Visiting resorts for Xmas decorations

[tseitel]

hi! We just planned a short visit with my in-laws who are local. We will be there the Fri after Thanksgiving to Tues. No parks, but we would all like to visit the resorts and see the Christmas decorations.
On my list is Wilderness Lodge, Grand Floridian, Poly, Animal Kingdom Lodge, Yacht & Beach, and the Boardwalk.
Will we have any trouble parking for a short time to visit? Is there a charge for parking?
I figured we would park at GF or Poly, see them via monorail, then take the boat over to WL. After that drive on to AKL, then the Yacht & Beach, then walk over to the Boardwalk (I’ve read parking is bad at the BW)
Does anyone foresee any problems?
Any suggestions? Thanks !!

 

[cvjw]

You will most likely have trouble parking at the resorts close to magic kingdom and Epcot without a resort or dining reservation. Especially during a super busy time.

You will need to park at TTC and ride the monorail around to the mk resorts. Or park at Hollywood studios and walk or boat over to the boardwalk resorts.

 

[NJ Goofy]

That's a great list of resorts to visit, especially Wilderness Lodge and Grand Floridian. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.

As you noted the only issue you'll have is parking, I agree with the PP, park at TTC for the MK resorts and HS for the BWI and YC.

 

[Lynne M]

Self-parking is restricted at the resorts near the theme parks during the holiday season. It's possible that they'll let you in, but I wouldn't count on it. Your choice then would be to valet park (you'll pay once per day and can move to another resort without paying another charge), or park at TTC or HS or Epcot.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

I often take the bus from MK to WL during holiday decoration time. It is easy and a short ride.

 

[tseitel]

Thanks everyone. I’m really excited. We usually go to Disney in October, so have never seen the Christmas decorations. I can’t wait. - And I think we will try the valet park option.

 

[gharter]

We love visiting the different resorts when they are decorated for Christmas.
As mentioned, if you are there in early December, before it gets busy, you may be able to park at the resorts and tell them you just want to visit.
you best option is to park at the TTC, take the monorail around and see those resorts. Take the boat from contemporary to Wilderness and back. Take the boat to MK. Take a bus from MK to Beach club. You can walk to Boardwalk from there. you will need to drive ti AKL or take a bus to AK and then a bus to AKL.
Sounds like a fun trip!

 

[Deb & Bill]

You may even have a hard time getting to the theme park parking lots to park your car. It's not a great time to try to drive around WDW.

 

[tseitel]

Yes, unfortunately I know that this is a very crazy time of the year crowd wise. But do you think we would be ok to valet park at either Poly, WL, GF or Contemporary? If so, how much does it cost? Should we explain what we are doing? Do we get some kind of ticket to use over at the AKL and BC?
I appreciate the help. I have never been to Disney and not stayed on site, so I am in uncharted territory here.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Yes, unfortunately I know that this is a very crazy time of the year crowd wise. But do you think we would be ok to valet park at either Poly, WL, GF or Contemporary? If so, how much does it cost? Should we explain what we are doing? Do we get some kind of ticket to use over at the AKL and BC?
I appreciate the help. I have never been to Disney and not stayed on site, so I am in uncharted territory here.

They might not allow you to valet park without either an ADR or a lodging reservation at those resorts. I've seen them turn guests away at the guard shack who just wanted to valet park at the resort without an ADR or reservation.

But if they do, valet parking is now $33 per day. You can take the receipt with you and use it for the rest of the day at other resorts. Plan on tipping as well at each resort. It would be cheaper to just park at one of the theme parks.

 

[Marionnette]

Yes, unfortunately I know that this is a very crazy time of the year crowd wise. But do you think we would be ok to valet park at either Poly, WL, GF or Contemporary? If so, how much does it cost? Should we explain what we are doing? Do we get some kind of ticket to use over at the AKL and BC?
I appreciate the help. I have never been to Disney and not stayed on site, so I am in uncharted territory here.

Is there a reason why you want to park at each of the resorts rather than parking at one of the theme parks and using Disney transportation? Wouldn't it be easier to do that instead of driving all over?

To answer your question, valet parking is $33 per day plus tips for the attendants. You will be given a hang tag that shows subsequent resort valets that you have already paid for the day. Parking in the theme park lots is $22 per day for standard areas, $45 per day for preferred.

 

[tseitel]

My in-laws are in their 80’s, so I was just thinking it would lessen the walking and all the travel on the bus & waiting for the bus, making the day shorter.
But now I’m definitely rethinking. I can make a resv at the GF cafe for a late lunch(?). How long would that give us to park at the GF? Long enough to eat & Resort hop the Disney hotels?
But I am definitely willing to valet if it available- is there a time limit for that?
Thanks again.

 

[Deb & Bill]

My in-laws are in their 80’s, so I was just thinking it would lessen the walking and all the travel on the bus & waiting for the bus, making the day shorter.
But now I’m definitely rethinking. I can make a resv at the GF cafe for a late lunch(?). How long would that give us to park at the GF? Long enough to eat & Resort hop the Disney hotels?
But I am definitely willing to valet if it available- is there a time limit for that?
Thanks again.

It might give you three hours.

 

[beccasmom]

Just a tip......if you’ll be doing this the evening of a MVMCP, the monorails will be pretty jammed up. Try to get your touring completed earlier or pick another day if possible.

 

[tseitel]

Oh it would definitely be early !

 

[OhDannyBoy]

That Friday, Saturday, and likely Sunday are going to be insanely busy, but that Monday and Tuesday should taper off quite a bit.

 

[Marionnette]

My in-laws are in their 80’s, so I was just thinking it would lessen the walking and all the travel on the bus & waiting for the bus, making the day shorter.
But now I’m definitely rethinking. I can make a resv at the GF cafe for a late lunch(?). How long would that give us to park at the GF? Long enough to eat & Resort hop the Disney hotels?
But I am definitely willing to valet if it available- is there a time limit for that?
Thanks again.

Do they have a handicap hang tag or plates on their car? IIRC, valet is complimentary for guests needing HA parking. Someone please correct me if it is only for those staying at the resort.

Parking with a confirmed ADR gets you about 3 hours of parking at the resorts. GF's parking lot for visitors is quite a hike from the hotel entrance. You could drop the in-laws at the GF entrance and then park the car. Then reverse the process when you leave. But TBH, 3 hours is not going to be enough time to eat and visit the MK area resorts, especially if your in-laws have any kind of mobility issues.

ETA: As far as I know, there is no time limit for paid valet parking. The outrageously high price is there to discourage people from using resort parking instead of theme park parking.

 

[tseitel]

Actually yes, they do have handicap tags. That would be great if it were complimentary. I’m going to ask them if they are interested in lunch at the GF. If not, I’m thinking we will valet, whether it be free or not, because that will lessen the walking ( being able to pull up at the front of the other resorts)
I really appreciate all the advice and suggestions.

 

[Marionnette]

Actually yes, they do have handicap tags. That would be great if it were complimentary. I’m going to ask them if they are interested in lunch at the GF. If not, I’m thinking we will valet, whether it be free or not, because that will lessen the walking ( being able to pull up at the front of the other resorts)
I really appreciate all the advice and suggestions.

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/guest-services/hotels-accessibility
Complimentary for resort guests and those with confirmed ADRs. You probably won't get free valet parking if you're just going in to look around.

 

[chris matney]

im staying in a resort hotel 5 to the 17 in dec im taking 2 days to shop and relax was wounding can i go to other reesort bye boat monarail or bus to see the christmas decshion this is my first time for christmas beeen there 4 times at differnt times of year