Hey there, Faren. I'm glad you've stopped by
planDisney to talk about some plans for your upcoming Walt Disney World vacation.
I typically drive myself to the
Walt Disney World Theme Parks, even if I am staying at a
Walt Disney World Resort Hotel so I am very familiar with how the
parking and parking lots work. When you are driving yourself to a Walt Disney World Theme Park, you will be required to pay for parking each day. Right now the standard parking spots are $25.00 a day and $45.00 - $50.00 for the preferred spots. When you arrive you'll stop at the parking attendant booth and pay before being directed where to go to park. Be sure to grab a receipt. If you are park hopping or plan on leaving and then coming back later in the day, you can show your receipt and not have to pay again. It's a pay once per day system.
The parking lots open up anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour prior to that particular theme park's scheduled opening time. I like to be there one hour prior because I enjoy the early morning hours at the parks. Plus, arriving early guarantees an up-close spot.
Something that I like to do, and you might as well, is pack a small cooler of water to leave in my car. It's really nice to have refreshing water waiting on me when I get back to my car after a long day in the theme parks. Also, be sure to take a picture of what section of the parking lot that you are in and what row. It is a long day and it is hard to remember exactly where you've parked. The last thing you want is to walk around aimlessly when you are tired and ready to go home.
If you have any other questions about parking, feel free to pop back by and
ask me. I'm happy to help. If I don't hear back from you, I hope you have a fantastic vacation at the
Most Magical Place on Earth and make memories that will last a lifetime.
Happy holidays, Faren!