One of the main questions I’ve seen over the past few months has to do with parking at the Walt Disney World Resort Hotels. Who is allowed to park there? The rules have been in place for a while, they haven’t changed.
Officially, you’re allowed to park at a Walt Disney World Resort if you’re staying there or if you have a dining reservation. When you arrive for the first time, show your ID to the security guard. Be prepared to show your reservation as well, just in case. I’ve had a dining reservation that wasn’t on the list for some reason. I just showed my reservation in the My Disney Experience App and was allowed to park. He told me that it happens fairly often.
A Mobile Order does not guarantee that you’ll be allowed to park at a resort. Sometimes the guard will allow it, but sometimes they won’t. Too many people would make a Mobile Order at a resort to avoid paying for theme park parking. Space is also sometimes a problem.
You also won’t be allowed to park to explore the resort or to shop. Park at Disney Springs or the Transportation & Ticket Center, and then take Disney transportation.
If you arrive at a resort and aren’t allowed to park, please be kind. I have a couple of friends who work for security, and they get sworn at often for just following the rules. Just like most Cast Members that you’ll encounter, these aren’t the people who make these regulations. There’s no need to take your frustrations out on them.