At Chef Mickeys now - have question!

[nym4588]

We've parked at CR and the Polynesian plenty of times for dining reservations. We've never been given a parking pass nor has there ever been mention of time limits. Maybe they only do this when it's really busy.

 

[spodie]

I, too, have never seen these 3-hour parking passes, but I have heard about them. Since I am fortunate to live close enough to WDW to drive there, I almost always have a car on property, and drive to every resort we eat at. All I have ever had to do is flash my room key and they wave me right through. Last week when I was there, the guard at the Beach Club checked my key a little more closely and all I did was mention where I was headed and she waved me through, no questions asked or papers checked.

The only time where the guards have really cracked down on me was a couple of years ago at F&W. We were staying at the Boardwalk and each time we came into the parking lot, one guard checked our key thoroughly at the guard stand and there was one more at the entrance to the actual parking lot. One of the guards explained to us that it was because the locals are wise to parking at the Epcot resorts to gain fast access to the International Gateway and/or free parking.

Anyway, I'm certainly not condoning that you should expect free parking at a resort all day if you eat breakfast there or whatever. All I'm saying is that maybe Disney doesn't think that the whole people parking at a resort after eating at a restaurant is not worth the battle 320 out of 365 days of the year, as I'm sure 90-95% of people coming through those hotels are there for legitimate reasons.

 

[slug]

I, too, have never seen these 3-hour parking passes, but I have heard about them. Since I am fortunate to live close enough to WDW to drive there, I almost always have a car on property, and drive to every resort we eat at. All I have ever had to do is flash my room key and they wave me right through. Last week when I was there, the guard at the Beach Club checked my key a little more closely and all I did was mention where I was headed and she waved me through, no questions asked or papers checked.

The only time where the guards have really cracked down on me was a couple of years ago at F&W. We were staying at the Boardwalk and each time we came into the parking lot, one guard checked our key thoroughly at the guard stand and there was one more at the entrance to the actual parking lot. One of the guards explained to us that it was because the locals are wise to parking at the Epcot resorts to gain fast access to the International Gateway and/or free parking.

Anyway, I'm certainly not condoning that you should expect free parking at a resort all day if you eat breakfast there or whatever. All I'm saying is that maybe Disney doesn't think that the whole people parking at a resort after eating at a restaurant is not worth the battle 320 out of 365 days of the year, as I'm sure 90-95% of people coming through those hotels are there for legitimate reasons.

I agree. I'm sure at times they are more strict, like at the BW during F&W. But generally I havent even been asked. I can remember getting a pass one time at the CR when I was there for Chef Mickey's. But otherwise, I've gone there probably 25 times and never been given a pass. The parking lot is enormous, they wouldn't let you even park there if it meant that CR guests didn't have enough spaces. I've stayed at CR a few times as well and never once had an issue finding a spot.

 

[rgf207]

Add me to the list of those who have never received a 3 hours parking pass and never been told I can't park at a resort.

I've parked at monorail resorts in December, June, July, August, March and other busy times and never once experienced a problem.

It's mainly the DIS police you need to worry about as Disney isn't concerned.

 

[DSNY4ever]

You are in a no win situation here. The Disney police didn't get you, but the DIS police will.

I went from this - to this

 

[SafariTigger]

We were not informed of the 3 hour limit at all and there were lots of empty spaces so that's why we thought it would be ok. The guard just directed us to self park and told us to have a great day. And although a member since 2002 this is the 1st time I've had a car with me. Sorry if it was wrong - I'll know for next time.

 

[slug]

We were not informed of the 3 hour limit at all and there were lots of empty spaces so that's why we thought it would be ok. The guard just directed us to self park and told us to have a great day. And although a member since 2002 this is the 1st time I've had a car with me. Sorry if it was wrong - I'll know for next time.

You did nothing wrong, you shouldn't apologize.

 

[bluejasmine]

You did nothing wrong, you shouldn't apologize.

yes I agree...

 

[SafariTigger]

You did nothing wrong, you shouldn't apologize.

Thanks so much!!!

 

[tluvstink]

We were not informed of the 3 hour limit at all and there were lots of empty spaces so that's why we thought it would be ok. The guard just directed us to self park and told us to have a great day. And although a member since 2002 this is the 1st time I've had a car with me. Sorry if it was wrong - I'll know for next time.

You don't have anything to apologize for

Terri

 

[lmhall2000]

All three trips to Disney have been without a car, many families fly in and do not rent a car, I know your spot did not take a spot from a CR guest...have fun!

 

[Polydweller]

You did nothing wrong, you shouldn't apologize.

YES THEY DID!!!!!

Nothing makes me angrier than people who think it is ok the block people who are staying at that resort from parking there. There is nothing more horrible than to come back to your home resort and not finding a parking spot. If it happened at your home resort you'd understand and be angry too.

It's about courtesy. If you expect to find a spot at your resort then you should show the same courtesy at a resort you are visiting and not unnecessarily take up parking spots. You have other options, people staying at that resort don't. Failing to show others the courtesy you expect IS wrong.

 

[kmb584]

YES THEY DID!!!!!

Nothing makes me angrier than people who think it is ok the block people who are staying at that resort from parking there. There is nothing more horrible than to come back to your home resort and not finding a parking spot. If it happened at your home resort you'd understand and be angry too.

It's about courtesy. If you expect to find a spot at your resort then you should show the same courtesy at a resort you are visiting and not unnecessarily take up parking spots. You have other options, people staying at that resort don't. Failing to show others the courtesy you expect IS wrong.

