Cyndal BenulloTaking your car on your next vacation and wondering what you need to know about parking at Disney World? We’ve got you covered!
While Disney does offer a variety of free and convenient transportation options for getting to the theme parks, water parks, and Disney Springs, some guests still prefer to get around in their own car. But, here’s the catch…it’s not always free! We’re breaking down everything you need to know about parking at Disney World for your 2024 vacation including where you can park, pricing, and more.
Overview of Parking at Disney World
Parking at Disney World is about as easy as it can be. Disney has massive parking lots at all four theme parks and water parks. Plus, there are even three garages and two surface lots at Disney Springs! And, if you’re staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel, they’ve got parking covered for you there too. But, there are a few things to know before you go.
As with any vacation, it’s important to have plenty of information beforehand so that planning is easy. Parking costs and policies vary based on where you are in Disney World, so, it’s important to do some research in advance. Luckily, whether you’re renting a car, driving your own vehicle, or foregoing driving altogether and using Disney transportation, finding the way around Walt Disney World is a pretty seamless process.
How Much Does Parking Cost at Disney World?
Theme Park Parking
Disney currently offers surface lot parking at all four theme parks including Magic Kingdom (parking is at the Transportation and Ticket Center), EPCOT, Disney’s Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom for a flat rate. How much you pay will depend on what type of car you’re driving and if you’d prefer to park closer to the park entrance.
As of March 2024, parking at Disney World theme parks costs:
- Standard Parking (car or motorcycle): $30 per day
- Preferred Parking (car or motorcycle): $45, $50, or $55 per day with pricing varying based on the date you’re visiting
- Oversized Vehicles (Shuttle, Limo, Camper Trailer, RV, Bus or Tractor Trailer): $35 per day
- Annual Passholders: Free with Photo ID and MagicBand/phone
- Disney Resort Hotel Guests: Free with reservation/photo ID
Note that theme park parking fees are valid for the duration of the day and good at all four parks regardless of where you start your day. So, for example, if you pay for standard parking at Magic Kingdom in the morning and then drive over to Hollywood Studios in the evening, you will not have to pay again. Just be sure that you keep your parking receipt because you’ll need to show that at the parking entrance!
Additionally, all four theme parks, both water parks and Disney Springs do offer handicapped parking for guests who may need it at the rates listed above. Just let the cast member at the parking booth know and they will direct you. Guests will have to display a handicap permit at all times.
Disney World Water Park and Disney Springs Parking
Parking at Disney’s Blizzard Beach, Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon, and Disney Springs is free.
Disney Springs currently offers three parking garages (known as the Orange, Lime, and Grapefruit garages) and then surface-level parking lots near the House of Blues. There are directional signs along all main roads that relay parking information to guests, including details on which parking garages are full.
Note that valet parking is currently not offered at the Disney World water parks or Disney Springs.
Disney World Resort Hotel Parking
Free parking at Disney’s resort hotels is back again! So, anyone staying at any Value Resort, Moderate Resort, Deluxe Resort, or Disney’s Fort Wilderness Campground can enjoy free parking for the duration of their stay. This also includes Disney Vacation Club members staying at a Disney Vacation Club Deluxe Villa or Disney Resort hotel regardless of whether they use Vacation Points.
And, it’s not just parking at the hotels that’s included in your resort stay — you’ll also be able to park at the Disney World theme parks for FREE! Just be sure that you have your hotel reservation linked to your My Disney Experience app. The Cast Member at the parking booth will need to see your MagicBand or Key To The World card to validate your stay.
The only time that you may have to pay for parking at a Disney World Resort hotel is if you’re opting for valet parking. Currently, valet parking is available at Disney Deluxe Resorts and Villas and Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort for $39 per night.
Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin and Swan Reserve Parking
Free resort parking is ONLY included at Disney-owned resort hotels. This means that the Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin Hotel and Swan Reserve Hotel are NOT included. The current parking fees here are:
- Self-Parking: $36 per night, plus tax (maximum 5-night charge for Walt Disney Travel Company Guests)
- Valet Parking: $44 per night, plus tax
Note that you can get your parking validated if you’re not staying at these hotels but have a reservation at any of the table service restaurants located inside the resorts.
Parking at Disney World FAQs
Do Theme Park Parking Lots Open Early?
Yes, they do! Typically, parking lots will open an hour and a half before the park opens.
