Parking change goes into effect now at Disney World

Heads up: parking at Disney will be a bit different from this point forward.

Driving around Disney

While Disney has many great transportation options to get around property, you can also drive your own personal vehicle. Having a car to use certainly has its perks – unlimited grocery stops, not having to wait around for Disney transportation, and the ability to store some of your belongings that won’t fit in the hotel.

It’s even better when your car is located right outside your room. Staying in a cabin at Disney’s Fort Wilderness or at a resort like Old Key West allows you to park your car just steps away from your accommodations.

Just be aware of the parking charges! It is free to park at your Disney resort, and if you are staying onsite parking at the parks is also free. Parking at Disney Springs is also free, but one recent change there actually discontinues one parking option.

Disney Springs Parking

There are several ways to get to Disney Springs. You can use a Disney bus, water taxi, ride share, your own two feet, or your personal vehicle.

When parking at Disney Springs, please arrive at least 60 minutes before any scheduled event, show or reservation. Digital message boards along Buena Vista Drive will indicate when garages and surface lots are full.

Parking may be more available earlier in the day Monday through Thursday—the parking lots often reach capacity on weekends, evenings and holidays.

Self-parking is complimentary in all surface lots and garages, providing direct access to Disney Springs. 5 lots, all conveniently named after fruit, are all spread out. The strawberry and watermelon lots are located right next to Cirque du Soleil.

If you want to bowl at Splitsville, park in the orange garage on the west side of Disney Springs. The lime and grapefruit garages are near Town Center where most of the shopping is.

Change

Valet parking used to be available at Disney Springs for $20. However, it is no longer available. Effective today, the only parking option at Disney Springs is self-parking.

While this certainly isn’t earth shattering news, it may be a bit disappointing for those Guests who prefer a less stressful parking experience at Disney Springs. It can get very crowded there on the weekends and at night, and having this parking option taken away can make it a bit more challenging.

Did you ever use valet parking at Disney Springs? Let us know in the comments below and share this post with a friend.