Resort Parking

[Steve Hurley]

:p Everytime wev'e gone to Dw wehave parked at the Contemporary Resort (showing our resort ID that we were staying at) and walked the pathway to MK (last time was 8/2000). We would just tell the guards we were eating there and find a parking place and head down the walkway.
Has anyone tried this lately and if so do they still allow it?:p :p

[gepetto]

Parking at CR is for resort guests. If you have a PS, they issue you a 2 hour permit.

I find it really annoying when we pay over $300/night and can't find a parking space at my resort.:rolleyes:

[mrsltg]

Hi Steve-

My husband and I tried to do this at the Poly last year. We had PS's for O'hanas in the evening, and we thought that it would be easier to just park at the resort for the whole day (not trying to take the space of someone paying $300/night, I assure you). At any rate, we were told by the guard that we could not do that, and that we should come back after our day in the MK. Just park at TTC... it's really no big deal.


Have a great vacation!

Erin :D

[cinmell]

When we stayed at the CR we had to show our reservation. If you don't have a hotel reservation and you tell them you have PS they issue you a two hour permit. Parking at the TTC won't be bad because you can get to the Mk by either Ferry or Monorail.

[epcotfan]

Originally posted by gepetto
Parking at CR is for resort guests. If you have a PS, they issue you a 2 hour permit.

I find it really annoying when we pay over $300/night and can't find a parking space at my resort.:rolleyes:


I agree. The TTC has plenty of parking and it is only a short ride via Monorail or Ferry to the MK. You are also at risk of having your car towed if you exceed the PS parking time limit.

[Prince John]

Steve - it's not a good idea to a.) park at a monorail resort and spend the day at a park, b.) mention that you did it on the boards. People take very seriously their ability to find a parking space at the hotels - they are expensive and the have a right to a good spot to park. Also, any hint of rule breaking will result in being pounded on the boards. So - park where you want, but do so in private. FYI - I have never heard of anyone being towed from a parking spot - I doubt Disney wants to risk towing someone who just pulled in the lot. Remember, not everone gets a 2 hour permit. I've been to CS and Poly many times to eat and not gotten one.
The advise to use TTC is good advice, it's not far and the ferry ride/monorail ride is part of the fun...

[Steve Hurley]

:smooth: Geppeto....do what i do...pay $84 a night for a hotel room and park at the Contemporary....i always get a spot!!!!!!!!:jester:

[cinmell]

QUOTE]Originally posted by CarolMN
Disney has been running a special bus for those with early PS arrangements for breakfast. Ask about times/schedule when you check in, or at your resort's Guest Services Desk. I've read that the bus will drop you off right at the CR. No need to drive.

Parking at the CR for anyone not actually staying at the resort is not recommended. You will most likely get a 3 hour "parking permit" and to be absolutely sure your car will not be towed, you'll have to move the car to the TTC after breakfast.

If you do have to drive, I'd recommend that yo park at the TTC and then take the resort monorail over to the Contemporary. Be sure to check times with your resort's Guest Services to verify that the resort monorail will be running that early (FWIW, I'm quite certain it will). After breakfast, you can either take the monorail to the MK or you can walk to the MK (5 - 10 minutes, probably much faster than the monorail, which will stop at the TTC, Poly and GF before arriving at the MK). From there, you can take the bus back to your resort or spend some time at the MK.

IMHO, the best option for you is the special, early morning character breakfast bus.

[/QUOTE]

Just saw this on another thread on this board. I didn't know they had buses for this. Is this new?

[Prince John]

Steve,
You crack me up. Not many people are as honest as you for fear of being pounded by the moral police. I do find it humorous that everyone who stays at the poly and contemp can't find a spot, but all of us pull in and find a spot everytime.
I'm sure I'll hear it for this, but when you book a room at any WDW resort, they tell you that one of the perks is that you can park in any WDW lot for free. If I pull in the contemp for breakfast and the guard doesn't give me a pass, I'll load up the family and head to MK. If I go to the contemp and the guard gives me a pass for the dash, I'll throw it away and park, then load up the family and go to MK. Free parking at any WDW guest lot means just that to me. I'm glad I finally found someone else who will admit to doing it. OK moral police - take your best shot.

[Lewisc]

John--if one person parks in the monorail hotels it's not a big deal. Now that the "secrets out" too many people are doing it and Disney has to crack down. Free parking only extends to not having to pay for parking in the theme parks. Think about it, by 10:00 guest may have left with their cars--no problem getting a spot-- they come back and there are no spaces left. Disney has started giving out passes and towing cars. I think they should just charge $10 for non-guests and give you a restaurant credit.
People have always done it, I'm just amazed by the people posting asking for "permission" to break the rules. If you break the rules don't complain if your towed.

[Prince John]

lewisc
Well put - the 10 credit is a great solution.

[Steve Hurley]

:p ok everyone now that wev'e got this out of our system and we know everyone cheats at something in DW (if not we wouldn't need these forums) how about a big group hug and we'll move on:jester:

[gepetto]

Originally posted by Lewisc
I think they should just charge $10 for non-guests and give you a restaurant credit.


The parking lots would be more full than they are now. That's basically "free parking" after you get the restaurant credit. Everyone would just opt for parking at CR rather than pay the $6 to park in the regular lots.

Why ask our opinions? You know you're not supposed to park at CR for the day and you're going to do what you want anyway.

[Lewisc]

gepetto
Why ask our opinions? You know you're not supposed to park at CR for the day and you're going to do what you want anyway I DIDN'T ASK FOR YOUR OPINION. I don't park at a resort and go to the parks unless I am a registered guest in that resort. I've parked in CR when I've had dinner in the Concourse steakhouse but I wasn't in the MK at all that day.
I proposed the $10 charge as a soltuion.
I think charging non-guests might be a good way to discourage people from parking and going to the parks. Maybe the charge should be more than $10 and maybe the credit back should be less than the parking fee but I think people having to pay would discourage cheapskates. There are countless posters who hint they lie about having a PS or never use the PS. Another option is to limit self parking to hotel guests (use room key to open a gate). I don't think the present "honor" system works well and Disney has to be carefull about towing. You wouldn't want to tow someone who had to wait 1 hour to be seated in California Grill and then had a leisurely, expensive multi course meal.

