Valet Parking Question

[JimFitz]

As DVC members, are we allowed to drive to the Grand Floridian or Polyenisian and valet park and take the boat or Monorail to MK? I am staying at Saratoga for 10 nights in October and was wondering if this is allowed.

I am traveling with three little boys and this seems easier than parking at the transportation hub and walking to the Monorail.


Thanks.

 

[Happy Birthday Cat]

As DVC members, are we allowed to drive to the Grand Floridian or Polyenisian and valet park and take the boat or Monorail to MK? I am staying at Saratoga for 10 nights in October and was wondering if this is allowed.

You can valet park there but it's not free. It would cost you the daily fee, unlike at DVC Resorts. It might be easier IMHO to just take the bus than to drive, valet park, and walk into the resort and then upstairs to the monorail anyway.

Try the bus system and see how it goes.

HBC

 

[Disney Doll]

If you park at the GF, Poly, or Contemporary, you will pay the valet fee. If you park at VWL and take the boat over to the MK, you will pay no fee as a DVC member.

However, keep in mind that the bus to the MK drops you off very close to the MK gate, as opposed to taking the car to the hotel to the boat. The bus may work better as far as the MK is concerned.

 

[Deb & Bill]

You are not really supposed to park at the Disney hotels to avoid parking at the regular parking lots. That said, the bus is extra convenient because it drops you off right at the park. I'd take the bus.

 

[profdsny]

Do I understand that with an AP you are allowed to valet park at the hotels for no charge?

 

[Deb & Bill]

Do I understand that with an AP you are allowed to valet park at the hotels for no charge?

Nope. You have to pay unless you are handicapped or a DVC member valet parking at a DVC resort. An AP gets you free parking at the theme parks. Not free valet parking.

 

[dianeschlicht]

You have gotten your answer, but I want to tell you that I would definitely be taking the bus in your situation. It is SO much easier than parking and walking and then trying to go from the TTC to MK. I would take the bus from a few steps outside your door at SSR and get dropped off a few steps outside the entrance of MK.

 

[CarolMN]

Do I understand that with an AP you are allowed to valet park at the hotels for no charge?

Perhaps you are remembering that Disney Dining Card holders may valet park for free after 4 pm if they are dining at the resort. Hopefully they still tip.

To the OP - Drive to the other parks if you like, but take the bus from SSR to the MK. It's much better to get dropped off right at the entrance to the MK and use only one mode of transportation to get there. Once you are on the bus, you are set. Next stop for you is the MK.

Contrast that with driving to the GF or Poly, valet parking, getting the kids up the stairs and then waiting in a line for the monorail. (Factor in a few minutes to explain to the CM at the entrance kiosk what you are doing. Parking at the MK resorts is controlled).


Driving sounds good, but it is not as simple as you might think to navigate with 3 kids from the valet station to the monorail. Wouldn't you rather just get them on the bus and be done with it?

If you are traveling with strollers or can't use stairs, you'll have to go inside the resort and take the elevator to the second level and then find the door to the monorail. Having traveled with my two nephews (4 and 8), I remember how tough it was to keep track of them and there were 4 adults to do it. Young boys run everywhere and seldom give advance notice before they disappear or stop to look at something. Maybe your boys are easier to manage - my nephews are a handful, LOL!

Keep in mind that if you valet park, you will have to pay the valet parking fee (IIRC, it's $6) plus tips. Most tip on both pick up and drop off. You will not be allowed to self park at the MK resorts - they will gve you a limited time parking pass.

Best wishes -

 

[fun2bmomof3]

I agree with everyone else to try the bus. We stayed at PORS last year with our4 children ages 11,10,7, and 5 monthes. We used the buses exclusively with no problems. It would have been a bigger headache to load them in the car, drive, unload, go up to the monorail then on the MK. We walked to the bus depot (not very far) got on the bus, the wait was usually less than 5 minutes. Much less time consuming than what you suggested. HTH.

 

[profdsny]

You will not be allowed to self park at the MK resorts - they will gve you a limited time parking pass.

Best wishes -[/QUOTE]


Are you sure about not being allowed to self-park? Only reason I ask is because our last visit last year, and every visit previously, you could park on your own. Not saying you are wrong, just hadn't read that the policy changed.

 

[DebbieB]

You will not be allowed to self park at the MK resorts - they will gve you a limited time parking pass.

Best wishes
----------------------
Are you sure about not being allowed to self-park? Only reason I ask is because our last visit last year, and every visit previously, you could park on your own. Not saying you are wrong, just hadn't read that the policy changed.

It depends on the guard at the resort. If it's a crowded time, they are going to more strictly enforce parking times. If it's not, they may not. I know last week I looked down into the Poly parking lot as we passed by on the monorail, it was half empty. I have heard during very crowded times (like 4th of July), they do sometimes tow.