Apparently it is stealing now to park at Springs to take a bus to the resorts?

[Robbie Cottam]

How? Pocketing it himself? The guards have no means to charge for parking at their gates

scanning a MB.... those scanner can charge linked cc

or did you not know that

 

[Mrs.AMC]

scanning a MB.... those scanner can charge linked cc

or did you not know that

I do but you aren't required to have a cc attached to a MB
that's voluntary

 

[raidermatt]

With regard to resort parking, I think the issue is Disney's concern varies depending on location and how busy that resort is at a given time. So they keep their policy vague and apply different rules at different times. Officially, it says this:

Day Guests
Complimentary standard self-parking is available while enjoying select dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreation experiences at Disney Resort hotels.

Given that policy, being turned away or charged could be a significant source of frustration for even the most well-intentioned guest, so that's probably why they only do it when they think its necessary. But of course that inconsistency creates issues in and of itself.

Which is why they don't care if some guests help to mitigate those issues by parking at Disney Springs. I suppose if doing that ever creates any significant issues they will change the policy or start charging for parking at DS. Until then, or unless there is a sign or something somewhere I have missed, park away.

 

[fla4fun]

I would not consider parking at DS to access a resort to be an issue at all. There are some park adjacent resorts that are extremely strict about who gets into the resort parking lot. Whether it is more ethical to try to park at the resort before heading to DS is a gray area. Personally, I would probably try the resort first unless I planned on doing some shopping at DS when I returned. I haven’t seen anything in Disney’s policies that prohibits it, and parking at the resorts for day guests, when available, is also complimentary. You aren’t dodging a parking fee if all you are doing is going to a resort. Some resorts cannot be accessed from a park without using Disney transportation, so it really doesn’t make sense from a bus crowding standpoint to make someone park at a theme park to go to Sanaa for dinner instead of them parking at DS. Using DS to avoid theme park parking is a different issue so far as I am concerned, as day guests are supposed to pay a fee to park when going to the theme parks.

Disney’s policies can be changed without notice, so I am sure if the resort guests are being inconvenienced by day guests to a degree that it affects resort revenue, Disney would make any changes they felt were appropriate. I can remember a time when you had to show a resort ID or a ticket with transportation included (or buy a separate transportation ticket) to use the bus system. I can also recall when day guests were given time limited parking permits to park at resorts for meals, to discourage them from parking to go to the parks. So there is precedent if they choose to go that route at any time in the future.

I do wish there was a set policy for parking at a resort when dining or shopping there, so we did not have to rely on getting the “right” guard to let us in, but I figure Disney wants to keep it as loose as possible, so they have the option of allowing people in when it’s slow and blocking them when it’s busy. It does make it tough when you have a 6:00 ADR and you don’t know if you should head to the hotel in your car at 5:30, or head to DS at 4:00 to allow for that possible 90 minutes of travel time.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

I would not consider parking at DS to access a resort to be an issue at all. There are some park adjacent resorts that are extremely strict about who gets into the resort parking lot. Whether it is more ethical to try to park at the resort before heading to DS is a gray area. Personally, I would probably try the resort first unless I planned on doing some shopping at DS when I returned. I haven’t seen anything in Disney’s policies that prohibits it, and parking at the resorts for day guests, when available, is also complimentary. You aren’t dodging a parking fee if all you are doing is going to a resort. Some resorts cannot be accessed from a park without using Disney transportation, so it really doesn’t make sense from a bus crowding standpoint to make someone park at a theme park to go to Sanaa for dinner instead of them parking at DS. Using DS to avoid theme park parking is a different issue so far as I am concerned, as day guests are supposed to pay a fee to park when going to the theme parks.

Disney’s policies can be changed without notice, so I am sure if the resort guests are being inconvenienced by day guests to a degree that it affects resort revenue, Disney would make any changes they felt were appropriate. I can remember a time when you had to show a resort ID or a ticket with transportation included (or buy a separate transportation ticket) to use the bus system. I can also recall when day guests were given time limited parking permits to park at resorts for meals, to discourage them from parking to go to the parks. So there is precedent if they choose to go that route at any time in the future.

I do wish there was a set policy for parking at a resort when dining or shopping there, so we did not have to rely on getting the “right” guard to let us in, but I figure Disney wants to keep it as loose as possible, so they have the option of allowing people in when it’s slow and blocking them when it’s busy. It does make it tough when you have a 6:00 ADR and you don’t know if you should head to the hotel in your car at 5:30, or head to DS at 4:00 to allow for that possible 90 minutes of travel time.