[gepetto]

Originally posted by Lewisc
gepetto
I DIDN'T ASK FOR YOUR OPINION. I don't park at a resort and go to the parks unless I am a registered guest in that resort. I've parked in CR when I've had dinner in the Concourse steakhouse but I wasn't in the MK at all that day.
I proposed the $10 charge as a soltuion.
I think charging non-guests might be a good way to discourage people from parking and going to the parks.

I was not referring to you in the second half of my post. You made it clear in your first post that you do not abuse the resort parking.

No. You're right, the honor system dosen't work. Maybe charge a higher fee and return the money only if the resort restaurant validates your parking pass. $6 less is returned if you are there over 3 hours.

[BibbidiBobbidiBOO]

We stayed at PO, parked at TTC, monorailed over about 7:30am and ate at CR. Then we walked to MK. We do not want our children to learn to lie and cheat. When we stayed at WL we had the worst time finding parking each evening(we like to drive to DTD and MGM from there). Not sure if people view Christmas decor there, eat and then boat to MK or what??? I hope we don't have this trouble at CR on our next trip. I too wish they could implement a better system. I HAVE read of cars being towed. You should have the resort pass in your car window, or your 3 hour pass.

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by Prince John
I'm sure I'll hear it for this, but when you book a room at any WDW resort, they tell you that one of the perks is that you can park in any WDW lot for free.... Free parking at any WDW guest lot means just that to me.

C'mon, PJ, nobody every told you that you could park in "any WDW lot for free." I suppose with your argument I should be able to get into the CM lot at MK, or maybe in the valet lot next to the GF, or maybe in the Atlanta Braves' players spaces during Spring Training at Wide World of Sports....

[ducklite]

Originally posted by Steve Hurley
:p Everytime wev'e gone to Dw wehave parked at the Contemporary Resort (showing our resort ID that we were staying at) and walked the pathway to MK (last time was 8/2000). We would just tell the guards we were eating there and find a parking place and head down the walkway.
Has anyone tried this lately and if so do they still allow it?:p :p

Go ahead. But don't be surprised if your car is gone when you return. They are now enforcing the three hour parking passes for people who are dining or shopping at the resort, and towing those who overstay their welcome.

Anne

[Sammie]

Originally posted by Steve Hurley
:p ok everyone now that wev'e got this out of our system and we know everyone cheats at something in DW (if not we wouldn't need these forums) how about a big group hug and we'll move on:jester:

Sir I think you go too far. Surely you don't think the purpose of this forum is to "Cheat" Disney.

I do not cheat Disney, or anyone else for that matter and I come to this forum for honest, helpful information and not to cheat the system. People who cheat the system pass the consequences and cost on to the innocent.

Disney started the 3 hour pass and yes, they do tow as I have seen it done, due to the cheaters.

I have never been told when making a Disney reservation I can park anywhere and the resorts you mention have signs posted saying the resort lot is for resort guests and not guests going to the park.

[Prince John]

db,
I knew when I said it that way that it I would incite these responses. I really am not someone who is looking for a free-ride, I'm really just having some fun here. I know you can't park in CM spots or Gary Sheffield's spot at WW of Sports.
The other part of this is that I have small children and I know they are always watching. Kids have a way of working your conscience, and most of us need that on occasion.
Our next trip, I'll park in TTC - the ferry ride to MK is a memory from my childhood that I wouldn't want to cheat my kids out of.

[Andrew015]

IMHO, parking at the CR and not staying there is not cheating anyone. In fact, anyone who says it's "cheating" I feel is wrong. Firstly, if anyone is at fault, I feel that it is Disney for not having sufficient parking at resorts such as the CR or PR. I normally stay at the WL, and part of my vacation fun isn't visiting just the parks, but the resorts themselves. I think it's awful that the security guards make you feel like a criminal for wanting to come walk around the resort/look in the gift shops ect. There should be no problem with letting people park at any resort that they desire. I could understand it if a person who was not staying at WDW whatsoever tried to park at CR. A few years back, if you wanted to park at a resort, all you had to flash was your resort room card, reguardless of what resort you were staying at, and the guards would wave you right through. That's the way it should be. I don't blame someone staying at PO for wanting to park at the Poly to catch the Monorail. It's much easier than trying to bus your way around. Point # 2 where Disney is at fault: There wouldn't be an issue of people trying to park at a monorail resort if transportation at all resorts were adequate. Part of the price you're paying at WDW is for unlimited use of their transportation: IE the monorail. If you're paying $$$ to stay at WDW, reguardless of whether you are at the All star, or the GF, you're a welcomed guest to WDW. The next thing you know, they're going to charge admission to the resorts. People make it sound like they own the resort that they're staying in, and if you're not staying here, get out. Well I've got news for ya, I'm a resort buff, and my favorite part of WDW is cruising the various hotels. I'll be darned if they put the hammer down on that. If you're at a shopping mall, and park at Kaufmans, but you go look around JCPenny, is that a serious crime?

[Dad of 5]

Perhaps "cheat" isn't the most accurate word, but it's what we have to work with in English.

The issue seems to be there are rules, and there are rule-followers and rule-breakers. My family and I are avid and strict rule-followers.

In this case, we can only surmise as to the reason for the 3-hour rule. Seems a safe bet that the resort/resorts lost out on some guest goodwill for all the non-guests taking up parking spaces for reasons *other than* visiting that resort. Seems simple enough for me.

But hey, if you're the kind of guy that wants to bring your own moral relativism into WDW, nobody's going to stop you with a few dinky parking rules. Why not hop a line or two while you're at it? After all, you paid your entrance fee to the park, right?

One thing leads to another.

