Premier AP, Valet, and Mardi Gras question

DCTooTall

<MARQUEE BEHAVIOR=ALTERNATE><img src=http://www.em
Joined
Apr 24, 2008
Messages
5,957
I'm going to be arriving in Orlando on the 5th, which happens to be a Mardi Gras night. I'll be getting a Premier AP, which includes free Valet and/or preferred parking, but obviously, can't use it for parking until after it's activated.

Now, i recall reading several other threads which hinted that you could get your AP activated and avoid paying for parking on day 1 by either doing the guest drop off, walking to the park and getting the pass activated, and then returning to park in the garage..... Or by using the Valet parking since you wouldn't need to show your AP until you picked up your car.

Since the rest of my party is actually arriving on a later flight than I am, I was thinking of doing the valet option since I wouldn't have someone available to wait in the car or "make the loop" for guest dropoff while I got the pass. Unfortunately, since my arrival day is a Mardi Gras night, I thought I saw something that said I couldn't use Valet that day because of the special event.

So my question becomes...... On Event Nights (HHN, Mardi Gras, etc), Is there a "cut off time" where you can pick up your car using the AP before the event has started? or do they black-out the AP Valet privileges all day?

I honestly don't have a problem paying for regular parking my first day if needed, but I figure if there is a "legal" way to avoid it, Why not at least try. :goodvibes
 
I haven't seen any notification that our Premier Passes will have any blackouts for Mardi Gras. For HHN there was a specific time you had to pickup the car to qualify for free valet. (6pm, 7pm? Can't remember)

This should be 100% legal for free parking. They never, ever want to see my pass until I pickup the car. Also there is a passholder viewing area for the parade. I didn't go last weekend so that area might be the most crowded! But it is worth a shot! I remember when I threw beads off a float they told us to really throw a LOT at the passholders and handicapped areas! :rotfl:

PS- my fave author lives in York, PA! You should lookup when Brian Keene does signings since you're in his backyard! ;)
 
I haven't seen any notification that our Premier Passes will have any blackouts for Mardi Gras. For HHN there was a specific time you had to pickup the car to qualify for free valet. (6pm, 7pm? Can't remember)
The blackout for Mardi Gras nights is on the website so I'm thinking it's 6-7pm...maybe the same for HHN?
 
Ah... Metro, you know everything!! :love:

From the site:
(valet excludes New Years Eve, Mardi Gras event nights, July 4th and Halloween Horror Nights® event nights – full price applies after 7pm; subject to availability.)

So if you can get in and get out by 7pm it would be free and you can more the car over to self parking after you have your pass. Or I think self was $15 when I was there on VDay.
 

Thanks!


I was thinking I'd be doing a mid-day break anyways to meet up with my friends and also do the hotel checkin, so having to move the car won't be too much of a hassle for me.


Thanks again for the help/input
 
This should be 100% legal for free parking. They never, ever want to see my pass until I pickup the car. Also there is a passholder viewing area for the parade. I didn't go last weekend so that area might be the most crowded! But it is worth a shot! I remember when I threw beads off a float they told us to really throw a LOT at the passholders and handicapped areas! :rotfl:

I know in previous years the AP area is usually REALLY crowded. Universal did away with my old favorite spot...Right next to the Jaws queue, JUST as the floats are coming out from backstage. I got a TON of beads and parade love the 2 yrs we used this spot.

I want to be a bead tosser this year. I am trying to talk DH into it.
 
This should be 100% legal for free parking. They never, ever want to see my pass until I pickup the car. Also there is a passholder viewing area for the parade. I didn't go last weekend so that area might be the most crowded! But it is worth a shot! I remember when I threw beads off a float they told us to really throw a LOT at the passholders and handicapped areas! :rotfl:
I wouldn't fool with the passholder viewing area. I was over for the parade Saturday night and the viewing area wasn't even set up until about 10 minutes before the parade started. There are plenty of good viewing areas all around the parade route. I got there around 7pm and had no problem getting a great place to view the parade.
 












Receive up to $1,000 in Onboard Credit and a Gift Basket!
That’s right — when you book your Disney Cruise with Dreams Unlimited Travel, you’ll receive incredible shipboard credits to spend during your vacation!
CLICK HERE






DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top Bottom