Parking at Disney World: A Complete Guide to Theme Park and Resort Parking
Despite the convenience of Disney’s complimentary transportation, some people prefer to have their own vehicles at Walt Disney World Resort. Our guide to parking at Disney World covers everything you need to know about your parking options, from the cost to how it works at the resorts and theme parks to when and where to park.
Parking at Disney Resort Hotels
The first few days of 2023 brought welcome news for registered Guests of Walt Disney World Resort hotels: Resort Guests no longer have to pay an overnight parking fee at Disney owned/operated Resort Hotels. The prior charges of $15-$25 per night — which had been in place for several years — were eliminated on January 10, 2023.
Resorts Eligible for Free Overnight Self-Parking
Guests of the following resorts receive free overnight parking:
Disney Value Resorts
- Disney’s All-Star Movies Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Music Resort
- Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort
- Disney’s Art of Animation Resort
- Disney’s Pop Century Resort
Disney Moderate Resorts
- Disney’s Caribbean Beach Resort
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – French Quarter
- Disney’s Port Orleans Resort – Riverside
- The Cabins at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort
Disney Deluxe Resorts / Disney Deluxe Villa Resorts
- Bay Lake Tower – Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Boulder Ridge Villas – Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Copper Creek Villas & Cabins – Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Jambo House
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom Villas – Kidani Village
- Disney’s Beach Club Resort
- Disney’s Beach Club Villas
- Disney’s BoardWalk Inn
- Disney’s BoardWalk Villas
- Disney’s Contemporary Resort
- Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Old Key West Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort
- Disney’s Polynesian Villas & Bungalows
- Disney’s Saratoga Springs Resort & Spa
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
- Disney’s Yacht Club Resort
- Disney’s Riviera Resort
- The Villas at Disney’s Grand Floridian Resort & Spa
Campgrounds
- Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort and Campground
Remember: free hotel parking may not apply at hotels owned and operated by other companies, such as the Swan and Dolphin resorts.
Day Guests Visiting Resort Hotels
Disney Resort hotels offer complimentary standard self-parking while guests enjoy dining, recreation, shopping, and entertainment.
Parking for Disney Vacation Club (DVC) Members
Members of Disney Vacation Club are not charged for standard overnight self-parking at DVC Deluxe Villas or other Walt Disney World Resort hotels.
Hotel Parking for Guests with Disabilities
Walt Disney World Resort offers designated parking areas for Guests with disabilities who have a valid disability parking permit. For more information, contact Disability Services by phone at (407) 560-2547 or by email at [email protected].
Valet Parking
Resort Hotel valet parking, where available, costs $42 per night. Price may vary further at third-party hotels such as the Swan/Dolphin.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
You can now charge your electric vehicle in parking lots at select Disney Resort hotels. Guests can access them on a first-come, first-served basis. Ask a Cast Member for assistance if you cannot locate the charging stations.
- Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort: 6 parking spaces for EVs next to ADA spaces in the general parking area
- Disney’s Riviera Resort: 2 parking spaces for EVs next to the ADA spaces in the general parking area
- Disney’s Wilderness Lodge: 2 parking spaces for EVs next to ADA spaces in the general parking area
Parking at Disney Theme Parks
Standard Parking at the Theme Parks
Disney Resort hotel Guests and selected Annual Passholders receive complimentary (free) standard theme park parking. Additionally, these registered Guests can upgrade to preferred parking for an additional fee (currently $15-$25 per day).
For those not staying at a Disney World Resort hotel, standard parking fees are $30 per day for cars or motorcycles. Oversized Vehicle Parking (shuttle, limo, RV, bus, camper, or tractor-trailer) is $35 per day.
Preferred Parking at Theme Parks
Want to park closer to the front gates? Disney offers designated preferred parking lots near the entrances of the four theme parks.
The preferred parking fee for a car or motorcycle is $45-$55 per day. For guests staying in a Disney hotel, preferred parking is available for an additional $15-$25 per day. The price varies depending on season and date, and the cost includes sale tax.
One parking pass covers all four theme parks – Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios. Therefore, you only pay one fee and won’t be charged for parking at each additional lot if you park-hop.
Trams
There are complimentary trams at Walt Disney World theme parks, which transfer Guests from the theme park lots to the Main Entrance.
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Numerous ChargePoint charging stations are available at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney Springs. A Cast Member can direct you to these charge ports, which are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Magic Kingdom: There are five parking spaces – one near the Medical Parking Lot and four near the Zurg Parking Lot.