[Lewisc]

wanting to come walk around the resort/look in the gift shops ect a 2 or 3 hour parking pass is more than enough for this.

I don't blame someone staying at PO for wanting to park at the Poly to catch the Monorail. It's much easier than trying to bus your way around.
The resort parking lots are for guests of the resort. Guests at PO can park FOR FREE AT THE MK parking lot and monorail or ferry to the MK. Stores and restaurants near popular bars have similar problems with scarce parking places being used by people who don't belong there.

[Dallas_Lady]

Every so often someone opens up this can of worms. It had been awhile, I thought we'd all learned our lesson by now. Guess not. :rolleyes:

[Andrew015]

Look Dad of 5, this isn't about rule breaking. It's about a dumb policy that should be changed back to the way things were. For all of WDW's alustrious career, you could park anywhere you wanted to with no hassel. Up until about 2 years ago, this new 3 hour policy was implemented. Once again, I bring to light the fact that if you're paying the money to stay on property, you have the privilidge of going anywhere in WDW that you please. Now where ever you come up with Morals... that puzzles me. How you go from parking at a resort to line jumping... I don't follow. I'll have you know that I obide by the rules 9 times out of 10. When I don't, it's because I feel that the rules are wrong. If WDW made it a rule that you had to spend $100 a day in the park, would you follow it? In this case, the rule is wrong. Like I said, the old way worked for almost 30 years... why change it? The reason they probably did was because people from one resort were going to another resort to use the pool. OK.. so you correct this problem by limiting the parking? Bad move in my opinion. Instead they could check resort ID's at the pool, or have you scan your room card to check out a pool towel... something to that affect. Now by restricting parking, yes you might cut down on the amount of pool hoppers, but you also mess up the other 90 % of the people who don't look to cheat the system, but just want to look around the hotel, or hop on the monorail. This is not breaking a rule Dad of 5. And yes, I will park wherever I please. Do I look to cheat the system, or take away from anyone else... No. I don't take kindly to being called a person with poor morals.

[Lewisc]

, this isn't about rule breaking Disney has signs that tells you not to park in the resort lot for theme parks. Disney gives you a 3 hour pass to eat in the resort parking lot. IT'S ALL ABOUT RULES AND RULE BREAKING. You were never allowed to park in the resorts for theme parks. When the number of cheaters got too big Disney had to take action. Pool hooping is a separate problem. It's OK to park (2 or 3 hours) to "check out" a resort, not to park for they day. I think line jumping is probably a very good analagy.

[Dad of 5]

Au contraire, it's all about breaking a rule.

WDW has the right, because they own it, to make whatever rules they choose. Our choice is to (a) patronize them at all and (b) abide by whatever rules they set up for their patrons.

We, as patrons, have the right to complain about rules we think are stupid or "wrong", but don't have the right to ignore them.

I've made a habit of saying that procedures are written in advance, and policies are made after the fact. That a policy had to be made illustrates that there was a problem that needed to be dealt with.

"Poor morals" was your choice of words, and an incorrect reading. (The use of the pronoun "you" was a poor choice for the indefinte "one", and my mistake.) What I'm seeing is relativism - which says "Your rules are fine for you, my rules are fine for me" and "Those rules may be fine, but just some of the time, when I think they should." See?

We're not going to see eye-to-eye here. So, when I show up at WDW in November, I'll park my rental car in a parks lot, leaving a resort space open for you. No problem. So maybe I needn't have joined in this discussion after all... :confused:

[Andrew015]

It's OK to park (2 or 3 hours) to "check out" a resort, not to park for they day

OK.. what if you wanted to park at the Poly for dinner, hop on the monorail and stop at the GF, then the Contemp, and back at the Poly. This could very well take you more than 3 hours. Now all you wise guys are going to say "well drive to each reasort." Well seeing it's such a PAIN to go to a resort to park, it makes sense just to take the Monorail. Now are you using the parking lot to go to a Park? No. It's a parking lot. If they want to keep tabs on how long people stay there, maybe they should implement Parking Meters for everyone, including hotel guests. I wonder how that would go over. I can see the problem of someone parking at a resort, such as the GF, and then using the pool, spa, ect. You're not paying for the privilige. We're talking about a PARKING LOT. Maybe WDW is just too crowded, and they should expand their transportation/ parking, instead of making it a hassel and putting limitations on parking. Parking lot = meant for PARKING

[Dad of 5]

Originally posted by Andrew015


OK.. what if you wanted to park at the Poly for dinner, hop on the monorail and stop at the GF, then the Contemp, and back at the Poly. This could very well take you more than 3 hours. Now all you wise guys are going to say "well drive to each reasort." Well seeing it's such a PAIN to go to a resort to park, it makes sense just to take the Monorail. Now are you using the parking lot to go to a Park? No. It's a parking lot. If they want to keep tabs on how long people stay there, maybe they should implement Parking Meters for everyone, including hotel guests. I wonder how that would go over. I can see the problem of someone parking at a resort, such as the GF, and then using the pool, spa, ect. You're not paying for the privilige. We're talking about a PARKING LOT. Maybe WDW is just too crowded, and they should expand their transportation/ parking, instead of making it a hassel and putting limitations on parking. Parking lot = meant for PARKING

Yep, I understand. It is a pain for parking, in the scenario you outlined. My take on it would be that I'd do dinner, and then be checking my watch to see when 3 hours were up to make sure I got back before they considered towing my car (which, by parking there, I've assented to after overstaying my welcome). The three-hour parking pass is just like a parking meter, only non-automated. Maybe that makes more sense...

I don't think the issue is that it's too crowded. It's back to what so many people have said - the parking lots at the resorts are being used for longer periods of time by people that don't have current business at the resort.

