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Parking at Disney World can be confusing. We share everything you need to know about Disney World parking.
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Parking at Disney World
Things at Disney World Orlando tend to be complicated. Advanced dining and FASTPASS+ reservations, choosing the right resort hotel, and even deciding when to visit are just a few examples.
Not surprisingly, parking at the “Most Magical Place on Earth” can also be a bit confusing. Let’s jump into all about parking at Disney World.
Disney Resort Parking
About a year ago, Disney started charging parking fees for Disney Resort guests. If you are staying at a Disney World hotel, you will be charged a fee (each night) for parking. This fee is only for nightly hotel guests. The hotel parking fee varies based on your resort category. The Disney Value Resorts being the least expensive at $15 per night plus tax and Disney Deluxe Resorts being the most expensive at $25 per night plus tax.
Free parking (self parking) is still available at the resorts for day guests who visit to dine, shop, enjoy recreation activities, or simply visit the resort for the day.
- Disney Value Resorts: $15 per night
- Disney Moderate Resorts: $20 per night
- Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: $25 per night
These prices are subject to change without notice.
Disney Vacation Club members will not be charged for standard overnight self-parking when staying at a DVC Deluxe Villa, regardless of whether they use vacation points or another form of payment. DVC Members also will not be charged to park when using vacation points to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
Valet parking is available at select Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villas. Valet Parking is free for Tables in Wonderland cardholders with an Advance Dining Reservation at the resort where they are valet parking. Valet is also free for guests who have a current handicap license plate/tag. (Note: Tipping is appropriate and customary for the service of valet parking.)
Theme Park Parking
When visiting the theme parks, you pay one fee for a parking pass that’s good all day and at all 4 theme parks. That means If you leave and return to the same park or if you travel to another park, you only don’t have to pay again. Just make sure to keep your receipt!
The Disney World theme parks have huge parking lots. When you pay for preferred parking, your parking space will be in a lot that’s closer to the park entrance.
Regardless of whether you park in preferred or regular parking, there are trams that are constantly in use to get you from the lot to the entrance. You may walk if you prefer it, but trams are available for you.
Complimentary theme park self-parking is available to registered guests of Disney Resort Hotels. You will show your Magic Band at the toll plaza at the entrance to the Disney Parks.
If you have Annual Passholders, Premium Passholders, or Disney Premier Passports; you also get free parking at the Disney Parks. You may choose to upgrade to Preferred parking by paying the difference between standard and preferred parking. You can pay this additional fee at the toll plaza at the park entrance.
If you have an oversized vehicle like an RV, camper, or limo; you can park in the Disney Theme Parks. You just pay a slightly higher parking costs.
Here are the current prices for Disney Park parking.
- Preferred parking: car or motorcycle – $45-$50 per day*
- Standard parking: car or motorcycle – $25 per day
- Oversized Vehicle Parking: Shuttle, Limo, Camper Trailer, RV, Bus or Tractor Trailer – $30 per day
These parking prices are subject to change without notice.
Parking at Other Disney Property Destinations
Disney Water Parks
There is no parking fee at Disney’s Blizzard Beach or Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon Water Parks. There are no parking trams either, so be prepared to walk to the entrance.
Disney Springs
There is no parking fee for the parking garages or surface parking at Disney Springs.
ESPN Wide World of Sports
General parking is free and valet parking is available on select event dates for a fee. In the event the Sports Complex parking lots fill to capacity, guests will be directed to alternate parking locations.
Parking for Guests with Disabilities
Disney does have designated parking available for guests with disabilities at the Disney Resorts, Disney Parks, and Disney Springs. A valid disability parking permit is required and standard parking rates apply. Disney Cast Members (employees) will direct you to these designated spots when you pull in to park. If you have any questions, be sure you ask a Disney Cast Member.
Electric Vehicle Charging
If you are one of the growing number of drivers using an electric vehicle, you are in luck! Several ChargePoint charging stations are available in parking lots at Magic Kingdom park, Epcot, Disney’s Animal Kingdom theme park and Disney Springs.
To use this service, you will need a credit card or a pre-ordered ChargePoint card, available at chargepoint.com. Charge ports are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Here’s where to find them:
- Magic Kingdom Park: There are several spaces in the Medical Parking Lot and Zurg Parking Lot
- Epcot: There are several spaces in the Journey Parking Lot
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park: There are several spaces in the Medical Parking Lot
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: There are several parking spots in the Mickey Parking Lot
- Disney Springs: There are several spaces on the 5th floor of the Orange Garage, 3rd floor on the Grapefruit Garage, and on the 5th floor of the Lime Garage
Parking Tips
- If you’ve paid for parking, remember to hold on to your receipt each day for re-entry or park hopping.
- Follow Cast Member instructions. Disney loads their parking lots in a specific and methodical way. All drivers must follow Cast Member parking instructions. You won’t be able to choose your parking space.
- Before you board the tram or start walking to the entrance, snap a photo of your row name and number or send yourself (or a member of your party) a text with the parking location.
- The tram host will repeat the row name and number before the tram pulls away, so you’ll have another opportunity to record your location if you forgot to snap a photo.
- If you can’t find your car, don’t panic, but find the nearest Cast Member. Security and other Cast Members are constantly patrolling the lots. They can assist you in finding your vehicle.
- The earlier you arrive, the closer you’ll be to the park entrance.
- If you tend to walk at a brisk pace, you may find that you can walk to the entrance fairly quickly. In some cases, the tram will sit for a few minutes allowing many guests to board, and walking will actually be faster than taking the tram. Just make sure not to wear yourself out with the extra walking so early in your day. This isn’t for everyone!
- If you are visiting Magic Kingdom, you can also hop on the Disney Monorail to visit Epcot. You do not have to drive back and forth. Let the Disney Transportation make your life a bit easier.
- An easy way to avoid parking fees is using an Uber. You can reserve a basic Uber or even a Minnie Van.
There you have it, the in’s and out’s of parking at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida! Before I leave you, I wanted to share one fun fact about Disney World Parking. Did you know the Super Bowl hired Disney to handle the parking during the Super Bowl in Jacksonville? Disney does such an excellent job of parking, the Super Bowl hired them to run the parking. Pretty cool!
