Riding the monorail for "free"

[TVnews2000]

We will be arriving in Orlando late in the day and we are staying off site. We won't hit the parks until the next day, but we want to get a quick tour of the Disney property on the monorail the day we arrive. Is there any place to park that provides easy access to the monorail without having to pay for parking?

Also, is there anyplace that I can find a map of the monorail routes?

 

[phillybeth]

There is much much more to Disney than what can be seen from the monorails. The monorails will only show you 3 hotels, 2 theme parks, and one transportation center. There are at least a dozen more hotels, two more theme parks, 2 water parks, and 2 entertainment areas that don't have monorail access.
AFAIK, there is no where to park for free that would give a day guest access to the monorails.
There are three main monorail loops, two for the Magic Kingdom and one for Epcot. Any good Disney guidebook will have maps that show the layout of the monorails.

 

[helenk]

You would have to pay to park as the only way to get to the monorail would be from the TTC center, or one of the monorail resorts and you can not get to the MK resorts without paying to park at the MK unless you are an onsite guest.
The monorail at the MK takes you past the main entrance and then over to the Contemp and then to the TTC, then the Poly and last the Grand Floridian and back to the MK. You do not get to see too much of the MK. The monorail for Epcot leaves from the TTC once you get to Epcot it does take a loop that allows you to see some of the Pavillions in Future World.
I love to ride the monorail it is fun, but honestly you do not see a lot of the MK from the monorail and I do not think you can see much of the World Showcase while in Epcot

 

[TVnews2000]

Thanks guys. I guess we may head over to Downtown Disney after we arrive to get in the Disney spirit!

 

[Dznefreek]

You would have to pay to park as the only way to get to the monorail

Wrong

AFAIK, there is no where to park for free that would give a day guest access to the monorails

and wrong.

While the monorail only goes to the Poly, CR, and GF you can drive to any of these hotels and tell them you are shopping, sightseeing, etc. and they will let you in. The Poly will give you a 3 hour parking pass.

You can Valet park (6.00) at one of the hotels and use it at all 3 hotels.

 

[IloveWINNIEthePOOH]

Couldn't you park at DTD, hop on a bus to a resort, maybe one connecting to the monorail, and then get on from there? I am sure after several "bus hopping" you could get on the monorail. That's what we are planning to do the day before we check into our resort!

 

[slp87]

We will be arriving in Orlando late in the day and we are staying off site. We won't hit the parks until the next day, but we want to get a quick tour of the Disney property on the monorail the day we arrive.

That sounds like a great idea! I've heard of others doing this to get in the Disney spirit. As Dznefreek said you can go to the GF, Poly or CR and park for free (unless you valet), then catch the monorail. As mentioned you might be given a pass with a time limit, but 3 hours is more than enough time to go around. If you ask, you might even be able to ride in the front of the monorail! It's true there's much more to WDW, but that will really get you excited!! Have fun!

 

[phillybeth]

Originally posted by Dznefreek
Wrong and wrong.

While the monorail only goes to the Poly, CR, and GF you can drive to any of these hotels and tell them you are shopping, sightseeing, etc. and they will let you in. The Poly will give you a 3 hour parking pass.

Wrong.
It is at the discretion of the resort and the security guard on duty to allow off-site guests (or even Disney guests staying at other resorts) parking access. No where is any parking access guaranteed except the the guests of that resort. Yes, the courtesy is usually extended to other Disney resort guests and off-site visitors, but they are not required to permit it. There was a thread on the Resorts Board about a couple staying ON DISNEY PROPERTY being denied parking access to the WL- they were directed to park at the TTC lot and take the bus to the WL. They were going to shop.
And the OP was looking for a FREE place to park, no point in mentioning valet parking at the resorts, which is only $1 cheaper than parking in the MK or Epcot lot.

 

[sha_lyn]

You could make a PS at one of the MK resorts for Dinner. After dinner you could ride the monorail. Acutlaly you could ride it boefre, but I love seeing the castle at night.

 

[Dznefreek]

It is at the discretion of the resort and the security guard on duty to allow off-site guests (or even Disney guests staying at other resorts) parking access. No where is any parking access guaranteed

Never said it was guaranteed. In 22 years of going I have never been told "No", they want the extra income that it brings.

 

[26555]

Originally posted by phillybeth
Wrong.
There was a thread on the Resorts Board about a couple staying ON DISNEY PROPERTY being denied parking access to the WL- they were directed to park at the TTC lot and take the bus to the WL. They were going to shop.

If its not July 4th, you shouldn't have a problem. If you want to incorporate other methods of Disney transportation and have a meal, Ft Wilderness can be fun. Park there, take bus to Trails End to eat, boat to MK, and monorail around. Have fun!

 

[canda]

I was 19, and staying off site. I was going over to GF to meet someone I had met at the park and the guard would not let me in. I was not a guest and they would not let me pass until I called the guest to get permission. It was around 9:00 at night. That could have been the reason.

 

[Micca]

I don't think you'd have a problem going for shopping at a resort(I never have). Sha-Lyn suggested the best idea: make a PS at a monorail resort and enjoy dinner(and a monorail tour)

 

[MinniMama]

We always plan a dinner at Chef Mickeys and then ride the monorail and all we ever say to the guard at the contemp is that we are having dinner no more questions or time limit has ever been given. we have done this at least 10 times. Don't worry go park at contemp and ride away!

 

[Baloo]

In the many ,many years I've been visiting WDW I've never had a problem getting into any resort parking lot. I have had a timed permit but it was the week after Christmas.I was staying off site and we were lunching at Y&B.No big deal.

TVnews2000 ...When our WDW trips start out like yours will we always start at the Market Place at Downtown Disney.It's free parking and there are all sorts of things there to get y'all in the Disney Spirit! LOTS of places to eat ,drink and shop DisneyStyle!!!

 

[swilphil]

My brother in law had problems last month parking at WL for a PS at Whispering Canyon. The guard finally did let him in. I imagine it has to do with how full the resort is.