[Andrew015]

Dad of 5, I appreciate your clarification. I realize that we both feel our opinion is correct, and that we’re not going to see on the same level. My point is that when I park at a resort, regardless of it being a monorail resort or not, I’m not parking there to put anyone else in a bad position. I don’t say to myself “Hey I just put someone out of a parking spot! That made my day!” It’s kind of like anything else… parking spots are first come first serve. Now I realize the rules say 3 hours, or for resort guests. Well I feel the old way was much better. Before, it was parking for Resort guests; resort guest meaning any WDW resort guest, not just that specific hotel’s guest. Now for whatever reason they implemented this policy, they did. Whether or not you agree/follow it is up to you. I happen to disagree with it, and will do as I please. I respect your position, and maybe you’re a better Disney goer than I am. I just feel that Disney has a habit of implementing policy that might not be the best, but the cheapest. Like I said, build more places to park.. construct more efficient transportation… or for a cheaper fix, Implement a system at the pools to insure that only people from that resort are using it, such as a Resort card scanner to check out a towel. I never look to cheat the system, I just do what I feel is right. It was right before, but too many people took advantage of the system. Instead of shutting down the system, come up with a better way to regulate it. I too apologize for being rude, because I’m sure I may have offended some. I just have a tendency to get wrapped up in discussions that I feel strongly about.

[Lewisc]

Disney never allowed parking in the resort lots for theme park parking. The number of "rule breakers" got to the point in which Disney had to police exisiting rules. No, the problem isn't just people using the pool it's people using the resort lots for theme park parking. Disney has plenty of parking--each theme park has ample parking that's free to any resort guest. I agree they need a better system. I think they should have an automated gate opened with the guests room key to control access to the resort self-parking lot.
For now Disney is selectively towing. If you park in the morning your car may be missing in the afternoon.

[Andrew015]

No you're wrong. They never had any restriction on parking, except if you were not a WDW guest. The idea of having parking for resort guests, and for any other WDW guest is a good idea. Then everyone would be happy.

[Dad of 5]

Not "better," just different. ;)

And you're absolutely right about things being done on the cheap now, instead of taking a little longer to come up with a comprehensive solution. Maybe, just maybe, if tourism and travel picks up again, there'll be more $$ to throw at the problems that come with growth and expansion.

Think about this - up until a couple of years ago (not really too far back), there were sources of "inside" information on how to get around quickly, where to get a good parking spot (!), and other tips and tidbits. But these sources weren't quite as well-known as nowadays. And with the ubiquity of Internet access, everybody and their grandma can find out what a precious few knew.

Fast forward, and now what was a minor deal turns into a big problem for WDW. For example, Stormalong Bay is now the most locked-down of the resort pools, thanks to everybody that said "Hey, go there - it's just like a waterpark without the extra admission price." And, of course, our current CR parking lot discussion.

I don't think there are quick solutions - just quick answers, mostly in the form of policies that tend to kill a fly with a tank. Unfortunately, you're the fly they're aiming for. ;)

[DancingBear]

Andrew015--

They didn't change the rules because there were too many resort-hoppers like you. They changed the rules because too many people were parking at the monorail resorts and then going to MK all day, because they didn't want to park in the TTC lot.

Then, when people staying at the Contemporary, etc., came back to their resort to their rooms, they couldn't find places to park. Surely you understand that people actually STAYING at a resort have a right to park there.

So, it was these MK visitors who made the rules necessary and put a wrench in your resort-hopping plans.

The problem is not that the parking lots are too small. There is plenty of parking at TTC, and TTC is the best choice for traffic management. Can you imagine if the Contemporary's parking lot was enormous and at the end of MK's day everyone was trying to leave there at once?

The limited parking rule is a good one. Most rules have some undesired effects, and unfortunately for you one of those effects is that as you suggest 3 hours is probably not enough for a meal and then hopping to GF and the Poly. However, you have alternatives---you can park at TTC and use the monorail to get to all three resorts. Or you can pay for valet parking at Contemporary. If during my December stay I return to my room at the Contemporary and can't find a place to park, I have no good alternative. I assume you will agree that it is more fair for you as an over 3-hour resort-hopper to perhaps park at TTC than to expect that I, a Contemporary Resort guest, should do so.

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by Andrew015
I don't blame someone staying at PO for wanting to park at the Poly to catch the Monorail. It's much easier than trying to bus your way around. Point # 2 where Disney is at fault: There wouldn't be an issue of people trying to park at a monorail resort if transportation at all resorts were adequate.

Actually, transportation to the Magic Kingdom is pretty darn good from any resort on property.

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by Andrew015
And yes, I will park wherever I please. Do I look to cheat the system, or take away from anyone else...

As I've explained above, if you park at the Contemporary in violation of the rules you could very well be taking away from me as a Contemporary guest. Since this is not your objective, I assume you will reconsider your position.

[Andrew015]

Dad of 5 summed it up quite well. There is/was nothing wrong with parking at a resort for as long as you desire. It's just that a lot of people do it, and some of those people took advantage of a GOOD system. And I feel that there still isn't anything wrong with parking however long you desire. The problem isn't that everyone and their uncle is parking at CR, and there's no room for resort guests. Disney wouldn't care where you park. What disney cares about is having people park at a resort, then coming in and spending money in their restaurants/ gift shops. Or for that matter, parking at their resort, eating/ shopping, then taking the monorail to their park to pay $50 a head to get in, then blowing another $50 in the park, and returning to your car at the end of the day. To disney, that's an ideal situation. And that's why it was no problem to park wherever you pleased 2 years ago. Now, the reason Disney puts up the red flag is that people park at a resort and jump in the nicer hotel pools. Like I said before.. it's not a parking problem. I don't expect disney to throw up more parking lots. it would be great to have a section for resort guests, and a section for any guest of WDW.

[Andrew015]

Dancing Bear, No I won't reconsider my position. I've made my position clear. I've never once pulled into a resort and couldn't find a single spot. Now yes, you might be a little further away than you desire, but never have i seen a resort parking lot completely filled. I do not want to put anyone in a position. But if I find a spot and take it, and you pull into the lot 5 minutes after me, Hey that's the way it is. Like i said in a previous post, parking spaces are first come first serve.

