Can I park at Downtown Dis and use the buses?

[TreeOfLife]

ilovediznee, It is not about you and I hope my comments weren't taken like that at all...

The bottomline is, you or anyone can park pretty much anywhere without worrying about getting kicked out of a Disney bus. Just pay close attention at the stops and when you're dropped off... There's always people who actually walk back to the parking lot rather than to the building.

You could be returning to your resort as a worn out standee at the end of the day, while an outsider is comfortably seated. The reason why drivers won't take the time to check who hops in and out of those buses is mystifying...

Oh well...

 

[goofyernmost]

Originally posted by TreeOfLife
The reason why drivers won't take the time to check who hops in and out of those buses is mystifying...


Can you imagine the delays that would be created if the bus driver had to check the passes of every rider that wanted to get on a WDW bus?

Disney could, if they wanted, install the same "fare boxes" used on municipal buses and issue magnetic strip passes to all that are eligible to ride. That would increase the cost of transportation considerably but eliminate the problem of "anything to save a buck" hitchhikers.

 

[Mskanga]

Whether or not you are charged to valet park, gratuities are still appropriate.

Excuse-me but I just don't see what the difference is here...you pay $8.00 ( I think that's how much it was in February ) for parking or you pay $5 for valet gratuities. I just don't get it, but in my opinion, my time is worth the $8.00 parking fee.

 

[peachgirl]

The reason why drivers won't take the time to check who hops in and out of those buses is mystifying...

What's mystifying to me is that the drivers actually explain how to work the system in order to make use of the resort transportation. It's not just a matter of they don't bother to check, they encourage it.

Meanwhile the busses are overcrowded and slow and they are reducing and cutting out routes giving mis-use of the system as their reasoning.


Let me add, my comments aren't directed at the OP either. I'm just tired of the bus problems and can't for the life of me figure out why WDW doesn't care about it.

 

[Geoff_M]

This issue, like any other number of issues at WDW (mugs, parking, transportation, pool hopping, etc.) will only be addressed once, in the eyes of Disney, the "cost" of the problem exceeds the cost of the solution.

Let's look at some of the "simple" solutions to the "off-siters parking at resorts and then using the resort buses" problem:

1) Have drivers check IDs. Cheap to implement, but it will slow boarding for all buses as some people will invariably forget to have their IDs ready upon boarding.

2) Install card readers. I'd be afraid to guess at what it would cost Disney to outfit their bus fleet with readers. Plus from observations at park turnstiles, about every 10th person will have problems... thus slowing down the loading again.

3) Tow cars without parking permits. This is the "nuclear option". You have the cost of the tow trucks and operators, plus each day there would undoubtably be a few cars where the owners forgot to leave their permit on the dash. Those cars would get towed too, and then the resort would have irate customers on their hands to deal with and the long term ill will that would be generated.

Once Disney perceives that "offs-siters" are a sufficient drag on the resort buses, only then would we be likely to see any of the above options implemented. Just like when they decided to pay for an extra CM to check IDs and wristbands at SAB or when they assign extra staff to check IDs at the resort monorails during peak holiday periods.

And as a closing thought... I would direct a good percentage of my ire in cases like this at the offending parties and not at lay the blame at the feet of WDW. That's kinda like primarily blaming Target for the actions of shoplifters that drive up costs.

 

[Lewisc]

Originally posted by Geoff_M
1) Have drivers check IDs. .

2) Install card readers.

3) Tow cars without parking permits. .

Disney doesn't want to pay any more than they have to for transportation. An expense without a lot of upside. If they reduce offsite utilitization they will (probably) reduce the number of buses.

Some non-guest use of Disney transporation is "good". Think of someone leaving AK to have dinner in AKL.

Add solution 4, charge for parking, maybe even for registered guests. Universal does this. Greatly reduces non-guest use of parking and increases security. More offsite hotels are starting to charge for parking. Parking revenue may be a way for Disney to get back some of the money they are giving back to us (discounts).

 

[GoldenOldie]

Originally posted by TreeOfLife
...I am this sure about it: It is infuriating to pay to stay onsite, get up early to stand in the bus stop and see people lining up who walk from the parking lot, rather than the hotel's lobby. The All-Stars parking lot is a free-for-all.

I know of several guests who stay offsite near Downtown Disney and then hop to the parks for free, cool as cucumbers in Disney buses.
...

Then I guess I'm one of the ones you get get irate at. Whenever I am put in one of the back buildings at the All Stars (Love Bug, Rock Inn, etc), I always drive my car to the front parking lot to catch the bus. It saves me about 15-20 minutes of walking (to the bus stop in the morning and from in the afternoon/evening).

I feel bad that you assume I am doing something underhanded. You have every right to be upset at those folks you mentioned from the DTD resorts that you knew were cheating the system. But to paint everyone with the same sweeping brush is a mistake. There are other reasons (medical, older adults, etc) why people may be getting out of cars near the bus stop and walking to the buses besides cheating the system.

 

[nowellsl]

I was thinking the same thing - on our last day at all- star music we drove to the front parking lot and parked to avoid a long walk that afternoon. We had our pass in the window.

