Taxi vs. valet parking?

[xxliz28xx]

What would you do? We have a long day planned at the monorail resorts including breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at 11, site visit with Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding team at 1, massages at the GF Spa at 4, and dinner at Kona Cafe at 6. Would you drive from ASSp and valet park at the GF all day or would you take a taxi to and from ASSp and GF?

 

[seashoreCM]

I would drive or take the bus/monorail.

The Grand Floridian is a very nice wedding spot and is promoted as a very nice wedding spot. You might contact the resort directly to find out what parking procedures are customarily meant for wedding guests.

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

 

[disneymayz]

Drive yourself. Park at the TTC and use the monorail to get to GF. If you are not staying on Disney property and have to pay for parking then you can park in the GF self lot. Just let them know that you have reservations and a meeting. Everytime we parked here we were never told we had a time limit.

 

[Tara]

What would you do? We have a long day planned at the monorail resorts including breakfast at 1900 Park Fare at 11, site visit with Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding team at 1, massages at the GF Spa at 4, and dinner at Kona Cafe at 6. Would you drive from ASSp and valet park at the GF all day or would you take a taxi to and from ASSp and GF?

You're going to be spending quite a bit of time at GF - I'd drive there and valet park. Once you've paid to valet park there, you may find it easier to take your car from there to the Poly for dinner at Kona. You'll be able to valet park there at no charge as you'll have already paid for the day.

 

[kaytieeldr]

If not drive, I'd just take the bus from my Disney resort to the Magic Kingdom, then use the monorail - or the launches, where available -to get to the various resorts. But I wouldn't spend any MONEY on transportation when you have the options of WDW-provided buses/boats, as well as free parking at the parks.

 

[seashoreCM]

Lest we forget, the OP will be a Grand Floridian guest, admittedly a daytime guest. Just as an attendee of a convention* at Coronado Springs (Disney's convention hotel) is a guest of that resort even if not staying overnight.

* Been there done that, summer 2004, Institute of Transportation Engineers. Used self parking.

 

[Brian Noble]

For a day like that, there's no way I'd use the bus system. That's not the way you want to start and end a day of luxury and wedding planning. A few extra dollars will help keep you in the right frame of mind.

I'd probably drive and valet park at the Grand. Even though you could self-park in this situation, I wouldn't---the Grand's parking lot feels like it is *miles* away from the entrance.

The exception: if you plan to order a bottle of wine with dinner. In that case, I'd probably get a cab. Though, if it were me, I'd consider splurging and getting a towncar, at least for the trip there in the morning.

 

[Tara]

Lest we forget, the OP will be a Grand Floridian guest, admittedly a daytime guest. Just as an attendee of a convention* at Coronado Springs (Disney's convention hotel) is a guest of that resort even if not staying overnight.

* Been there done that, summer 2004, Institute of Transportation Engineers. Used self parking.

Yes, but the self-parking at GF is quite inconvenient and even guests are required to pay for valet parking.

As Brian said, given the activities you have planned, I don't see any sense in using Disney transportation. It will needlessly add time and perhaps frustration on a day when you want things to be calm and when you want to save your energy for taking in the wedding information and making decisions. The only caveat is (again, as Brian said) if you plan on having drinks with dinner at Kona.

 

[Brian Noble]

For what it's worth, I think you've got an awesome day planned. I'm jealous!

 

[xxliz28xx]

Thanks everyone for the input! That's exactly why I wanted to avoid Disney transportation. No need for stress and waiting for buses that day!

I know where the self-parking is at the GF and that's why I suggested valet, lol. I don't mind paying for parking this one day only because of all the fun stuff we have going on.

It's possible I may have a drink at Kona but DF does not like alcohol and doesn't drink and he always drives when we're in WDW anyway. Looks like we'll be valeting!