There is a set policy in place for people with reservations. If you have an ADR you are allowed to park at that resort for your ADR. It's those without any reservations that are in limbo

 

[edna mode]

We recently went to Ohana for dinner from a different resort. We were told by the CM to take the bus to DS have our friends who are locals meet us there to visit and walk around then to head to the resort for the reservation. They told us to make sure to take the monorail around and see all the resorts then we would need to return to DS to get back to our resort. Later, our friends booked a stay at one of the hotels they spotted on the bus ride and decided to go to Typhoon Lagoon .

So, according to their own suggestions this is allowed and it was a marketing tool for everyone to see what is available. We spent money in 4 different ways - DS, Ohana, bought something at GF and booking an additional resort and park spotted on the ride. This is exactly the opposite of stealing and we were told to do it by a CM (manager).

 

[CamillaF]

While I think "stealing" might be the wrong word to use here, I can understand the Mod's position. Doing this is not something that Disney approves of and promoting the way around it isn't in the best interests of everybody else. Abuse of a loophole quickly gets that loophole closed.

FYIW, I'm a Mod/Admin on a couple of DIS associated FB pages.

How do you know that Disney does not approve of this? It seems like you are making assumptions.

 

[brockash]

How do you know that Disney does not approve of this? It seems like you are making assumptions.

Totally agree and unfortunately some ppl. make these kind of assumptions often. The biggest issue though is when ppl. with a perceived leadership role or position of "power" makes these assumptions and puts them out there as "fact" as it really takes advantage of those with lesser knowledge or those who doubt their own experiences or thoughts due to that "leadership" role.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

What loophole?
Disney approves of folks using their buses
They state that any and all are welcome to use their buses
So I'm not sure what you are talking about.

 

[keishashadow]

Has this changed? in the last year I've been able to pull up to the guard shack at the Poly and say I wanted to eat at Captain Cooks and have been allowed in.

I’ve seen cars turned around at guardhouse at both AKL & CR/BLT in two different trips over the last month. Either you are very convincing or lucky

When they do have posted signs at resort guardhouses (currently) stating parking is only for registered guests or those with confirmed dining reservations…it can’t be any clearer.

Additionally, noticed yesterday when using mobile ordering for a quick snack at CR contempo, a pop up appeared on screen that It was available to only registered guests

Conversely, after long Epcot today, wanted dole whips. Party night, so headed for the poly. On monorail back, jr decided he needed chicken nuggets (as only kids portion at CR for some reason?). No such resort guest only advisory appeared on the order screen for captain cooks

 

[Genie+]

I’ll start with WDW has not made the issue clear, so really nobody can claim it’s most certainly against the rules or that WDW is silently against it. We don’t know. All we know for sure is that it currently is being tolerated.

DVC dues share a good amount of transportation costs around the resort. Riviera is responsible for paying into Skyliner operations. Poly, GF and BLT chips in for Monorail and boats. All DVC resorts pay something to buses depending how reliant they are on that mode of transportation. There’s more though that’s the gist of it.

So maybe the FB mod owns many DVC contracts and is worried about the extra $.002pp to pay each year that covers all riders traveling around without otherwise paying more than a Dolewhip? I’d wait for it to matter at least $.02pp lol but WDW would surely be on top of it before popularity soared to cause any such increase. If it truly burdened the system, Bob C would have no qualms tying it into MB+s or MDE. Complimentary anything upsets Bob’s stomach.

 

[Kestryl]

I’m sorry, but expecting people to pay $25 to park at a park and then bus hop to a resort it insane. I’m not paying $25 just to walk to the front to catch a bus to go to a resort to pay for and pick up quick service dinner or a few drinks. I may as well go to CityWalk.

Besides, we should be encouraging public transport as much as possible.

 

[AprilsZoo]

Is there a policy somewhere that states Disney does not approve of this? I know its the case regarding the parks, but everything I have seen is specific to the parks.

Funny thing… when we were there over the past 2 weeks, more than once we heard CMs (bus drivers, security personnel, & others) suggest that the way to get around the parks’ parking fees, was to park at DS and use the busses, monorail, & skyliner to get to the parks via the various resorts.
The bus drivers in particular said that it was completely kosher to do so. I commented that surely there must be a time limit and some “validation” needed —stamp, punch, receipt… — like there is at DLR (iirc it’s a 5 hr. limit at DD and you must have a receipt or show a dining ressie or something… I‘ve never parked there so I’m going by memory of what I read on the sign at the parking entrance. I know there is some checks and limits to keep park-goers out.) Nope… two separate bus drivers said there’s nothing to keep anyone from parking at DS for free and heading to the parks— besides the hassle factor. Apparently, the whole reason that there are no direct routes to the parks from DS is to discourage people from doing that. According to the drivers, it mostly works. They said surprisingly few guests are willing to deal with the extra transfers and time it takes. I mean, I know I wouldn’t want the hassle, especially not when I’ve got my scooter or powerchair.

