Visiting the monorail resorts for Christmas decor on 12/6/18

[lvdis]

My mom, sister, daughter and I are coming to the Disney area for a quick girls trip at the beginning of December, but not staying onsite. We will have a rental car. On arrival day, Thurs 12/6, I would like to take them to see the Christmas decorations at the monorail loop resorts and possibly grab a quick service meal and dole whip. Will I be able to do short-term parking at one of the resorts or do I need to plan on parking somewhere else and take Disney transportation in? This will probably be around 2pm if that makes any difference. Thanks!

 

[mommyrosa2]

The last time we did this in the month of December, the resorts were being very strict about parking without any sort of reservation. At that time, security recommended we pay to valet our car so we did that at the Contemporary with no issues and then resort hopped via the monorail to see all the decorations.

 

[Figmentmommy]

My mom, sister, daughter and I are coming to the Disney area for a quick girls trip at the beginning of December, but not staying onsite. We will have a rental car. On arrival day, Thurs 12/6, I would like to take them to see the Christmas decorations at the monorail loop resorts and possibly grab a quick service meal and dole whip. Will I be able to do short-term parking at one of the resorts or do I need to plan on parking somewhere else and take Disney transportation in? This will probably be around 2pm if that makes any difference. Thanks!

You may or may not be permitted to park at one of the resorts during the holiday season. It can be hit or miss. I would suggest parking at TTC and walking the path to the Polynesian. Then you can monorail to the other resorts from there and back to TTC when you’re done.

 

[lvdis]

You may or may not be permitted to park at one of the resorts during the holiday season. It can be hit or miss. I would suggest parking at TTC and walking the path to the Polynesian. Then you can monorail to the other resorts from there and back to TTC when you’re done.

I thought about that, but I don't think it would be worth it to pay to park at the TTC for an hour or two. We won't have park tickets so won't have any other need to be parked there. Thanks for the suggestion though. Maybe it's not even worth trying to do. It just seemed like it would be fun since they have never visited Disney at Christmas time.

 

[mommyrosa2]

I thought about that, but I don't think it would be worth it to pay to park at the TTC for an hour or two. We won't have park tickets so won't have any other need to be parked there. Thanks for the suggestion though. Maybe it's not even worth trying to do. It just seemed like it would be fun since they have never visited Disney at Christmas time.

I wouldn't give up and it doesn't hurt to ask. Pick one of the monorail resorts and tell the security guard you're there to see the Christmas decorations. If they let you park, great, if not, then you can make a decision on whether to valet or pay to park elsewhere.

 

[AMusicLifeForMe]

You will most likely not be able to do that unless you have a dining reservation for a table service restaurant at any of the 3 resorts around the MK on the monorail loop.

You have a couple options:
1) Park at Disney Springs and take a bus to one of the 3 resorts. Disney Springs doesn't charge for parking.
2) Eat at a table service restaurant that evening at one of the 3 resorts. There are a few really great options at those hotels.
3) Others have said that valet is an option. I have just never used this.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

You could park at Disney Springs and take whichever monorail resort bus that comes along first. Certainly not the most time efficient, but you can park there for free. Or consider making an ADR at one of the casual monorail restaurants (we like GF Cafe) to ensure you will be able to park.

 

[lvdis]

I wonder where locals park if they want to go to Trader Sam's or one of the restaurants? I figure that's possibly a thing they do, but maybe not. Thanks for all the suggestions!

 

[Herding_Cats]

If you parked at DS you could also check out the Christmas Tree trail they have there before taking a bus to the resorts. We went last year and it was very fun to see the different ways they had decorated each tree to its theme.

 

[riddlemethis]

We have parked at Disney Springs before after a very nice gentleman politely told us "no." We also were able to park at Beach Club once after telling the guy we had a reservation planned there and wntedot check out hotels (which was true).

 

[Figmentmommy]

I thought about that, but I don't think it would be worth it to pay to park at the TTC for an hour or two. We won't have park tickets so won't have any other need to be parked there. Thanks for the suggestion though. Maybe it's not even worth trying to do. It just seemed like it would be fun since they have never visited Disney at Christmas time.

Sorry - I missed the not staying on site part.

 

[Brett Wyman]

I would just be honest and tell the guard exactly what you are doing. Ive visited several resorts while in town on business and staying offsite, albeit NOT during the holiday season, and the guards always let me in. If you have a magic band BRING IT. Even when I say Im not visiting the parks and not staying on property the scan it any. Tracking I guess? Or perhaps they can verify the insane amount of money Ive already spent with their company

 

[kaytieeldr]

I thought about that, but I don't think it would be worth it to pay to park at the TTC for an hour or two.

It works out to $6.25 per person, and once you get to/done at the Contemporary, you could boat over to Wilderness Lodge. You might even decide to eat at one of the resorts.