Parking to eat at hotel restaurants?

[YorkieMommyKandis]

We are staying outside of WDW (Sheraton World Resort...hope its good since it is one of the only places I can take my dear Yorkie). Anyway, I was just wondering what the parking situation would be if we wanted to visit a restaurant located in a WDW hotel. Do you have to pay to park, is there a time limit, etc.? We are going in October and the only way I can stand to wait until then is to plan plan plan!

TIA!!

-Kandis

 

[jel0511]

Some of the WDW hotels, which are very close to a park, usually give a 3 hour parking pass to those not being a registered guest. Most of the WDW resorts have self parking areas. A few, the self parking can be a hike and valet is much better, ie. Grand Floridian and Boardwalk (if really crowded).

 

[kcashner]

First, make ADRs and save the number. THen drive up to the gate and tell the guard that you have ressies at Chef Mickey's (or wherever.) You will need to show a photo ID. We have never been charged for self-parking. THere is no time limit, but you cannot park by the hotel and stay for the whole day (as in "go to the parks.") They will tell you where to park, and they will note your license number and the time. If you want to park free to go to the parks, go to Downtown Disney and take the bus from there to the parks.

 

[YorkieMommyKandis]

Thanks!! My DH and I can't wait to eat at The Whispering Canyon after seeing everyone's funny pictures.

-Kandis

 

[PlutoPony]

If you want to park free to go to the parks, go to Downtown Disney and take the bus from there to the parks.

Buses don't run from DTD directly to the parks - they run only to resorts (to prevent people from taking up all the spaces there to park free and go to the parks, thus preventing people who actually want to shop/eat at DTD from finding a parking space there).

 

[Cheshire Figment]

If you are going to be eating at one of the monorail hotels or Wilderness Lodge (all inside MK toll plaza) you still will have to pay the toll to get in.

 

[shellybaxter]

If you are going to be eating at one of the monorail hotels or Wilderness Lodge (all inside MK toll plaza) you still will have to pay the toll to get in.

We didn't - we just went all the way to the right like we were going to the resorts and told the person at the toll booth we had dinner ressies and they let us through.

Shelly

 

[disnut8]

If you have a reservation, there won't be any problem. Just have your driver's license out as well as your confirmation number. You won't have to pay to get through the Magic Kingdom toll booth either. Just stay all the way to the right as you can, tell the attendant you are going to the Wilderness Lodge and you'll be waved through.

At the Wilderness Lodge parking guard shack, do the same thing and you'll probably get a big "enjoy!" in reply. And do just that.

 

[mrzrich]

If you are going to be eating at one of the monorail hotels or Wilderness Lodge (all inside MK toll plaza) you still will have to pay the toll to get in.

This wasn't true for us, we just drove up, said we were eating at the Poly, and we didn't have to pay. When we arrived at the Poly the gatekeeper took our name and license number and waved us in.

 

[Rock'n'Roller Poster]

FYI, if you like to stay offsite, but prefer valet parking, I believe the valet fee (still tip) and/or any parking fee is refunded after you get your dining receipt if you have the Disney Dining Experience (http://www.allearsnet.com/din/dde.htm). You have to be an AP holder or Florida resident to buy into this program, but it offers very nice disney dining discounts (20%).

Per allearsnet:

4. Complimentary parking at a theme park for a short period for the sole purpose of dining. You'll have to pay parking at the toll booth, then after dining, present receipt and parking ticket at Guest Relations for a refund.