parking strategies? what are the ins and outs? Bonnet Creek shuttle?

[blessedby3]

We stayed at BC this past October. We had our own van and had no plans to use the shuttle. I had to use it one morning as DH and DD14 went to a YES class. DD5 and I jumped on the shuttle to meet up with them after the class.
I did not care for the shuttle (or the driver...rude and impatient). They have a bus that goes to AK and DHS and the other one goes to MK and Epcot. You may have to drive to AK first (for example) if you are heading to DHS, which will take you longer. BC is closest to DHS, but for some reason the day I used it we headed to AK which is farther and then back to DHS. Time consuming.
They also recently added a $12 per day fee to use the shuttles at BC. I would just pay to park at the parks and forget the BC shuttle. I wont ever use it again

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by blessedby3

....They also recently added a $12 per day fee to use the shuttles at BC. I would just pay to park at the parks and forget the BC shuttle. I wont ever use it again

I think the fee is automatically added to your bill at BC. You can't decide to use the shuttle or not and not pay.

[blessedby3]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

I think the fee is automatically added to your bill at BC. You can't decide to use the shuttle or not and not pay.

That is what had been reported, but on the thread on Orlando Attractions, they said that BC recounted that and now it will be for those actually using the shuttle...although people are now reporting on that thread that it may actually be $5 per person round trip (which could be even more...for large families). Here is a link to the thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3053538

[thornton0511]

We stayed at Bonnet Creek two years ago and drove our rental most of the week but we did take the shuttle bus a few times. It was okay but they only do drop off and pick ups at certain times and a few times we had to leave the park early because it was the only pick up time and we were not ready to leave yet. Also a few of the drivers we encountered really tried to hit up everyone on the bus for a tip and it was in an uncomfortable way. There also is a chance that the pickup bus will be full if it's the last one for the day and you have to wait for BC to contact another shuttle and that can take forever. If you have a car take it.

[aubriee]

Originally Posted by Deb & Bill

I think the fee is automatically added to your bill at BC. You can't decide to use the shuttle or not and not pay.

Originally Posted by blessedby3

That is what had been reported, but on the thread on Orlando Attractions, they said that BC recounted that and now it will be for those actually using the shuttle...although people are now reporting on that thread that it may actually be $5 per person round trip (which could be even more...for large families). Here is a link to the thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3053538

I'm staying at BC in May and booked through Vacation Strategies. A couple of weeks ago I got an email from them saying we would have to pay the $12.00/day fee (whether we used the shuttles or not) and it was a $12.00 fee per unit. Then last week we got an email saying the home owners association had backed off that and the fee would now only apply to those who used the shuttles. The latest thing on the TUG site is that instead of $12.00 per unit for those using the shuttles, is that each person will be charged $5.00 per trip. Here is a copy of the email I got from VS about it, last week (prior to the $5.00 per person rumer on TUGS):



Dear Guest:


Here is an update on the shuttle service fee sent by Richard Scinta, Resort Manager






Dear Guest:

As a result of recent feedback, the Bonnet Creek Home Owners Association has reversed the recently communicated $12 per unit / per day transportation fee at Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort. Beginning March 1, 2013, transportation fees will only be applied to individuals who use the Walt Disney World
®
Resort shuttles at the resort.

We remain committed to delivering exceptional Count On
Me! service
and creating vacation memories for you and your family and friends.

Thank you for your continued feedback and ongoing support. We look forward to your stay at the Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort.

Sincerely,
Richard
Scinta
, Resort Manager

[goofy4tink]

Originally Posted by DSLRuser

never pay to park. there are plenty of places to park for free if you are ok with a little walking.

Really? Where? I would be very interested to know.
Yes, you can head to the Boardwalk area, and park behind the Hess Station. But, that is a pretty hefty walk to save $15 or so. Sure, you can try to park at the CR and then walk to MK. But, that is not something that is sanctioned by Disney. Sure, I guess you could park at DTD and head to a park, if you want to spend at least an hour on a bus, and not get to a park for opening.

The way I see it? If you want to use free parking, then stay onsite and pay for that perk. If you want to save money and stay offsite? Fine. But you don't then get to find ways around paying to park. Disney is very good at closing loopholes. They will start finding ways to make it impossible for people to head to a resort and visit it without paying to park!

Obviously, there are going to be ways around paying to park. But, if you stop and think of the amount of time you are spending, to save $15, it may just not be worth it in the end.

