this is Disney they do take care of there guest.

 

[ArielRae]

My tip is if you don't have an annual pass to get free parking you can get free parking if you are willing to get there no later then 6:30am. DH and I have annual passes and get free parking but we are up before the crack of dawn people and are always parking in the lots before 6:30am. Disney puts signs in the parking toll booths that early in the morning that say to just proceed to your destination. Our favorite thing is to park in The Studios parking lot for our Studios and Epcot days and just walk around the Boardwalk, Swan, and Dolphin resorts and get breakfast. We then walk back to the park entrances around 8:00am and wait for the park to open.

 

[Amanda999]

Just wanted to mention that I love the parking set up at the WDW parks: they run the parking lots like finely tuned machines - organized and efficient. (I have never been during super busy holidays, and I always arrive before noon, so YMMV.) Its great: many CMs in obvious color clothing stand along the road waving you to the place to park; all parking is head in (no backing in) - easy and fast; no one trying to find a closer spot/circling - you park where the tell you; all of which is not only so simple/no thought by me required, but safer once you are walking - you know that when you leave your car and walk towards the park entrance, no cars will be driving past you (ok, maybe handicap decal cars and buses, but they have a marked lane(s) so its easy to avoid them). You can just walk relaxed thinking about the fun ahead in the park.

And (this is how weird I am!): I remember it was like this when I visited in the 1970's. Yup, as a kid I even liked the efficiency and organization of it. Oh - and even though you might have to take a tram (and wait for it): as a kid that was one of my favorite 'rides.'

I wish the large mall near us would do parking like Disney at xmas time!

You didn't ask but if you will park hop and don't want to drive between parks, they have (free) buses at each park entrance that go between parks. Between HS and Epcot you can walk (1+ mile - pretty and nice) or take a boat (recommended). Between Epcot and MK monorail (if its not down) - not to be missed if you have kids. It is faster to drive between parks, but more fun sometimes to do WDW transportation.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

The HS issue is totally about the Osborne lights and is apparently much worse on weekends. If you must park there, get to the park early. You may also have difficulties getting out.

 

[kj2mom]

We went for 4th of July this year and it was my first time renting a car and being the only adult with my children. Parking was something I was a little concerned about but it was a breeze. We followed the signs to where we needed to go, had an envelope set aside with the parking fee in it for each day, followed the CM's direction to the appropriate spot, added our location to a parking note I had in my phone (I still have it because I just don't have the heart to delete it) then headed to the entrance or the tram depending on how close we were (we did RD every day so we didn't usually tram unless my children asked to for fun). You will be fine, no worries!

 

[goofyernmost]

Just wanted to mention that I love the parking set up at the WDW parks: they run the parking lots like finely tuned machines - organized and efficient. (I have never been during super busy holidays, and I always arrive before noon, so YMMV.) Its great: many CMs in obvious color clothing stand along the road waving you to the place to park; all parking is head in (no backing in) - easy and fast; no one trying to find a closer spot/circling - you park where the tell you; all of which is not only so simple/no thought by me required, but safer once you are walking - you know that when you leave your car and walk towards the park entrance, no cars will be driving past you (ok, maybe handicap decal cars and buses, but they have a marked lane(s) so its easy to avoid them). You can just walk relaxed thinking about the fun ahead in the park.

And (this is how weird I am!): I remember it was like this when I visited in the 1970's. Yup, as a kid I even liked the efficiency and organization of it. Oh - and even though you might have to take a tram (and wait for it): as a kid that was one of my favorite 'rides.'

I wish the large mall near us would do parking like Disney at xmas time!

You didn't ask but if you will park hop and don't want to drive between parks, they have (free) buses at each park entrance that go between parks. Between HS and Epcot you can walk (1+ mile - pretty and nice) or take a boat (recommended). Between Epcot and MK monorail (if its not down) - not to be missed if you have kids. It is faster to drive between parks, but more fun sometimes to do WDW transportation.

I have to agree. On my very first visit in 1983 the first thing that impressed the heck out of me was the parking organization. It ran like a Swiss clock as long as some idiot didn't decide to be a rebel and park where they wanted too. That was usually resolved quickly by very angry CM's backed up by security. If everyone just goes where they are told there is nothing easier (or safer).

 

[gatormom2tots]

My tip is if you don't have an annual pass to get free parking you can get free parking if you are willing to get there no later then 6:30am. DH and I have annual passes and get free parking but we are up before the crack of dawn people and are always parking in the lots before 6:30am. Disney puts signs in the parking toll booths that early in the morning that say to just proceed to your destination. Our favorite thing is to park in The Studios parking lot for our Studios and Epcot days and just walk around the Boardwalk, Swan, and Dolphin resorts and get breakfast. We then walk back to the park entrances around 8:00am and wait for the park to open.

Yep, happened to us as well! It was DHS (I believe) and we sat at the parking gate for a few minutes and eventually went on in (we felt guilty!). It happened another morning that trip as well! I guess another advantage of being early (extra early!) for RD!