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Ultimate Guide to Disney World Parking

Answers to the most common questions about Disney World parking, such as “Is there free Disney parking?” and “What is the Disney parking price?”

Disney Entrance Sign

If you are driving a car to or around Walt Disney World in Orlando, you’re going to need somewhere to park it. Here’s everything you need to know!

Is there free Disney parking?

walking into Epcot

The answer to the question “Is there free Disney parking?” is yes and no.

There is a fee to park at the theme parks (unless you are staying at a Disney World-owned hotel which includes free parking at the theme parks).

But there are some places in Disney World where you CAN park for free. These include:

  • Disney Springs (the dining and entertainment area formerly known as Downtown Disney or Pleasure Island). There are several surface lots and parking garages at Disney Springs and they all offer free parking.
  • Parking is free at the Disney World water parks: Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach.
  • You can almost always park for free at Disney World resort hotels for up to three hours (more on this later).

What is the Disney Parking price?

parking lot

Here is the current Disney World parking price at the theme parks as of October 2023:

  • $30 per day – standard parking for a car or motorcycle 
  • $45 – $55 per day – preferred parking for a car or motorcycle
  • $35 per day – Oversized vehicle parking (RV, Camper Trailer, Shuttle, etc.)

You can use a credit card to pay for parking at Disney World, as well as cash and Disney Gift Cards.

Can you leave Disney World parking and come back?

Yes! You will pay one price for a parking pass good at all four theme parks for that day. You can leave or switch parks as much as you’d like.

Where is the parking at Disney World?

magic kingdom parking lot diagram

There are separate parking lots for each of the four theme parks at Disney World: Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom.

The parking lots at Epcot, Hollywood Studios, and Animal Kingdom are directly adjacent to the theme parks. You can walk from your car to the park’s front entrance or take the free trams.

The Magic Kingdom parking lot is located across the Seven Seas Lagoon from the theme park at what is known as the Transportation and Ticket Center (TTC).

It is NOT possible to walk to Magic Kingdom from the parking lots – you must take the monorail or a large ferry boat from the TTC to get to the front entrance

I suggest planning for 20-30 minutes to get from your car to the front entrance to Magic Kingdom via monorail or ferry. Trams are also available to bring you to the TTC from your car.

Do you have to pay for parking if an Uber driver drops you off?

Guest Drop-off and Pick-up sign at Animal Kingdom

No! This is one great reason to use Uber or Lyft to get to/from the Disney World theme parks (get all of my tips for using ride shares at Disney World in this post).

You won’t have to pay any fees for Disney World parking if you use Uber or Lyft to get to the parks.

When your driver goes through the gates, they are given a 30-minute pass for dropping off or picking up passengers. Your driver doesn’t have to pay for parking and doesn’t pass the parking charge on to you!

Can’t I just park for free at Disney Springs and take a bus to the theme parks?

Disney Springs

If it were only that easy… sigh. While you can park for free at Disney Springs, there is no bus service to the theme parks from there.

You would have to take a bus from Disney Springs to a Disney resort, then take a bus to the theme park from there.

Considering that you could spend up to two hours waiting for and riding buses, I highly recommend paying the daily parking fee and just parking right at the theme parks.

Do Disney World Hotels charge for parking?

disney polynesian lobby

Disney’s Polynesian Resort

As of January 2023, parking is once again free at Disney World resort hotels. 

There was a cost to park your own car at Disney hotels for the past few years, but that has since been eliminated. 

Here is a list of the Disney-owned resorts that offer free Disney parking: 

  • Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
  • Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
  • Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge & Villas
  • Disney’s Beach Club Resort & Villas
  • Disney’s BoardWalk Inn & Villas
  • Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort Cabins & Campsites
  • Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
  • Disney’s Contemporary Resort & Bay Lake Tower Villas
  • Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
  • Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Villas
  • Disney’s Old Key West Resort
  • Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort & Villas
  • Disney’s Pop Century Resort
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
  • Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
  • Disney’s Riviera Resort
  • Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
  • Disney’s Wilderness Lodge & Villas
  • Disney’s Yacht Club Resort

You can generally also park at other resorts to visit them or eat there. 

However many resorts (especially the resorts on the monorail line – Contemporary, Polynesian, and Grand Floridian) will require that you have a dining reservation in order to park there.

This may also apply at the Boardwalk and Beach and Yacht Club hotels.

Is there Valet Parking available at Disney World?

Yes, there is valet parking available at many places in Disney World.

Valet parking is available at some Disney World Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villas. It is $33 and includes tax.

Valet parking is available at Disney Springs for $33 and is available in these three areas:

  • Near the entrance to the Orange Garage from 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM
  • On the West Side in front of Cirque du Soleil from 4:00 PM to 2:00 AM
  • In the Lemon Lot near the World of Disney from 10:00 AM to 2:00 AM

Is There Disability Parking at Disney World?

Yes, there is disability parking (aka handicap parking) available throughout Walt Disney World. You will need a valid disability parking permit and parking fees will apply.

If you have a disability permit and are using an electric scooter, wheelchair, or other mobility devices, you can park in the designated Disability Parking spots in each of the four theme parks.

Guests who are able to walk a short distance will be asked to park in a standard spot and walk to the trams, though you can request a spot at the end of the row to minimize walking.

Designated Disability parking is also available at Disney Springs, Disney Resort Hotels, and Disney Water Parks.

I hope this post answered your questions about Disney World parking, including “Is there free Disney parking?” and “What is the Disney parking price?”

Please let me know if there is something I missed or if you have any further questions in a comment below or join the discussion in my free private Facebook group for The Budget Mouse!

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Mark

Tuesday 12th of December 2023

There IS free parking at the Magic Kingdom if you arrive early enough. Before the parking lot officially opens, there aren't any employees working at the ticket booths. You can drive right through them and proceed to an area outside of the parking lot where a security guard waits and blocks off the entrance. Once the parking lot opens, he will move his car and you can proceed to the parking lot for free. This only works if you arrive REALLY early. I'm talking 5:30AM or earlier. I've done this numerous times.

Leah

Tuesday 12th of December 2023

Wow, this is the first I've heard of this. Thanks for sharing!

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