You’re probably wondering, “How much is parking at Disney World?” if you’re heading there on a road trip or plan to rent a car during your vacation.
In this article, we’ll go over everything you need to know about parking in Disney World, from entering the gate to visiting the resorts, theme parks and Disney Springs.
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Where Do I Have To Pay for Parking in Disney World?
You can enter the Walt Disney World Resort gates by car without paying anything. Once you’re inside the Disney bubble, there are only a few places that require you to pay for parking, and only under certain cirumstances.
The parking lots that charge a fee are:
- Magic Kingdom
- Epcot
- Hollywood Studios
- Animal Kingdom
- Swan and Dolphin hotels
That means that you only have to pay for parking if you’re visiting one of the main 4 theme parks or the Swan or Dolphin hotel.
What’s the Price of Disney Theme Park Parking?
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To park at one of Disney World’s four theme parks — Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Hollywood Studios, or Animal Kingdom — pricing starts at $30 per vehicle per day for standard parking.
You can pay $45 to $55 for preferred parking, but we don’t think it’s worth it. Sometimes, the regular parking spot you’ll get and the preferred parking lot are too close to each other to make that extra $15 worthwhile.
If you’re driving something like a limo or an RV, oversized vehicle parking is $35 per day.
Park-Hopping and Midday Breaks
When you pay to park at a Disney World theme park, your parking pass (which is just your receipt) is good for any of the theme parks for that day.
That means that you can park-hop from one park to another — say, Magic Kingdom to Hollywood Studios and then back again — and only pay for parking once. Your receipt will allow you to enter the other parking lots without being charged again.
Also, whether or not you have a park-hopper ticket, you can leave the park and then return later without having to pay for parking again.
Is Disney Theme Park Parking Ever Free?
Yup! There are two situations that will let you park at a Disney theme park for free:
- You’re staying at a Disney World resort
- You have an Annual Pass
If either of these apply to you, there’s no charge for standard parking. Plus, you can upgrade to preferred parking and only pay the cost difference instead of the full amount.
Is Parking at a Disney Resort Free?
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For the most part, yes, parking at a Walt Disney World resort is free. The exceptions are the Swan and Dolphin hotels, which are technically Marriott hotels, not Disney resorts. Parking at the Swan and Dolphin is $36 per night plus tax.
Otherwise, here are a couple of details to know about Disney resort parking:
- Day guests — meaning you’re not actually staying at the hotel — can park for free during the day and/or evening.
- Hotel guests are able to park overnight.
✨ Insider Tip: Sometimes, you won’t be able to park at a hotel as a visitor without a dining or spa reservation. In that case, you can park at Disney Springs and hop on a Disney bus to travel to the hotel of your choice. There’s no cost to ride a Disney bus, and you don’t have to be staying at a Disney resort to ride, either.
Do the Disney Resorts Have Valet Parking?
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You can take advantage of valet parking at a Disney Deluxe or Deluxe Villa resort, as well as at Coronado Springs. Valet parking is $42 per night plus tax.
Valet parking at the Swan and Dolphin is a bit more at $44 per night plus tax.
Where Can I Park for Free at Disney World?
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Aside from free parking at the Disney resorts, you can also park for no cost at the following places:
- Disney Springs (all parking lots)
- ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex
- Typhoon Lagoon and Blizzard Beach water parks
👉 You may also be interested in our article about Disney World transportation, which compares on-site versus off-site options. Read it here.
3 Items That Will Make Driving in Disney World Much Easier
These 3 items for your car will make your life a lot easier as you drive to and around the Walt Disney World resort.
1. A reliable cooler for Orlando’s ridiculous heat
This Stanley cooler can be stored in your car while you’re living it up in the park, and once you return, you can have a much-needed ice-cold drink. It’s especially helpful on days you’ll be park-hopping or heading back to your hotel for a break (or two).
2. A phone mount so you can see GPS directions
Disney World is huge, and no matter how many times you go, driving around can be confusing. Despite there being lots of signs in the WDW Resort, it’s helpful to have your GPS up, too. This phone mount attaches to the air vent and gently squeezes the sides of your phone, making it compatible with any case.
3. A dispenser for cleaning wipes
Even if you’re only going from your hotel to Magic Kingdom, you’re bound to have a drip of coffee or a few crumbs to clean up so you feel fresh and clean heading into the park. Plus, being able to wipe your hands after pumping gas is a must. This simple dispenser can house your cleansing wipes for easy access in the car.
🚗 Planning a Disney for couples road trip? See even more essentials for the drive here!
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