Parking at WDW hotels for off-site visitors

[DisneyCrazy68]

Thinking of booking a breakfast at a WDW hotel, possibly Polynesion.
As off-site guests can we park at the hotel? If so, is there a time limit? We wouldn't be visiting the parks that day, but would like to visit the Grand Floridian to see the Gingerbread House.
Thanks

[dvc]

If you have a dining reservation the guard at security will have you on a list and allow 2 (I think it's 2) hours parking at the resort

[mum22boys1girl]

Originally Posted by DisneyCrazy68

Thinking of booking a breakfast at a WDW hotel, possibly Polynesion.
As off-site guests can we park at the hotel? If so, is there a time limit? We wouldn't be visiting the parks that day, but would like to visit the Grand Floridian to see the Gingerbread House.
Thanks

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Gingerbread house? Tell me more! Please! X

[mum22boys1girl]

Originally Posted by dvc

If you have a dining reservation the guard at security will have you on a list and allow 2 (I think it's 2) hours parking at the resort

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Ok, so I couldn't just park there and look around. It's be best to park at theme parks and use transportation for a nosey around? X

[Guest]

Yes you can. Esp if you have an ADR. We have often had to show ID (we take Drivers license). I think that the normal expectation is that you can stay for around 3 hours. (Note - I've always assumed it is 3 but note the point above about 2 hrs ! )

I tend to pay for valet parking in any case so that I can wander off / take longer if I want to without getting into difficulties.

The Poly and the Contemporary are particularly strict I think as they are used to people turning up for O'Hanas / Chef Mickeys and then just wandering into the parks.

If valet parked you can go to the Poly for Brekkie and then onto the GF then carry on your wander to MK and get the ferry back across the lagoon and then the monorail back from the TTC to the Poly - so that you have a couple of hours of nosying without going to the parks and without worrying about parking fines.

enjoy the breakfast. A walk to the GF is probably a good idea - after that little lot !

[seellee]

Originally Posted by DisneyCrazy68

Thinking of booking a breakfast at a WDW hotel, possibly Polynesion.
As off-site guests can we park at the hotel? If so, is there a time limit? We wouldn't be visiting the parks that day, but would like to visit the Grand Floridian to see the Gingerbread House.
Thanks

See more...

You'll be ok as you have reservations, as long as you don't spend hours there. If you are worried just ask security at the gate. Most resorts as long as there's nothing special going on will let you park for 2-3 hours if you want to have a look around.

However it is not acceptable to park at the resorts to get out of paying the parking fees at the parks. I'm pretty sure they can tow cars that overstay their welcome.

[KarenG]

Originally Posted by mum22boys1girl

Gingerbread house? Tell me more! Please! X

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It won't be there in August, it goes up for Christmas.

[seellee]

Originally Posted by mum22boys1girl

Ok, so I couldn't just park there and look around. It's be best to park at theme parks and use transportation for a nosey around? X

See more...

You can as long as they aren't busy and have no special events on but as has been said you'll have up to 3 hours I think. It's to stop people parking there and going to the parks.

[DisneyCrazy68]

Originally Posted by mum22boys1girl

Gingerbread house? Tell me more! Please! X

See more...

This is last year's.
wdwmagic/resorts/disn...house-2012.htm

[DisneyCrazy68]

Thanks all
3 hours would probably be enough, not sure 2 hours would.
I had thought about parking in the MK parking lot, but as it's the Christmas/New Year period and we're aiming for a late-ish time I was a bit concerned about the MK parking lot being closed, due to reaching max capacity.