Checking in with annual pass... parking $?? - The DIS Discussion Forums

BabyBelle1 · 07-14-2012, 11:03 PM

I assume that when I check in, I'll need to have activated my annual pass first, since I have an AP discount.

Is it only possible to activate it at the parks??
If so, do I have to, first, pay to park at Universal, activate the pass and then drive back to PBH to check in??
Does anyone know a way around having to pay to park to do this?

Park at the hotel, take the boat to US, activate the pass & boat back??
Ugh... sounds like a pain in the rear worth forking over $15!!

Anyone know a better way than that??

Thanks!!

macraven · 07-14-2012, 11:59 PM

eh, it's $17 + tax to park at the hotel.

might as well park at the hotel and activate your voucher to the ap in the parks.

why pay for parking at the garage and then pay a nightly charge of parking at the hotel.

the other way, if you have two drivers is to drop you off at the parks.
go and activate your ap.

have the driver return to pick you up at the pick up location in city walk...
use cell phones to connect with each other.

it's probably easier to do the parking at the hotel and then go to the parks to activate the ap.

why not park at hrh to go to the parks for activating your ap then move the car to pbh.

if the reason you are activating your ap for the hotel you are staying in, just show them your voucher and you will show your ap once you hit the parks later that day.

as long as you show your ap during your hotel stay, your rate will stay at the ap rate you booked with.

bumbershoot · 07-15-2012, 02:56 AM

"as long as you show your ap during your hotel stay, your rate will stay at the ap rate you booked with."

Yep. They understand that many people check in before they have it in hand, and they'll let you know when they need to see it.

Bluer101 · 07-15-2012, 07:51 AM

From the sound of it, I hope you don't think you get free parking with the AP at the hotels. It's $17 plus tax for self parking each night stay at the 3 onsite hotels. The AP let's you park in the theme park parking garages for free after AP activation.

Also you cannot overnight park in the garages to get the free parking.

Like everyone else said, you don't need the AP activated or really in hand at checkin. You can show your voucher or later show the real AP. Heck, sometimes they don't even ask. But I would always make sure you have the AP just in case. If you cannot produce the proper AP you will be charged the highest rack rate avalible.

damo · 07-15-2012, 08:35 AM

Like everyone has said, no need to activate the pass for check in! You'll be fine. I'd be surprised if they even asked to see it.

BabyBelle1 · 07-15-2012, 12:17 PM

Thanks, everyone!!

I didn't know they would allow us to check in without the actual pass in hand, so that's great!! Yay!!

I assumed there would be an automatic charge for parking at the resort, I just didn't want to have to pay to park 2x

Won't be long now!!!

hsmamato2 · 07-27-2012, 11:56 AM

parking isn't free at onsite hotels? what??? is this for real?!?

Bluer101 · 07-27-2012, 12:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hsmamato2

parking isn't free at onsite hotels? what??? is this for real?!?

Nope, it's $17 plus tax per night for self parking.

RMulieri · 07-27-2012, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hsmamato2

parking isn't free at onsite hotels? what??? is this for real?!?

No its not, and its not unusal.Many cities and destinations charge for parking nightly regardless of whether you are a resort guest.Washington DC wanted $40 a night, NYC $20-35 a night.The hotels are run by LOEWS , and LOEWS charges parking.Disney charges parking too, they just build it into resort rates and call it a "free perk"

Rip · 07-27-2012, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RMulieri

No its not, and its not unusal.Many cities and destinations charge for parking nightly regardless of whether you are a resort guest.Washington DC wanted $40 a night, NYC $20-35 a night.The hotels are run by LOEWS , and LOEWS charges parking.Disney charges parking too, they just build it into resort rates and call it a "free perk"

This. It always surprises me that people think any decent hotel has free parking. The only ones I'm aware of that do are casino resorts, for obvious reasons. Disney builds theirs into everyone's room fee, so you're paying for other people to park if you happen to be there without a vehicle. The Swan and Dolphin charge extra for parking since they are not Disney owned, and this is why Disney doesn't let non-resort guests park at the resorts. As you said, the hotels at UO aren't owned by UO, they are owned by Loew's (RPR and PBH) and the Seminole Indian tribe (HRH - which is only managed by Loew's).

hsmamato2 · 07-27-2012, 01:16 PM

IDK...that seems outrageous,on top of the very high room rates...I know,why complain,it's vacation,right?