[Lewisc]

parking spaces are first come first serve Many lots have signs limiting parking to patrons. Many business have to tow non-customers from their lots. This is particularly a problem with parking lots near popular bars. Disney now has signs limited parking in the resort lots. First come first served only applies to those people who have a right to park there in the first place. IT'S PHYSICALLY impossible for CR to have a big enough lot for all Disney resort guests going to MK.
Andrew many teenagers (and others) chose to violate rules, cut lines etc. DISNEY'S RULES ARE POSTED AND CLEAR. I agree they need an easier way to enforce the rules. The system works if a few people cheat. When the cheating gets extensive Disney has to crack down.

[Andrew015]

Andrew many teenagers (and others) chose to violate rules, cut lines etc.
First of all, I'm a teenager, and How many teenagers do you know that drive to WDW? You have to be over 21 just to be able to rent a car. Teens aren't the problem. Anyways, back on track, I said in my first post that parking at a resort is not CHEATING anyone. You make it out to sound like everyone and their uncle parks at CR, PR, or GF... Hops on the Mono...and spends their day at the park. With these newly implemented parking regulations, that has been cut way down. In the first place, I'm absolutely positive that the majority of park goers either park at TTC, Epcot, MGM, AK, or take respective transportation from their hotel. Few people probably did this. Even if so, there WAS NOTHING wrong with doing so. My point that I've been trying to make is that Parking never was the issue. For one reason or another, like i said before, people who abuse resort priviliges, such as pool/spa use, where the MAIN (not sole) reason for the parking limitations. What confuses me is that you have a 3 hour limitation, which is ample time to go take a dip, dry off in the sun, and go on your marry way. I see what you're saying though Lewis. I use Resort parking to check out resorts at my own pace. I don't use resort parking to be a jerk and make things easier on me, and harder on others. I think all can agree, those who side with and against me, that the present system sucks. There are probably going to be pros and cons to every solution, but I feel this solution has more con's than pro's.

[gepetto]

Originally posted by Andrew015

What confuses me is that you have a 3 hour limitation, which is ample time to go take a dip, dry off in the sun, and go on your marry way.

The "3 hour limitation" is there because there were obviously enough people staying at the monorail resorts (and paying well over $300/night) complaining about the parking situation. There were obviously enough people with PS (paying $$$ for a meal at that resort) complaining about parking. When all the internet sites and unofficial guides are telling people to park at CR for the entire day it BECOMES a problem.

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by Andrew015
Now, the reason Disney puts up the red flag is that people park at a resort and jump in the nicer hotel pools.

Andrew, you're not listening. As many others have posted, the problem was not pool-hoppers, and it's not those like you who want to visit the resorts. The problem was people parking at the resorts and then going into the theme parks for the entire day, which really ties up the lots and screws up the traffic patterns.

The only place where pool-hopping has been a significant problem is Stormalong Bay at the YC/BC and they have gotten much stricter about checking resort IDs as a result. It was very easy for folks from Boardwalk, Swan and Dolphin to walk to Stormalong Bay, which made the problem worse there. Since every hotel in FL has a pool, and every Disney resort has a pretty darn nice pool, my guess is very few folks jump in a car to go visit another resort's pool.

[CrzyforPiglet]

I may regret jumping in with my two cents but I'm not understanding all the ruckus! I thought part of the cost for a monorail resort is access to the monorail - if I pay for WL (which I will be) then I must use their facilities of bussing to TTC and going from there. I would be pretty ticked off if I paid big bucks to stay at CR/GF/Poly spent a day offsite (or wherever) came back and found I had to hike it from who knows where because there was no parking for me. I think Disney has done a good job with transportation even though there'll be problems and I think they keep tweaking it to make it better.

Bottom line if you're going to any resort for just a meal then 2-3 hours is plenty! Otherwise if you know you're going to hop from resort to resort then just park at TTC or take transportation from your own resort. I don't think there is anything wrong with the current system just those who abuse it.

[Poly Pal]

I tried to resist...but must chime in!

As a Polynesian loyalist who pays MULTIPLES of what people pay to stay at non-monorail properties, it does tick me off to have hordes of people board the MK resort monorail at park closing to ride over to the Polynesian then walk downstairs, out the front doors and to their cars in the Polynesian's parking lot. I'm paying big bucks for the monorail and the Polynesian's facilities, including its pools and parking lot.

Yes, Disney resort guests used to be able to park at any other resort. But that was before they built all of the additional resorts with thousands more rooms on property. I agree that if you have legitimate business at a resort (a PS, you want to visit the shops, or just take a look around) then go ahead and park a the resort. If you're looking to park all day at a monorail resort to go to the MK, then reserve and pay for a room at one of them.

[MarkMichaels]

After reading this thread, I had to chime in.

I'm guessing that Young Andrew has not had to pay for accomadations at the CR or Poly before. Monorail resorts are more expensive for a reason. Poly Pal hit the nail on the head, watching 20-50 cars pull out of the Poly parking lot after MK closes makes me furious. We stayed at the WL two years ago, I won't go back because of the transportation even though we loved the hotel. We stay at the Poly now because I love the hotel and it has great transportation options even though its more expensive.

Why do they even need three hour passes for resorts? Seems to me that resort guests can park for free to their hearts content at TTC and go to any resort for as long as they need using several different modes of transportation.

Ignoring rules because we disagree is wrong, period. In our society, if we don't like a law or rule, we speak up and work to have it changed.

[jlima]

Last year, on July 5, we had a PS for the 1900 Park Faire character breakfast & DS7 did the pirate cruise, then we went into MK for the rest of the day. We valet parked at the GF and I remember it being FREE without any mention of 2 or 3 hour limits. Did I imagine that?

I never felt like I was taking a space away from hotel guest. If the hotel is going to have amenities such as the pirate cruise and cooking programs for kids, a wedding chapel, water mice & other boating attractions, etc. that attract people who aren't hotel guests, then they should provide adequate parking for those people.

Has anybody ever been towed from a Disney property before? I'd like to hear from that person!

