Bad Tip Being Advertised!

[rigsby25]

I joined "Orlando Tips" on facebook. One of the tips was how to get free parking at the parks. They stated that parking at downtown disney and taking a bus to the parks would save money. What do you think?

 

[Tara]

Well, it is also impossible because there is no bus service from DTD to the parks anymore, probably for this very reason.

 

[DebbieB]

The busses are not only for resort guests. Bus use is included with MYW tickets. But I agree, it is dishonest. They made it more difficult by having to go from Downtown Disney to a resort to catch a park bus. So everyone else is inconvenienced who legitimately want to go from a park to Downtown Disney.

 

[Lost in Neverland]

Not to mention hard to find a parking space for those of us that go offsite for dinner and then drive to DTD for an evening of shopping. I am surprised that Disney has not started charging a nominal fee to park at DTD anyway. That would keep those that want free parking out and then if individuals staying onsite have a resort pass they park for free.But it just goes back to a few individuals think they are entitled to something for nothing regardless of if it is wrong or not.

 

[Cajun28]

Not to mention hard to find a parking space for those of us that go offsite for dinner and then drive to DTD for an evening of shopping. I am surprised that Disney has not started charging a nominal fee to park at DTD anyway. That would keep those that want free parking out and then if individuals staying onsite have a resort pass they park for free.But it just goes back to a few individuals think they are entitled to something for nothing regardless of if it is wrong or not.

I would love if Disney started charging for parking at DTD, even if it wasn't free for resort guests. As much as I hate paying for parking, finding a place to park at DTD is very frustrating, so I would be happy to pay, if that would make finding a space easier.

Having said that, I doubt seriously that Disney would ever charge for DTD parking because they wouldn't want to risk any guest not going there and spending their money.

 

[spiceycat]

hey if they want to waste and hour or more - then go for it.

you know how irregular DD buses are.

Secondly they don't start until DD officially opens - think that is what 10 am (might be 9 am) - either way the buses go to their hotels first - then DD - so it might be 9:30 am before a bus even shows up to the hotels.

then it stops twice (sometimes 3 x) at DD then it goes to TL - then the hotels.

so then they need to take a bus or boat to a park,

so you might be talking about an hour on buses to get to a park (maybe even more)

for some people it is worth it - for others - WDW time is to value to be spend on buses.

my objection was when the bus drivers were telling their guests to go to OKW (until SSR) opened. my problem with that - was when DI was there instead of SSR - they were still saying OKW.....

Disney has tried to put up signs to tell guests to go to PO instead of one of the DVC resorts. but the problem was with the bus drivers.

now with SSR being right next to DD - it is just as easy to walk over and take a bus.

Disney did away with the DD buses going directly to the parks - because business (other hotels) were dropping off their customers at DD and telling them to take the disney bus to other places.

they were losing money by not having the hotel buses using Disney parking at their parks.

don't think they have ever got upset at individuals for doing it.

 

[DebbieB]

I would love if Disney started charging for parking at DTD, even if it wasn't free for resort guests. As much as I hate paying for parking, finding a place to park at DTD is very frustrating, so I would be happy to pay, if that would make finding a space easier.

Having said that, I doubt seriously that Disney would ever charge for DTD parking because they wouldn't want to risk any guest not going there and spending their money.

They do charge out at Disneyland:

Where do I park for theDowntown Disney® District? What is the cost of the parking?

Downtown Disney® District parking is located on Disneyland Drive, between the Mickey & Friends Parking Structure and the Disneyland® Hotel.

Your first three hours of parking are FREE. An additional two hours can be validated at AMC Theatres® and at table-service dining restaurants. After that, the cost is $6 for each additional hour, charged in 20-minute increments.

Resort guests are not an issue because Downtown Disney is within walking distance of all 3 Disneyland hotels, so there would be no reason for a resort guest to park there.

 

[dianeschlicht]

I would love if Disney started charging for parking at DTD, even if it wasn't free for resort guests. As much as I hate paying for parking, finding a place to park at DTD is very frustrating, so I would be happy to pay, if that would make finding a space easier.

Having said that, I doubt seriously that Disney would ever charge for DTD parking because they wouldn't want to risk any guest not going there and spending their money.

I totally agree. I would welcome parking meters in DTD! When we want to run over for a dinner or shopping, we'd love to know we can find a parking place without driving around for half an hour!

Taking the bus to DTD from the parks or the resorts is not the most convenient thing either. I'm sure it's one of the reasons SSR buses have some issues with folks doing just that...parking at DTD and taking the buses. I'm sure word is out that SSR buses are quicker to the parks than DTD buses.

 

[Tiger926]

Interesting thread, since as mentioned, there are no direct busses from DTD to the parks - they stopped this awhile ago, and so you have to take to a resort, then a park.

I would not be joining any tip group that gave out false info. A tip group should have the best and most accurate info, but as with many things on the Internet, we see that's not the case!

It is dishonest to do what they are suggesting, even if they mean to take the bus to a resort and then to a park. But, if they are speaking about direct service, there is no such thing anyway.

Tiger

 

[Nikisha421]

cheap skates will always be cheap skates...I think that most ppl will always try to save a dime here or there...wheather the way they try to save their dime is pricless or wasted time is for them to decide...

 

[Chuck S]

I'd be fully onboard with Disney charging to park at DtD, with some exceptions.


They could charge, with 3 hours free. It would be difficult for anyone to get to/from a park in 3 hours. Annual Pass Holders and onsite guests would not be charged.

After all, for many shopping malls, even with a shopping dining or movie validation, you only get 2 hour free.

 

[dvc_john]

IIRC, at DtD in California, they charge for parking. They do give you 3 hours (I think) free, and an additional 2 hours with validation from a DtD restaurant or movie theater.

 

[dianeschlicht]

IIRC, at DtD in California, they charge for parking. They do give you 3 hours (I think) free, and an additional 2 hours with validation from a DtD restaurant or movie theater.

That sounds perfect! I'm never there more than 3 hours anyway unless I'm going to Circque, and then I can always take the bus if I think I'm going to be longer than that.

 

[Daddio]

I am not looking to stir it up, but I can honestly say that it never takes me more than 10 minutes to find a parking spot at DTD, regardless of how busy it is.

The turnover is very heavy and all you need is patience. I venture to assume that the frustration levels most people feel make 10 minutes feel like a half hour but in reality it is not (or has never been for me). Tha said, I may be a bit more agressive than some

David

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I am not looking to stir it up, but I can honestly say that it never takes me more than 10 minutes to find a parking spot at DTD, regardless of how busy it is.

The turnover is very heavy and all you need is patience. I venture to assume that the frustration levels most people feel make 10 minutes feel like a half hour but in reality it is not (or has never been for me). Tha said, I may be a bit more agressive than some

David

Just my opinion, but 10 minutes is a looooooong time to be driving around looking for a parking space.

MG

 

[Dizny Dad]

Not to highjack a thread, but the biggest problem I see with staying at Congress Park in SSR is the number of peolpe that want to go to DTD or have parked there and used the SSR busses for their park transportation.

I have many times directed people to DTD or had them ask me along the path between SSR and DTD where to go. Obviously they were not guests at SSR. I have never withheld information and a Disney spirited smile, but I sometimes dream of telling them wrong directions and (oh, what's that dear . . . . . yes dear) ah, never mind.

 

[toocherie]

I think it's really bad that people park for 'FREE' at DTD and then walk over to use the SSR busses. The busses can be crowded enough with resort guests, let alone adding on additional people.