Resort touring - parking questions

[mamabahama]

DDs (18 twins) and I will be doing a quick girls trip in December. We want to spend one whole day and the first half of our MVMCP day resort hopping. We are staying off property so will need to drive.

How does parking work if you just want to visit the resorts? Day one, we want to start at that Poly with breakfast at Captain Cook's for Mickey waffles. Then check out the contemporary and GF via monorail. Then over to Beach and Yacht.

We have a late dinner at Sanaa and want to arrive a couple hours early to check out the AK main lodge and animals first.

Day 2 we want to eat at Roaring Fork at Wilderness Lodge, tour around the resort then do some outlet shopping before MVMCP.

Where are we going to run into parking issues? I've only ever parked at a resort when I have an ADR. How does parking work when you want to eat at a counter service restaurant?

 

[rwdavis2]

Just say you are parking for a dinner reservation I believe.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

There is no simple answer to this. If they can accommodate you, they will, but if the lot is very crowded they may not be able to.
I have been turned away once in trying to eat at a restaurant without a reservation already in place. But plenty of other times they say come on in.
So, you should be prepared for either scenario. On day 1, parking at TTC can be your backup plan. Epcot area resorts are a little trickier. You might be able to use the mini-golf places as a backup plan. HS is a little too far for resort hopping. I do not forsee you having any issues at AKL or WL.

 

[Polydweller]

Just say you are parking for a dinner reservation I believe.

That won't work anymore. The guards have a list of ADRs and your name has to be on it, especially at the monorail resorts. The monorail resorts are starting to crack down on parking and moving to allow parking for resort guests and ADRs.

When we arrived at the Poly on Oct 1 three cars in front of us were turned away because they weren't on the ADR or guest lists. I inquired about it at the guard shack and with some CMs (including managers) that I know. They will be moving to the parking policy and have started installing technology to assist. There has already been installed a new camera at the Poly which is aimed to pick up rear license plates and will have a time stamp. There has just been too many people parking and blocking the resort guest from parking. And no they don't give visitors a parking pass because the camera makes it unnecessary.

So, for the monorail resorts park at the TTC and use the monorail to travel to the hotels.

 

[rwdavis2]

That won't work anymore. The guards have a list of ADRs and your name has to be on it, especially at the monorail resorts. The monorail resorts are starting to crack down on parking and moving to allow parking for resort guests and ADRs.

When we arrived at the Poly on Oct 1 three cars in front of us were turned away because they weren't on the ADR or guest lists. I inquired about it at the guard shack and with some CMs (including managers) that I know. They will be moving to the parking policy and have started installing technology to assist. There has already been installed a new camera at the Poly which is aimed to pick up rear license plates and will have a time stamp. There has just been too many people parking and blocking the resort guest from parking. And no they don't give visitors a parking pass because the camera makes it unnecessary.

So, for the monorail resorts park at the TTC and use the monorail to travel to the hotels.

Thanks, that's good to know. We'll be there in a couple of weeks.

 

[wilkeliza]

Depending on how busy it is you may be told to park at the TTC. We tried to go visit the Grand Floridan and Contemporary during December one year and were told we would have to park at TTC and take the monorail over as the parking lot was full. Beach and Yacht club and boardwalk resorts can be the same way. We were told that we either had to valet or park at Hollywood Studios and walk or take the boat back.

 

[WDW_fan_in_TX]

Right now we're scheduled to land in Orlando at about 5 p.m. and have ADRs at Contemporary at 9 p.m. (Cali Grill). Will we be able to drive to Contemporary and go to MK for a bit before our ADR at 9? I figure we'd get to Contemporary about 6:30 and then 2 hours or so in MK before walking back to CR. Any help there would be appreciated.

 

[DisBuckMan]

TECHNICALLY, you're allowed to park at a resort for no more than 3 hours *with* an ADR, unless you pay to valet park. Without an ADR, not supposed to park at a resort, period.

Parking has gotten extremely crowded at many of the resorts on the monorail route and the Epcot/HS resorts....mainly due to offsite guests abusing it.

 

[Marionnette]

Right now we're scheduled to land in Orlando at about 5 p.m. and have ADRs at Contemporary at 9 p.m. (Cali Grill). Will we be able to drive to Contemporary and go to MK for a bit before our ADR at 9? I figure we'd get to Contemporary about 6:30 and then 2 hours or so in MK before walking back to CR. Any help there would be appreciated.

That's a tough one. TBH, you should not be using a resort parking lot when it's your intention to visit a theme park. That includes those who have ADRs before or after their planned theme park visit.

However, you should be allowed to arrive early enough for your ADR to take a walk around the resort and perhaps have a beverage in the lounge. You will be allowed to park at the resort for 3 hours. That's the amount of time that they permit for you to have your meal and do a little visiting. It's not enough time to go to the MK. Showing up at the gate 2.5-3 hrs. prior to your ADR time probably will not get you in.

 

[Boopuff]

If you're plan is to visit MK before your res. why not just park at TTC and monorail to ADR and back to your car.

 

[ncc1701]

We used a taxi to go from POFQ to YC for a dinner ADR 2 weeks ago and we were asked why we were coming. And it wasn't an Uber but a regular taxi so should be no confusion we were going to park the car. If you don't do TTC pay for the valet and then there shouldn't be an issue.