Visiting Disney Springs - I need a better strategy!!!

[2binak]

My parents are DVC, so we have a DVC resort car placard. Can we tell them we just want to walk around and self park, or will we have to Valet?

We're DVC members and I've never heard of a DVC resort car placard - what is it?

As for your plan to go to DS early on a weekday, you should be fine going then. We usually go on a weekday, arrive around 11am for lunch then shop for a bit before heading back to the resort and then to a park that evening.

 

[princessekrus]

We're DVC members and I've never heard of a DVC resort car placard - what is it?

Maybe I am using the wrong term - I just meant that the parking pass we get (that we put on the dashboard of our rental car) shows that we DVC and staying at a DVC resort (BCV). I think it allows us to park at any of the DVC resorts. I am sure they are more strict at Contemporary BLT, but I was hoping it as the case that we could just self park at Saratoga Spring without having to Valet.

 

[bc7ate9]

We were just at Disney Springs on a Wednesday afternoon in January and had no trouble parking in the ramp by the movie theater. We were in Orlando for other reasons so we weren't at a Disney resort. We'd definitely take the bus if we stayed on site.

If we go from a park, we take a bus to Saratoga Springs, Congress Park stop and walk over.

 

[jmkjr72]

Why drive take the bus and get rid of the headache the parking will always duct at dtd because people think it's worth it to bus to a resort then to a park to save a couple bucks
It's a hike from sartoga to dtd
Plus with the issues they had with theft at ssr
I don't rem there being valet parking at ssr

 

[goofy4tink]

Maybe I am using the wrong term - I just meant that the parking pass we get (that we put on the dashboard of our rental car) shows that we DVC and staying at a DVC resort (BCV). I think it allows us to park at any of the DVC resorts. I am sure they are more strict at Contemporary BLT, but I was hoping it as the case that we could just self park at Saratoga Spring without having to Valet.

That parking pass allows you to park at the resort you are staying at. It's pretty meaningless elsewhere.
Yes, the buses to DS can be less frequent early in the day. But, after both busing and driving to DS from BW last week? Busing was a lot easier. It was a long walk to the Marketplace from the garage.
You could try to drive to SSR and park there. Most people have no problem doing that. But, be advised, it's a huge resort and it could be tough to find a parking spot where you want.
I would just take the bus. Figure on it taking 45 mins....wait time plus drive time. Will probably be less. You'll be dropped off close to Marketplace.