If you are planning to rope drop, we recommend arriving as close to the parking lot opening time as possible. Once you pay or scan in at the parking booth, Cast Members are positioned throughout the parking lot to guide vehicles on where to go.
How Can Guests Pay for Parking?
Parking booths are located at the entrance of every theme park. When you pull up to the parking booth a Cast Member will be there to greet you and process any payments. Accepted forms of payment are cash, credit card, Apple Pay, or Disney gift card.
Resort guests will just need to show proof of their reservation by scanning a MagicBand or Key To The World card, and also have a valid photo ID ready to be let into the parking lot free of charge.
Disney World Annual Passholders also need to provide their pass and a valid photo ID to enter the parking lot.
What Happens When Guests Forget Where They Park?
If you finish your day at the parks and can’t find your car, don’t panic! Just find the nearest parking Cast Member and they’ll be able to help you out. Cast Members note what rows they park people in and at what times during the day so they will have an idea of where your car is based on when you arrive and will often escort you on the search.
And, if you want to avoid any parking mishaps, the My Disney Experience App has recently implemented a convenient parking feature called “My Car Locator”. Just click the three bars on the bottom right of the app and scroll down until you find “Car Locator.” You’ll be able to save the parking lot name and row number you’re parked in to help you easily remember later!
Are Trams Available to Transport Guests to Park Entrances?
Yes! As of October 2023, all four theme park parking lot trams are BACK! The trams are open air shuttles that will pick guests up from their parking areas and transport them to the front of the theme park. They will also pick guests up from the front of the park and transport them back to the parking sections.
These trams are great and are a lifesaver at the end of a long park day. Just keep in mind that you will need to fold up your stroller to board the tram. So, we recommend keeping it folded when you get out of the car and preparing your stroller set up once you get to the entrance of the park. There is nothing worse than getting your child situated in the stroller and then having to take them right back out!
Does Disney World Have Gas Stations?
They sure do! There are three full-service Speedway gas stations on Disney World property.
Gas stations are located near Magic Kingdom’s Ticket and Transportation Center, on the corner of EPCOT’s Resort Boulevard, and right outside of Disney Springs.
Are There Electric Vehicle Charging Areas at Disney World?
You betcha! ChargePoint charging stations are located throughout the Walt Disney World property. They are first come first serve, and guests will need a credit card or a ChargePoint card to use them.
Charging stations cost $0.35 per kilowatt hour. You’ll be able to link your phone to the charging station and will receive a notification when charging is complete.
Charging Station Locations
- Magic Kingdom: 5 spaces—one space at the front of the Medical Parking Lot and 4 spaces at the front of the Zurg Parking Lot
- EPCOT: 4 spaces at the front of the Journey Parking Lot
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: 4 spaces in the Medical Parking Lot
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: 4 spaces at the front of the Mickey Parking Lot
- Disney Springs: 13 spaces – 3 on the 5th floor of the Orange Garage, 3 on the 5th floor of the Lime Garage, 3 on the 3rd floor of the Grapefruit Garage, and 4 in the Watermelon Lot near the Cirque du Soleil theater
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: 6 spaces in general parking near ADA spaces
- Disney’s Riviera Resort: 2 spaces in general parking near ADA spaces
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: 2 spaces in general parking near ADA spaces
If your electric vehicle needs charging, let a Cast Member know and they will point you in the right direction.
Do Guests Really Need a Car at Disney World?
Do you have to have a car to get around Disney World? Absolutely not! Disney World offers free transportation for all guests (regardless of whether you’re staying at a Disney hotel or not) that will take you wherever you may need to go on property. It’s easily accessible and — in a lot of cases — even fun!
However, something to keep in mind about free transportation is that there are A LOT of people using it every day. This can cause wait times to be long, especially during the busier seasons when crowds are heavier. We suggest giving yourself up to 90 minutes to get where you need to be when using Disney transportation, especially if you’re headed to a dining reservation. Of course, having your own car in these situations can be helpful if you need to get somewhere fast.
Disney transportation is also not available to other Central Orlando attractions. So, if you plan to visit more than just Disney World during your vacation, you may want to have your own vehicle with you. Taxis and rideshare services are also available.
Comments
Do you prefer having your own vehicle at Disney World or just using Disney transportation? Let us know in the comments your best tips and tricks for parking at Disney World!
