Valet Parking When Not Staying at Resort

[Mickey3Boys]

Can you valet park at any of the resorts if you are not staying there? If so, any suggestions for valet parking to get on the tram and avoid the buses? Tring to solve logistics issue of travelling with 2 year old twins plus a 5 year old. We are staying at a villa off-site.

 

[chris7]

I'm not sure I understand the question. You can definitely valet park at the nicer resorts even if you are not a guest. You can do that to have dinner there or look around. It sounds like you might be asking if you can valet park there and go to the parks. If that's the case the answer is no. We've stayed off site w/ small kids and if you get to the parks early the parking is really not a big deal. MGM is the only park where we road took transportation (not a bus, but I don't know what they are called) from the parking lot to the park entrance.

 

[goofy4tink]

Not sure what you are trying to accomplish here. Anyone who is willing to pay to valet park, is welcome to use it. But, which resort are you talking about parking at? I can only imagine that you are thinking of using the Contemporary Resort lot so as to avoid the main parking lot at the TTC and then the tram to either the monorail or the ferry. Can you park there? I would imagine so. But, there is signage, usually anyway, that states that parking is not provided for park attendence.
I'm not sure what you mean by 'valet parking to get on the tram and avoid buses'. If you park in the MK lot, you will use a tram to get to the monorail/ferry to MK. There are no trams from any of the resorts.

 

[Mickey3Boys]

OK, sorry, I am using the wrong terminology. I need to find the easiest way to get to the Monorail. It is the tram and buses that I am trying to avoid - anything that will require me to breakdown the double stroller and try to hold it and 2 year old wiggle-worm twins at the same time. Any suggestions? My point about valet is that if it got me closer to the park without having to take the tram, then it would be worth the extra $ to us.

 

[chris7]

Money's not the issue (although I think parking at the parks and valet parking cost the same?). It's that the resorts have limited parking and it's for their guests and visitors, not to park for the day to get to parks easier. We did Disney w/ kids and a double stroller X-mas 2005, it really was not that big a deal. You just work out the system that works best for unloading and folding the stroller. Again, if you get to the parks early it won't even be an issue.

 

[stitchlover]

I would think the answer you are looking for is to Valet at Poly, CR or GF and use the monorail at any of those resorts to MK. BUT isn't there a maximum window of 3 hours for parking at a resort if you aren't a guest at that resort? I have no idea if that includes Valet parking or not.

 

[tjmw2727]

Generally speaking its a no/no to park at the resorts for park access not sure if valet is exempt or not. Honestly you probably don't need to if you plan and pack properly, lots of folks use strollers, double stroller, jogging strollers etc without using resort parking and manage fine. If your going during a busy time you may be asked to fold up your stroller on the monorail anyway especially a double and all strollers need to be folded on some of the smaller boats.

Here are some suggestions - learned by trial and error
A backpack with all the stuff you need rather than using a diaper bag or the stroller basket and accessories is a lifesaver. Prior to getting to the park in the am and at exit just pack everything into the backpack and your stroller will be ready to fold.

The main parking area for the MK is the TTC and from there you can access the MK via monorail or boat. You can opt to skip the tram if its a problem and just walk to the park entrance (or boat/monorail) especially if you arrive early and get a closer spot. IIRC you can also drop off the family and then return to park the car and take the tram solo. Don't worry, unless your double stroller is huge or maybe a jogging stroller it should fit in the tram. I know I got to a point where I could open and close our stroller pretty quickly when need be (and yes I did have a double).

Relax and don't worry, your going to WDW, many many people use double strollers in WDW every day and manage fine.

TJ

 

[Mickey3Boys]

OK - I think I may have a solution based on the last thread. How close can you drive to Magic Kingdom to drop off the rest of the family? Right in front of the monorail? This might work the best. It is just really hard to open and close a stroller while you are holding a wiggling 2 year old. And we have tried 3 different stroller types. Since we have twins, we can't just give the baby to the other spouse, since he will already be holding one + the hand of our 5 year old. I think they are too big for backpacks, although I might try it before we go and see.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

As the others have said you can not just drive to any of the Magic Kingdom Monorail Resorts (Contemporary, Polynesian and Grand Floridian) just to valet park because it's easier to get on the Monorail. These Resorts are now checking names off lists for guests not staying there who have ADR's, so in your case you would not have any ADR's at any of those Resorts.

 

[darlak]

The valet parking attendant at CR or the Poly will tell you that you may valet park there, all day if you so choose, and go to the park from there. Using valet, you aren't taking up any of the parking spaces assigned for their resort guests. Yes, there is a sign that says parking is for resort guests only. That DOES NOT apply to valet parking. I and many others have confirmed this over and over, yet for some reason, it still seems to personally offend some people. The cost will be the same, but the convenience will be much greater if you valet at the CR. Hope you have a great trip!

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

The valet parking attendant at CR or the Poly will tell you that you may valet park there, all day if you so choose, and go to the park from there. Using valet, you aren't taking up any of the parking spaces assigned for their resort guests. Yes, there is a sign that says parking is for resort guests only. That DOES NOT apply to valet parking. I and many others have confirmed this over and over, yet for some reason, it still seems to personally offend some people. The cost will be the same, but the convenience will be much greater if you valet at the CR. Hope you have a great trip!

