Hi there Kathryn, I'd like to wish you a warm Canadian welcome to planDisney!
As a fellow Ontarian, I bet you're excited to be leaving the seemingly endless weeks of snow in pursuit of the warm weather in Orlando! Like many other Canadians making a quick vacation escape, folks
staying at neighbouring locations outside of Disney property can still make the most of their time even if they're not a guest at a
Walt Disney World Resort Hotel.
You'll be happy to hear that according to
official Disney policy, guests are eligible for complimentary self-parking at Disney Resort Hotels. Standard self-parking is available for day guests who visit in order to enjoy "select dining, shopping, entertainment and recreation experiences". My husband and I absolutely love taking advantage of this while resort-hopping and I have some
Princely Picks, Tips, and Tricks to help you on your way:
- If your heart is set on taking the Disney Skyliner, you'll find stations where you'll be able to board at Disney's Riviera Resort (which is the closest option to EPCOT) as well as at Disney's Caribbean Beach Resort and on the bridge between Disney's Pop Century Resort and Disney's Art of Animation Resort.
- Policies are often subject to change and availability, with particular Disney Resort Hotels restricting parking lot access on certain days only to guests staying overnight, or those with a confirmed dining reservation that they can show. (Parking Security Cast Members have been known at certain locations to strictly deny access to guests who say they just want to park in order to enter one of the Theme Parks.) To avoid any issues or misunderstanding, it's often safer to make a dining reservation for the Resort Hotel location that you're heading to just in case and have it ready to show upon request.
- The weeks surrounding Spring Break at Walt Disney World Resort may result in busier and more hectic parking situations at each Resort Hotel in our experience, so it may be easier overall to park for free at Disney Springs and take advantage of the complimentary Disney Bus Transportation to one of the destinations on the Disney Skyliner route. This may take an additional bus ride each way, but may be worth avoiding any hassle!
Personally, I love entering EPCOT World Showcase from International Gateway because it allows you to take in the
sights and sounds at Disney's BoardWalk as you soar overhead in your Disney Skyliner cabin, or stroll under the glowing lights after exiting EPCOT at the end of the night.
Come back to planDisney any time to
ask me any more questions, talk transportation or anything that will help you plan ahead for your trip with the family coming up soon!
Here's to a magnificent March Break adventure!
Prince