Resort guests using own transportation?

[ella6599]

We're staying at Port Orleans French Quarter, but we're probably renting a car, and may drive it to the parks, rather than using the Disney buses. Will we still be able to get into the parks earlier than outside guests on early entry days, or is that limited to resort guests using Disney transportation?

TIA!

 

[dis-happy]

The parking lots open early, so the employees can arrive (once I arrived so early I almost didn't pay for parking--they started to wave me through as an employee, LOL) (BTW, we were staying off site that time---parking is free for Disney guests).

Anyway, you won't have a problem. Just give yourself enough time to park and walk to the gate to get your full early hour's worth.

 

[LeftCoaster]

You'll have no problem parking there. Most often, I can drive to a park and be in the park quicker than the WDW transportation can get me there. One word of caution however. Parking at MK is always a pain. That's the one park that I will not drive to. Use the bus / monorail etc. for MK instead.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The parking lot at AK doesn't open to any cars until just before the park opens. So if you are going to Extra Magic Hour, you might not be at the gate when it opens.

 

[DrTomorrow]

Deb & Bill are (is?) right about AK! Last May we drove there on the EMH morning, and they had the cars lined up at the parking booths while the WDW busses kept pouring in. They didn't let us in until about 10 minutes before EMH opening - by then the place was already crowded....

 

[Tink]

LeftCoaster is right about MK. We stay at POFQ and rent a car. We drive to Epcot and MGM. MK is a pain since you still have to take the monorail or the ferry to the main park.

If you get to Epcot early, you can park closer than the long walk to the buses. From what I remember from a few years ago, POFQ bus is really far back.

 

[Rhonna]

Tell them when you check in that you have your own car - doesn't the resort give you a thingy that you leave in the dashboard so you get free parking? Or am I getting that mixed up with free parking for AP holders?

Anyhow, free or paying, they would know you are a resort guest and not a day guest from outside.

 

[CarolynFH]

Rhonna is right. When you check in, tell them you have a car and they'll give you a parking pass to put on the dashboard. It gets you into all the WDW parking lots for free.

I also agree with the posters who recommend not driving to MK. If you take the WDW transportation, you'll be just a short walk from the entrance to the park. But if you drive, you'll have to park the car, walk to the end of the aisle, ride a tram to the TTC, maneuver past the ticket booths, and ride the monorail or the ferry across the lagoon. Not worth it!! -- unless you are going someplace else after MK rather than back to your hotel.