Theme park parking advantages for DVC members?

[DanenRox]

If we're not actually staying on WDW, but are only visiting for an evening, is there anyway or anywhere to park cheaply (even better, for free) near Magic Kingdom? Would our AP's or DVC membership come in handy for this? Wondering?

 

[rsimon]

If you are an AP passholder, you can park free in any of the parks. DVC members get free valet parking at the DVC properties but I am not sure that DVC members get any kind of parking perks at the parks. I am pretty sure they don't other than the normal perk when you are staying on property. Your APs will cover you at the parks though so just park in the MK parking lot as usual.

 

[dianeschlicht]

The only DVC parking priveledge is valet at a DVC property. As stated above, theme park parking lots are free to AP holders, but DVC members only get free parking at the parks if they are staying on site, just as all on site guests do.

 

[Disney_Villain]

You're not staying at a Disney resort but you want discounted or free parking? Add to that "near the MK", and this thread is really the funniest I've seen in a long time.

 

[twinklebug]

The only DVC parking priveledge is valet at a DVC property. As stated above, theme park parking lots are free to AP holders, but DVC members only get free parking at the parks if they are staying on site, just as all on site guests do.

Can we add a qualifier to what you said with "... while staying at that resort, on points"?

 

[dianeschlicht]

Can we add a qualifier to what you said with "... while staying at that resort, on points"?

We could, but it isn't quite true. If you are staying at another DVC resort and choose to visit one that has valet parking, you still get to park valet free.

 

[tjkraz]

You're not staying at a Disney resort but you want discounted or free parking? Add to that "near the MK", and this thread is really the funniest I've seen in a long time.

Oh, I dunno. It might be running neck-and-neck with the "sell your DVC for gas money" thread.

 

[Deb & Bill]

But DVC members have been instructed that the free valet parking is only to be used to visit the resort and not to avoid the theme park parking lot.

Just flash your AP at the parking lot entrance and you can park for free instead of paying the $10 (or is it more these days) at the lot. But you'll park right behind the last car and not in any preferred parking area.

DVC doesn't give you free parking at the theme parks. Staying at the DVC onsite resorts on points gives you free parking at the theme parks. Or paying cash to stay at the resort gives you free parking at the theme parks.

 

[childsplay]

You're not staying at a Disney resort but you want discounted or free parking? Add to that "near the MK", and this thread is really the funniest I've seen in a long time.

I'm not completely sure why?
The OP states that, although not staying on site, they are both DVC members and AP holders, both of which provide parking privalges (albeit with limitations). Simply as an AP holder they are allowed free theme park parking...it seems to me that they were just inquiring if the privalage extended to resorts as well.
Now, weather they should be parking at a resort for entrance to a theme park is another discussion.

 

[bobbiwoz]

Are you visiting a park or someone at a resort? Theme park parking is covered by your AP and we have had friends visit us at a DVC resort, and they've gotten a 3 hour parking pass to visit us.

Bobbi

 

[twinklebug]

Side question off of the OP's. We're staying offsite with family over Christmas but I plan on touring the resorts to see their decorations. My original plan was to park at Epcot (AP holders) and trek through the park (great exercise, get in a ride ) to the boats - now I'm thinking ~lazy~ and parking at the resorts might be an option depending on price... anyone know the going rate?

 

[JaxFLBear]

Side question off of the OP's. We're staying offsite with family over Christmas but I plan on touring the resorts to see their decorations. My original plan was to park at Epcot (AP holders) and trek through the park (great exercise, get in a ride ) to the boats - now I'm thinking ~lazy~ and parking at the resorts might be an option depending on price... anyone know the going rate?

They do not charge to park at the resorts. Depending on how crowded the resort is, they may not let you park there if you are not staying there.

 

[CarolMN]

Side question off of the OP's. We're staying off-site with family over Christmas but I plan on touring the resorts to see their decorations. My original plan was to park at Epcot (AP holders) and trek through the park (great exercise, get in a ride ) to the boats - now I'm thinking ~lazy~ and parking at the resorts might be an option depending on price... anyone know the going rate?

There is no charge to DVC members to valet park at one of the DVC resorts that offer valet parking (BCV, BWV, VWL & AKV). A tip is still appropriate.

The free valet parking perk does not apply to non-DVC resorts.

Self parking at the resorts is free. However, prepare to be turned away or given a timed parking pass during busy times. Since it is so busy over Christmas, the entrance guards are much less likely to let you in without a confirmed ADR. If the lots are full (which does happen at the BWV), you may be directed to a lot across the street (at BWV) or just turned away.

It is also possible that they may not allow you through to use the valet service during particularly busy times, but that is less likely. You can always give it a try and then go park in the DHS or EPCOT lots if you are turned away.

FWIW, I'd be tempted to park in the DHS lot rather than the EPCOT lot. No park admission required. You can take a nice boat ride to the EPCOT resorts from the DHS and cut down on the walking.

 

[DanenRox]

Sometimes these boards are so helpful, sometimes they're ridiculous. I asked a simple question about DVC and AP Parking privileges-it's so messed up to me that people hop on that as an outlandish position. We're on site till Friday on points, will stay offstie the weekend but want to come into MK for my birthday. That's all it is.....a simple plan.....a simple question. Some of you people really need to relax.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Maybe if you had given a little more info in your original post, you wouldn't have gotten the responses you did.

 

[tjkraz]

Sometimes these boards are so helpful, sometimes they're ridiculous. I asked a simple question about DVC and AP Parking privileges-it's so messed up to me that people hop on that as an outlandish position. We're on site till Friday on points, will stay offstie the weekend but want to come into MK for my birthday. That's all it is.....a simple plan.....a simple question. Some of you people really need to relax.

I think most assumed that you, as DVC member and AP holder, would be aware that free parking at the Transportation and Ticket Center is a perk of being a Passholder. If not, there's your answer--you can park for free at the TTC.

By using the phrase "near Magic Kingdom", some may have gotten the impression that you were seeking permission to park at one of the resort hotels for your MK visit. You would not be eligible to do so. Neither DVC members nor AP holders receive free valet parking at those locations, and the self-park lots are reserved for those who are guests at the hotel or who have dining reservations at a restaurant within.

The Magic Kingdom plays host to 40,000+ guests on any given day, and the parking lots at the MK resorts aren't equipped to deal with people looking for a way to bypass the TTC. It's understandable for people to get a little defensive about such things; when those parking lots fill up with theme park guests, the paid resort guests don't get the experience they justifiably expect.

DVC members are particularly sensitive about this since non-resort guests are known to take up space in the BoardWalk and Beach Club lots when headed to Epcot. It's not a lot of fun to have to park at the secondary BoardWalk lot 1/3 mile away because the main lot is already full of cars (something that NEVER happens simply because the resort is at max occupancy.)

Park at the TTC, take a leisurely trip over on the ferry, and enjoy your birthday.

 

[DanenRox]

OK. I'll relax too. Thanks for good information and some perspective. Off to France for dinner.

 

[Deb & Bill]

OK. I'll relax too. Thanks for good information and some perspective. Off to France for dinner.

Ooh, that sounds pretty good to me. Enjoy some escargot.