Welcome to planDisney, Megan!
It's always a pleasure to help fellow Guests make magical memories as they visit some of my favorite spots in all of Walt Disney World Resort.
Incredibly,
Disney's Contemporary Resort is one of those
practically perfect places!
My husband and I recently enjoyed a stay at the Contemporary, and we adored the
Incredible theming
(Super Suits hanging in the closet are such a fun detail), proximity to Magic Kingdom Park, and monorail access. From Mary Blair's famous mural to views of Seven Seas Lagoon, Bay Lake, and Cinderella Castle, it's definitely a Disney Resort hotel worth exploring! You might even consider making a loop on the Resort Monorail. Seeing the
Walt Disney World Resort Monorail System glide through the iconic A-frame structure is something that will never cease to amaze me (and feel like magic) no matter how many times I visit.
Happily, parking at Disney Resort hotels is complimentary for Guests staying and dining there, so this means that you can indeed park at Disney's Contemporary Resort before enjoying your dinner at
California Grill. Because parking is reserved for Guests, a Cast Member will likely verify your reservation when you arrive to park. Since there is no set amount of parking time allocated for Guests with dining reservations, entrance to the lot 4 hours prior to a reservation would be allowed at Cast Member discretion and dependent upon parking availability at that time, so unfortunately, while you likely would not encounter an issue, it's not something that I am able to guarantee.
While I am unable to provide a definitive answer for you, Megan, I do hope this was helpful. If you're in need of further assistance, you're welcome to
stop back by. I'm always happy to help! As a bonus tip: Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for the
Electrical Water Pageant as it drifts across Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. You should have a great view from California Grill!
Thinking Happy Thoughts,
Lizzie