GF Self Parking - is it really bad?

[Carrousellover]

Well we never rent a car anymore but this trip we've decided to rent one for various reasons most to do with flexibility. As December gets closer I am getting concerned about the location of the GF self parking lot. Is it going to be a real pain? I'm now thinking if it becomes a pain to get the car we may end up taking Disney transport most of the time and that would be a real waste of a rental. :? We are staying at GF and then heading over to BCV. We always switch between MK and Epcot resorts but also haven't done so with a car for years...thoughts...help! Have I just become towncar dependent? We also have taken taxis in the past when needed however the issue now is we need a seat for our 3 yr old.

[disneylover]

From what I saw, the parking for self is a big hike from the hotel. It may pay to have valet park it if you plan on using it a lot.We have used that it in the past and it really is nice too have someone else walk to get the car.

[MargaretJ]

I think self park is across the street from the Grand Floridian. I got spoiled using Valet last year but the cost can add up with tips. So I started saving 1's about 2 months ago for my May/June trip.

[Tagrel]

We did the walk from self park ONCE. Its quite a haul and across the street from the GF. We love Valet parking, and just thought of it as part of the room cost during our Christmas trip last year.

We also always have a rental car with us, and love the convenience of travelling resort to resort, to the water parks, Downtown Disney and offsite. If you think it will sit parked costing you $6 a day, then maybe the towncar is the right choice you you. Personally, I'd save as Margaret suggested and bag lunches until I saved the difference! ;)

[Carrousellover]

I think self park is across the street from the Grand Floridian. I got spoiled using Valet last year but the cost can add up with tips. So I started saving 1's about 2 months ago for my May/June trip. Great advice! I'm planning crazy and just like having an idea of expectations and as much that can be paid for in advance... so I'll plan on utilizing the valet parking. I guess actually it's 8. a day budget (with tip)? I figured $1. each drop off/pick up from valet?? Is that reasonable?

[MargaretJ]

I asked this very thing about Valet Tipping in a post further down. I had never really Valet Parked until last December at The Boardwalk. You will get many answers as some tip both at drop off & at pickup & some only tip at pickup. I was in the group that usually only tipped at pickup. My last trip I think I ended up tipping $1 at dropoff (sometimes) & $2 at pickup. Some people tip $1 each way & some $2 each way. It is up to you what you are comfortable with. I never had bad service anywhere at Disney whether I tipped $1 or $2 or whether I tipped at dropoff or not. The amount per day depends on how many times you use your car. We had some days where I only used it once to Valet but some days maybe 2 or 3 times. Check out the post about Valet Tipping dated Oct 5th for more on this subject.

ETA: By the way the $6 was charged to my room each day I used Valet. I did not have to pay that unless I used a different resort than the one where I was staying (that has Valet). For example I paid one night at Contemporary the $6 plus tip because I had not Valet Parked at Animal Kingdom that day.