Returning car to Car Care Center-Anyway to avoid long lines of people at MK gate?

[neuend1]

I will be returning my Alamo rental car (and picking up another car) at the Car Care Center by Magic Kingdom. I am an Annual Passholder so I don't have to pay for parking. Is there anyway to avoid the long wait behind those people who have to pay for parking? What happens if I go in the right most lanes (I think they say for buses). Any suggestions?

I was originally thinking of taking Bear Island Road but found there is an unmanned gate on that road. The Car Care Center is the closest Alamo rental location to where I am staying.

I could possibly drop off/pickup at the Dolphin but I am unfamiliar with that Alamo location. Don't know if it would be as easy as the Car Care Center.

 

[vicki_c]

I have never waited behind more than 2-3 cars to pay for parking or show my AP, so it's not something I would really be concerned over. Maybe if you're doing it right at 8:45 AM or something, it's more of a problem, but I have never been there when the lines were very backed up, even in the summer or Christmas.

I would definitely not go through any lane marked for buses only. They have enough to do without random drivers getting in their lanes.

 

[neuend1]

Well, I did some more figuring. I won't be picking up the car at MCO until around 2:30 pm on Friday, Dec 3. So when I return it on Monday, Dec 6 and pick up another I could do that at around 1 pm. You are right that the traffic and the wait for cars won't be that long at that time of the day. I was originally thinking I would be doing this at 9 am and that is why I felt pressured. Thanks for making me think it through better!

 

[skelooch]

You could go through the toll plaza in the right most lanes and go around the MK passed the GF and to the CCC.

 

[kaytieeldr]

What happens if I go in the right most lanes (I think they say for buses). Any suggestions?

Um, I suggest you don't do that unless you rented a bus? Seriously - you want to use the second-from-the-rightmost booth, and tell the Cast Member you're returning a rental car to the Car Care Center. Get directions to the CCC while you're at it. I think you just follow the signs for the resorts, then take a left at the end of the road once you pass the Polynesian. The Car Care Center will (should) be on your right.

 

[joelkfla]

Actually, there is a left turn-off to the Car Care Center just past the toll booth; no need to go all the way around Seven Seas Drive past the Poly. Use one of the left-most toll booths that is open; they tend to have the shortest lines, too.

IIRC, the turn-off itself is 2 lanes wide. You want to be in the right lane of the turn-off, which leads straight across southbound World Drive into the Hess station. The left lane is for traffic turning south on World Dr. to head away from the MK.

And you will not be allowed past the gate onto Bear Island Rd. from Western Way.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Okay, LISTEN to joelkfla!!!! He knows better than I do!!!!

 

[neuend1]

Actually, there is a left turn-off to the Car Care Center just past the toll booth; no need to go all the way around Seven Seas Drive past the Poly. Use one of the left-most toll booths that is open; they tend to have the shortest lines, too.

IIRC, the turn-off itself is 2 lanes wide. You want to be in the right lane of the turn-off, which leads straight across southbound World Drive into the Hess station. The left lane is for traffic turning south on World Dr. to head away from the MK.

And you will not be allowed past the gate onto Bear Island Rd. from Western Way.

Thanks JOELKFLA. I did see the left lane turn-off but was unaware that I should be in the right lane of these two lanes.

As far as Bear Island Road, I could see no way around the unmanned gate. Nor could I see a way to go on Recycle Road past the fence so I gave up on these roads. But thanks for the heads-up about them.

By the way what does IIRC stand for?

 

[kaytieeldr]

IIRC = if I recall correctly

 

[vicki_c]

Actually, there is a left turn-off to the Car Care Center just past the toll booth; no need to go all the way around Seven Seas Drive past the Poly. Use one of the left-most toll booths that is open; they tend to have the shortest lines, too.

IIRC, the turn-off itself is 2 lanes wide. You want to be in the right lane of the turn-off, which leads straight across southbound World Drive into the Hess station. The left lane is for traffic turning south on World Dr. to head away from the MK.

And you will not be allowed past the gate onto Bear Island Rd. from Western Way.

I'm so glad you said that - because that's what I kept thinking - don't you turn left to get to the CCC and Hess Station? Good to know that I remember some things correctly!

 

[P.I. Squirrel]

I'm so glad you said that - because that's what I kept thinking - don't you turn left to get to the CCC and Hess Station? Good to know that I remember some things correctly!

Just to clarify, once past the MK parking entrance, you bear left about 1000 feet ahead. Then, stay in the RIGHT of the two lanes. At the stop sign this lane crosses World Drive into the gas station and CCC. If you turn left at the stop, there is no other entrance to the CCC, so you would have to loop around to do it all over again.

Also, stay to the left-most entrance at MK parking gate. The farther right you go, the more traffic you would cross in front of to make the left exit.

 

[seashoreCM]

If you are returning a car to the Car Care center, even if you don't have an annual pass and are not staying on site, just tell the Magic Kingdom toll booth attendant where you are going. Or ask the attendant for directions. Then drive on through.

Nothing wrong with using the booths to the right if there is little or no queuing. Actually better to use the right side booths. But don't use the bus lane, if any is marked off at that hour.

Driving on from a right side booth, bear right at the upcoming fork, take the first allowable left at a traffic light, go to the end, then take a left. This takes you out to the exit and the Car Care center.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm