WDW parking

[Brbird]

Does anyone know how the parking works at WDW? My husband and I will be staying off site for the first time (a short 3.5-day WDW trip following a cruise--30th anniversary!!). We are staying in a house rental just a mile from WDW, and I see there are parking lots at a couple of the parks.

These are the questions I have:
1. Any idea where I could find a map that clearly shows how to get to parking lots?
2. Any idea what to do if a parking lot is full? Our first day will be our partial day, so we will arrive sometime 1-3 at WDW, animal kingdom.
3. Any idea how often trains/buses come to the stops in the parking lot to take you to the gate at the parks?
4. Any other places to park that might have transportation to WDW that might be faster?

And any other suggestions relating to parking would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[tms295psu]

1. Disney is great about SIGNAGE to the parks... just look for signs to the park you want to go and you'll be fine

2. I've never experienced a full lot, but I'm sure Disney will direct you (their just "good" like that)

3. I've never had to wait more than 5 minutes or so for a tram ride to or from the parking lot.

4. Other parking options. Some Deluxe resorts offer Valet parking, you could hop on the bus. Expect a 20 minute wait. And is sometimes frowned upon. Or DTD. Free parking, long wait for a bus. & I don't recall if they go to parks or just resorts. Best option is park in the PARK Parking lot.

 

[chartle]

Does anyone know how the parking works at WDW? My husband and I will be staying off site for the first time (a short 3.5-day WDW trip following a cruise--30th anniversary!!). We are staying in a house rental just a mile from WDW, and I see there are parking lots at a couple of the parks.

These are the questions I have:
1. Any idea where I could find a map that clearly shows how to get to parking lots?
2. Any idea what to do if a parking lot is full? Our first day will be our partial day, so we will arrive sometime 1-3 at WDW, animal kingdom.
3. Any idea how often trains/buses come to the stops in the parking lot to take you to the gate at the parks?
4. Any other places to park that might have transportation to WDW that might be faster?

And any other suggestions relating to parking would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

1. Just get on property and follow the signs every park has it own lot. Be aware that for the MK parking lot you will be across the lake and will need to take a boat or monorail to get to the park so plan accordingly.

2. Not going to happen unless you visiting Xmas week or maybe July 4.

3. There will be continuous parking lot trams running.

4. Not really. WDW is designed for you to park at the park you are visiting, the only way is to do something weird like park out the resort and take Lynx bus in or do the valet thing at a resort. Either way you will be paying around $14 a day.

Also in reference to the PP, there are no direct buses from DTD to the parks. You would have to transfer at a resort and waste a few hours a day and yes its frowned upon.

 

[6elginfans]

This is really one of things you do not have to worry about. Disney has it all figured out. The quickest and easiest way to a park is to follow the signs to the park you are going to and let Disney do the rest.

There may be free ways to do it, but you will be wasting time making transfers.

 

[goofy4tink]

You will find that the signage at WDW is incredibly good. You should have absolutely no problems figuring out where to park.
And about the only time you might have an issue finding a spot would be high holiday times...July 4, Christmas, NYE...that kind of thing. If you arrive midday, you won't find a spot that's right up front but you'll be able to get a spot somewhere.
You will find trams that can take you from your parking area, to the parks entrances at DHS, AK and MK. But, at MK, the tram will get you to the TTC area, from where you have to either take the ferry over to MK or the monorail. That's just the way it works at MK. But, the trams are frequent..no issue with long waits.
There are no 'easier' places to park. For park access, you are expected to park in the appropriate parking lots.

 

[figment_jii]

We are staying in a house rental just a mile from WDW, and I see there are parking lots at a couple of the parks.

Just to echo the previous posters, directions are very well marked in WDW. Just follow the signs (ignore your GPS if it gives you different directions) because Disney has mapped out the "best" route (not necessarily the shortest, but the easiest to follow in most cases). Just keep looking for the large purple and red signs (like the one below):

Each theme park has a parking lot. As PPs have said, the MK's lot is at the Ticket and Transportation Center (TTC), which is across the water from the park itself. You'll park there and then take the ferry or monorail to MK.

The other parks have lots that are "attached". You just hop on the tram and you're taken to the front gate. As others have said, the wait is pretty minimal (unless you going at Christmas or July 4th, when there are very few things with a short wait).

2. Any idea what to do if a parking lot is full? Our first day will be our partial day, so we will arrive sometime 1-3 at WDW, animal kingdom.

As PPs have mentioned, unless you're going at the height of the busy season (like Christmas Day or July 4th) it's unlikely that the parking lots will fill up. I've moved my car between lots several times and never had any problems finding a spot.

4. Any other places to park that might have transportation to WDW that might be faster?

The parking lot for the park you're going to go to is usually the fastest option. In terms of the bus system, the general rule of thumb is to allow about 45 minutes per leg (this includes travel time, wait time, etc.). So, if you have a rental car, it's better to drive to the park you want to go there and park. If you keep your receipt, you can move your car between the theme park lots without having to pay for parking again.