Anyone have tips for parking at WDW?

[linn9431]

We have decided to stay offsite next year in early June for the first time in 5 trips. We have always used the buses and boats for transport so I have no ideal how the parking will be. Is there better times or areas to park, are there ways to still use WDW transportation, how much does it cost, and are there any discounts out there for parking? This will also be the first time for buying tickets without a room attached, are there deals out there to get discount on a 7 day ticket or should I just go through disney and pay full rate? Thank you in advance for the info.

 

[MissM]

Parking is $14/day and you only pay it once if you chose to park hop and repark. Parking is free for resort guests and Annual Passholders but beyond that, there are no discounts.

Just depends on what you're doing for the day, but if you want to go to MK or Epcot, you can always park at TTC. AK you'll definitely want to park at AK because it's very out of the way. Studios or Epcot, you can park at Epcot.

I typically just park at the park I'm at and when I want to hop, drive there. But that's me. Keep in mind the hours of the park you leave your car at if you do use transportation and hop. Transportation runs 1 hour after park closing so if you leave your car at say Epcot but go to MK, you'll have a hard time getting back if MK is a late close night.

 

[slappy magoo]

There are no parking discounts. Earlier you arrive, the better parking will generally be, though returning late afternoons/early evenings you could get lucky and get parking reasonably close to the front. You can look into the AAA Diamond Parking lot if you're a AAA member; you may need to book through AAA in order to use it, but it doesn't hurt to look into it. Once you park, you can still use Disney transportation; you can go to MK, use a bus to go to a resort for lunch or dinner, bus to DTD and then bus to a monorail resort to go back to MK, if you want. You can also re-park for no money, the 14 bucks is per day not per lot.

As far as your tickets go, try undercovertourist.com . The prices aren't always mind blowing, but it's a legit site selling legit tickets, and on occasion they have decent deals for certain types of tickets.

 

[beckyj3266]

Don't forget to take a picture with your cell phone of the parking lot sign near your car. At the end of a long day it could be difficult to remember if you are parked in the Sleepy lot or Grumpy lot!

 

[jlevis]

Don't forget to take a picture with your cell phone of the parking lot sign near your car. At the end of a long day it could be difficult to remember if you are parked in the Sleepy lot or Grumpy lot!

And write down your row number which you'll find on the pavement at the end of your row.

 

[BigRedDad]

Park between the two painted lines as evenly as possible
Back in only if you are not holding up others
Be sure not to open your doors into other cars
Make sure the vehicle is in Park
Use the emergency brake if you want extra safety
Lock your car doors
Turn off headlights
Crack windows if it is not going to rain
Be sure not to lock yourself out of the car

 

[bayoubelle]

Don't forget to take a picture with your cell phone of the parking lot sign near your car. At the end of a long day it could be difficult to remember if you are parked in the Sleepy lot or Grumpy lot!

This is a great tip! A few years ago my daughter, niece, and I were leaving AK in the afternoon and forgot where we parked. Security drove by and said if we told them what time we arrived, they could take us right to our row-WRONG. I knew the time because I had been on the phone with my husband. They took us to the opposite side of the lot and about 10 rows down. I kept pressing the panic button and we were were close enough, it sounded and we found the car. It took about 45 minutes.
So my tip is to also sure the battery in the key fob is fresh, just is case you forget to take the picture.

 

[eddiemcgarrigle]

Get there early.

Walk ups to all four parks every time (well, three and the transport and ticket centre) without needing the tram as we had spaces right up front of the parking lots.

 

[jlevis]

There are apps that you can use to locate your car. I have two but I have never used them. If you go that route I'd test them before parking at Disney.