:bounce:

[lvs_eeyore]

You may get around being issued a 3 hour pass for parking but you WILL be carded trying to walk from the resort to MK. We were staying at the Contemporary and we were carded by the staff that stands near the walkway.

Just my opinion but if someone is not paying to stay at that resort they should park at the TTC. We get what we pay for.

[MarkMichaels]

I believe the only way valet parking is free is if you have a handicap sticker. jlima, Disney does provide ample parking for non resort guests at the TTC. Its even free provided you are staying somewhere onsite.

[Andrew015]

Posted by MarkMichaels: I'm guessing that Young Andrew has not had to pay for accomadations at the CR or Poly before.

UMmmm No you're wrong. I've stayed at GF 2 times, Poly 3 times, and CR 2 times. You really think you know everything. I'm sick of arguing with everyone. I feel my opinion is right, and I'm going to stick to it. You feel yours is right, so you can do what you want. I don't like people that tell me how I should think/act. If everyone minded their own business, and did their own thing.....

[jaguar9748]

Hey y'all, I am one of those recent Contemporary guests who arrived to checkin and couldn't find a parking space. I had to put both cars in valet at a cost of $6 per day. That sure didn't make me happy. :rolleyes:

[manning]

Andrew015, stick around a few more years. You'll be surprised how much smarter the rest of the world becomes. You kind of remind me of someone I knew. He wasn't liked very much except for the few like him. Maybe you have met him? His name is Me Myself and I.

You say you obey only the rules you like. You should be glad you have rules and laws. If you don't think so, go to some of those countries that have only the law of revenge. It ain't pretty.

You say there aren't enough free parking. I found plenty of free parking. It's over there in that section called theme park parking.

Actually, Disney doesn't have to tow cars, just do the smart thing. It's called the Denver Boot. When someone gets booted, they have to pay a fee to have it removed. Someone will say that's not right. At the same time it's not right to break the rules.

Why change the rules you say? Actually the rules haven't changed except for the one that gives you three hours. Parking has always has been for resort guests. Before you challenge me on that one, let me point out that I have been going to Disney since March of 1972 and I know you couldn't have been going any earlier than 1984.

There is technology to monitor parking if Disney wants to pay the money for it. It's the same as what is being used on toll roads. In Illinois it is called I-Pass. You are given a coded transmitter and every time you go thru a gate, you are charged a toll. The same technology could be used at Disney. You are given a transmitter upon check-in and you turn it in when you check out. It can be a drop-off box for express checkout. If you lose it, you pay for it. When you make a PS it can be coded into the computer and when you go thru the gate, your 3 hours start. If you have other events included, additional time is added. You exceed your time limit you get charged for parking at an hourly rate.

[Wonderlandmom]

This is not a problem unique to WDW. We stayed at the Don Cesar this summer, an upscale resort on St. Pete Beach. We were required to take a ticket whenever we parked in the lot. When we left, our "guest pass" we received at check-in was shown to the guard(in a little booth), therefore we did not have to pay for parking. There are several restaurants there(including 4*) and shopping underneath. Day guest pay $10 for the day, and I think there was a lower amount for a couple hours. We saw many people paying to park there.
We thought this was a good system. We never used valet as we could always find a place:D.

[MarkMichaels]

Andrew, staying at and paying for the hotels are two very different things. It is impossible to appreciate the costs of those resorts until you work your hind end off to pay for them.

Thank goodness we live in a country where you can have your own opinion. At the same time we have to live by rules and laws. I am not debating your opinion, you can believe whatever you want, thats not the point. Breaking rules because they are inconvenient is another thing though.

[Tiffany]

Originally posted by jlima
Last year, on July 5, we had a PS for the 1900 Park Faire character breakfast & DS7 did the pirate cruise, then we went into MK for the rest of the day. We valet parked at the GF and I remember it being FREE without any mention of 2 or 3 hour limits. Did I imagine that?

I never felt like I was taking a space away from hotel guest. If the hotel is going to have amenities such as the pirate cruise and cooking programs for kids, a wedding chapel, water mice & other boating attractions, etc. that attract people who aren't hotel guests, then they should provide adequate parking for those people.

Has anybody ever been towed from a Disney property before? I'd like to hear from that person!

:bounce:

Hi jlima,

You did not imagne that valet parking was free July 5th, 2001.

As of July 6th or 7th of 2001 there is now a $6 per day plus tip fee for valet parking at the duluxe resorts unless you have a handicapped sticker or are a DVC member at a DVC resort( I could be incorrect on the DVC point).

When we have ressies at a resort for a meal we always valet park so the 3hr limit does not effect us.

We always valet parked before the time limit was impossed and plan to always valet park in the future.

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by jlima
If the hotel is going to have amenities such as the pirate cruise and cooking programs for kids, a wedding chapel, water mice & other boating attractions, etc. that attract people who aren't hotel guests, then they should provide adequate parking for those people.

jlima, obviously you didn't break any rules as of the time you were there, but

There is enough parking available for those who want to visit the GF for all of those other attractions. Generally with restaurant visits, etc., the 3-hour pass suffices. What throws off the plan is those who use the monorail resort parking to visit the theme parks.

As a rule, MK parkers will be clogging up spots for a much longer time, and they will arrive and leave in large groups when the park opens and when it closes, which will clog up the traffic patterns. The TTC lot is designed to handle these cars, the resort lots aren't (and shouldn't have to be).

[DancingBear]

Originally posted by Andrew015
I feel my opinion is right, and I'm going to stick to it. You feel yours is right, so you can do what you want. I don't like people that tell me how I should think/act. If everyone minded their own business, and did their own thing.....

Andrew, it's unfortunate that you are digging in your heels and just refusing to listen to the folks here, who I think have really tried to engage you in a meaningful discussion to try to get you to understand their positions.

