Staying at Windsor Hills, Have questions about driving to parks and exit strategy

[dutch_girl_scout]

We've never stayed off site before, I'm excited that we're getting an entire house for half the price that 3 hotel rooms would have cost, but now I'm worried about parking at the parks and getting caught in traffic at park closing time.

We are AAA members and can get a diamond parking pass so I don't think the parking will be a problem. The Unofficial Guide recommends when going to the MK eating (and parking) at the Contemporary so that you can walk back to your car at closing time, therefore avioding the crowds. When I called Disney Dining they said you can only park there for 3 hours then they start charging.

Should I be worried about leaving the parks at closing time or after the last fireworks or am I freaking out about nothing, which is totally possible, this OCD planning thing is a curse I tell ya!

 

[mom2of2]

I'm not excatly sure what you are asking.

Will it be a mass exodus from the parks after the fireworks?

yes, but just hang back and let the crowds pass by. The monorail and trams run 1 1/2 hours after the park closes.

If you use your AAA parking pass you will be pretty close to the front of the lot and won't need to have a tram

Enjoy your trip

 

[sympatico]

We've done this many times. As was already said just wait around Main Street for a while and then head for the monorail or ferry. The shops are still open so you can browse a little then instead of earlier. It's no big deal once you get to your car. We usually head for Animal Kingdom Lodge and take Sherberth Rd. back to 192 and then on to Windsor Hills.

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

Thanks for the quick answers!

I was worried about just getting out of the parking lot, I had pictured major bottlenecks and traffic jams.

So if I understand you, the AAA parking lots are close to the parks and no tram/ferry/bus/monorails are required to reach them, just a short walk?

 

[sympatico]

For Magic Kingdom you'll still have to take the ferry or monorail from the park entrance to the Ticket and Transportation Center then you can walk to your car if it's parked close. For the other 3 parks you'll be parked close to the entrance so you can just walk in without taking the shuttles.

 

[spiceycat]

you have to ride the monrail or ferry.

you can't park at the Cont - despite what the unofficial guide says - they will tow your car if they need for their guest parking.

so if the Cont is full (the hotel is at capcaity) you can't park there period - no matter how many empty parking spaces you see.

if you are allowed to park and stay past the time on your parking permit - your car can be towed. They do tow at the CR. Doesn't mean it will be - it just might be.

they also have signs posted everywhere that the parking lot is only for their guests and they can't allow people visiting the parks to park at them.

if there is something going on that night at the MK - then forget about even trying to park at the CR. - this includes (but not elimiated to) the P& P party, EMH, MVMCP, MNSSHP, etc.

 

[dutch_girl_scout]

you have to ride the monrail or ferry.

you can't park at the Cont - despite what the unofficial guide says - they will tow your car if they need for their guest parking.

so if the Cont is full (the hotel is at capcaity) you can't park there period - no matter how many empty parking spaces you see.

if you are allowed to park and stay past the time on your parking permit - your car can be towed. They do tow at the CR. Doesn't mean it will be - it just might be.

they also have signs posted everywhere that the parking lot is only for their guests and they can't allow people visiting the parks to park at them.

if there is something going on that night at the MK - then forget about even trying to park at the CR. - this includes (but not elimiated to) the P& P party, EMH, MVMCP, MNSSHP, etc.

YIKES! Getting a rental car towed does not sound fun. Why in the world do they suggest that in the UG?

Thanks for the info.

 

[mareed]

We have never encountered a traffic bottleneck leaving any of the parks at closing, and we've traveled at peak times like Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and XMAS. I think it's so much better to be able to just walk out (or take tram to) our car in the parking lot, get in it, sit down and leave. No traffic trouble ever leaving the parks. The biggest jam we've seen would be leaving Typhoon Lagoon at closing, and it was probably only 3-4 minutes sitting at the light to exit. For us, this is so much better than leaving with a mass exodus at closing, waiting in line for a bus, and then standing on a bus for the ride back to a Disney resort! But then, even when we've stayed at a Disney resort, we still drove most of the time!

 

[TotoToo]

We have never encountered a traffic bottleneck leaving any of the parks at closing, and we've traveled at peak times like Spring Break, Thanksgiving, and XMAS. I think it's so much better to be able to just walk out (or take tram to) our car in the parking lot, get in it, sit down and leave. No traffic trouble ever leaving the parks. The biggest jam we've seen would be leaving Typhoon Lagoon at closing, and it was probably only 3-4 minutes sitting at the light to exit. For us, this is so much better than leaving with a mass exodus at closing, waiting in line for a bus, and then standing on a bus for the ride back to a Disney resort! But then, even when we've stayed at a Disney resort, we still drove most of the time!

But 192/I4 gets packed at park closing time. Learn the back routes and you can save 30 minutes or more of frustrating stop & go in those areas.

 

[Terry36]

I am interested as well.

 

[mareed]

But 192/I4 gets packed at park closing time. Learn the back routes and you can save 30 minutes or more of frustrating stop & go in those areas.

You're very likely correct, but we'd never know because we're only on 192 for a few blocks (using Sherberth) and never have any reason to get on I-4 and tend to avoid it at all times due to traffic issues anyway.

 

[TotoToo]

You're very likely correct, but we'd never know because we're only on 192 for a few blocks (using Sherberth) and never have any reason to get on I-4 and tend to avoid it at all times due to traffic issues anyway.

So you are already doing what I suggested. Use the back routes especially in the busy times.

 

[deejay-55]

Google Maps is a good way to check out your route to Disney - go to www.maps.google.com and click “get directions”, then enter start address = your chosen community, and end address = N World Dr, 32830 (This will take you to the Magic Kingdom). You can also get satellite views and street views – great fun!

 

[Gillian]

We've never had much of a problem. In fact, having a car can be much faster at certain parks. We've been especially lucky at the studios when we come back for Fantasmic and are able to park close in. Getting out is pretty fast, and we haven't had to go out to 192/I4 so it's been fine.

One really handy thing when you're offsite is the WDW transporation map that shows all the roads. Sometimes the signs are confusing so if you have a map you can always get back on track. They print it on the back side of every onsite resort layout/room guide, which I know doesn't help much, but it's out there.

It's this one. I'm not sure where else you can get a copy.