Question for those who drive to WDW or rent a car. About This Page:

[nalexander]

If you have a car do you drive to the parks yourself or take disney transportation?
If you drive I am wondering how much if cost to park at the parks and if you park hop do you have to pay parking for each park or just one rate for the day?
Also, can you park at other resorts if you have a meal at that resort?

We are driving down and I am thinking it might be easier and faster to drive to the park and back. At night I really don't want to have to wait to long for the bus with a tired 23 month old. Plus, he might fall asleep in the car.

[TheMadonna3]

if you are staying on site, parking is free.

We always drive (cause we live only 90 mins away, haha) and we park the car and use Disney. Primarily because its easier with my scooter and secondly, DH can relax and have a good time because he doesn't have to drive. The headache is someone else's problem.

Yes, you can park at resorts if you are eating there, but there is a 3 hr time limit.

[elias66]

When we drive or rent a car, we drive to the parks and the other resorts. We find it faster to get back to the hotel this way at the end of the day.

If you are staying at a disney resort you do not have to pay for parking at the parks. If you are staying off property, once you pay for parking at one park, as long as you have you parking pass, you can park at another park on the same day without paying an additional parking fee. Hope this helps.

Have a Magical Day!

[MMMD]

Someone mentioned previously that if you are visiting MK you should take Disney transportation as the drop off is much closer/faster than the parking lot. In the parking lot you have to take the tram to the TTS and then monorail or boat in.

[disney]

we fly but always rent a car , if you are staying on property parking is free , we always use the car to go to the parks because we come and go as we please grant it even tho it could only be up to 15 min or so for the bus .

[paradox]

We drive every other trip. We almost always use Disney transportation, just depends on where and when. Parking in the parks is $10 or $12 I'm not sure which, but if you are staying on site then parking is free at the parks. If you are having a meal at a resort, or just want to look around, you will be given a temporary parking pass for a few hours.

[debsta922]

We fly and usually rent a car. The Disney buses aren't bad, but we prefer not to wait, and risk having to carry Nick if there are no seats. We drive to every park, however I do agree that sometimes it's easier to take the bus to MK.

[coasties]

We drive and use Disney transportation exclusively while there. We enjoy having someone else do the driving while we relax

[HiddenMickey]

We've driven to WDW three times (we've flown more). The first two times that car didn't move from it's parking space the whole trip. This last trip, we did use our car to get to the water parks, DTD, Epcot one night, and AK. We found driving better than we had anticipated. We usually feel more vacation-y if we let someone else do the 'work'.
I think if we drive in the future, we'll use the car for some of our transportation needs again.

[CinderAbby]

We driving this year but a couple of times we fly. Those years we rented a car so every trip to Disney we've had a car. We drive it everywhere. To the parks, to other resorts. I don't care for Disney transportation myself only because as you said, it's quicker to drive yourself. And with a little one which would you prefer to do - put him in his car seat and let him fall asleep or possibly have to hold him not only in a bus line, but also on a bus until you get to your hotel? And as for the extra time waiting for the Ferry or monorail at the TTC, to me it's part of the magic to ride one of those two to the MK. It's not so magical IMO to be dropped off right there, there's no anticipation of seeing it from the distance with no trees or other cars to spoil it.

But to answer you're original questions, you'll get a parking pass for your car when you check in which you put in the windshield. As long as you have this, parking for the parks is free whether you go to one or all four. You can also park at the other resorts (there shouldn't be any charge unless you valet park - that still costs) but only for a couple of hours.

[katskids]

We are driving this year, and are planning on using the Disney transportation. But we will see how it goes. I like having the car available just in case we decide to drive.

[elisa1006]

We are driving, and I am planning to use Disney transportation. Unless having 3 kids and a double stroller prove to be too much trouble, then we'll drive.

[elisa1006]

We are driving. I am planning on using Disney Transportation. Unless having 3 kids and a double stroller prove to be too much hassle.

[Happymommy]

We have driven the past two trips. The only time we get in the car is to go to the grocery store, or if we are having a low key night and hitting another resort for dinner (not going to a park afterward)--- It's nice just to drive over to OKW for dinenr at Olivia's or Poly for 'Ohana, and not have to take two busses (or a bus and a monorail to get there). We never ever drive to the parks though.

[TKHmom]

When we went in 2006 we drove. When we got there we parked our car and didn't drive it for the entire week. We never had any problems with the buses. We were very impressed with the transportation system at WDW. When we go back in October we plan on doing the same thing. Plus it saves gas money. That way you can spend more on the things you want!