On another occasion, the topic came up while chatting with the security guard at Epcot at the end of the night waiting on a wheelchair taxi (NOT an easy thing to manage, btw… but I digress). There were about 6 or 7 groups waiting for taxis, one of which indicated they were parked @ DS, and they didn’t want to do the “bus shuffle”, I think they called it.
The guard said he didn’t blame them, although with the slow dispatch response from Mears he told them it might well be faster. We sat chatting for another 20+ minutes before the guard finally got through to a dispatcher at Mears and stressed how many people were waiting on cabs including regular vans and wheelchair vans. He also expressed his surprise that more people don’t park at DS to go to the parks. He thought the extra transportation time was well spent to avoid the “outrageous parking fees they’re charging now.” (his words) He especially thought the “preferred” parking was a rip off, and couldn’t understand why anyone would pay that much to park a little closer, especially now that trams are running again. (I can’t really say whether has right on that, since we never parked there or even saw what the difference would be between the two.)

Anyway, I think it’s perfectly fine to park at DS to take Disney transportation & go and spend money eating and shopping outside of the parks whether at DS or a resort. Disney has taken away any options to park at the resorts if you aren’t registered or have an ADR there (and people have even had to argue to get in for their ADRs sometimes).
So Disney says, “Come, visit the resorts… shop, have a meal, or snack, or dessert … We’ll even get you from place to place so you can look around and enjoy the various activities, both free & paid…” If, as a pp said, DS parking is only for DS customers, and resort parking is for resort guests, it follows that parking at the theme parks is for people going into the parks. Where then are resort hoppers supposed to park if they aren’t staying on-site?

 

[Lewisc]

I have no idea if the OP had previous issues with the moderator. BUT I can't imagine the group offers enough value to put up with that level of moderation.

What is sometimes assumed by the reader or implied by post is a desire to ride the skyliner to a park. Avoid paying for parking and riding the skyliner.

I don't know of any rule against parking at DS then visiting resorts. I don't see any value dealing with a moderator who invents rules.

That said buses from DS to resorts aren't very good. Id park at POP or AoA. If asked just say you're getting a bite to eat and want look at the resort for a future stay

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

I don’t think it’s stealing, but I do think it is skeezy.

 

[karen4546]

We recently went to Ohana for dinner from a different resort. We were told by the CM to take the bus to DS have our friends who are locals meet us there to visit and walk around then to head to the resort for the reservation. They told us to make sure to take the monorail around and see all the resorts then we would need to return to DS to get back to our resort. Later, our friends booked a stay at one of the hotels they spotted on the bus ride and decided to go to Typhoon Lagoon .

So, according to their own suggestions this is allowed and it was a marketing tool for everyone to see what is available. We spent money in 4 different ways - DS, Ohana, bought something at GF and booking an additional resort and park spotted on the ride. This is exactly the opposite of stealing and we were told to do it by a CM (manager).

Personally, if I had to use Disney transportation from a non monorail resort to the Polynesian, I would take a bus to MK then the monorail to The Polynesian.

I have seen one particular YouTuberpark at the GF have breakfast at GF cafe and spend the ENTIRE day at MK and not be staying Insite at all- locals.

If you are visiting DS and decide you want
To monorail/skyliner crawl then I see no issues in that. I mean it is your time and money.

I do believe they will start charging to park at DS- as a result of situations like this? No, because it Is revenue.

Edit to add:
I read somewhere where people were parking at DS and going to resorts to use the pools. They are locals. Of course they couldn’t do this at BC but in particular SS and one person even spent the entire day at Kidani so her kids could enjoy the splash pad and then went to Mara for lunch and stayed for the pool games and movie under the stars.

 

[sam_gordon]

I’ll start with WDW has not made the issue clear, so really nobody can claim it’s most certainly against the rules or that WDW is silently against it. We don’t know. All we know for sure is that it currently is being tolerated.

DVC dues share a good amount of transportation costs around the resort. Riviera is responsible for paying into Skyliner operations. Poly, GF and BLT chips in for Monorail and boats. All DVC resorts pay something to buses depending how reliant they are on that mode of transportation. There’s more though that’s the gist of it.

