Disney World Parking Secrets

Disney World Parking Secrets

Parking at Disney World is a part of your Disney vacation planning that can be easily missed.  But luckily, Disney makes parking at Disney World as simple as they can.  With these Disney World parking secrets, you’ll breeze through the whole thing.

So if you’re driving to Disney World or renting a car while you’re there, use these Disney World parking secrets to make it all easy.

Disney World Parking Secrets: Regular Parking vs. Premium Parking

When visiting Disney World, one of the first decisions you’ll have to make is where to park your vehicle. While regular parking is the default option, you may also have the option of choosing premium parking. So, what’s the difference, and is it worth the extra cost?

Regular parking at Disney World is typically located in a large lot that’s a short walk from the park entrance. This option is generally the most affordable, but it can still be quite a walk, especially if you’re carrying bags or traveling with young children.

Regular parking is also first-come, first-served, so you may end up parked quite far from the entrance, depending on how busy the park is.

On the other hand, premium parking is typically located closer to the park entrance, reducing the amount of walking required. This option is more expensive than regular parking, but it can be a great choice if you’re looking to save time and energy.

Additionally, premium parking is often located in a covered garage, which can help protect your car from the elements.

Ultimately, whether you choose regular or premium parking at Disney World will depend on your budget and preferences.

If you’re looking to save money and don’t mind a bit of a walk, regular parking may be the way to go. However, if you’re willing to pay more for convenience and comfort, premium parking may be a better choice. 

Disney World Parking Cost

Like any theme park, when you go to Disney World you will be charged a parking fee. The good news is that you only pay once a day no matter which parks you hop to or how many times you go in and out of the park.

Disney World Theme Park Parking Fee

Parking at Disney World is paid once a day and is good all day for all parks, no matter how many times you go in and out of the park.

Regular Pricing – $40 per day

Preferred Pricing – $45, $50, $55 per day

Oversized Vehicles – $35 per day

Disney World Resort Guest Cost 

If you’re staying at Disney World- I have news for you.  Starting March 21st, 2018, Disney Resort guests also have to pay for parking.  Previously, parking was free if you were staying at a Disney World resort. Disney World resort guests pay a parking fee, that differs depending on what tier resort you are staying, per night.  The total is then added to the hotel folio.

Value – $14 per night

Moderate – $19 per night

Deluxe and Deluxe Villa – $24 per night

Campsites at Fort Wilderness Lodge – Free

Valet at Deluxe and Deluxe Villa – $33 per night

Disney World Free Parking Secrets

If you’re visiting a Disney resort for entertainment, shopping, dining, or recreation – parking is complimentary.

Parking at Disney Springs is complimentary.  Valet parking at Disney Springs is $20.

Parking a the two Disney World water parks, Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach, is free.

Parking at ESPN, Wide World of Sports is free.

Outside of the parking fee you pay when staying at a Walt Disney World resort, resort guests and annual passholders park at the theme parks for free.

Disney Vacation Club Members Parking

Disney Vacation Club members park for free.

When you stay at a Disney Vacation Club Deluxe Villa or a Disney Resort hotel, you won’t have to pay anything extra for standard overnight self-parking.

This applies to all members, regardless of whether they use Vacation Points or another form of payment. So, you can rest assured that you won’t have to worry about any additional charges for parking your vehicle overnight during your stay at these Disney properties.

Disney World Parking Secrets for Those with Disabilities

With a disability parking permit, you are eligible to park in the various designated disability parking spots throughout Walt Disney World.

Magic Kingdom – Parking is close to the TTC where you purchase your tickets and decide whether to ride the monorail or ferry across the lagoon to the theme park.

Epcot, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios all have parking very close to the entrance of the park.

When you pay for parking at the Theme Park, make sure to ask the Cast Member where to go for Disability parking.

Disney World Disability Guides

• Magic Kingdom Park
• Epcot
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom park

Parking at Magic Kingdom

The parking at Magic Kingdom is the most complex because it is one of two steps to get to the park.  Once you park your vehicle and tram it to the TTC, you will then choose a way to get past the lagoon and to the entrance of the park.

