Self-Parking at GF - How bad is it?

[AndrewL]

Everything I read about this says it's almost worth paying for valet. The two biggest issues seem to be the distance of the self-park lot, and the lack of self park spaces. Is this true? Is self-parking at the Grand Flo really that much of a pain? How much is valet? Thanks!!

Andrew in St. Louis
Leaving in a week!!

 

[CarolA]

It's horrid! The lot is VERY, VERY far away and pretty small.
I guess they assume that if you are spending that much money you won't want to self park.
I think valet is $7. I was pretty unimpressed with the valet also. I had to flag someone down to take my car and the wait to get it back was way too long!

 

[beattyfamily]

My DH can't stand valet parking or using bellhops. He loves doing those things himself.

Well, when we stay at the GF, we valet park. Even my DH agrees that it's not worth it to self park at the GF.

 

[Herns]

I stayed at GF almost two years ago, it was our second time staying there and each time we skipped out on the valet parking and just did the self parking. We just unload all of our luggage and have it sent to our room. Then a couple of us will just go and park the car. Its really not that bad of a walk. Some people may think its far but personally its not bad at all. The only thing is we don't use our car during the vacation at all and we usually go for about 10 days total. If you were to use your car everyday then maybe I would say go for the valet parking but it does add up, its like 7 dollars a day plus whatever you tip the person who gets your car. If you don't have little kids or don't mind running ahead of your party, I'd say go for the self parking and spend your money on something else.

 

[DebbieB]

I don't think the self parking at GF is any farther from the hotel entrance than the self parking at Boardwalk. I parked there a couple of times when we had meals at GF, I don't remember having a problem getting a space.

 

[Tigger_Magic]

We've never stayed at GF, but we've visited there for meals a few times. Self-parking is easy to get into/out of. Yes, it's a bit of a walk, but nothing horrid (JMO). We go during value season so there's been plenty of self-parking spaces available. After a buffet meal at 1900 Park Fare, the walk helps get the digestion started!

 

[Letsbgoofy]

I would agree that it depends on what time of year you are there. The parking lot is always a hike, but if you go off season, you should be able to find a parking spot.

We finally broke down and did the valet parking, it was just too hot for that long walk in late August.

 

[LeftCoaster]

I was not pleased with the self parking at GF. While it's not that much further away than most other resorts, the fact that you have to cross the street with a traffic signal makes it "seem" further away. Also, the signage was poor and it made it difficult to find the lot.

 

[SqueakyMouse]

Self-parking at GF is far, far worse than any other resort. We were in a hurry to make our ADR for 1900 and went past the entrance for valet parking. Dh decided to park and walk rather than exit and re-enter the grounds. BIG mistake!! Not only is the self-parking clear across the road, but also the mosquitoes were horrible. (This was at the end of May.) The worst part was knowing we had free valet parking with our DDE card. Ugh!