We stayed at Courtyard by Marriott last May and several times we walked to Downtown Disney to shop. From there we rode a Disney bus to other resorts. We have annual passes and were told by several bus drivers that this was fine. (We did not leave a car at Downtown Disney) One of the drivers explained to us in the past so many people were parking at Downtown Disney and riding buses that the parking lots were filling up with the cars of park visitors (for the whole day) and the Downtown Disney patrons had no parking. That was why they eliminated buses directly to the parks. It was not so much a bus issue as a parking lot issue. Please be nice, I'm just repeating what he said!

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Mskanga
Excuse-me but I just don't see what the difference is here...you pay $8.00 ( I think that's how much it was in February ) for parking or you pay $5 for valet gratuities. I just don't get it, but in my opinion, my time is worth the $8.00 parking fee.

It is 7.00 to park. 6.00 for valet (plus gratuities). Onsite guests park free.

 

[Geoff_M]

Lewisc,

Whatever the action, if any, Disney will have to make a cost/benefit decision. As for Door #4, I think I could hear the outcry from Michigan if they announced that they were going to charge for resort parking. "I have to pay a premium price for starters to stay on-site.... AND.... now they want to soak me for more money just to self park my car in their resort lot?!?!?!" I don't think the bus problem is THAT bad to justify generating that kind of resentment. I was wrong, #4 is the "nuclear option".

 

[angey77]

For those parking at a resort and you are not a guest: usually you are given a two hour parking pass. This is in case you have a PS at Chef Mickey's, want to check out AKL, things like that. The gate attendants sometimes have a list of PSs along with names of those checking in for the day.
I have in the past seen cars towed that have long expired their two hour limit, so be forewarned. You might as well pay for the valet or park elsewhere if you fear coming back to no car.

 

[TreeOfLife]

A parking lot like the All Stars' issues no passes, to the best of my recollection.

Disney does not want to spend money checking guests at the buses, huh? Well then don't promote the transportation rights as an exclusive, onsite benefit!

It is a well known fact how easy it is for anyone staying offsite to sneak in a free ride.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

Originally posted by TreeOfLife
Again, Disney only has its drivers to blame.

I would tend to disagree with this statement.



A few things to keep in mind:

Disney discontinued the DTD/TTC & park buses to prevent people from parking at DTD and going to the parks, thus circumventing the $7.00 parking fee. ($6.00 at the time of the change) This was the most reasonable way that we could discourage "cheating" of the system. Ultimatly, there will always be some way to cheat the system...

Folks who have ultimate Park Hoppers, that include admission to a water park or DisneyQuest DO have a right to use the DTD bus, regardless of if they are staying off-site. Most often, these are guests who are using off-site shuttle buses that do not service the DTD area.

Lastly... remember... this is DISNEY. If a guest needs to get somewhere, we're going to help them. Period. That's just the Disney way.

 

[TreeOfLife]

That's just the Disney way.

Makes sense... Save $7 on parking fees to make hundreds in the parks.. Hey, better than $0!


So, folks, not to worry about staying offsite. Just park in a resort or and you'll hitch a free ride.

 

[jaysue]

Chip n Dale, you have it right - it is the Disney Way

Thanks
jaysue

 

[seashoreCM]

If there weren't so many freeloaders parking at the All Stars and taking the buses there would be fewer buses and the buses that do run will be just as crowded. So far the All Star lots have not been overcrowded. If and when the lots start to fill up, the gate guard will start issuing three hour passes.

Today's freeloaders often become next year's resort guests as well as often spend money in the resort they freeload from.

The resort monorail is monitored and ID checks are done to keep the massive crowds simply going between Magic Kingdom and TTC (MK parking) from squeezing out the resort guests.

Not having direct Downtown Disney to park buses increases the passenger volume at some resort bus stops used as connection points. It is the travel time penalty that WDW is trying to increase in order to discourage free park parking at DD.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[TreeOfLife]

Today's freeloaders often become next year's resort guests as well as often spend money in the resort they freeload from.

Are you sure about that? I'd think it opens the doors to staying offsite, knowing the same quality transportation will always be available, unrestricted... I have yet to meet someone who said he hitched free rides and then decided to stay onsite. Often they just keep looking for bargains outside, knowing it is a resource they do not have to worry about. Especially when it comes to hoping on a bus nice and early to enjoy ee, just like the guests paying top dollars will. Only they don't have passes in a room key...

Bottomline is, when Disney complains about losing earnings perhaps they should not turn to laying off employees but rather restructuring their practices and offers, not building up more reasons to make resort guests feel unimportant.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> hopping on a bus nice and early to enjoy ee [surprise mornings; early entry]

But there should be enforcement of who gets into the park early. True, some of this can be done by a bus driver or bus captain during certain hours, but it should be done at the park turnstiles.

I believe it is possible to use room keys to enforce ee privileges, using machines to read the magnetic strip.

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

With the exception of priority seating for breakfast, only Disney Resort Guests are allowed into the parks for Early Entry. Offsite guests will not be allowed into the park.

 

[Choppertester]

Each time I have stayed at a resort with a car you get a parking pass to put in the window to identify your stay. I can't remember but I believe it provides free parking at the parks too.

Maybe Disney should patrol the resort parking lots more often.

Hey, even better, start their own tow service and illegal parkers have to pay fine (equivalent to one night stay) to get the car back. LOL.

Cheers,

Chopper