Parking at Epcot

If you get to Epcot early, at least 45 minutes before opening, you will get a parking that’s maybe a 7-minute walk to the entrance.  Epcot parking is right in front of the park.

Disney World Animal Kingdom Parking

With the opening of Pandora – World of Avatar, you can find yourself parking further pack in Animal Kingdom even getting there 45 minutes ahead.  Similar to Epcot, the parking is in front of the park but is large.

Parking at Disney’s Hollywood Studios

Personally, I believe that Hollywood Studios has one of the easiest parking setups out of the four theme parks. The parking seems to be close enough to the front gate and since this is the slowest of the four parks, until the opening of Toy Story Land in June 2018, you can get a good parking even after opening.

Finding Your Car in a Walt Disney World Parking Lot

There are a few strategies that can help you locate your car easily and without any hassle. 

It’s important to take a picture of your parking spot or make a note of the row and section number before leaving your car. This will help you remember where you parked when you return after a long day at the park.

If you still can’t find your car, don’t hesitate to ask a cast member for assistance. They are always happy to help and can even provide transportation to take you directly to your car if needed.

Just remember to stay calm and take your time to locate your vehicle.

Disney World Parking Secrets: Car Locator

If you’re planning a trip to Walt Disney World Resort and are worried about losing track of your parked car, you’ll be happy to know that the My Disney Experience mobile app has a feature called “Car Locator” that can help you out. Essentially, this feature uses your phone’s GPS to remember where you parked and guide you back to your car when you’re ready to leave. It’s a handy tool that can save you time and stress, so be sure to give it a try!

Disney World Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

If you’re planning a visit to Walt Disney World Resort and use an electric vehicle, you don’t have to worry about running out of battery. There are now lots of ChargePoint charging stations available in parking lots at various locations throughout the resort. You can ask a Cast Member for directions to these charge ports when you arrive, and they’re available on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Magic Kingdom park: 5 spaces—one space at the front of the Medical Parking Lot and 4 spaces at the front of the Zurg Parking Lot
• EPCOT: 4 spaces at the front of the Journey Parking Lot
• Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park: 4 spaces in the Medical Parking Lot
• Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 4 spaces at the front of the Mickey Parking Lot
• Disney Springs: 13 spaces—3 on the 5th floor of the Orange Garage, 3 on the 5th floor of the Lime Garage, 3 on the 3rd floor of the Grapefruit Garage and 4 in the Watermelon Lot near the Cirque du Soleil theater
• Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: 6 spaces in general parking near ADA spaces
• Disney’s Riviera Resort: 2 spaces in general parking near ADA spaces
• Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: 2 spaces in general parking near ADA spaces

Disney World Trams

If you have parked your car far away from the entrance in a large parking lot, don’t worry about walking all the way to the building. You can use the tram system instead, which is very easy and convenient to use. Even if you miss one tram, you won’t have to wait long for the next one, as they usually come every ten minutes or so.

The cast memembers on the tram are really helpful in telling you when the park is closing, when the shows are on, and what time the last tram leaves at night. If you plan on staying until the park closes, make sure to pay attention and listen carefully. You don’t want to be stuck with a long walk back after midnight!

Strollers on Trams

Strollers are a common sight at Disney parks, and many families rely on them to transport their young children around the sprawling resort. 

However, when it comes to getting on and off the trams that transport guests from the parking lots to the theme parks, strollers can sometimes pose a challenge. The narrow doors and tight spaces on the trams can make it difficult to maneuver strollers, and there is a risk of bumping into other guests or causing a bottleneck.

To help ensure a smooth and safe experience for everyone, Disney has implemented some guidelines for strollers on the trams. Guests are asked to fold their strollers before boarding the tram, and to hold onto them securely throughout the ride. If you have a larger stroller that cannot be folded, you may need to wait for the next tram or consider using a smaller stroller.

It’s important to follow these guidelines to avoid any delays or safety issues on the tram. By being mindful of others and taking care to fold and secure your stroller properly, you can help make the experience more enjoyable for everyone.