There is just one problem with that. The Cast Member at the guard shack might also turn them away from valet parking. This past August and on previous stays at the Contemporary I saw a lot of cars that were turned away from parking at the Contemporary, so obviously they are cracking down on non guests from parking there if they don't have a valid reason for going there.

 

[darlak]

There is just one problem with that. The Cast Member at the guard shack might also turn them away from valet parking. This past August and on previous stays at the Contemporary I saw a lot of cars that were turned away from parking at the Contemporary, so obviously they are cracking down on non guests from parking there if they don't have a valid reason for going there.

Being turned away from parking at the CR is certainly a possibility during busy times...UNLESS you're valet parking. I have never been turned away, so I would suggest the OP assume she can valet there.

BTW, I valet parked at the CR all day as recently as this past September.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Being turned away from parking at the CR is certainly a possibility during busy times...UNLESS you're valet parking. I have never been turned away, so I would suggest the OP assume she can valet there.

BTW, I valet parked at the CR all day as recently as this past September.

Then how come I saw cars being turned away around and 11:00 AM and after that which would be considered an off time since all the restaurants would be closed and etc. Obviosuly they were doing that for a reason and it was not a busy time as you said.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

I forgot to mention on a night like New Years Eve I have seen a lot of cars turned away so those were guests without ADR's and it would not have made a difference if they wanted to valet park. How do I know that? My Dad had asked because he was curious if those who were turned away wanted to valet park would they have been allowed? He was told they were not because they wanted to save the spots for Contemporary guests and those with ADR's. So even during the busy times you can get turned away when asking to valet park without a valid reason to park at a Deluxe Resort.

 

[bavaria]

OK - I think I may have a solution based on the last thread. How close can you drive to Magic Kingdom to drop off the rest of the family? Right in front of the monorail?

No, sorry you have to drive where directed - you can't bypass the parking lanes and go right up front. Even if you follow the lane of traffic to the open spots and DON'T park, the exit doesn't take you past that way.

I'm not going to comment on the ages old parking debate which has raised its unpleasant head again tonight, other than to suggest that it be made either a sticky or a forbidden subject.

OP, have a wonderful trip!

 

[darlak]

Then how come I saw cars being turned away around and 11:00 AM and after that which would be considered an off time since all the restaurants would be closed and etc. Obviosuly they were doing that for a reason and it was not a busy time as you said.

I forgot to mention on a night like New Years Eve I have seen a lot of cars turned away so those were guests without ADR's and it would not have made a difference if they wanted to valet park. How do I know that? My Dad had asked because he was curious if those who were turned away wanted to valet park would they have been allowed? He was told they were not because they wanted to save the spots for Contemporary guests and those with ADR's. So even during the busy times you can get turned away when asking to valet park without a valid reason to park at a Deluxe Resort.

Gee, I just can't imagine why you were told something so different than so many others have been. I do find it interesting though that you mention asking the valet attendant specifically about valet parking. I've never seen you mention that in any other of your other posts on similar threads. That's information that could have been helpful. I hope your next vacation is magical and that you're able to make it to the parks.

OP, look for a PM from me.

 

[goofy4tink]

This is a case of it all depends on who you ask, and when you ask. You can ask 5 different people about parking at the resorts, especially valet parking, and you will get several different answers.
I asked, as I said before, about valet parking at BW for someone visiting me. They had no problem with it.
So......here's the thing...everyone is welcome to do what they want to do. If you want to head to the CR and valet park your car, then it is up to the CM's at the CR to decide, not us, whether or not it's appropriate for you to park there. If they feel it's okay, then who are we to say otherwise? Conditions can change quickly, so you may, or may not, be able to valet park at any given time.
If there are signs up that say you can not park at that resort for park access, then turn around and park in the park lot.
Enough of this debate..it is not up to us to decide. We can only give anecdotal experiences.

 

[kimsuenew]

Perhaps it might be easier for you and your family to actually stay at a resort of the monorail line itself, that would alleviate any travelling issues.

 

[Mickiethepooh]

No, sorry you have to drive where directed - you can't bypass the parking lanes and go right up front. Even if you follow the lane of traffic to the open spots and DON'T park, the exit doesn't take you past that way.

I'm not going to comment on the ages old parking debate which has raised its unpleasant head again tonight, other than to suggest that it be made either a sticky or a forbidden subject.

OP, have a wonderful trip!

That is not strictly correct you certainly can tell the parking people you have to use the guest drop off and they will direct you too it. you of course then must drive around and back to actually park the car.

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

Gee, I just can't imagine why you were told something so different than so many others have been. I do find it interesting though that you mention asking the valet attendant specifically about valet parking. I've never seen you mention that in any other of your other posts on similar threads. That's information that could have been helpful. I hope your next vacation is magical and that you're able to make it to the parks.

OP, look for a PM from me.

Actually we asked the security guards at the entarnce to the Contemporary, because they are the ones who have turned guests away from parking there. So it had nothing to do with any of the valet parking attendants.