There has been quite a stir in the Disney community over the past few years regarding the Disney resort parking fee. This controversy has led to the question of the week:
Do you have to pay to park at Disney Hotels?
Yes and no.
Some time ago, Disney made it so that reservations for registered guests made for March 21, 2018, and beyond would have a standard overnight self-parking fee.
The new Disney resort parking fee would then be applied to your hotel bill when you get ready to check out.
However, after a few years of upset Disney decided to make some changes yet again to the Disney Resort parking fee.
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Disney Resort Parking Fee at a Glance:
- If you plan on visiting any of the Disney resorts as a day guest, then FREE standard self-parking is NOW available
- The changes to standard overnight parking charges at Disney Resorts will now save you $15 – $25 a night on your Florida vacation
- You can use valet parking at select Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villas for $39 per night (prices subject to change at anytime)
Keep reading this full guide to find out all you need to know about the parking fees at Disney World Resorts.
Disney Resort Parking Fee Controversy
Die-hard Disney fans who have been visiting the parks faced disappointment in 2018 when Disney implemented an additional hotel fee.
They had never thought Disney would resort to this making guests suffer with an additional price hike and just another thing to budget for on your Walt Disney World vacation.
And believe me, parking fees on any vacation do take up a significant amount of your holiday budget.
Still, Disney fans didn’t believe that a Disney resort parking fee would have ever been an issue to think about for their trip.
However, Disney had wanted to implement this cost with its nearby resort competitors to be more along the lines of industry standards.
Overall, Disney is still a business at the end of the day. A business that has to make a profit and report strong financial standings to its shareholders.
But Disney fans didn’t take lightly to this additional cost and presented many negative sentiments about yet another cost to incur.
Disney took note that their beloved and loyal fans were not happy and realized they needed to eliminate the wrongs that they had done.
Thankfully Disney came back around and in January 2023 they stopped charging their hotel guests a parking fee for their vehicles overnight.
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Let’s Take A Closer Look at Disney’s NEW Resort Parking Fee Breakdown.
The resort fees listed below apply to register hotel guests parking vehicles overnight.
WATCH: 13 Beginner Tips for Going to Disney World This Year!
Standard Overnight Parking charges per Resort Category:
As a result of Disney changing its guidelines in 2023, guests can finally go back to enjoying complimentary self-parking when staying overnight at Disney Resort Hotels.
This is a huge savings on your Disney trip budget when guests were previously paying anywhere from $15 – $25 a night.
Complimentary standard parking is available to Guests staying at the Campsites in Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Each campsite provides parking space for one (1) motorized vehicle.
Recommended: 5 Best Disney World Deluxe Resorts to Stay at Right Now
Do Disney Vacation Club Members have to pay to park at the resorts?
According to Disney, DVC Members will not be charged for standard overnight self-parking when staying at a DVC Deluxe Villa, regardless of whether they use vacation points or another form of payment.
Members will also not be charged to park when using vacation points to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
How much does it cost to Valet Park at Disney Resort Hotels?
You can use valet parking at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort and select Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villas for $39 per night (sales tax included).
Disney Deluxe Resorts:
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts:
- Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Bay Lake Tower at Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Beach Club Villas
- BoardWalk Villas
- Boulder Ridge Villas at Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
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Do you pay if you’re only visiting a resort as a day guest?
If you plan on visiting any of the Disney resorts as a day guest, then free standard self-parking is available for you to enjoy the dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreational experiences at the hotels.
How to avoid parking fees at Disney World resorts?
At this point you don’t have to worry about paying for parking at the resorts since it’s now free but I have listed other ways to enjoy free parking at Disney World Resorts.
- Use or Rent Disney Vacation Club Points: As mentioned earlier, DVC members will not be charged to park when using vacation points to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
- Visit as a day guest: If you’re only visiting the resorts to experience one of their onsite dining locations or recreational activities, then you don’t have to pay to park.
- Book a Stay at a Nearby Resort: There are plenty of offsite resorts to choose from around Walt Disney World. Many times, the only convenience you have at Disney Resorts is the location.
Some people have tried to game the system by parking at a resort then heading over to the parks. I don’t advise doing this as you can get in trouble, but it’s totally up to you.
Are you planning a Disney vacation soon? Read the Disney World Vacation Planning Guide for your next dream trip!
Consider a Vacation Home Near Disney World
You should also consider a luxury vacation home rental near Disney World. I absolutely love them!
The vibe in the vacation homes feels like you’re definitely on a Florida vacation with the most magical theme parks less than 10 miles away.
Nearby resorts offer lower costs, better amenities, larger rooms, sometimes free parking, and free shuttles to all the major theme parks in Orlando.
If you have to stay on Disney property, then I recommend the Swan and Dolphin Resort.
You will need to pay a parking fee, but you’ll be able to stay in the heart of the Disney magic for a fraction of the cost.
The Dolphin Resort is my favorite resort on the property and has great amenities such as early park access plus boat transportation to and from Epcot or Hollywood Studios all for an affordable price.
Are you planning a Disney vacation soon? Read the Disney World Vacation Planning Guide for your next dream trip!
Use Free Disney Transportation
Disney transportation such as the monorail, the buses, the skyliner and the boats are free for you to get around the Walt Disney World Resort property.
If you do need to head outside the Disney area, then you can use a ride-sharing program like Lyft.
WATCH: 13 Beginner Tips for Going to Disney World This Year!
My Final Thoughts on Disney Resort Parking Fee for Overnight Guests
The change in the Disney resort parking fee has become a great saving in your budget for your Florida trip. Every little bit helps, so we will gladly accept it!
Who doesn’t love something free from Disney? I know I sure do!
I hope I was able to give you a few things to think about when choosing your type of transportation and your parking options at Disney Resort for your vacation.
What do you think about the new Disney resort parking fees? Let me know in the comment section below.
Until next time, Happy Park Hopping Hipsters!
About the Author
My name is Nikky. I’m a wife, a mother, a pharmacist turned theme park blogger, USA Today 10Best Contributor, and a writer who loves ALL things amusement park related!
Traveling alone to the parks has changed my life and I want to show how you can create your own solo theme park memories.
Connect with me on Instagram!
If you’d like to learn how to avoid parking fees at Disney World theme parks, then read this guide.
(Original Article Date March 2018/Updated by Editor on May 11, 2024)