- EPCOT: There are four parking spaces at the front of the Journey Parking Lot
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom: There are four spaces in the Medical Parking Lot
- Disney’s Hollywood Studios: There are four spaces at the front of the Mickey Parking Lot
- Disney Springs: There are nine parking spaces – three spots on the 3rd floor of the Grapefruit Garage, three spots on the 5th floor of the Lime Garage, and three spots on the 5th floor of the Orange Garage,
The service requires a credit card or pre-ordered ChargePoint card (available at chargepoint.com). ChargePoint fees are $0.35 per kilowatt-hour with a minimum charge of $1.50 per service. The battery will stop charging as soon as it has been fully charged. ChargePoint will “ping” owners when their car is ready.
As outlined in the previous section, Coronado Springs, Riviera Resort, and Wilderness Lodge resorts also offer charging stations.
Parking at Disney’s Water Parks
All guests receive complimentary (free) parking at Disney’s two water parks – Disney’s Blizzard Beach and Disney’s Typhoon Lagoon. There are a few small parking lots, and all spots are within walking distance from the park entrance.
Parking at Disney Springs
Disney Springs offers free admission and also free self-parking. There are three parking garages with direct access to Disney Springs, along with several surface parking lots and spaces for Guests with disabilities.
We recommend the parking garages versus the surface lots in most cases. Most locals will only park in the garages, and it’s not hard to see why. First, the garages are shaded… a big bonus in the blazing Florida sun. Second, they tend to be the closest parking options to to the primary clusters of shops and restaurants. Finally, and no less important, they have a system of sensors which communicates how many spaces are available on each level. There are even green lights over each individual open space so you don’t have to drive up and down the rows to find a spot (though sometimes a parked motorcycle can trick the sensors into thinking a space is empty).
It only takes a quick glance to find open spots | Image © Disney
Allow at least 60 minutes to arrive at Disney Springs when factoring in travel time, parking, and walking to your specific destination. You wouldn’t want to miss out on a reservation or show. Parking may also be available just a short walk away from Disney Springs if you follow directional signage.
As Disney Springs parking may be limited, remember that Guests staying at Disney World Resort Hotels can benefit from complimentary transportation to Disney Springs via Disney bus or boat. Even if you have your car with you, it may still make sense to utilize the convenience of Disney World transportation. Note that there is no direct transportation from any of the four theme parks to Disney Springs — you’ll need to make a transfer at a Disney resort hotel.
Parking at ESPN Wide World of Sports
All Guests receive complimentary standard parking at ESPN Wide World of Sports.
Parking for Guests with Disabilities
Walt Disney World Resort has designated parking areas for Guests with disabilities. Standard parking rates apply, and disability parking permits are required.
Theme Park Parking for Guests with Disabilities
For guests who can only walk short distances, the most convenient parking lots are the main ones at Magic Kingdom Park, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
Guests with disabilities can ask the parking attendant to park nearest the courtesy tram pick-up/drop-off point. The courtesy tram will then transport Guests to each theme park’s Main Entrance.
Theme Park Disability Parking Lots
We recommend that Guests with mobility disabilities park in the Disability Parking Lots, which are close to the main entrances of Walt Disney World Resort’s four theme parks. Those who use wheelchairs, electric scooters, or other mobility devices are included in this category.
Guests can find more information about parking options at the Auto Plaza (located at each Disney World theme park entrance). You can also contact Guest Services at (407) 824-2222. Guests under 18 must have permission from their parents or guardians to call.
FAQ about Parking at Walt Disney World Resort
Listed below are some questions and answers about Disney World parking.
Do you need a car a Disney World?
Disney World offers free transportation via monorail, bus, boat, and Skyliner. Additionally, there are taxis, Ubers, and Lyfts all over the resort, and they are easily accessible if you’d prefer. So no, you certainly do not need a car at Disney World.
See our Disney Transportation Map, Closest Airport to Disney World, How to get to Disney World from Orlando Airport and How Much Does an Uber Cost from Orlando Airport to Disney pages for more information.
What are the benefits of having a car at Walt Disney World?
If you’re planning a Walt Disney World trip, you may wonder whether it’s worth renting or bringing your car. A few things need to consider, but having a car at Disney World can be pretty helpful. For one thing, it allows you more freedom in getting around. You’re not limited to Disney’s transportation options, which can sometimes be crowded and slow.
The most significant cost savings are the flights to and from Orlando. If you fly – but rent a car at the airport – you will not have to shuttle or taxi transportation costs to and from the airport.
