Preferred parking

[ButterflyKisses77]

Do you think it’s worth it? Why or why not

 

[dina444444]

Do you think it’s worth it? Why or why not

Not worth it. All it does is save you just a few minutes on the walk to the escalators in the structure.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

Most people I know don't use preferred parking because they don't need it. But one person I know did use it and found it helpful for her particular circumstance. She was with a large family group on a one day visit to the parks. The group was mostly first timers, covered all age groups, and included strollers and at least one person with some limited mobility (although not an actual disability). Her plan was to be at the gates for rope drop and to keep going until the last person dropped. She told me that the preferred parking made getting her group parked and off to the tram much easier (no getting anxious or restless while following everyone being guided to their parking spots and possibly ending up far back in a row -- which would have set the older folks off on an anxiety attack right from the start). At the end of a very long day, being able to get off the escalators/elevator and find the car right away, with hardly any more walking needed, was a big relief for everyone. Yes, it was an expensive perk. And, yes, for her on that one day, it was totally worth it.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Generally, I'd say it isn't worth it unless there is some reason why you need to get to/from your car 5 minutes faster. I've parked as far away from the escalators as possible and it couldn't have taken me more than 5 minutes to walk to it from my car.

If there is a reason why someone can't walk or stand or very long or if you think you need to go back to your car during your park visit, paying more for the parking can be worth it. "Worth it" is very subjective. If you have a kid who will scream the entire way back to the car - it is probably worth it. Just have to think about your own situation, but it only saves about 5 minutes or less of walking time.

 

[ButterflyKisses77]

Thanks for your reply’s I Ask because my mother has limited mobility and wondering if the preferred parking would be better for her. It’s just almost twice the price!

 

[OKC Disney Fan]

I have a signature AP with free parking. Is there a way to upgrade and pay the difference for this one time? My next trip we will have someone with us with mobility issues.

 

[dina444444]

I have a signature AP with free parking. Is there a way to upgrade and pay the difference for this one time? My next trip we will have someone with us with mobility issues.

Yes. Just tell the parking booth attendant you want preferred parking. You’ll then pay the difference.

 

[ludari]

Yeah, I don't think the preferred parking is worth it. Sometimes you can get lucky and get close to the escalators with regular parking fees. Now if the preferred parking included some type of preferred security check line to get on the trams maybe I might consider it.

 

[ParkHopper1]

Thanks for your reply’s I Ask because my mother has limited mobility and wondering if the preferred parking would be better for her. It’s just almost twice the price!

Well, for a limited mobility issue Preferred Parking may very well be worth it for a guaranteed closer spot. For an able bodied person, it is a crap shoot as to value cuz you could end up parking literally right next to the preferred section with standard parking...or at the far end of the garage...all just luck of the draw.

 

[tarheelalum]

It's a rip off. Tell the people at the parking booth about the mobility issue and sometimes they can do something for you for no additional charge.

 

[theluckyrabbit]

OP: does your mother have a disability parking placard? If so, she will be given HC parking, which is in the preferred zone, without the $35 fee. If you have enough time and she qualifies, she might be able to get a temporary parking permit before your visit.

 

[j9isawesome]

No, not for abled bodied people. It takes us 3 minutes to walk from the far end of the garage (less if we got lucky & aren’t parking at the farthest sport) & another 30 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes to take the escalator down. So no, less than 5 minutes of walking is not worth $35 to me but we like walking, walk to the parks, walk 5-10 miles around the parks each day. Now for your group in this instance then it might likely be worth it to get preferred parking to save that potential extra distance. Is there still preferred parking actually being offered at the moment or have they moved it to a higher floor since most of the ground floor is now being used for tram loading, roped off or under construction?

 

[dina444444]

No, not for abled bodied people. It takes us 3 minutes to walk from the far end of the garage (less if we got lucky & aren’t parking at the farthest sport) & another 30 seconds to 1 1/2 minutes to take the escalator down. So no, less than 5 minutes of walking is not worth $35 to me but we like walking, walk to the parks, walk 5-10 miles around the parks each day. Now for your group in this instance then it might likely be worth it to get preferred parking to save that potential extra distance. Is there still preferred parking actually being offered at the moment or have they moved it to a higher floor since most of the ground floor is now being used for tram loading, roped off or under construction?

Preferred parking was never in Chip and Dale on the tram side. That was all HC parking. Preferred is usually designated spots in rows 8-10 on levels 2-6 and it gets turned over to regular parking later in the day.