Vehicle Issues

If you’re parked in one of the Disney theme park parking lots and your car won’t start or has a flat tire, there are several options available. Disney offers complimentary jump-starts and tire inflation services to guests in the parking lots, which can be arranged by calling the number provided on the signs throughout the lot. 

Additionally, if you have AAA or another roadside assistance service, you can call them for help. 

In case of an emergency, such as a medical situation or other serious incident, call 911 immediately.

Disney World Parking Secrets: Tips for Families Traveling with Young Children

It’s important to know that Disney World offers stroller rentals at each of the theme parks. This is especially helpful if you have young children who get tired easily and need a break from walking. You can rent a stroller and keep it with you throughout the day, or you can rent one each time you visit a new park.

Another tip for families with young children is to consider using Disney’s preferred parking option. This allows you to park closer to the entrance of the theme park, which can be especially helpful if you have young children who may get tired from walking long distances.

Overall, with a little bit of planning, you can make your visit to Disney World with young children much more enjoyable and stress-free. By taking advantage of these parking secrets, you can ensure that you have a magical experience that your whole family will remember for years to come.

Disney World Parking Secrets: Tips for Groups with Elderly Members

When planning a trip to Disney World with a group that includes elderly members, it’s important to consider parking options that will make the visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible. Luckily, there are some parking secrets that can make a big difference for groups with elderly members.

Firstly, it’s important to know that Disney World offers accessible parking spots for individuals with disabilities. This includes elderly individuals who may have mobility issues.

These parking spots are located closer to the entrance than regular parking spots, making it easier for elderly members of your group to get in and out of the theme parks.

Additionally, if your group includes elderly members who have difficulty walking long distances, you can take advantage of Disney’s parking lot trams. These trams are wheelchair accessible and will take you from the parking lot to the entrance of the theme park. This can be especially helpful if you plan on visiting multiple parks in one day.

Disney World Parking Secrets: Tips for Individuals with Disabilities

When it comes to visiting Disney World, parking can be a bit of a hassle. However, if you or someone you are traveling with has a disability, there are some helpful parking secrets that can make your visit a lot easier.

Firstly, it’s important to know that Disney World offers accessible parking for individuals with disabilities. These parking spots are located in the theme park parking lots and are closer to the entrance than regular parking spots.

Additionally, if you or someone in your party has a disability that makes it difficult to walk long distances, you can take advantage of Disney’s parking lot trams. These trams are wheelchair accessible and will take you from the parking lot to the entrance of the theme park.

Another great parking secret is that if you are staying at a Disney resort hotel, you can take advantage of Disney’s complimentary transportation. This includes buses, boats, and monorails that will take you from your resort to the theme parks.

Finally, if you have a disability that requires you to bring your own vehicle, it’s worth noting that Disney World offers accessible parking at all four of its theme parks. Additionally, if you need to use a wheelchair or electric scooter, you can rent one from Disney World for the duration of your visit.

By keeping these parking secrets in mind, individuals with disabilities can enjoy a stress-free and enjoyable visit to Disney World.

Disney World Parking FAQS and Tips

Disney was giving paper passes out once you paid for parking but they are transitioning to using your Magic Band to scan parking onto it.  This isn’t fully implemented but be prepared.

As far as your Disney budget goes, make sure you factor in the cost of parking and use parking costs as a fact when considering whether to stay on-site or off.

You can pay for parking at the theme park with cash or a credit card.

What to expect when you get to the park?  There will be booth when you are first driving in similar to a toll, but more beautiful.  Choose an open lane which is usually all of them, and drive up.

Once you pay for parking, there are a ton of signs and Cast Members directing you where to park.

Make sure you remember the name of your parking and where you’ve parked.  If you have an iPhone, you can tell Siri to remember where you’ve parked and you can ask her at the end of the day.

Another trick I use is taking a picture of my parking location with my phone.  That way I don’t have to remember it.

Don’t feel like you have to walk if you park really far.  All parking lots have trams that run every few minutes.

If you have a stroller with you, you will have to fold it up when you get on the tram.

Arrive at the parks as early as you can.  This will help you get a great, close parking and really enjoy the park as much as you can.  Every touring plan suggests this.