How To Avoid Parking Fees at Disney World

Think the parking fees at Disney World are too high? Well, you’re not alone, as many people would agree. Just check the internet!

If you’re wondering how to avoid parking fees at Disney World, you’ve come to the right place.

This article discusses the car parking fees at Disney World Orlando and lists some ways to avoid paying them.

How Much Is Parking at Disney World

The parking fee at Disney World varies depending on vehicle type and sometimes even the time of the year. It’s best to check the latest parking fee from the Disney website before you leave for the park.

As such, Disney charges parking per day/night per car. So even if you’re a big family traveling to Disney World in different cars, you will have to pay the parking fee for each car.

Here’s the typical parking fee at Disney World:

• Standard Parking: $25 per day per vehicle.
• Preferred Parking: $40 to $50 per day per vehicle.
• Oversized Vehicles (RVs, Campers, Bus, Shuttle, Limo, etc.): $30 per day per vehicle.

Disney World also offers parking for the disabled at the same rates. However, you must have a disability parking permit to use these special spots.

How To Avoid Paying Parking Fees at Disney World

So parking at Disney World is expensive. If you’re going for a multiple-day trip, let’s say five days, parking alone will cost you $125. So many people try to avoid paying for it.

The good news is that you may be able to avoid the high parking fee. However, it’s not that easy, and in some cases, your only option may just be to park at the resort and pay the fees.

Here are the ways you can avoid paying parking fees at Disney World Orlando:

Stay at Disney Resort

If you stay at Disney Resort hotels, you’ll get free parking at the four major theme parks. This option doesn’t entirely save you the parking fees, as you still have to pay the parking charge at the resort.

However, depending on your stay type, you pay less than you would at the parks.

Here’s the fees structure:

• Value Resorts: $15 per night.
• Moderate Resorts: $20 per night.
• Deluxe Resorts: $25 per night.

As you can see, the parking fees for Disney Deluxe Resorts and Villas are the same as for theme parks.

Stay Off Site

One way to avoid the parking fee at Disney World is to stay at a hotel outside the resort. Many hotels around Disney World provide free shuttle services to Disney parks. So you can get to the park for free.

However, you will need to pay the overnight parking fees at the hotel.

This isn’t that big of a money-saving tactic, especially if you end up paying the same price for parking at your hotel. Nevertheless, staying off-site may be cheaper than staying at Disney resorts.

Do your research and find a hotel that offers a free shuttle service to the resort and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to park your car.

Tables in Wonderland

You can park at the theme parks for free after 5 PM if you have a Tables in Wonderland membership. Similarly, you can park your car at a restaurant by making a reservation at one of the locations that accept Tables in Wonderland membership.

Remember that technically you can only park for three hours with a reservation.

Tables in Wonderland dining program is available to Annual Pass holders, Disney Vacation Club (DVC) members, and Florida residents. It basically allows you discounts on dining in Disney World restaurants.

Disney Annual Pass

If you visit Disney World often or stay for two weeks or more, it may be worth investing in the Annual Pass. You get free parking at the resorts and theme parks with this pass.

Of course, it’s a much more expensive option if you’re just going for a short visit. You might as well pay the parking fee instead.

Use or Rent DVC Points

If you’re a DVC member, you get free parking at resorts and all theme parks. However, it’s only free when you’re staying using DVC points.

Similarly, you can also enjoy free parking at theme parks if you rent DVC points from someone who is a DVC member.

DVC members also get many other perks, such as access to Deluxe resorts in Walt Disney World.

Use Disney Transportation Instead of Your Car

Walt Disney World is well-equipped with multiple transportation links to the park and within it. The ultimate way to avoid parking your car at the resort and paying a fee is not to bring your car and use Disney World transportation instead.

Even though Disney’s Magical Express has ceased, you can find transportation to Disney World from Orlando airport.

This may not be a feasible option for everyone. If you’re coming from somewhere near the park or want to explore more places around Orlando, it may be better to bring a car.

However, if you’re flying into Orlando for a Disney World vacation, you may find using Disney transportation more flexible and cheaper.

Also, you can use Uber or Lyft inside the resort!

Parking Without Paying for a Short Stay

This is a hack to park for free at Disney World for a few hours if you just plan to hop in a park to take a ride or two. You can park for free at a resort if you have a restaurant or counter service reservation.

Normally, you get free parking for three hours. So you can use this time to hop on a bus and visit a theme park for a bit.

Again, this is only feasible for a couple of hours-long park visits. Technically, you’re not supposed to visit the parks when you park with a restaurant reservation. However, you can park your car and go away for a little bit.

Conclusion

So how to avoid the ridiculously high parking fee at Disney World Orlando? There are a few options to visit the theme parks without paying the parking fee.

You can come without a car and rely on Disney transportation exclusively. You can stay at a hotel outside the resort and use a free shuttle service.

If you’re an Annual Pass holder, have Tables in Wonderland membership, or use DVC points, you get free parking at theme parks. Similarly, you can park for less at a value or moderate-tier resort/hotel in Disney World and enjoy free parking at theme parks.

If you end up parking in the theme parks, make sure to remember where you park!