Hi Marie! That is a great question, especially with the holiday season quickly approaching!
For most of the year, Guests wishing to park at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, for which they do not have a reservation, are welcome to do so. There is
no fee for a Guest to park their magic carpet in the hotel parking lot if the Guest is there to enjoy dining, recreation, shopping, or entertainment at the resort hotel.
There are some limitations that are usually put into place during the holiday season, particularly in late December. Those limitations usually include that only Guests with a hotel reservation, or Guests with a confirmed dining reservation at the hotel, may park at the hotel. Guests wishing to visit the hotel for other reasons could be turned away due to very limited parking during the busy holiday season. If that is the case, you might consider parking at Disney Springs and taking a bus from there to Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa to view the gingerbread creations! They are stunning works of culinary art!
Marie, some of the resort hotels have more heavily enforced restrictions during the holiday season. This typically includes Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort and Spa and other resort hotels with gingerbread displays. The later in December you visit, the more likely you are to experience restrictions. If you visit in early to mid-December, you shouldn’t experience much of a problem!
Another great display to take in while visiting the Walt Disney World Resort at Christmastime is the
Christmas Tree Stroll at Disney Springs! This is one of my favorite holiday displays! The trees are themed to various Disney characters, attractions, movies, resort hotels, and more!
Happy Planning!
Jonathan