Christmas show parking question.

[Walt would be]

Is traffic leaving the parking lot after the Christmas shindig a real issue? Is it better to pay for premium parking?

We're thinking about Sunday or Monday night before Christmas.

Thanks.

 

[englanddg]

Is traffic leaving the parking lot after the Christmas shindig a real issue? Is it better to pay for premium parking?

We're thinking about Sunday or Monday night before Christmas.

Thanks.

May be easier for the walk back to the car, but won't spare you the traffic I suspect...

 

[Nemo14]

Shouldn't make much of a difference traffic-wise.

 

[Walt would be]

Is traffic awful? Should we hang out in the shark Bar for awhile or venture over to one of the hotel bars until traffic thins?

 

[Nemo14]

No worse than exiting any Disney Park at that time. It is what it is. If you don't want to wait in traffic, then don't.

 

[Walt would be]

OK. Thanks. The older I get the more paranoid I get about these 'normal' situations, LOL. You have to realize I live full time in the Keys (30 years) and this type of traffic isn't much of an issue down here.

I've heard this is a great celebration and my daughter will be home from college and I though it might a special evening. We'll probably give it a shot ... My wife can drive, LOL.

 

[Nemo14]

We went last year and loved it. Have fun!

 

[919Florida]

Traffic leaving the park is very heavy. Having preferred parking doesnt make it any better to get out. THe only difference is being closer to your car isntead of far out in the parking lot. My suggestion is stay in the park for at least 30 mins after park closing. Do some shopping, take in the lights and snow and jsut relax. Give it 30 mins to clear out and then by the time you get to your car it will be much better.

 

[tahqa]

Is traffic awful? Should we hang out in the shark Bar for awhile or venture over to one of the hotel bars until traffic thins?

Hotel bar maybe, but the shark bar closed well before park closing last Friday.

 

[919Florida]

Hotel bar maybe, but the shark bar closed well before park closing last Friday.

Yes, sharks does close early so keep that in mind. My personal recomendation is to either enjoy the Bayside Pathway and just stroll along and look at all the Christmas lights or stop by the Cypress bakery and get a warm drink and snack and watch the people leaving.

 

[luv]

I find leaving Sea World's lot at closing to take much longer than leaving the Disney lots. Getting to the car isn't a problem. Traffic, once you're out of the lot, isn't a big problem. But it does take longer to get out of the lot, in my experience.

I do hang back, walk slow, look around, shop (if anything is open), whatever I can do to kill a little extra time if I'm leaving when it's busy.

I do this at the MK, too. Getting out of the lot is no problem at the MK, but waiting for monorails, busses or boats is a pain. I'd rather walk, shop, etc. than go through that.

Lot-wise, Disney set it up like geniuses. There is no problem getting out. Whoever set that all up deserved an award.

 

[culturenthrills]

Yeah, catch the final ice show and the fireworks finale and then take your time walking out. It was packed last night but I had no problem getting out. It may be a hike but it seems like it is easier to get out of the park the farther away from the entrance you are. As we were walking out they had a couple of the different street bands performing, so just stop and enjoy and by the time you get to your car. BTW, the best place to watch the Sea of Trees is in the Christmas Market area behind the little stage they have set up. Grab some food, sit on the grass and enjoy. There is a speaker right there so it drowns out any jerks talking and you get a great view and a real sense of depth of all the trees.

 

[OFTeric]

I agree take your time! If you are going to be stuck in your car waiting for others to leave, you might as well just take your time and stroll the park! I love being in any theme park as it closes and the crowds leave. Pretty soon you will be the only one on a street,and there is just this magical feeling you will experience.

I love it. SeaWorld at night too is so calm and quiet. So sit down, relax and let the masses honk at each other while you enjoy a beautiful cool winter florida night.