I don't agree. Having a car on property was a first time experience for the OP. When she went through the guard booth nothing was mentioned about it being a 3 hour time limit. Many people don't know about the time limit. I have a car with me on 99% of our visits and have not once been issued a 3 hour guest pass (I'm talking upwards of 75 resort TS meals that I've driven to). Had it not been for this forum I never would have known. When my grandmother is traveling with us, I pay for valet at one of the monorail resorts (if we aren't already staying at one) as it's much easier on her for our MK days. Otherwise, I'll drive to the parks, drive to the resort, drive back to the parks.

 

[clapton]

Have been going to WDW for many many years and have never had a problem parking at any resorts . Have never been told about the 3 hour parking limit and have always been there at peak season.

 

[Judique]

YES THEY DID!!!!!

Nothing makes me angrier than people who think it is ok the block people who are staying at that resort from parking there. There is nothing more horrible than to come back to your home resort and not finding a parking spot. If it happened at your home resort you'd understand and be angry too.

It's about courtesy. If you expect to find a spot at your resort then you should show the same courtesy at a resort you are visiting and not unnecessarily take up parking spots. You have other options, people staying at that resort don't. Failing to show others the courtesy you expect IS wrong.

I can understand why you feel this way since I have had to cruise the Poly lot also looking for a space and not finding one. It's just so annoying and a waste of my vacation time.

I've moved on to other resorts and when I have dinner at the Poly, I take the monorail.

BWV is where I mostly stay now. Parking in the lots closer to the rooms has gotten better because they post guards at busier times and people have to show the dash pass to get in or go across the road.

 

[spodie]

I feel like the Polynesian and maybe the Grand Floridian are really the only resorts where self-parking gets a little tight, at times (it seems like a good chunk of the Poly's parking lot is perpetually being used to house construction equipment?). However, I have never had an issue with parking at any other resort. At all.

Sort of off topic, but it's weird 1) why they would section off a huge chunk of parking area at the Poly for said equipment for such a long time and 2) why they have never built an overflow lot (like at the Boardwalk) when two of the busiest restaurants on property are housed there. I feel like something needs to be done to alleviate the parking situation there, anyway. Maybe there's no room for expansion? But then that brings me back to the construction equipment...

 

[Go19GoLauren]

YES THEY DID!!!!!

Nothing makes me angrier than people who think it is ok the block people who are staying at that resort from parking there. There is nothing more horrible than to come back to your home resort and not finding a parking spot. If it happened at your home resort you'd understand and be angry too.

It's about courtesy. If you expect to find a spot at your resort then you should show the same courtesy at a resort you are visiting and not unnecessarily take up parking spots. You have other options, people staying at that resort don't. Failing to show others the courtesy you expect IS wrong.

I can think of hundreds, maybe thousands, of things that are worse than having trouble finding a parking spot. Don't they have valet at the resorts in question? I know they do at the Poly. They'll find a spot for you.

No, it's not technically what they were supposed to do and now they know.
Glad it worked out for you, OP.

 

[rgf207]

YES THEY DID!!!!!

Nothing makes me angrier than people who think it is ok the block people who are staying at that resort from parking there. There is nothing more horrible than to come back to your home resort and not finding a parking spot. If it happened at your home resort you'd understand and be angry too.

It's about courtesy. If you expect to find a spot at your resort then you should show the same courtesy at a resort you are visiting and not unnecessarily take up parking spots. You have other options, people staying at that resort don't. Failing to show others the courtesy you expect IS wrong.

oh please

As I've stated before, these things are NEVER a problem or an issue except for the DIS police. If the guard doesn't give you a 3 hour parking permit there's nothing saying you can't park there. Yes, regardless of what the DIS says. If the guard thought it would be a problem he/she would either issue the 3 hour pass or not allow the non-resort guest to park. Neither of those happened so the OP did nothing wrong.

 

[LCoulter]

I think there are a lot of non-Contemporary/BLT guests parking in their lot. We go during slow times of the year and found that it was difficult to find a parking space when we came back to BLT around dinner time. We often had to park in a back corner of the lot furthest from the resorts. Once the parade and Wishes ended, the lot clears right out and half the lot is empty. I can’t imagine how it is during the busy times. It’s very frustrating to come back to your resort and not be able to find a space.

I'm not sure how well they are enforcing a three hour time limit. We've had parking lot views a few times and have never seen a tow truck but maybe since the very back corner still has parking, maybe they don't bother enforcing it.

 

[nugov2]

YES THEY DID!!!!!

Nothing makes me angrier than people who think it is ok the block people who are staying at that resort from parking there. There is nothing more horrible than to come back to your home resort and not finding a parking spot. If it happened at your home resort you'd understand and be angry too.

It's about courtesy. If you expect to find a spot at your resort then you should show the same courtesy at a resort you are visiting and not unnecessarily take up parking spots. You have other options, people staying at that resort don't. Failing to show others the courtesy you expect IS wrong.

If it is a policy then they should tell people about it when they come in or have signs posted. Otherwise they cannot expect people who vacation there to know this is a rule. There is no reason to think that you can't park there if you drive through a gate and they don't say you have a 3 hour limit or give you a pass. Just because people here think it is a rule doesn't mean that it is, I've searched the WDW website and cannot find any policy on resort parking and the guidelines. Only parking at the parks.