Charge for parking at Contemporary?

[disneynutz]

Disney needs to do something to keep non-resort guests from parking at the resorts unless they have business at the resort, not the theme park or DS next door. They recently raised the parking fee at Aulani to $35 per day for guests other than DVC. Hopefully the other Disney resorts won't be next.

Bill

 

[BobNed]

Disney needs to do something to keep non-resort guests from parking at the resorts unless they have business at the resort, not the theme park or DS next door. They recently raised the parking fee at Aulani to $35 per day for guests other than DVC. Hopefully the other Disney resorts won't be next.

Bill

The fee to park at Aulani went up to $37 from $35.

 

[disneynutz]

The fee to park at Aulani went up to $37 from $35.

Ouch, even worse. I can see Disney charging at all resorts in the future.

Bill

 

[Minniesgal]

I think it is about time Disney did something to stop non resort guests parking at Resorts and going to the parks. I'm all for this

 

[crisi]

I think it is about time Disney did something to stop non resort guests parking at Resorts and going to the parks. I'm all for this

And I think its fine at a resort with limited parking to charge for dining, pool hopping and shopping. We don't drive at Disney for a number of reasons, but one is that we own and always stay at BWV and parking there is a pain in the neck.

 

[emilymad]

I am all for this too. While it would be annoying to pay a parking fee if you were just pool hopping or shopping you can use Disney transportation to get there. I know that is not ideal but Disney would be giving you the choice. Disney has to do something to control the situation.

 

[JWG]

We're owners at BWV and we experience the parking fiasco every visit. Especially when there's an event at the convention center portion and they close the lot for those guests only. That said, if Disney wants to do this (and I support it for non-resort guests) then make it feasible to get to those locations. We like the Boardwalk for some of the restaurants and activities (ESPN, bikes, Beaches and Cream over at Yacht Club). But, outside of driving, there is no real way to get there even if staying on property. If I can get validated for spending money equal to or greater than the cost of parking then ok. Thought, with ESPN, sometimes you get there just to realize you'll never get in.

Don't ever charge resort guests of that resort to park. The cost to stay at that resort is already ridiculously high compared to actual normal rates for a room of that type.

 

[wilkeliza]

If it is DVC pool hopping, I could see there being a rule that if you are a DVC member staying on a DVC booked room (which your magicband would show) you can get waved through and not have to pay to park. However, if you are a DVC member not staying on a DVC reservation then you technically have no park hopping rules.

For people who want to eat dinner, go to the bar, or walk around a resort there could be a 3 hour window. Easy enough as many parking garages and lots all over the world have the system. Tap your magicband or get a card on your way in and tap or put the card in the reader on your way out. If your were there more than 3 hours you get charged for parking but less than 3 and it is free. Not that hard of a concept. When we went to the Boardwalk just to walk around we were told it was 3 hours or they could boot our car. Of course they didn't but back then there were cars with chalk marks. I asked the security guard and he said they drove around once an hour and chalk marked every tire. If you got over 4 they would write the license down and then it was up to security for what was done. I'm not sure if they ever did anything past that but they were keeping track of how many cars were parking at BWV over 3 hours. This was during flower and garden several years ago now.

 

[carlbarry]

I am all for this too. While it would be annoying to pay a parking fee if you were just pool hopping or shopping you can use Disney transportation to get there. I know that is not ideal but Disney would be giving you the choice. Disney has to do something to control the situation.

I love Disney World because it is guest-friendly. Disney can solve problems however they want, but if it's on the backs of the guests, than I am not happy. I can drive to any resort from any resort in 10 minutes. If instead I have to wait for a bus, go to the TTC, wait for another bus, and then repeat to return, I am NOT a happy guest.

 

[supersnoop]

If it is DVC pool hopping, I could see there being a rule that if you are a DVC member staying on a DVC booked room (which your magicband would show) you can get waved through and not have to pay to park. However, if you are a DVC member not staying on a DVC reservation then you technically have no park hopping rules.

Keep in mind that access to the Top of the World Lounge specifically states that you do not get parking privileges with that benefit. I wouldn't be surprised if they added that restriction to the pool-hopping benefit.

 

[wilkeliza]

Keep in mind that access to the Top of the World Lounge specifically states that you do not get parking privileges with that benefit. I wouldn't be surprised if they added that restriction to the pool-hopping benefit.

