Parking with annual pass during park blockout

[jenhelgren]

Does the free parking still apply with our annual pass when we are blocked out of the parks? I am hoping to park at TTC to see the resort decor next week and our Pixie Pass is fully blocked during that time. I'm thinking if we need to pay the $30 parking it may be worth booking a dining reservation instead!

 

[HopperFan]

Does the free parking still apply with our annual pass when we are blocked out of the parks? I am hoping to park at TTC to see the resort decor next week and our Pixie Pass is fully blocked during that time. I'm thinking if we need to pay the $30 parking it may be worth booking a dining reservation instead!

I entered DHS parking lot on a blocked out Pixie Pass day last week without issue.

 

[Dave006]

Does the free parking still apply with our annual pass when we are blocked out of the parks?

Officially no free parking or other AP perks when you AP is blocked out but the CMs at the parking lots don't care. If you don't bring it up it will not be an issue 99.999% of the time.

Parking is not guaranteed, and is subject to capacity, availability in Disney's discretion, and applicable Pass blockout dates (i.e., a Pass is not valid for parking on a date for which such Pass is blocked out). Passholder must be in vehicle and present valid Pass at time of entry to receive the parking benefit. Further photo identification may be required.
source: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/annual-pass-terms-conditions/

ETA: add quote of the rules...

Dave

 

[lanejudy]

Officially no free parking or other AP perks when you AP is blocked out

Is this officially stated anywhere? I don't see it on the WDW site where different APs are compared, but maybe there is fine print somewhere (not an AP holder myself). I don't think I've ever heard anyone report they were refused parking or discounts on an AP blockout date.

 

[scrappinginontario]

I was with an AP last week who was able to use their AP to park on a day their pass was blocked out. I would not anticipate it being a problem.

 

[Dave006]

Is this officially stated anywhere?

Yes I added the quote from the Terms & Conditions just before the time of your post.

Dave

 

[jenhelgren]

Thanks everyone!! That makes my decision so much easier

 

[HopperFan]

Officially no free parking or other AP perks when you AP is blocked out but the CMs at the parking lots don't care. If you don't bring it up it will not be an issue 99.999% of the time.

Parking is not guaranteed, and is subject to capacity, availability in Disney's discretion, and applicable Pass blockout dates (i.e., a Pass is not valid for parking on a date for which such Pass is blocked out). Passholder must be in vehicle and present valid Pass at time of entry to receive the parking benefit. Further photo identification may be required.
source: https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/annual-pass-terms-conditions/

ETA: add quote of the rules...

Dave

I have had APs for most of the last 17 years, with a Pixie Pass (lots of block outs) for the last 9 years. We utilize our AP for TS dining at resorts and DS, and shopping discounts on block out dates as it gives us things to do when not in the parks. We have never even had a blink from a CM about using it. I see nothing about using those discounts being blocked and given that those perks are not inclusive of park entry I don't think they are blocked.

I see where it states the above, and maybe they enforce on the couple big holidays but we've never had an issue. We can park at TTC and walk to Trader Sam's, we can park at DHS and utilize Skyliner to head to Boardwalk area. Never an issue and parking wise a benefit for Disney when we park in the bigger lots that almost never fill up.

Disney's Terms & Conditions are full of vague what ifs to CYA in case of extreme circumstances. You aren't even guaranteed the room category or hotel you booked ~ only A room on property. Likely the parking will only be an issue on Christmas, New Years or maybe 4th of July when folks are trying to get closer for fireworks.

 

[LAS2AMS]

How does the parking benefit work for WDW? At DLR, they scan your ticket. If you have the most expensive pass (only one with free parking) it generates a parking receipt to display. If you’re blacked out, it’ll ask you to pay the $40. A CM would have to look at your pass and waive you in without scanning.

When we stayed at WDW, I don’t recall receiving a paper receipt when they scanned my room key, so maybe WDW CM have more leverage? DLR closes the parking toll booth early and I was told WDW does this too, but when we had a Polynesian nacho craving and tried parking at the TTC around 10pm… the booth was still manned.

 

[OKW Lover]

How does the parking benefit work for WDW?

You show your AP and photo ID at the booth.

 

[mitsukoshi samurai]

just park at DS and take a bus

 

[HopperFan]

How does the parking benefit work for WDW? At DLR, they scan your ticket. If you have the most expensive pass (only one with free parking) it generates a parking receipt to display. If you’re blacked out, it’ll ask you to pay the $40. A CM would have to look at your pass and waive you in without scanning.

When we stayed at WDW, I don’t recall receiving a paper receipt when they scanned my room key, so maybe WDW CM have more leverage? DLR closes the parking toll booth early and I was told WDW does this too, but when we had a Polynesian nacho craving and tried parking at the TTC around 10pm… the booth was still manned.

ALL WDW AP holders get Free Parking so no need to differentiate with a paper pass or pay. They scan your MagicBand, phone or hard ticket ... then look at your ID to make sure you match what shows on their scanner. That is it. Only the folks who pay extra for Preferred Parking would get some receipt to get past that second manned booth.

Same if you are staying on site and get free parking, they'll scan the same for proof of hotel.

On a rare occasion the booth will close early if closer to park closing ... my guess the number of paying parkers is expected to be so few it cost more to keep it open. I have arrived a few times, and no one was there so we drove on through. But I have free anyway.

just park at DS and take a bus

Honestly that would be the easiest to me if I'm going to be parked towards back of MK lot and have to take the tram.

Only issue is if you are doing this later ... we did this on a night where MK closed earlier and by time we finished DS was now closed. NO buses back to hotel or DS.