Driving also allows you to visit other theme parks in Florida (such as Universal Orlando or Busch Gardens), Cape Canaveral, or the beach. Additionally, having a car allows you to shop and eat off Disney property, which can sometimes be cheaper than buying souvenirs and merchandise inside the parks.
Of course, there are downsides to having a car as well. Gas and parking at Disney World can be expensive, and driving in busy areas can be stressful. And with Uber/Lyft and taxis readily available, you already have alternatives to Disney transportation.
Ultimately, whether or not you rent a car is up to you and your family’s needs and preferences.
Can you park at Disney Parks for free?
Registered Guests staying overnight at a Disney World Resort property get free parking at Disney’s theme parks (standard parking only; you’ll pay extra for preferred parking).
For non-registered Guests, parking a car at Disney World parks will cost $30 for standard parking and $45-$55 for preferred parking.
All Guests, including those staying off-property, have free parking at Blizzard Beach, Typhoon Lagoon, Fort Wilderness, Wide World of Sports, Winter Summerland Mini-Golf, Fantasia Gardens Mini-Golf, and self-parking at Disney Springs.
Can I park at a Disney Resort without staying there?
Yes, you can usually park at a Disney resort without staying there. You may have to explain the reason for your visit to the guard (and you could be turned away during busier times if you don’t have a reservation for either the hotel or one of its on-site restaurants) — but there is no charge for standard self-parking at Disney Resort hotels while guests enjoy dining, recreation, shopping, and entertainment.
Do I need to register my car in advance?
It’s not necessary to let Disney know in advance that you’ll be parking on the property.
Is Disney Parking Cash Only?
There are many payment options for parking at Disney World, including credit cards, debit cards, Disney Gift Cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Cash payments are also accepted for parking, however.
What if your family/group has more than one car?
In most cases, parking multiple vehicles at your Disney hotel is not a problem. Just let the front desk know you need more than one parking space.
At Disney theme parks, parking fees are per vehicle.
How far is the walk from my parking spot to my Disney hotel room?
If you’re driving your own car, it’s essential to know how far the walk is from your parking spot to your hotel room. This can vary depending on which hotel you’re staying at, but generally speaking, the Value and Moderate hotels have parking lots surrounding them, and you should be able to park within a 2-minute walk of your room.
The Deluxe resorts typically have just one large parking lot set at a distance from the main hotel entrance, so depending on where you park, the walk to your room could be anywhere from 0.15 to 0.35 miles.
Where do you rent a car for Disney World?
If you’re staying at a hotel on Disney property, you have a few options for getting around. You can take advantage of the complimentary Disney transportation service, bring your own car and park in one of the resort’s parking lots, or rent a car from one of the car rental companies.
If you’re flying to Walt Disney World, renting a car at Orlando International Airport is the easiest option. All major car rental agencies (Hertz, Avis, Budget, Alamo, etc.) have a presence at the airport, so you’ll have no problem finding one.
If you only need a vehicle for a couple of days during your trip, you might want to rent a car from an agency at Disney’s Car Care Center. They’ll even send a shuttle to pick you up from certain locations around Disney World!
We highly recommend contacting The Vacationeer to help you find a rental car and book your trip (at no additional cost to you) if you need a car for a short period to travel off-property.
Where are the Gas Stations at Disney World?
Disney World has a few gas stations, as well as more off-site. The following are a few of the more popular ones in the resort area:
- Magic Kingdom Speedway (located at 1000 Car Car Drive, close to the Transportation and Ticket Center and the Magic Kingdom Toll Plaza)
- Epcot Resorts Speedway (near Epcot Resorts Blvd, just off Buena Vista Drive)
- Disney Springs Speedway (near Disney Springs)
Conclusion: Parking at Disney World
Whether you are a Florida resident and just coming for the day or are flying into Orlando and looking to rent a car, it is crucial to understand Disney World’s parking policies before arriving so you know what to expect.
If you’re also considering visiting Universal instead of (or in addition to) Disney World, be sure to also check out our guide to Parking at Universal Orlando.
We hope our article has helped you make sense of Disney World parking. Enjoy your trip!
Have a question? Are you planning a Disney vacation?
Do you need help making reservations for Disney tickets, hotels, dining, or parking? We highly recommend contacting our partner, The Vacationeer.
There is no doubt in our minds that The Vacationeer has the best Disney travel agents in the business. They will be happy to make suggestions, handle your reservations, and ensure you get the latest and best deals. Best of all, The Vacationeer provides its planning services at no additional charge.
