Staying Off-site...getting to Parks

[rhays]

A friend of mine is taking his family to WDW in November...they are driving down and staying at a timeshare he's purchased. He's not REAL sure exactly where this timeshare is located...but says it's 3 minutes from the Main Gate. (Oh these WDW virgins crack me up!) Anyway, my family and I have been to WDW 4 times in the last 5 years, but we always stay on property, so I've never paid attention to having to drive and park at the parks. Can you park at the Magic Kingdom? Do you have to take a tram to the entrance, or can you get close enough to walk? Or do you have to park at the TTC and take the monorail/boat/bus? Are the "car" parking spots located far away from the entrance to the parks? I know the various busses get to park pretty close...but like I said, I've never noticed the car parking. How much is parking for off-site guests? Do you have to pay again if you park hop?

Does anyone here usually drive their car instead of using Disney transportation? We usually stay at SOG, and I've been pleased with their transportation compared to Disney...but I still would rather take a bus than drive. Thanks for any help you can give!

 

[ducklite]

I think parking is now $6/day.

For MK, they'll have to park at the TTC, and unless they are there super early enough to walk, take a tram to the monorail or ferry to get to the MK. You can't "park" at the front door of the MK.

For AK, MGM and Epcot, you park in the lots, and depending on what time you get there, if you are close enough you can simply walk to the gates. Otherwise there is a tram.

If they park hop, keep the reciept, they can park for free at another parks lot on the same day.

Anne

 

[rhays]

Thanks alot Anne! Since I've never really had a reason to pay attention to parking, I wasn't sure!

One more question...when the "Main Gate" is referred to...does that mean the MK Toll Plaza?

Thanks!

 

[CDavid]

I think many of the off-site hotels and time-shares refer to the World Drive entrance off US192 (Irlo Bronson Hwy) when they say how far they are from the "main gate". This is, of course, several miles from the MK toll-plaza, and still further from the MK itself!

 

[rhays]

CDavid...Thanks! I tried to convince him that he MUST stay on property...especially the first time! I told him to use his timeshare at some other destination....but he wouldn't listen to me! I know just BEING at Disney is wonderful...but I always want everyone to experience all the magic like I do! I'm very anxious to find out where this time share is located (I just might have a smug "I told you so!" waiting for him! )

 

[amyhwang]

Just had to add my two cents....

It's fine to stay off wdw for your first visit, since you'll spend so much of your time at the parks. My DH and I stayed off site for our first trip together there (when we were engaged and it was my 5th time there). We drove and found it very easy to park and get around. We left in the afternoon for a nap, and then upon returning in the evening, could usually park very close, not needing a tram ride. I think you can also pay the same $6 to valet at one of the finer resorts, like the GF, and then hop the monorail from there. Much easier, and then maybe enjoy a meal at that resort later before returning to the timeshare. We stay on site now (planning a trip in Dec in a 1br BWV) but that's because 1) we have a 2.5 and 4.5 year old kids, and 2) I've been 10 times now so we want to mainly enjoy EPCOT's fine restaurants and be able to walk rather than drive and enjoy the resort too. With kids, I'd actually DRIVE rather than take a bus too. You have to fold your stroller on a bus and we've got a double now.

Of course if your friend even WALKS THRU the GF they will DIE that they're not staying there! LOL. That's where we stayed on our honeymoon (part of the time, we were poor then) and last year just with DS (then 3.5).

We stayed at SOG too and I think walking to GF to take the monorail is easiest.

 

[deena]

the toll area where you first enter the WDW parks and the offsite hotels on U.S. 192 and surrounding sides are in fact an only easy 3-5 min. drive to the maingate areas so they are not in fact many miles way at all because they literally neighbor/right next door to Disney and a very short blink of an eye stint.

So, provided your friend is staying at one of the properties located in the general vicinity it will definitely be like a 3 minute drive in which he mentioned. When staying offsite for many different years now, we have been very surprised to learn how significantly close we are to the parks with a hop and a skip while arriving at times quicker than some of the onsite guests I have talked with or read about.

Hope this helps.