Everyone is certainly welcome to their own opinions; however, I've just reviewed your posts, and it appears to me that you are basing your opinion on several factual errors:

The 3-hour rule was created to stop pool-hoppers. NO, the rule was created to stop folks from parking at the monorail resorts and going to the Magic Kingdom. As you say, pool-hopping can be controlled by Cast Members checking resort IDs at the pool--in fact, the CMs do this, particularly at the pools which attract outsiders, such as at WL and Stormalong Bay at YC/BC. Remember that CR's pool is nothing special, and until recent renovations neither were the GF and Poly pools. The spa at the GF is open to anyone.

Again, the rule was NOT created to stop you, the legitimate visitor to the monorail resort. Unfortunately, the rule will, unintentionally, interfere with your idea of eating at the Poly then visiting GF and CR by monorail; however, you can park at the TTC and do all of this. Or, since you say you usually stay at the WL, you can take the boat to a monorail resort to start your tour. If you have a better rule proposal which will keep out the theme parkers but allow you more time to do your thing, let us and Disney know.

It's Disney's fault for not building adequate parking. There is no way that parking could ever be adequate at the resorts to accomodate the theme parkers. It's not just a matter of parking spaces, but also traffic patterns. All of the folks in the resort lots have to come and go on the resort roads, which just aren't made for that volume of traffic or for large numbers of vehicles coming and going at the same times. The TTC lot, on the other hand, is designed just for this purpose, and works very well.

It's Disney's fault for not having adequate transportation. Actually, the transportation to Magic Kingdom from any resort on property is very good. Disney made a great decision when they moved the bus dropoff from the TTC to right outside the MK gates. They also now have a special character breakfast bus which will get resort guests to those early PSs, which has addressed another issue. This has worked very well. There are other shortcomings in the system, but not the transportation to MK.

The old system worked then, why change it now? First of all, the number of theme parkers at the monorail resorts increased significantly, in large part due to the incredible dissemination of information over the web. Second, there are many, many more resort rooms on WDW property than there were even 10 years ago (CSR, AKL, All-Stars, Boardwalk, Pop Century to come, etc.), so allowing all WDW resort guests just doesn't work any more.

I hope you will consider this information and give some further thought to your position.

[SueM in MN]

Posted by Tiffany:
As of July 6th or 7th of 2001 there is now a $6 per day plus tip fee for valet parking at the duluxe resorts unless you have a handicapped sticker or are a DVC member at a DVC resort( I could be incorrect on the DVC point).
You are correct on the DVC point. DVC members pay dues and part of the dues go for the valet parking. So, they don't pay for valet parking at DVC resorts.

You are also correct that there is no fee for Handicapped parking with a handicapped parking permit. This is because the resorts have very little handicapped parking and what they have is quite far from the resort. For example at AKL and WL, you can't even see the main building from the handicapped parking spots.

[JudithM]

Sue, have you visited the AKL & parked in the handicapped parking lot? It is just to the left of the lobby entrance, & you can see the resort. Our standard view room at AKL overlooked the handicapped parking lot (& my car :) ).

[Tiggerlover91]

Ummm, I hope I don't get yelled at but here I go, when I worked at Disney and wanted to avoid the traffic leaving TTC I would park at the GF. Not the valet, but the parking located across the street from the GF. Has anyone else ever done this? Parking lot was always fairly empty and it didn't seem to interfere with the guests. I only did it three times in the 45 days I worked at Disney, but I loved to visit the GF also. I also remember all the controversy with Contemp and Poly parking and that's why I never parked there. Hope this doesn't make things worse.

For DH and I when we visit, we only park at the resorts if we are eating. If we happen to be at a monorail resort, we might jump on the monorail and visit another one, but that scenario is a tad different. :D

[Andrew015]

Good Morning to all. Hope that your weekends were pleasant and enjoyable. I do appreciate all of the comments and ideas. One thing I did learn from this discussion is that parking a car isn't such a simple task. I kind of feel like the enemy, seeing everyone is up in arms about the "law breaker" (me). Well that's fine I guess, seeing that I am in the wrong. This discussion has gone on long enough, and I feel that it's going nowhere. Normally, when some type of policy is implemented which I do not care for, I tend to ignore it, or at least stay away from it. But I love Disney, and I can't stay away from it.(I hate policy.) I guess I'm too attached to my 1st amendment rights, and when you take one away, you can take them all away. But this is far from the first amendment. But it's the same principle. A few years back, the system allowed for parking wherever you pleased. Now they took that right away from me, and it's upsetting. Now for most of you, instead of taking a privilege away from you, they helped your cause by implementing policy that benefits you, which I understand and can't argue with. For me, it's just Red Tape. It's like the bureaucracy: just slowing things down. Normally, when I see my hotel parking lot filled, instead of cursing the visitors for eating up my spot, I would say something to the effect "Geeze, everyone must have good taste like us! This sure is a great resort." I don't think you can argue my position either. I don't park all day, nor do I eat up the hotel benefits. I'm just a diehard hotel goer and I love to surf the various resorts. I think someone else summed it up before: jlima (one of my few comrades) : "never felt like I was taking a space away from hotel guest. If the hotel is going to have amenities such as the pirate cruise and cooking programs for kids, a wedding chapel, water mice & other boating attractions, etc. that attract people who aren't hotel guests, then they should provide adequate parking for those people." Another example of someone who's not trying to break the rules, just enjoying what is out there for them to enjoy: a beautiful disney resort. Maybe I'm no different from anyone else. I'm just a craved Disney Nut. I hope this better exemplifies my position, and kind of moves my position from the Disney Bandit, to maybe Mr. Smee: a bad guy that you can't help but like :) Trying to make this my last post on this discussion. Hope there are no hard feelings. I never made that my intent.

[SueM in MN]

Sue, have you visited the AKL & parked in the handicapped parking lot? It is just to the left of the lobby entrance, & you can see the resort.
Yes, we did park there. We visited there in March and I may have been remembering the WL parking twice ;) since it is more familiar. We stayed at WL, but visited AKL. It's also possible that they have a different handicapped parking area for day visitors than registered guests.
I do know for sure that the handicapped parking at AKL was far enough away from the building that my FIL sat down and rested his knees and hips on the bench outside the entrance door before we went in. When we left, DH got our van and drove up to the unloading/registration area so FIL wouldn't have to walk.