That is an interesting piece of information. So for Top of the World Lounge are you suppose to park at TTC if you are a DVC member not staying at Contemporary? I'm not actually a DVC member but have stayed with friend who are on a DVC booking so we have pool hopped and such but we us the DS buses since we are usually at a resort that has walking access to DS.

 

[supersnoop]

That is an interesting piece of information. So for Top of the World Lounge are you suppose to park at TTC if you are a DVC member not staying at Contemporary? I'm not actually a DVC member but have stayed with friend who are on a DVC booking so we have pool hopped and such but we us the DS buses since we are usually at a resort that has walking access to DS.

"Parking is only available to those staying at Bay Lake Tower or Disney's Contemporary Resort. Members traveling from other Resorts must use Walt Disney World Transportation."

Click the "read more" link under the Top of the World Lounge: https://disneyvacationclub.disney.go.com/destinations/list/florida/bay-lake-tower-at-contemporary/

 

[SpaceMountain77]

As someone who has regularly used public transportation in New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, I see nothing wrong with asking guests to park where they are staying and use Walt Disney World Transportation. When we are staying at AKV and want to visit another resort, we use a theme park as a bus connection (e.g., Depart AKV => bus to MK => bus to WL for dinner at Whispering Canyon Cafe => bus to MK => Arrive AKV).

We are not theme park warriors, so the travel time is relaxing to us, particularly on hot days.

 

[DebbieB]

How about those of us with cars who want to pool hop, or visit a store at a specific resort? I like to drive to Wilderness Lodge, walk the nature trail to the Tri Circle D Ranch, and then take the boat back to Wilderness Lodge. So in the future I'll have to either pay $20, or spend an hour on buses? Will Disney run more buses to handle the increase in riders?
I can drive from any resort to Boardwalk in 10 minutes, whenever I want, at my convenience. It certainly will NOT add to my Disney magic to have to wait for a bus, and then spend a half hour riding from the resort to TTC, and then wait for a bus to BWV, and then for the return, wait for a bus at BWV, then wait for a bus at TTC to my resort.

FYI - there are no Disney resort busses at the TTC, just offsite busses. You would have to transfer at a park or Disney Springs.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Who is going to collect payment for parking? I can't see Security doing that. It means a second CM at the guard shack.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Disney can solve problems however they want, but if it's on the backs of the guests, than I am not happy.

I used to tell people I managed that if there was a policy they didn't like to come up with a reasonable, actionable and scalable solution that would work in its stead.

The problem here is that Disney "guests" of various types are abusing existing parking privileges, which is making things more challenging for other guests who are not. The bulk of those who will be impacted by a change in parking rules are the bad apples.

 

[crisi]

I love Disney World because it is guest-friendly. Disney can solve problems however they want, but if it's on the backs of the guests, than I am not happy. I can drive to any resort from any resort in 10 minutes. If instead I have to wait for a bus, go to the TTC, wait for another bus, and then repeat to return, I am NOT a happy guest.

And BWV owners - and from a revenue perspective - BWI guests - are not happy guests when they circle the parking lot for twenty minutes to find a spot to park. Who do you think is more important for Disney to keep happy - resort hoppers or guests of those resorts?

 

[carlbarry]

FYI - there are no Disney resort busses at the TTC, just offsite busses. You would have to transfer at a park or Disney Springs.

Thanks LOL. Even worse. My only experience with buses at WDW (other than from Disney Springs to OKW when the ferry isn't running) was when I was lazy and wanted to take the bus from Jambo to Kidani. I got on the wrong bus and wound up at TTC. The round trip took one hour. It convinced me that I was correct in always renting a car. Spending an hour on a noisy bus instead of a few minutes in a car would not make me happy.

 

[carlbarry]

And BWV owners - and from a revenue perspective - BWI guests - are not happy guests when they circle the parking lot for twenty minutes to find a spot to park. Who do you think is more important for Disney to keep happy - resort hoppers or guests of those resorts?

It's more important to keep repeat visitors like me happy, who stay on property and visit at least 11 days per year, than someone who is making a once in a lifetime trip and will never return no matter how good their experience is.
Not building enough parking spaces is Disney's fault, not mine. When I'm trying to find a space to stand to watch the parade or fireworks at MK, and fistfights almost break out because there's no room, is that the fault of the guests or of Disney for poor planning?

 

[Sammie]

I am all for it. The guest staying at the resort regardless if they are DVC or once in a lifetime guest should get preference for parking over anyone else. Next is anyone that has a full service dining reservation. This is as it should be and glad to see them finally addressing it.