I have a large family with five children, which means that we usually drive to the Walt Disney World parks. We live in Georgia, so the drive isn’t very long. To accommodate our large family, we typically stay in a short-term rental house or condo and drive to the parks each day.Even though I have to admit to being a passenger princess, I also have a lot of experience with Disney parking.
How do you get the best parking at Disney World?
The best way to get a good parking spot at Disney World is to arrive early. You might not like it if you’re not an early riser like me, but it’s the truth. However, if an early wake-up is a non-starter on your Disney World vacation, there are some other helpful parking tips available to you. So, here are the best parking secrets, tips and tricks for your next Disney trip:
1. Arrive early
For Animal Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios, this generally means you should be pulling up to pay for your parking about 30 minutes before the park opens. But for Magic Kingdom parking, make it an hour. This is because of the extra hop you have to take from the Transportation & Ticket Center across Seven Seas Lagoon on either the monorail or ferry. The good news is that this strategy will also set you up nicely for rope drop.
2. Note where you’ve parked using Disney’s Car Locator
This summer when I was traveling with my brother and sister-in-law, they introduced us to the genius life hack of sending the parking information in the group text as soon as we arrived. That way, all the adults could scroll back to find the character and row number in case we split up or in case someone forgot.
Disney parking lots have zones named after beloved characters. In Magic Kingdom, there are heroes like Simba, Aladdin, and Mulan. There are also villains like Zurg, Scar, and Hook. EPCOT has space and ocean-themed characters such as Rocket Raccoon, Dory, and Moana. Hollywood Studios has classic Disney characters like Mickey plus Star Wars and Toy Story-themed zones, too.
Also, there’s a “Car Locator” feature in the My Disney Experience app. If you enable notifications, the app will prompt you to save your parking information as you are parking. It estimates the row number, but you have the opportunity to confirm or adjust it as needed. I’ve found it to be fairly accurate within one or two rows. Later, when it’s time to return to your car, you can look up the information in the app. Again, if you have location services and notifications enabled, the app will remind you automatically as you leave the park.
3. Skip the tram, it’s a scam!
My children love riding the parking tram. Sometimes I think it’s their favorite Disney World attraction. But they’ve learned what mom is going to say when they ask to ride: The tram’s a scam! It’s especially true in our family’s case when riding the tram means unloading multiple children and bags from the stroller and folding them up. It just does not make sense to ride the tram.
Typically, you have to wait a few minutes for the tram to arrive, so the walkers get a head start. If you’re following tip number one and arriving early, you’re going to beat the tram to the security checkpoint in most scenarios. As a compromise with the kids, we sometimes ride the tram back to the car. However, most of the time we split up with one parent riding the tram back to the car with the big kids while the other parent walks with the stroller.
4. Keep your receipt
If you’re taking a midday break like we almost always do, be sure to keep your receipt! Once you’ve paid your parking fees for that day, it’s valid for all the theme parks. So if you’re planning to park hop, you only have to pay once.
5. Spring for preferred parking if you’re running late
Preferred parking is certainly more expensive. But this option allows guests to get into the park with less hassle and wait time. If it is an option for you, and you have some wiggle room in the budget, it can be worth it.
What is the difference between standard and preferred parking at Disney?
At the time of this writing, standard parking at Walt Disney World costs $35 and premium parking ranges from $50-60, depending on the season and crowd levels. Motorcycles pay the standard vehicle rate. But remember, prices are subject to change. Oversized vehicle parking is $40 per day for standard parking. Oversized vehicles include shuttles, RVs, campers, camper trailers, tractor-trailers, and limos.
Annual passholders get free standard parking, which is an awesome passholder perk! If you’re like us and visit frequently from out of state, the savings on parking can add up. Many Florida residents and locals also drive to the parks and save with an annual pass. However, you can pay the difference in fees to upgrade to preferred parking for the day. My husband insisted on doing so at Disney’s Animal Kingdom this past 4th of July, and it was a great splurge considering the parking lot was boiling lava hot.
How does preferred parking work at Disney World?
If you pay extra for preferred parking, you can park in an area that is closer to the park entrance. The cast member will give you directions, typically to put on your hazard lights, and then you will be directed to the designated area. Preferred parking areas are usually located near the parking for guests with disabilities. Guests with a valid disability parking permit will pay the standard theme park parking fee. Cast members will then direct you to park in the disability parking area. Note that signage will sometimes label this area as the “medical parking lot.”
Is preferred parking at Disney worth it?
Sometimes preferred parking can be worth it. For example, it might be worth it if you can’t make it to the park early. It might also be worth it if it’s a super hot day, and the idea of trudging across the seemingly endless desert of asphalt feels unbearable to you.
Are there EV charging stations at Disney Springs?
Yes, you’ll find ChargePoints in all of the Disney Springs parking garages. Several are located on the 5th floor of the orange garage and the 5th floor of the lime garage. There are additional charging stations on the 3rd floor of the grapefruit garage and in the Watermelon garage. You’ll also find charging stations at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge, Riviera, and Coronado Springs.
Do you have a Disney parking tip? If so, let us know in the comments!