[Andrew015]

Well I lied... the last one is my second to last post. I just couldn't resist this one.
Manning
You say you obey only the rules you like. You should be glad you have rules and laws. If you don't think so, go to some of those countries that have only the law of revenge. It ain't pretty.

I'll tell ya what. I'm not opposed to the idea of "an eye for an eye." In countries where they cut off a hand for stealing, you don't find too many people robbing anything from anyone. Heck in California, you can get away with 2 felonies before much of any action comes your way. And for the part about breaking rules: yes I break rules when I feel they violate my rights. And if a group of famous people called "the Founding Fathers" followed all the rules, and obeyed what the Crown said, We'd be flying a Union Jack.
Another one for Manning
Parking has always has been for resort guests. Before you challenge me on that one, let me point out that I have been going to Disney since March of 1972 and I know you couldn't have been going any earlier than 1984.
To clarify, my parents have been going once - twice a year since 72' , and according to them, you could park at any resort, providing you were a WDW guest. And that is correct by the way. I was not wrong on that. In other words, if you were staying at the Poly, and wanted to park at the Contemp, that was perfectly acceptable, as long as you were staying at another disney resort.

[AF Brenda]

yes I break rules when I feel they violate my rights.

Terrific, you're a Constitutional scholar also!! What wonderful accomplishments for one so young.

Could you please point out to me where you have a "right" to parking space?

Thank you!

[Andrew015]

Sure thing Brenda. Your right to a parking space doesn't exsist. Remember.. parking is banned everywhere according to this board right?

[colleen costello]

Hi folks. Can you fill me in a bit more on handicapped parking? Once a year we travel with my Mom, who has a bad knee and pretty serious asthma. Every step really counts for her, until we can get to the spot where you rent the cart or wheelchair. Unfortunately, the handicapped spaces at many places in WDW are BAD -- not close at all. It seemed like 10 miles from the handicapped drop-off area to the gate at AK where you rent the wheelchair. Anyway, what is the view on handicapped spots? Are they "unique" to a resort or can any WDW guest take any one of these spots?
We visited WL one morning last March, for example, and wound up being taken by van to BW for the DVC talk. Never did any staff suggest we would be towed while over at Boardwalk. Also, if Mom wants to visit the resorts (a favorite pastime as there is air-conditioning and she can last longer) she can NOT keep switching parking spots -- it's too much walking. We might park at BCV (our home resort) and take a bus, or maybe visit the Poly to eat and then yes, ride the monorail around.

Any input? My husband usually parks the van and drops Mom off but we could certainly pay the valets if those handicapped spots are closer. Also, anyone know what handicapped parking is like at the TTC? I think that one fact missing in all this debate is that WDW's handicapped parking is so woefully bad as to leave folks with limited mobility looking for any way to save a few steps! And for heart/lung patients who can't be out in the heat too long, waiting for a bus is not a great option!

[MarkMichaels]

A couple of posts ago, I actually thought Andrew at least understood the moral majoritys position. Then, he had to start typing again.

I'm not sure what your argument with Manning is, you both say the same thing, resort parking is only for resort guests. I don't know if you used to be able to park at CR for the day. I do know what today's rule is. Its just recently that the 3 hour rule has gone into effect, you can still visit and resort hop, but someone at Disney deemed 3 hours was enough due to the overcrowding of certain resort parking lots.

I'm pretty sure our "Founding Fathers" had more serious complaints than which stall to keep their horse in, but heck if you want to cede from the Disney Union, go ahead and park where you want at Universal. Quote 'I guess I'm too attached to my 1st amendment rights, and when you take one away, you can take them all away', you are correct, parking is not a first ammendment right, 'but its the same principle.' Which side of the fence are you standing on, from this post to your last post you have been standing on the fence leaning whichever way the wind blows.

And, since we all seem to agree that we all need rules and laws, you said yourself, 'an eye for an eye", should Disney impound your car for violating their rule?

Let us know when you make up your mind Andrew, you either hate the rule but agree that breaking it is wrong or you hate the rule and will continue to do as you please. (What the majority of us calls wrong) I think you are a very lucky young man who has had opportunities most of the world will never get. I had to wait until I was 30 and could afford to pay my own way to go. My wifes parents nor mine could take a trip like that. Now, I go twice a year. At the same time I'm concerned with your perception of right and wrong and that its ok to do as you please, I hope I'm not putting that notion in my childrens head by taking them to Disney so often.

[Andrew015]

My side has been clear since post # 1: I hate the rule and will continue to do as I wish.

[MarkMichaels]

I think its sad that your parents have brought you up with these beliefs. When a government makes a law or a business makes a policy, right or wrong, you cannot ignore them. Our society grants you the priveledge of being able to speak out against them and work for changing them, but frowns upon those who cheat the system.

[Eeyore1954]

Originally posted by Andrew015
My side has been clear since post # 1: I hate the rule and will continue to do as I wish.

That is a very sad commentary and statement. One can only hope that as you mature you will come to realize the value of rules and the necessity for people to follow the rules (or suffer the consequences of breaking them). However, in some cases, it takes a drastic outcome, such as having one's car towed & impounded, to make the person realize they need to obey the rules like everyone else.

As people mature, they often learn two important lessons. 1) There are always rules -- everywhere. We may not like them, but it's almost always in our best interest to follow them. 2) Things change, including the rules. Change is not always pleasant and we may not agree with the changes.

In this case, Disney has changed. We may agree or disagree with that change, but this is the new reality. It is heartening to see that even though everyone may not agree with it, most people will choose to follow the rules. It's unfortunate that a few people will break them possibly leading to more changes in the future.

[Patrick IL.]

OK guys I think most have expressed thier opinion on this. I feel we have reached impass. Feel free to start a debate on this subject on our Debate board should you wish too, this is the Resort board.
Patrick