Parking? Valet? hoofin it?

[Dawnflower]

In all of our past trips, we have used WDW transportations but this trip we are driving and will have our car so here are my questions.

Do all of the deluxe resorts have valet? Especially...Contemporary (Chef Mickey's)-- Beach Club (Cape May Cafe) Boardwalk (Spoodles) Grand Floridian ( Park Fare) and AKL home!!

Does anyone have any advice on Park Parking?!?! I am assuming the parks don't have a valet. Now THAT would rock, especially if they dropped you right off at the security checkpoint! Ok enough of that, when parking in the park parking lots...is there a "preferred area" to park in for ease in leaving at park closing? Parking up close for quicker access into the park? I have heard of a AAA diamond lot but don't know the details on that, so if anyone knows of this please advise.

I have seen tram stops but not sure if you walk to those and then they drive you up to the entrance or how that works.

We are "thinking" about taking our car due to the fact that my 4 year old does not want to ride in his stroller, and we don't want to push and empty stroller around all day, but want to be able to access it rather easily if we/he needs it before the end of the day.



12 days till take off!!! whoool hooooo!!

naw I'm not hyper or excited! this is my normal state!!

 

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by Dawnflower
In all of our past trips, we have used WDW transportations but this trip we are driving and will have our car so here are my questions.

Do all of the deluxe resorts have valet? Especially...Contemporary (Chef Mickey's)-- Beach Club (Cape May Cafe) Boardwalk (Spoodles) Grand Floridian ( Park Fare) and AKL home!!

Does anyone have any advice on Park Parking?!?! I am assuming the parks don't have a valet. Now THAT would rock, especially if they dropped you right off at the security checkpoint! Ok enough of that, when parking in the park parking lots...is there a "preferred area" to park in for ease in leaving at park closing? Parking up close for quicker access into the park? I have heard of a AAA diamond lot but don't know the details on that, so if anyone knows of this please advise.

I have seen tram stops but not sure if you walk to those and then they drive you up to the entrance or how that works.

We are "thinking" about taking our car due to the fact that my 4 year old does not want to ride in his stroller, and we don't want to push and empty stroller around all day, but want to be able to access it rather easily if we/he needs it before the end of the day.



12 days till take off!!! whoool hooooo!!

naw I'm not hyper or excited! this is my normal state!!

Hi,

Yes. All of the deluxe resorts have valet parking. $6 per day plus tips.

I would recommend that you use the Disney Buses to get from the AKL to the parks as the park parking lots are very large and it it not that easy to go back and forth between the park and you car and back.

 

[chamonix]

Yes, all deluxes have valet.

Can't tell you about AAA parking, never done it, but I DO recommend driving to the parks--the buses are major time wasters.

As for the stroller, either push it empty all day, or just rent one when your child decides he needs one. Going out to the car to get yours will not be very fun and also waste a lot of time especially at the MK.

As always, YMMV.

 

[dzneelvr]

When we drove once we just parked our van at arrival and didn't get back in it until it was time to leave. Too much hassle driving to and from with traffic and unfamiliar traffic patterns. long walks from the parking lot....you name it. Just use Disney transportation. I don't care how great a driver you are, those Disney drivers know their way around the territories and will get you there quickly.

 

[TammiMcMan]

Valet parking is $6 per day at all the deluxe resorts. If you valet park at the Boardwalk for breakfast, you pay $6 (plus tip), if you then drive to the GF and valet park for lunch, you do not pay the $6 again. Once you valet park, you'll get a pass to hang on your rearview mirror. It's stamped with the date and gives you access to any valet for that day (paying only once).

If your 4 year old doesn't want the stroller, your best bet is to play it by ear and if he wants one in the park, just rent it then. Again, if you are park hopping, just save your rental receipt and you can get another stroller in the next park for free.

Unfortunately, there isn't a seperate area for resort guest cars at the parks. You don't have to pay, but you do have to park where ever they direct you. If you plan on going in the morning, then I'd probably drive as you'll get a closer spot. If you're not going to be there at opening, just use Disney transportation. They do run it very well and as your not going during a peak time, I don't think you'll have any issues.

Tammi

 

[kwdietrich1]

We are trying to minimize carrying cash to WDW. Can we put the valet cost each day on our room charge and of course tip in cash?

