Resort/Parks Transport Advice

[JTHC]

Hi, I have been browsing the boards for a while now but have just decided to register.

We head to DW 5 weeks today for our second trip (myself, DW, DD8 & DS3).

Our first trip was in September 2012 and it sounds like quite a lot has changed since then!

Staying at SSR from 18/10 to 01/11. I have done a fair amount of research & planning, but thought this looks like the ideal place to get advice on some of the little things.

We have a hire car but found that the bus to MK was probably easiest last time. Is it possible/better to park at Epcot and get the monorail to MK?

Also we have dinner ADRs at Chef Mickeys & California Grill - is it possible to drive to the Contemporary in the morning, leave the car there, spend the day at MK before returning for our ADRs?

 

[Elise79]

Firstly MK is easier by Disney transport from all resorts as the parking is at TTC and then you have to take a ferry, monorail or bus to MK depending on time of day.

Parking at the Contemporary is for guests staying or using the resorts facilities. Free parking is generally aloud for 3 hours - we stay there regularly and have seen them turning people away frequently at the gate.

Best bet is probably to head back to SSR which will give you a chance to shower and change and drive back for your dinner or walk over for dinner then walk back to MK and get the bus home after dinner.

 

[JTHC]

Thanks very much Elise.

So we're likely to be turned away from Contemporary if we arrived in the morning and explained the situation?

How far is it to walk from MK to Contemporary? Just thinking of little legs after a day in the park.

John

 

[rtilner]

I have been told it takes about 10 minutes. Just take the monorail or the boat over to the magic Kingdom

 

[Feebarn]

If you have a reservation at Contemporary they certainly wouldn't turn you away. I very much doubt you would have a problem parking there all day. We've done it at the Poly... gone for breakfast at Kona and then jumped the Monorail to Magic Kingdom. We just put the parking permit in the window that we got at the place we were staying (SSR)

To be honest, you might be as well just taking the car and going to the Magic Kingdom car park - you won't pay parking anyway because you are already on property.

I suspect where they discourage parking at the resort car parks if for people who aren't staying on property at all.

When I think of it, we've never had a problem parking at the other resorts at all. The parking permit says which is your resident resort, so they have your details anyway.

 

[Elise79]

The walk from MK is about 10-15 minutes. Or you can catch the monorail over - first stop after leaving MK.

When you enter another resort now they scan you band which tells them if you have and ADR booked and when. Parking at the monorail resorts is at a premium especially the CR as it is walking distance to MK.

TBH When we dine at CG I would never go straight from MK as it is a signature meal. CM I can understand but CG is a nicer meal and we always dress up

 

[JTHC]

Thanks all for the advice.

Elise - sounds like a good plan for CG to go back to SSR and get our glad rags on. It's our last day so maybe get to MK early and return home for lunch/rest/showers etc then dinner at CG and maybe back to MK to say goodbye

 

[pickers1982]

We always park at cr when we got to chef mickeys for breakfast then head to the park.never had an issues although I think at bust times they can, and apparently have, towed cars. I suspect it depends how busy the park and hotel is. It's a 5 min walk to mk.

 

[JTHC]

Thanks pickers. Could do without getting the car towed so will probably play it safe.

Can anybody tell me where the nearest Walmart/other supermarket is to SSR please?

 

[Elise79]

We always shop at Publix for food. The closest ones are the one up Vineland Road, the one on the outskirts of celebration and one up the 192 near to Orange Lake. Check the website and you can get directions.

 

[pickers1982]

Thanks pickers. Could do without getting the car towed so will probably play it safe. Can anybody tell me where the nearest Walmart/other supermarket is to SSR please?

To be honest I never realised if even could happen until some fellow forum users took it quite personally that I had parked there!!!!

Hadn't even crossed my mind as wouldn't have bothered with chef mickeys for breakfast if it involved much hassle.

Re Walmart if you have a satnav should tell you the closest. I love Walmart, very sad I know!