Question about parking

[Jonathan Friedman]

We are staying at Port Orleans parking our car beginning on a Friday. We are coming in early Friday morning and are going right to Animal Kingdom. How does paying for parking at animal Kingdom work when we will be paying for overnight parking at our hotel every day? We will be there before we have checked into the hotel or should we stop at the hotel first and check in? It’ll be early in the morning.

 

[Figment Mom]

I would think doing online check in would work. Your magic band will show that you are a resort guest.

 

[Jonathan Friedman]

How early can we do online check in? Also does that mean we can do early magic hours that morning?

 

[Bjkandma]

Theme park parking is free when staying in site. There is now a parking fee for each night at the resort you are staying at.

If you do online check in your magic band will be ready to use at the park. You can also stop at front desk of your resort, your first morning. Check in begins at 6:30 am, however, your room likely won't be ready.

 

[Jonathan Friedman]

OK! So just to confirm We can use both early magic hours at 7 AM and get free parking since we are already paying for the resort parking that afternoon. How does the magic band know that we are paying for resort parking and not taking the magical express bus?

 

[Bjkandma]

You can do online check in up to 30 days before arrival. Please note, if you do online check in, the credit card you put on file will have an automatic $100 hold for incidentials. (There are threads posted about this, you might want to read).

 

[Figment Mom]

How early can we do online check in? Also does that mean we can do early magic hours that morning?

You can do online check in as early as 60 days before your trip.

Yes, you can do morning emh even before you step foot at your resort. You are an inside onsite guest as of 6 am on your arrival day.

 

[Bjkandma]

Magic band doesn't know. When you book Magical Express it now shows in your "My Disney Experience". Also, when you go through (drive through) security gate at the resort, you will scan your magic band. It shows that you are a registered guest at the resort.

 

[Hopefully]

OK! So just to confirm We can use both early magic hours at 7 AM and get free parking since we are already paying for the resort parking that afternoon. How does the magic band know that we are paying for resort parking and not taking the magical express bus?

Free Theme Park parking has NOTHING TO DO WITH paying for resort overnight parking. Theme park parking is free for all resort guests.
You can do online checkin 6 weeks in advance. You can check in at your resort desk starting sometime after 6 AM.

 

[Lynne M]

OK! So just to confirm We can use both early magic hours at 7 AM and get free parking since we are already paying for the resort parking that afternoon. How does the magic band know that we are paying for resort parking and not taking the magical express bus?

Resort parking and theme park parking are not connected in any way.

Disney's theme parks do not charge registered guests of Disney resorts for parking. This is a perk that the theme parks have always offered to resort guests. When you go through the parking lot entrance at any Disney park, your magic band will be scanned, and the attemdant will see that you have a current reservation and wave you through. No need to stop at the resort first.

Charging for overnight parking at resorts is a relatively new thing. All you are paying for is the right to keep a car in that resort's lot overnight. It doesn't come with any other benefits or perks.

 

[Master Fastpasser]

To clarify you can do online check in as soon as you book your trip.
I checked in for my July 2019 trip in like February lol.

Theme park parking is free for onsite guests.
You'll just scan your magic band.

 

[love2flyatl]

If staying at Holiday Inn Orlando – Disney Springs™ Area do we have to pay for parking at the parks?

Also, for park hooper do we only pay parking once a day or regardless we must pay again if we go to a second park on the same day?

Thank you.

 

[Bjkandma]

Yes, you will have to pay for parking at the parks. Some Disney Springs hotels qualify for getting fast passes 60 days out and extra magic hours, Unfortunately, I am not sure about the Holiday Inn, but you could check with hotel, or someone else will respond here.

You will only have to pay for theme park parking once a day. Make sure you hold on to your parking receipt. When going through the parking booths, you will need to show your receipt.

 

[love2flyatl]

Yes, you will have to pay for parking at the parks. Some Disney Springs hotels qualify for getting fast passes 60 days out and extra magic hours, Unfortunately, I am not sure about the Holiday Inn, but you could check with hotel, or someone else will respond here.

You will only have to pay for theme park parking once a day. Make sure you hold on to your parking receipt. When going through the parking booths, you will need to show your receipt.

Thank you. Will keep the park receipt to use on both parks.
I called the hotel. Was told yes for FP and no for park parking.