I live very near Boston and NYC,so I'm used to avoiding those parking fees...... either taking a train/subway or finding one of many good hotels that have free parking....hmmmm,now to weigh options, I think it might still be cheaper to rent a car than to pay for a shuttle for 4 people...we have to get from the airport-Universal-Disney....hmmmmglad I found out ahead of time! oh, how lucky I am to have this decision to make....I know,I am!

Rip · 07-27-2012, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hsmamato2

IDK...that seems outrageous,on top of the very high room rates...I know,why complain,it's vacation,right?

I live very near Boston and NYC,so I'm used to avoiding those parking fees...... either taking a train/subway or finding one of many good hotels that have free parking....hmmmm,now to weigh options, I think it might still be cheaper to rent a car than to pay for a shuttle for 4 people...we have to get from the airport-Universal-Disney....hmmmmglad I found out ahead of time! oh, how lucky I am to have this decision to make....I know,I am!

I just don't understand why it seems outrageous given that it's pretty much an industry standard. Sure, I'd prefer not to have to pay it, but outside of Disney (where everyone pays it regardless) or a casino (where most of the casino patrons aren't guests), it's just pretty rare for an upscale hotel to offer free parking.

JessicaR · 07-27-2012, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rip

I just don't understand why it seems outrageous given that it's pretty much an industry standard. Sure, I'd prefer not to have to pay it, but outside of Disney (where everyone pays it regardless) or a casino (where most of the casino patrons aren't guests), it's just pretty rare for an upscale hotel to offer free parking.

Just wanted to mention that we frequent Atlantic City often and the hotels do charge for parking. So, even where you're likely to lose your $ you're still paying to park!

I hear Vegas is even starting to follow suit.

It isn't new that people get upset when they hear about the parking charges. They should just consider building the price into the room rate like Disney does since that's the comparison.

NYC and Boston, Chicago and many other large cities where parking is at a premium charges much higher rates than Universal.

07-14-2012, 11:03 PM	#1
BabyBelle1 Earning My Ears Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 22	Checking in with annual pass... parking $?? I assume that when I check in, I'll need to have activated my annual pass first, since I have an AP discount. Is it only possible to activate it at the parks?? If so, do I have to, first, pay to park at Universal, activate the pass and then drive back to PBH to check in?? Does anyone know a way around having to pay to park to do this? Park at the hotel, take the boat to US, activate the pass & boat back?? Ugh... sounds like a pain in the rear worth forking over $15!! Anyone know a better way than that?? Thanks!! __________________ 1 in 88... 2 are mine 1995 - Dixie Landings aka Port Orleans Riverside 1997 - Grand Floridian 2000 - Polynesian 2002 - All Star Movies 2006 - Wilderness Lodge/Boardwalk Villas 2006 - Wilderness Lodge Villas 2009 - Pop Century 2011 - Polynesian 2012 - Portofino Bay/Contemporary

07-14-2012, 11:59 PM	#2
macraven Proud Redhead Has the longest test on record I’m a Universal Homie Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: between milwaukee and chicago (in Tom Felton's house) Posts: 52,071	eh, it's $17 + tax to park at the hotel. might as well park at the hotel and activate your voucher to the ap in the parks. why pay for parking at the garage and then pay a nightly charge of parking at the hotel. the other way, if you have two drivers is to drop you off at the parks. go and activate your ap. have the driver return to pick you up at the pick up location in city walk... use cell phones to connect with each other. it's probably easier to do the parking at the hotel and then go to the parks to activate the ap. why not park at hrh to go to the parks for activating your ap then move the car to pbh. if the reason you are activating your ap for the hotel you are staying in, just show them your voucher and you will show your ap once you hit the parks later that day. as long as you show your ap during your hotel stay, your rate will stay at the ap rate you booked with. __________________ *life is what happens to you on your way to achieving your dreams...........*

