parking

[BobbiD]

We had breakfast reservations at Grand Floridian cafe this morning but they would not let us park on property like we always have done. You could park across the street or you can pay $30 for valet. Is this a permanent change or is it because it was around the holiday? (we are passholders so weren't looking for free parking) Just curious if this is how it will be from now on.

 

[Mle8308]

I think it's been that way for a while. We stayed one night pre-covid before our reservation at the BC and we had to park across the street. It was only valet on the GF "side" of the street from what I remember.

 

[fla4fun]

They haven’t had any self parking on the GF side of the road for many years now. That’s why I no longer stay there. It was no fun schlepping my stuff across the street to leave before dawn. I believe it changed when they built the GF convention center, but not 100% sure about that.

 

[leiaorgana]

It changed at the beginning of June and has something to do with the construction. Don’t know if it’s a permanent change or not but we’re staying at GF right now and have been able to park in the Resort Guest parking on the hotel side but when we came this time last year and in Nov as offsite guests for breakfast at Grand Floridian Cafe/dinner at Narcoossee’s we were able to park on that side no trouble as well. Guess sometimes it’s just hit and miss.

 

[_19disnA]

Over the years Disney has gotten wise to those who try to park at one of the monorail resorts for free in order to avoid paying to park at MK. During peaks times, they are also probably less willing to let someone park there. While you may not have any intentions of 'gaming' the parking system, a LOT of other people do and am sure the guards at the entrance have heard every story you can imagine about why they want/need to park on the property. Construction may also be a reason as others have mentioned, since they need someplace to park the construction equipment as well as store the building materials.

 

[HopperFan]

The ONLY time I've parked by the GF in the last 15 years was when I had a handicapped tag and they had us park in the DVC lot. Otherwise we've always parked across the street and hiked over.

 

[Aimeedyan]

We must have gotten lucky because we eat at the GF on a regular basis and have never had to park across the street. Sometimes we are pointed to the DVC side lot and sometimes to the front lot.

Our most recent meal there was Father's Day (dinner, around 6pm).

My guess is it varies based on the hotel occupancy, construction, and crowds that day. Hotel guests should always have the closest parking and we'd be happy to park across the street if dining there but it's never happened.