Questions about hiring a car at Disney

[richmo]

Apologies, I meant to say the Buena Vista Hotel instead of the Dolphin Hotel. Is that minutes walk from DTD?

If you mean the Buena Vista Palace Hotel, yes, that is across the street from the Downtown Disney Marketplace.

 

[markmcalear]

Is there any preferred parking at the parks? Like spaces nearer to the gate that cost extra?

If so is this included in the resort guests parking?

Also, if you use valet parking at the resorts do you get any parking benefits at the parks?

 

[siskaren]

Somebody mentioned turning right at red lights to me the other day. So if theres a red light and the road ahead is clear I can just go as long as I am turning right??

You cant overtake a school bus at all?

It's only if the school bus is stopped to pick up or drop off passengers, which you'll know is the case because the bus will have red flashing lights as well as a stop sign extended out from the driver's side of the bus (left side in the US). The info is on page 73 of the link Alesia provided.

 

[ConnieB]

Is there any preferred parking at the parks? Like spaces nearer to the gate that cost extra?

If so is this included in the resort guests parking?

Also, if you use valet parking at the resorts do you get any parking benefits at the parks?

No paid preferred parking, but if you purchase your tickets from AAA then you can get "diamond parking" which is usually the parking spaces directly after the handicap parking. There are blocked dates, usually holidays and special events (like Star Wars Weekend at DHS).

Resort guests get free parking (as does Annual Passholders), but no special parking area.

Valet parking is the same cost as parking at the parks so doesn't save you any money, and you still have to use the monorail to get to parks, so doesn't save you time over resort parking

If you are an AP, Florida resident or DVC member, and you purchase the Tables in Wonderland card, you get free valet parking at the resorts for the sole purpose of dining, and must show a dining receipt. It is NOT good for all day parking at the resort, however.

TIW also works for parking in the parks, after 5pm, for dining purposes. But you have to pay for parking, then bring your parking and dining receipt to guest relations for a refund.

If you are staying onsite you get free parking at all the parks. Yes, depending on when you arrive dictates how far back you are in the lots, they have trams that pick you up, and usually are within a row or two at most, and deliver you right to the front of the park. So the walking to the tram is usually less than the walking distance from the handicap/diamond pass area. The difference is in the couple of minutes to get on the tram and ride it. My girls always used to call the tram the "first ride of the day" which often got a chuckle from the tram CM.

 

[markmcalear]

Thanks all.

One more thing, I have a breakfast ADR at Cape May Cafe, can I leave my car at BC all day and just walk through international gateway for EPCOT?

 

[siskaren]

Thanks all.

One more thing, I have a breakfast ADR at Cape May Cafe, can I leave my car at BC all day and just walk through international gateway for EPCOT?

Only if you pay to valet park. Parking at the resorts is intended for people who are staying at the resort or for a few hours while dining; it's not intended for park access. (Valet parking is OK because that way you're not taking up spaces that guests of that resort would be using.)

 

[markmcalear]

Sorry to dig up an old thread of mine...

I assume that if a toll is $1.50 and I do not have the correct change that I can just give them $2? Am I correct?

 

[richmo]

Sorry to dig up an old thread of mine...

I assume that if a toll is $1.50 and I do not have the correct change that I can just give them $2? Am I correct?

Correct. The attended lanes give change back. Since there are two tolls between MCO and WDW, I usually try to have $3 in singles with me. I get 50 cents change from $2 at the first toll, then I'm all set for the second. (There are exact change lanes you can use if you have 12 quarters on you)