Will Disney still charge me if...

[act1980]

... I park at Epcot just for an ADR?

My reservation is booked for 7:15pm and I plan to get to the park for around 5-6pm. Do you think I will still be charged of parking?

Thanks!

 

[Cyrano]

I would expect to be charged for parking

 

[TXHauntedMansionFan]

I could be wrong but I think that you could potentially park at DTD (not sure if this is still free or not) and then get on a bus to a resort. You could then take a bus to EPCOT from said resort (or walk if you were at BW, BC, YC, Swan, Dolphin).

After your dinner you could walk back to one of those resorts and then catch a bus from there back to DTD.

This could be completely wrong though if parking at DTD costs $$.

 

[Reddog1134]

But if you've already paid for parking at another park that day, you don't have to pay again.

 

[Reddog1134]

I could be wrong but I think that you could potentially park at DTD (not sure if this is still free or not) and then get on a bus to a resort. You could then take a bus to EPCOT from said resort (or walk if you were at BW, BC, YC, Swan, Dolphin).

After your dinner you could walk back to one of those resorts and then catch a bus from there back to DTD.

This could be completely wrong though if parking at DTD costs $$.

That's a Disney Faux pas. DTD parking is for DTD visitors only.

Besides, you don't want to make unnecessary trips to DTD in it's current state.

 

[davedmaine]

... I park at Epcot just for an ADR? My reservation is booked for 7:15pm and I plan to get to the park for around 5-6pm. Do you think I will still be charged of parking? Thanks!

Yes

 

[POOHsie]

... I park at Epcot just for an ADR?

My reservation is booked for 7:15pm and I plan to get to the park for around 5-6pm. Do you think I will still be charged of parking?

Thanks!

As others noted, if you already parked at another theme park lot on the same day, save your receipt and present it to the Epcot parking booth attendant. You won't be charged a second fee for theme park parking on the same day.

But something else comes to mind -- If entering Epcot for an ADR, with a quick walk-around before dinner, you need to use a park admission, too. Neither parking nor admission are covered when entering a theme park for a meal. If your theme park tickets are Park Hoppers, then it's no issue.

 

[wisblue]

That's a Disney Faux pas. DTD parking is for DTD visitors only.

Besides, you don't want to make unnecessary trips to DTD in it's current state.

I don't think it's exactly a faux pas. That's why they don't have buses that go directly from DTD to the parks. But, if someone is willing to go through a lot of hoops to avoid a parking fee, it can be done in a lot of different ways.

One way to get to Epcot World Showcase without paying for parking is to park at Fantasia Gardens mini golf and walk from there to the International Gateway. Or you could get the boat from the Swan/Dolphin stop to the IG. Parking at Fantasia Gardens is free, but they do prevent people from parking there occasionally, like on weekends during F&W. We often park there if we're going to the Boardwalk because it is less hassle, and not much farther to walk, than getting into the Boardwalk lot.

 

[wisblue]

As others noted, if you already parked at another theme park lot on the same day, save your receipt and present it to the Epcot parking booth attendant. You won't be charged a second fee for theme park parking on the same day.

But something else comes to mind -- If entering Epcot for an ADR, with a quick walk-around before dinner, you need to use a park admission, too. Neither parking nor admission are covered when entering a theme park for a meal. If your theme park tickets are Park Hoppers, then it's no issue.

Also, parking is free for onsite resort guests and annual passholders. Going to Epcot and using a park admission just for dinner seems kind of pricey to a cheapskate like me.

 

[Reddog1134]

I don't think it's exactly a faux pas. That's why they don't have buses that go directly from DTD to the parks. But, if someone is willing to go through a lot of hoops to avoid a parking fee, it can be done in a lot of different ways.

One way to get to Epcot World Showcase without paying for parking is to park at Fantasia Gardens mini golf and walk from there to the International Gateway. Or you could get the boat from the Swan/Dolphin stop to the IG. Parking at Fantasia Gardens is free, but they do prevent people from parking there occasionally, like on weekends during F&W. We often park there if we're going to the Boardwalk because it is less hassle, and not much farther to walk, than getting into the Boardwalk lot.

My point being that Disney frowns upon using free parking areas to avoid the parking fees.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

Pay to park at DTD is coming. Heard it from a CM that works at DTD. Disney is fed up with people mooching.

 

[Reddog1134]

Pay to park at DTD is coming. Heard it from a CM that works at DTD. Disney is fed up with people mooching.

Wouldn't surprise me.

I hope free parking would be an onsite perk, though. And/or parking validation.

 

[wisblue]

My point being that Disney frowns upon using free parking areas to avoid the parking fees.

They definitely don't advertise it.

They don't promote taking buses to resorts that are close to parks or DTD either. For example, if you wanted to go from a park to DTD, they would recommend taking a bus to a resort and then taking another bus to DTD. But, it is easier to take a bus to the Saratoga Springs Congress Park stop and walk from there to the Marketplace.

 

[Satchmo128]

I would expect to pay if you have not paid at another parking lot during the day.

That being said, on our last trip we drove to Magic Kingdom around 6:00pm one night of our trip. We were all ready to pay when we got up to the attendant, but she just waved us in and said "Have a Magical Day!" So, maybe you will get lucky?

 

[erionm]

Pay to park at DTD is coming. Heard it from a CM that works at DTD. Disney is fed up with people mooching.

Parking at Disney Springs (DTD) will remain FREE.

http://dvcnews.com/index.php/resort...9/2744-downtown-disney-parking-to-remain-free

 

[LBIJim]

The earliest I've ever seen the Epcot parking booths unmanned was about 730pm. But I've also seen then staffed at 8pm. (Normal Epcot closing time of 9pm).

 

[act1980]

Thanks for all the replies! :good vibes

We will have 14 day Ultimate tickets which allow hopping throughout all parks so that won't be an issue. I think I may have to take the boat from the Boardwalk, seems like a bit of hassle but I don't really want to have to pay $17 for parking just to go and eat dinner.

Thanks for your help everyone!

 

[Allison]

Pay to park at DTD is coming. Heard it from a CM that works at DTD. Disney is fed up with people mooching.

CM's are the worst for untrue rumors.

 

[goofy4tink]

Thank for all the replies! :good vibes

We will have 14 Ultimate tickets which allow hopping throughout all parks so that won't be an issue. I think I may have to take the boat from the Boardwalk, seems like a bit of hassle but I don't really want to have to pay $17 for parking just to go and eat dinner.:roll eyes:

Thanks for your help everyone!

Talk about a faux pas!! Parking at BW in order to avoid paying to park is most certainly frowned upon. Parking at this type resort is supposed to be for those paying to stay at the resort, or for those that are enjoying the amenities of that resort...not for park access.
Can you change your ADR for a day that you will actually be in Epcot? That would make the most sense if you don't want to pay to park just for dinner. Or, as mentioned already....will you have already paid to park at another park that day? If so, just hold onto your receipt,, and show it to the parking lot people. You need to pay just once a day for parking.

 

[tink too]

Does the resort you're staying at provide buses to WDW? If so, why not leave the rental car at your own hotel and utilise that?