TIA

 

[ahoff]

We always have a car when we go, but using the buses is the best way to get to the parks, eapecially MK, the buses drop you pretty close to the entrance. If you drive, you have to wait for a tram to the TTC, then wait for either a ferry or monorail.

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Originally posted by kwdietrich1
We are trying to minimize carrying cash to WDW. Can we put the valet cost each day on our room charge and of course tip in cash?

Yes, charges for Valet parking can be billed to your room. If the resort your staying at has valet service...if you will just be using valet at deluxe resorts you are visiting I'm not sure.

 

[mudnuri]

we drove our last trip and stayed on site.

We drove to Contemporary our first night, and parked right near the main entrance, not far at all.

We drove to DTD- again parked right in a very close lot to World of Disney Store

We drove to Epcot one day too....

Parking isnt bad at all- the trams are right near where you park. As the lots fill up- the trams pick up where the people are parking.

We did probably 90% disney transportation 10% my truck...didnt notice any time differences really

Brandy

 

[EsmeraldaX]

Because we stayed off site in Feb, we rented a car for the first time. WOW. Driving to the parks is so much nicer than waiting for busses.

It's really worth it. We found it was just as easy to walk as it was to take the trams in the parking lots at the parks. Only once did we take the tram because it was raining. The parking lots look huge and scary, but the way they are set up, it's not too bad.

Of course, we are just two adults. If we had kids it might be a different story.

 

[JudithM]

Just a side note regarding valet parking ... valet parking is complimentary for guests who have a handicapped parking permit.

 

[*Marty_Mouse_House*]

We used the AAA Diamond Parking last June. When you go to
the AAA office and buy a park hopper pass through them, they
will give you a certificate called the AAA Diamond Parking pass.
When you drive to the parks, you show this parking pass to
the attendant and he will direct you to follow a certain color line
in the parking lot which takes you right to the front rows at
Epcot, MGM and Animal Kingdom. (We didn't drive to the
Magic Kingdom parking lot because we were staying at the
Contemporary). This was really easy to use, and we
usually found a spot to park in the first or 2nd row - and then just walked right in. This is subject to space limitations, (due to number of cars parked there already, etc.) however,
we were always able to find a spot near the front.

 

[TDC Nala]

I would recommend that you use the Disney Buses to get from the AKL to the parks as the park parking lots are very large and it it not that easy to go back and forth between the park and you car and back.

If you arrive early to any park except the Magic Kingdom, it will be relatively easy to go back and forth to your car.

The parking lot at the Magic Kingdom is separated from the park by the Seven Seas Lagoon. If you park there, it is necessary to take the monorail or ferry to the TTC in order to access your car.

Just running out to put something into your car at the MK will take a much longer time than it would at any of the other parks.

 

[topfueltn]

Been driving for 6 years, wouldn't have it any other way. You travel on your terms and your schedule.

 

[Bojangles]

rent a stroller in the parks if he decides he needs one.


AKL has very good bus service...much easier than driving yourself.

 

[safetymom]

I agree that driving is the way to go. MK might be better by bus. We like to think of the tram or monorail as the start of our adventure at that park so we don't mind parking and driving our own car.

It isn't that bad and with the tram you are at the front of the park in no time.

 

[Kingtwin]

Has anyone ever used valet parking (we're staying at AKL 11-4/8) at BW and then walked into EPCOT or taken the boat to MGM? We did this 2 years ago and it was great but I thought I read something on the boards about some kind of parking time limit now.

 

[Dawnflower]

we valet at Boardwalk, went to dinner at Spoodles and walked around EPCOT for an hour or so!! works well!!

 

[DebbieB]

Originally posted by Kingtwin
Has anyone ever used valet parking (we're staying at AKL 11-4/8) at BW and then walked into EPCOT or taken the boat to MGM? We did this 2 years ago and it was great but I thought I read something on the boards about some kind of parking time limit now.

They usually don't put a time limit on valet parking, but parking there to go to Epcot or MGM is discouraged (there is a sign out front saying they do not provide theme park parking). If it's during a slow time, the valet parking usually does not fill up, but during busy times you could be taking a space from someone staying at BW or legitimately visiting the boardwalk.