So maybe the FB mod owns many DVC contracts and is worried about the extra $.002pp to pay each year that covers all riders traveling around without otherwise paying more than a Dolewhip? I’d wait for it to matter at least $.02pp lol but WDW would surely be on top of it before popularity soared to cause any such increase. If it truly burdened the system, Bob C would have no qualms tying it into MB+s or MDE. Complimentary anything upsets Bob’s stomach.

I'm guessing you're trying to be humorous, but ALL Disney guests, whether staying onsite, DVC, offsite, or local pay for use of transportation (bus, monorail, boat). It's wrapped up in ticket prices, resort prices meal prices, everything.

 

[sam_gordon]

Funny thing… when we were there over the past 2 weeks, more than once we heard CMs (bus drivers, security personnel, & others) suggest that the way to get around the parks’ parking fees, was to park at DS and use the busses, monorail, & skyliner to get to the parks via the various resorts.
The bus drivers in particular said that it was completely kosher to do so. I commented that surely there must be a time limit and some “validation” needed —stamp, punch, receipt… — like there is at DLR (iirc it’s a 5 hr. limit at DD and you must have a receipt or show a dining ressie or something… I‘ve never parked there so I’m going by memory of what I read on the sign at the parking entrance. I know there is some checks and limits to keep park-goers out.) Nope… two separate bus drivers said there’s nothing to keep anyone from parking at DS for free and heading to the parks— besides the hassle factor. Apparently, the whole reason that there are no direct routes to the parks from DS is to discourage people from doing that. According to the drivers, it mostly works. They said surprisingly few guests are willing to deal with the extra transfers and time it takes. I mean, I know I wouldn’t want the hassle, especially not when I’ve got my scooter or powerchair.

On another occasion, the topic came up while chatting with the security guard at Epcot at the end of the night waiting on a wheelchair taxi (NOT an easy thing to manage, btw… but I digress). There were about 6 or 7 groups waiting for taxis, one of which indicated they were parked @ DS, and they didn’t want to do the “bus shuffle”, I think they called it.
The guard said he didn’t blame them, although with the slow dispatch response from Mears he told them it might well be faster. We sat chatting for another 20+ minutes before the guard finally got through to a dispatcher at Mears and stressed how many people were waiting on cabs including regular vans and wheelchair vans. He also expressed his surprise that more people don’t park at DS to go to the parks. He thought the extra transportation time was well spent to avoid the “outrageous parking fees they’re charging now.” (his words) He especially thought the “preferred” parking was a rip off, and couldn’t understand why anyone would pay that much to park a little closer, especially now that trams are running again. (I can’t really say whether has right on that, since we never parked there or even saw what the difference would be between the two.)

Anyway, I think it’s perfectly fine to park at DS to take Disney transportation & go and spend money eating and shopping outside of the parks whether at DS or a resort. Disney has taken away any options to park at the resorts if you aren’t registered or have an ADR there (and people have even had to argue to get in for their ADRs sometimes).
So Disney says, “Come, visit the resorts… shop, have a meal, or snack, or dessert … We’ll even get you from place to place so you can look around and enjoy the various activities, both free & paid…” If, as a pp said, DS parking is only for DS customers, and resort parking is for resort guests, it follows that parking at the theme parks is for people going into the parks. Where then are resort hoppers supposed to park if they aren’t staying on-site?

There is no rule about parking at DS and going to a park. Disney transportation can be used by any guest anywhere on property. Yes, Disney makes parking at DS a hassle, but they don't "outlaw" it.

 

[Miffy]

I'm waiting for a poster to propose that WDW start charging for their buses, boats, monorails, and Skyliner, since (a) that's something that don't already charge for and (b) I've noticed a trend on the DIS of posters encouraging WDW to charge for things and/or charge more for things.

It seems weird to me since the DIS has been, in the past, anyway, the place to come to find out how to save money on a WDW vacation.

 

[Matt'sMom]

We frequently park at the Springs and will take a boat ride over to Port Orleans to shop and pick up freshly made beignets. We do not hop to a theme park, and we do also typically shop around Disney Springs while we are there (but not always). I do not consider that to be stealing, not in the least. If someone is parking at the Springs garages and then taking Disney transportation to a resort where they intend to spend money on food &/or merchandise, then where is the harm? Completely different matter from someone trying to work the system to avoid paying the associated lot fees even though they will be spending their day in the theme parks.