If you pay to park at, say TTC, you can then leave and return, with your receipt and not pay again. Or, you can pay to park at Epcot, hold onto that receipt, and then go over to AK and park there for nothing the same day.

[bauer1168]

Originally Posted by goofy4tink

Really? Where? I would be very interested to know.
Yes, you can head to the Boardwalk area, and park behind the Hess Station. But, that is a pretty hefty walk to save $15 or so. Sure, you can try to park at the CR and then walk to MK. But, that is not something that is sanctioned by Disney. Sure, I guess you could park at DTD and head to a park, if you want to spend at least an hour on a bus, and not get to a park for opening.

The way I see it? If you want to use free parking, then stay onsite and pay for that perk. If you want to save money and stay offsite? Fine. But you don't then get to find ways around paying to park. Disney is very good at closing loopholes. They will start finding ways to make it impossible for people to head to a resort and visit it without paying to park!

Obviously, there are going to be ways around paying to park. But, if you stop and think of the amount of time you are spending, to save $15, it may just not be worth it in the end.

If you pay to park at, say TTC, you can then leave and return, with your receipt and not pay again. Or, you can pay to park at Epcot, hold onto that receipt, and then go over to AK and park there for nothing the same day.

I have seen a video on YouTube that shows a way to park at TTC for free. Seemed like a bit too much hassle in my opinion. I don't drive myself and always just use Disney transportation when staying onsite. In the past if staying offsite we have just paid at the toll booth (that the right name for it?) at the parks.
I would never EVER try to use the method in the video. Personally couldn't have it on my conscience and have Jiminy Cricket disappointed in me

[junior2431]

Is the AAA parking pass good for 1 day or for your entire stay? Thanks.

[Deb & Bill]

Originally Posted by junior2431

Is the AAA parking pass good for 1 day or for your entire stay? Thanks.

That pass doesn't give you free parking. It just gives you a preferred parking place once you enter the lot. As long as there are still spaces available. It usually has an expiration date on the parking pass.

One good way to get free parking is for one adult to purchase an annual pass. Figure up the cost for parking each day of your trip and add it to the cost of your ticket. If it is more than the cost of an AP, just get the AP instead.

[mesaboy2]

Originally Posted by bauer1168

I have seen a video on YouTube that shows a way to park at TTC for free. Seemed like a bit too much hassle in my opinion. I don't drive myself and always just use Disney transportation when staying onsite. In the past if staying offsite we have just paid at the toll booth (that the right name for it?) at the parks.
I would never EVER try to use the method in the video. Personally couldn't have it on my conscience and have Jiminy Cricket disappointed in me

I don't know what the video shows, but I know of one way that requires some extra driving. But I also could not bring myself to do that.

That said, I did show my resort reservation to the parking attendant when we arrived at MK this past Saturday morning and explained that we'd be checking in later that day. I was fully prepared to pay the $14 if he insisted, but as I've come to expect from Disney CMs he understood and happily waved me through.

[kaytieeldr]

Originally Posted by blessedby3

BC is closest to DHS, but for some reason the day I used it we headed to AK which is farther and then back to DHS. Time consuming.

The 'some reason is most likely that the DHS/AK shuttle makes a continuous loop: BC > AK > DHS > BC > AK > DHS..., both dropping off and picking up guests. Just like onsite guests complain more at the end of the day about the long waits/rides because (often) they're exhausted, BC likely is considering their own exhausted guests. Plus, the ride to someplace fun always seems shorter than the ride back.

[bauer1168]

Originally Posted by mesaboy2

I don't know what the video shows, but I know of one way that requires some extra driving. But I also could not bring myself to do that.

That said, I did show my resort reservation to the parking attendant when we arrived at MK this past Saturday morning and explained that we'd be checking in later that day. I was fully prepared to pay the $14 if he insisted, but as I've come to expect from Disney CMs he understood and happily waved me through.

I know you visit quite often, and guessing you have an AP or Local resident pass (that the correct term?), does Disney not give free parking as a benefit to pass holders? Or is it only to PAP, I'm sure I read it somewhere but can't remember where!

[mesaboy2]

Originally Posted by bauer1168

I know you visit quite often, and guessing you have an AP or Local resident pass (that the correct term?), does Disney not give free parking as a benefit to pass holders? Or is it only to PAP, I'm sure I read it somewhere but can't remember where!

I have the seasonal AP (FL residents only), which does not include parking. The regular AP and up does include parking.

[bauer1168]

Originally Posted by mesaboy2

I have the seasonal AP (FL residents only), which does not include parking. The regular AP and up does include parking.

Ah thanks!