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A new parking restriction is in place for Walt Disney World Resort guests. How will this affect your next trip?
Parking at Disney World
One of the most unwelcome changes at Walt Disney World was the additional parking charge for Walt Disney World Resort guests. Previously, Disney charged a nightly fee for Guests who drive to Disney World. Currently, parking is $15/night at value resorts, $20/night at moderate resorts, and $25/night at deluxe resorts.
The parking fees were not received well by guests who were already paying high prices for Disney Resorts. In November, the Walt Disney Company underwent a big shakeup with previous CEO Bob Iger returning.
When he returned to his previous role, he commented that he was alarmed by the high price increases that now affect guests in the Disney Parks. Back in January, Disney once again began offering FREE self-parking for guests of Walt Disney World Resorts.
New Parking Restriction
Guests are welcome to book dining reservations for Walt Disney World Resorts and have the option to drive and park for their meals. The security guard will check your MagicBand for your dining reservation.
Guests are free to park their car while they enjoy their meal, but at busier times certain restrictions are put in place. This helps to limit the number of cars in the parking lots primarily for resorts with prime entry points to both the Magic Kingdom and EPCOT.
Now Guests visiting Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for dining reservations are begin redirected to another parking lot. People are now directed to park across the street in the Cast Member parking lot.
At this time, a Cast Member is located at the entrance to this parking lot. They will verify your dining reservation before allowing you into this parking lot. This does add a bit of extra walking for guests being directed to this parking lot.
Now Guests visiting Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa for dining reservations are redirected to another parking lot.
There is no end timeline for this new restriction. If you plan to enjoy a dining reservation at Disney’s Grand Floridian, be sure to add extra time to walk from this parking lot.
What do you think of this new restriction? Will this change your plans to book a dining reservation at Disney’s Grand Floridian in the future? Share your thoughts with us and share this news with a fellow Disney pal.
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Pamela Moritz
Sunday 4th of June 2023
I will never make a dining reservation again. My granddaughter will be so disappointed. We've had her birthday meal since she was 8 years old... She's 25 now.
Brian
Saturday 3rd of June 2023
Read the article again - it is not only about the Floridian. I have never had issues parking at Poly or the Boardwalk to shop, but it looks like that might be changing. BTW, I have been visiting 2X/yr since the 90's.
Michae
Saturday 3rd of June 2023
I wouldn’t ever go the Grand Floridian again. They got rid of the band which made all of the difference between them and any other hotel in the area. Why pay ridiculous high prices for nothing special.
Bridget Baker
Saturday 3rd of June 2023
We had to do this for a reservation 2 weeks ago and I will never book another meal there again. It is way to inconvenient! When we had to do it there were no.one there the guard redirected us then after dinner we were walking back and got yelled at that it was too dangerous by the guard at the gate and had to walk back and ask bell services for a ride it was a huge ordeal and Never again!
Diana Martin
Friday 2nd of June 2023
What does this mean for disabled guests like myself? I always made dining reservations at the Grand Floridian and depended on Valet to help me with my walker in the front of the hotel. I hope they are not making legitimate guests like myself go to the second parking lot. I never even knew people come and park to just get Dole whips. I never thought of taking advantage in any way. I’m sure there are people out there.