07-15-2012, 02:56 AM	#3
bumbershoot DIS Veteran Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tacoma WA Posts: 37,048	"as long as you show your ap during your hotel stay, your rate will stay at the ap rate you booked with." Yep. They understand that many people check in before they have it in hand, and they'll let you know when they need to see it. __________________ -molly + robert + eamon (8) DLR 7,9,12 2012 Universal Feb '12 DLR Dec '11 and Feb '12 WDW 1.0 WDW 2.0 pretrip and trip DLR '05-'09 found within this link feb 2013 cruise & WDW 3.0 TOT 10-miler in Oct '13//halfmarathon and mother-son5K in Jan '14 pre-TR

07-15-2012, 07:51 AM	#4
Bluer101 Waiting till vacation comes! Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: South Florida Posts: 2,703	From the sound of it, I hope you don't think you get free parking with the AP at the hotels. It's $17 plus tax for self parking each night stay at the 3 onsite hotels. The AP let's you park in the theme park parking garages for free after AP activation. Also you cannot overnight park in the garages to get the free parking. Like everyone else said, you don't need the AP activated or really in hand at checkin. You can show your voucher or later show the real AP. Heck, sometimes they don't even ask. But I would always make sure you have the AP just in case. If you cannot produce the proper AP you will be charged the highest rack rate avalible. __________________ 7/6/08-7/12/08 RPR* 9/12/08-9/14/08 RPR* 12/13/08-12/14/08 RPR* 2/6/09-02/9/09 RPR* 7/3/09-7/10/09 RPR* 12/3/09-12/6/09 RPR 7/2/10-7/9/10 RPR 05/25/11-05/31/11 RPR* 12/1/11-12/5/11 RPR* 06/30/12-7/8/12 RPR* 12/6/12-12/9/12 RPR* 2/15/13-2/17/13 RPR* 4/12/13-4/14/13 RPR* 6/29/13-7/7/13 RPR* Making plans for next trip within next month or two!

07-15-2012, 12:17 PM	#6
BabyBelle1 Earning My Ears Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Shreveport, Louisiana Posts: 22	Thanks, everyone!! I didn't know they would allow us to check in without the actual pass in hand, so that's great!! Yay!! I assumed there would be an automatic charge for parking at the resort, I just didn't want to have to pay to park 2x Won't be long now!!! __________________ 1 in 88... 2 are mine 1995 - Dixie Landings aka Port Orleans Riverside 1997 - Grand Floridian 2000 - Polynesian 2002 - All Star Movies 2006 - Wilderness Lodge/Boardwalk Villas 2006 - Wilderness Lodge Villas 2009 - Pop Century 2011 - Polynesian 2012 - Portofino Bay/Contemporary

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07-15-2012, 08:35 AM	#5
damo Proud Redhead amok amok amok The curly haired dude said he wouldn't be joining me this vacation! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hagrid's hut Posts: 26,170	Like everyone has said, no need to activate the pass for check in! You'll be fine. I'd be surprised if they even asked to see it.

07-27-2012, 11:56 AM	#7
hsmamato2 Tink in Training-Good Girl,Bad temper Little house on the prairie was the HEIGHT of t.v Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,690	parking isn't free at onsite hotels? what??? is this for real?!?

07-27-2012, 01:16 PM	#11
hsmamato2 Tink in Training-Good Girl,Bad temper Little house on the prairie was the HEIGHT of t.v Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 4,690	IDK...that seems outrageous,on top of the very high room rates...I know,why complain,it's vacation,right? I live very near Boston and NYC,so I'm used to avoiding those parking fees...... either taking a train/subway or finding one of many good hotels that have free parking....hmmmm,now to weigh options, I think it might still be cheaper to rent a car than to pay for a shuttle for 4 people...we have to get from the airport-Universal-Disney....hmmmmglad I found out ahead of time! oh, how lucky I am to have this decision to make....I know,I am!

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