Getting Dropped off at Parks - How far from front gates?

[wdrive]

Visiting next week and will be getting dropped off at the parks each day. Planning on a few rope drops and trying to plan what time to arrive. How far is the drop off area from each park? How long am I looking at for getting from the car to each parks front gates?

Also I know with the Magic Kingdom I would need to go from the ticket and transportation center, however I was thinking would it be quicker/easier to get dropped off at the Contemporary and then walking across?

Thanks for any help you can give

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I've never timed it, but I've seen people try and do this and my word of advice to you is "be careful." A lot of people seem to wind up in the busing areas when trying to drop people off. We saw several nightmares with this last trip and various levels of security and bus drivers had to intervene.

My second thought...are you staying onsite? Just thinking that the person dropping you off will be asked to pay for parking at the entrance if not. i.e. you won't be able to drive up to DHS, AK, or Epcot beyond the parking payment booth without proof you're an onsite guest.

Third, the Contemporary probably won't let you guys pull in unless you have an ADR there for a meal or are staying there. They can be pretty strict with these things to ensure resort guests and restaurant patrons have adequate parking.

 

[smk]

Just say you are visiting the Contemporary and have your ride drop you off there. It should work. Some locals may go there just to shop at a store and there has to be a way for someone to drop you off there as well.

 

[wdrive]

I've never timed it, but I've seen people try and do this and my word of advice to you is "be careful." A lot of people seem to wind up in the busing areas when trying to drop people off. We saw several nightmares with this last trip and various levels of security and bus drivers had to intervene.

My second thought...are you staying onsite? Just thinking that the person dropping you off will be asked to pay for parking at the entrance if not. i.e. you won't be able to drive up to DHS, AK, or Epcot beyond the parking payment booth without proof you're an onsite guest.

Third, the Contemporary probably won't let you guys pull in unless you have an ADR there for a meal or are staying there. They can be pretty strict with these things to ensure resort guests and restaurant patrons have adequate parking.

I emailed Disney a few weeks ago asking if it's okay to get dropped off at the parks if staying offsite and they replied saying that is was okay to do so we should be okay in that regard.

 

[HouCuseChickie]

I emailed Disney a few weeks ago asking if it's okay to get dropped off at the parks if staying offsite and they replied saying that is was okay to do so we should be okay in that regard.

From what I understand, this is not a policy and it's strictly at the discretion of the CM you get as the park gate attendant. They may let you in for drop off without parking charge...they may not. Ultimately, you're not followed in to make sure you're telling the truth and their job is to collect parking fees from all vehicles from unmarked (i.e. non-cab/shuttle) vehicles...so, no guarantees with what you were told. The good news...from what I've been reading, nearly everyone has had no issues with this, but I might take a copy of that email with you just be safe.

 

[tecowdw]

I know the TTC had a "guest drop-off" area (where the taxis go) just before the Polynesian so I would think you could get through the MK gate by just letting the CM know that is where you're going. Not sure how the other parks handle guest drop-off as I've never looked for them.

Of course, for the MK, you can go via Vista Blvd (the road that goes past Golden Oak and Fort Wilderness) going west and bypass the MK parking booths altogether. It merges onto World Drive north of the toll booths and lets you get to all of the MK resorts, including the TTC.

The bad part for me is now that I am a FL seasonal passholder, I get stuck with the parking fees. Having always been a resort guest in the past, I've never paid for parking in all my 20+ years visiting WDW. Now that I live here, I'm expected to pay $17 every time I want to go to the theme parks - which I could do more often in theory. While I know there are ways to avoid it, it's just kind of the principle of the thing now and almost feels like a penalty.

 

[BigRedDad]

10 minute walk tops. For MK, get dropped off at the Contemporary. All other parks get you very close.