Visiting the parks as a local AP holder - what do I need to know/remember??

[Avery&Todd]

DH and I live in NC so when we visit Disney we are there on a vacation staying on property....and I know how to traverse those trips and love our early entry benefits and evening extra hours..

however in April we're renting a VRBO in Cocoa Beach for a week and we'll be popping over to the parks for 2 day trips..which means all my "on site" knowledge and benefits fly out the window!

Here is what I think I know but I'm not sure about a few things and would appreciate feedback/alternate plans from others who visit as a local AP...

1. What time can wait at the gates to get into the MK and HS parking lots?
2. Since we get free parking included in our APs, I can pay the difference to park in the premier lot, right?
2 .a. How does one pay for parking? Cash only or can I swipe a card?
2 .b. I am assuming I'll have to show my AP card - just the digital or do I need to show my plastic AP card?
3. What time can the non-onsite folks get into the park? Do they usually stick with that or do they let folks in earlier?? If earlier, then about how much earlier?
4. Once we are parked in the TTC at MK is it better/easier to ride the monorail or take the ferry over - we've actually never ridden the ferry, so I'm not even sure where you pick that up!

What else am I forgetting???

 

[gap2368]

DH and I live in NC so when we visit Disney we are there on a vacation staying on property....and I know how to traverse those trips and love our early entry benefits and evening extra hours..

however in April we're renting a VRBO in Cocoa Beach for a week and we'll be popping over to the parks for 2 day trips..which means all my "on site" knowledge and benefits fly out the window!

Here is what I think I know but I'm not sure about a few things and would appreciate feedback/alternate plans from others who visit as a local AP...

1. What time can wait at the gates to get into the MK and HS parking lots?
2. Since we get free parking included in our APs, I can pay the difference to park in the premier lot, right?
2 .a. How does one pay for parking? Cash only or can I swipe a card?
2 .b. I am assuming I'll have to show my AP card - just the digital or do I need to show my plastic AP card?
3. What time can the non-onsite folks get into the park? Do they usually stick with that or do they let folks in earlier?? If earlier, then about how much earlier?
4. Once we are parked in the TTC at MK is it better/easier to ride the monorail or take the ferry over - we've actually never ridden the ferry, so I'm not even sure where you pick that up!

What else am I forgetting???

1not sure
2 yes
2a disney will take you money any way you can give it to them\
2b I would have your card on you
3 depends on the park and the day some park let everyone in at the same time and hold none resort guest st the front some do not. park open 30 minutes early for on site guest
4 both are about the same you follow the sign to the ferry boat

 

[HopperFan]

At toll booth they ask to see my AP Card back and ID. They read the ID and then look at card. More than half of them scanned my AP to make sure it was active.

When you get off the tram / or walk to TTC the monorails will be straight forward and the ferry is to the left. We always ride the ferry, no longer trust the monorail.

If you leave at closing note the monorail line will be insane and ferries usually can transport more. AND check the bus depot, they sometimes run a bus from MK to TTC that, at least for us, are empty and we walk right on and sit down.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Make sure you have park pass reservations

 

[SkyGuy]

I tried to replace my old AP card with a new one last week at AK GS and was told they are trying to avoid giving people new cards and to just use the app. (I was also told by another CM that if I really wanted a card, I could insist, but we never bothered to stop by GS again. Anyway…) I took a screen shot of my AP so I didn’t have to open MDE all the time, and that worked wherever I needed to show proof of valid AP - including parking.

 

[Avery&Todd]

At toll booth they ask to see my AP Card back and ID. They read the ID and then look at card. More than half of them scanned my AP to make sure it was active.

When you get off the tram / or walk to TTC the monorails will be straight forward and the ferry is to the left. We always ride the ferry, no longer trust the monorail.

If you leave at closing note the monorail line will be insane and ferries usually can transport more. AND check the bus depot, they sometimes run a bus from MK to TTC that, at least for us, are empty and we walk right on and sit down.

We've already decided we will NOT be leaving at closing - we figure we'll head out later in the afternoon but before dinner and plan on eating dinner back in Cocoa Beach..

I've seen those lines to the monorail and ferry at closing and I NEVER want to be in one of those!

 

[Avery&Todd]

Make sure you have park pass reservations

YES!! thank you - I was able to renew our Sorcerer passes last week and went ahead and made park reservations NOW!

 

[Avery&Todd]

I tried to replace my old AP card with a new one last week at AK GS and was told they are trying to avoid giving people new cards and to just use the app. (I was also told by another CM that if I really wanted a card, I could insist, but we never bothered to stop by GS again. Anyway…) I took a screen shot of my AP so I didn’t have to open MDE all the time, and that worked wherever I needed to show proof of valid AP - including parking.

I was able to renew our Sorcerer passes last week as we are 60 days from our October trip and I was told that the passes are active vs. a renewal certification and that I could bypass GS at a park gate and just head right into the park - unless I wanted a plastic pass that the digital version was just fine so that's our plan!

Good to know the digital pass works for parking too!!

Thanks!!

 

[Avery&Todd]

At toll booth they ask to see my AP Card back and ID. They read the ID and then look at card. More than half of them scanned my AP to make sure it was active.

When you get off the tram / or walk to TTC the monorails will be straight forward and the ferry is to the left. We always ride the ferry, no longer trust the monorail.

If you leave at closing note the monorail line will be insane and ferries usually can transport more. AND check the bus depot, they sometimes run a bus from MK to TTC that, at least for us, are empty and we walk right on and sit down.

This is perfect - thank you!!

We'll make sure to have our digital passes and an ID ready at the toll booth gate!!

I feel like we'll take the ferry over as those lines for the monorail can be insane and since we're not leaving at closing taking the ferry back to the TTC should be easy-peasy!

thanks!

 

[Avery&Todd]

1not sure
2 yes
2a disney will take you money any way you can give it to them\
2b I would have your card on you
3 depends on the park and the day some park let everyone in at the same time and hold none resort guest st the front some do not. park open 30 minutes early for on site guest
4 both are about the same you follow the s

Thank you for these answers!!

 

[Eeyore daily]

If you have/bring magic bands they’ll scan it and it will tell them you’re an AP holder. At least that’s what has happened for me, I’ve never shown a card or on my phone.

 

[HopperFan]

If you have/bring magic bands they’ll scan it and it will tell them you’re an AP holder. At least that’s what has happened for me, I’ve never shown a card or on my phone.

I’ve had them refuse my MagicBands and want to see something plus ID. I mean I get that I could just hand someone my MB to avoid parking fees.

The inconsistencies are incredible. They could do MB, hard ticket or digital ticket and just require ID to prove it. And perhaps that is the goal but each CM is just doing as trained at moment??

 

[Avery&Todd]

If you have/bring magic bands they’ll scan it and it will tell them you’re an AP holder. At least that’s what has happened for me, I’ve never shown a card or on my phone.

We will have magic bands and they can scan them at the toll both gate??

 

[BorderTenny]

We will have magic bands and they can scan them at the toll both gate??

Yes. That's what I've always done. Official policy is for them to check your ID as well, so have it ready.

 

[HopperFan]

We will have magic bands and they can scan them at the toll both gate??

They can, but I've also been refused and they asked to see my card. Just be prepared to show anything as at this point there is no consistency.

 

[Avery&Todd]

They can, but I've also been refused and they asked to see my card. Just be prepared to show anything as at this point there is no consistency.

I will be prepared to present my entire bag to them at the toll gate!!

They can have it all!

 

[randumb0]

I haven't needed to show my ID this entire year at the parking booth. Some of them see it and wave me by and others scan it. I do have my ID ready and available in case they ask though