Can we park at other Disney Resorts? Guard at Contemporary says no

[eelvira]

OP here again. Remember that he said that I couldn't park there before I said anything. I could have been trying to CHECK-IN to the CR! That's not the welcome you would expect to receive when coming in. I did have all my luggage in my SUV as I was driving back home that afternoon. So I could have been just someone coming in for the first time. He needs to chill.

Eric

 

[safetymom]

I agree that the guard was very rude and not very Disney like. You are right he didn't know why you were at the gate. He should have been friendly and asked. Then if it was for a PS he should have told you what the "rules" were concerning parking at the CR.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Theres just no excuse for that. I hope you write to the manager. Even without a name the time and day should be enough.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We have a 7am PS at Chef Mickey's this Saturday....

I hope they don't give us grief for trying to park. If they do then they either need to offer earlier busses or offer a free shuttle service.

 

[MiaSRN62]

and saw many people getting out of their cars and putting Santa hats on and walking over to MK. They were parking at the Contemporary for the convenience to MK.

Well, I agree....this particular scenario is ridiculous (but I also don't think it's specifically that common). I think the guards should pay special attention to nights when there are special after-hour events. But the OP (and others, myself included) have had PS at the Contemp. GUESTS like us should be given the option of parking in the far end of the lot (3 hour limit) or valet. If your name is on a list to dine at the resort it's just plain nuts to make someone park offsite imho. There has to be a happy medium so that all guests are kept happy.

If they do then they either need to offer earlier busses or offer a free shuttle service.

Yep....they'd have to do shuttles from the TTC for offsite guests too.

 

[beattyfamily]

Well, I agree....this particular scenario is ridiculous (but I also don't think it's specifically that common). I think the guards should pay special attention to nights when there are special after-hour events. But the OP (and others, myself included) have had PS at the Contemp. GUESTS like us should be given the option of parking in the far end of the lot (3 hour limit) or valet.

I disagree and believe it's more common than you think. Party nights and early mornings at the Contemporary are when the guards should pay special attention but they don't always, unfortunately. There have been many threads where people tell other people their 'tip' about parking at the Contemporary to go to MVMCP and MNSSHP. All you have to do is go to the MVMCP thread that is stuck on the Theme Parks Board and there is at least one poster who suggested this tip and I, of course, replied to her discouraging other to use this 'tip'. I also saw it happen with my own eyes. I've stayed there 3 times and two of the 3 times were to attend MVMCP and MNSSHP (cause it's SO convenient getting back at the end) and both times we saw the abuse. I'm going again next Nov/Dec for MVMCP and I'll bet you just about anything I'll see it again.

I never said guests shouldn't park at the Contemporary for dining or shopping. I just want to be able to park my car when I stay there and not have to valet park because all the spots are taken. I want the guards to politely enforce the 3 hour limit and discourage special evening event goers to park there.

 

[tjmw2727]

Well, I agree....this particular scenario is ridiculous (but I also don't think it's specifically that common). I think the guards should pay special attention to nights when there are special after-hour events. But the OP (and others, myself included) have had PS at the Contemp. GUESTS like us should be given the option of parking in the far end of the lot (3 hour limit) or valet. If your name is on a list to dine at the resort it's just plain nuts to make someone park offsite imho. There has to be a happy medium so that all guests are kept happy.

Yep....they'd have to do shuttles from the TTC for offsite guests too.

You would be surprised, we stay at the CR often and see it every day! Many mornings while walking to the MK I have overheard lots of families 'bragging" to each other what a great idea that was.

I totally agree that the OP should have been able to park for the PS with the 3 hour pass and the guard was rude = no excuse for that. I think the parking lot is large enough to hold resort guests and the typical amount of other guests - ie shoppers or diners if they do enforce the 3 hour pass.

I do cringe everytime we try and park at the CR while guests of the resort. I also hope they will continue to allow the 3 hours for ps and other visits. We make CM's at least once even when staying at another resort, if we can't park at CR we will choose another option.

IMHO if they enforce the towing restriction it won't take long before the abusers get the message. Maybe even tow cars over the 3 hour limit to the TTC - approprate parking for those who are not supposed to be parked at the CR anyway.

TJ

 

[crisi]

I also think its common. And I don't think three hours discourages it. The Poly and the GF have the same issue.


When my kids were little we often did our park time from 9-12. Then maybe again from 4-7. Three hours is a lot of park time. On the other hand, providing a list of people with PSs at the parking gate and not providing entrance unless you are a hotel guest, on the PS list, or on the list of hotel guests checking in that day sounds fine - with PS guests getting put in the back lot with 3 hour tags. Granted, if you want to try to walk into a seat at Chef Mickey's you'll need to find other transportation.

eelvira - DIS cast member just means I've been on this board a long time with a lot of posts. I don't work for Disney and never have.

Resort hoppers can park at the TTC and grab the monorail.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I never said guests shouldn't park at the Contemporary for dining or shopping. I just want to be able to park my car when I stay there and not have to valet park because all the spots are taken. I want the guards to politely enforce the 3 hour limit and discourage special evening event goers to park there.

Note: this is the second time I'm replying to this statement. My last post never showed up ? So I'll try and paraphrase my reply here.

I have to say I agree with the above statement. Guards should crack down on people parking to sneak into the parks. But to rudely dismiss someone who wishes to patron the hotel is not acceptable. I support a 3 hour (enforced) parking limit. People should not be discouraged from shopping/dining at certain resorts because they happen to be within walking distance (or monorail ride) of a certain park. Don't punish the whole for what a portion is doing. This is not how loyal WDW "guests" deserve to be treated. I never disagreed with what was quoted above---it was never the issue of the OP topic. I think the topic is drifting a little, but since it was brought up, I'm on the record for saying I agree noone should be able to use any of the monorail resorts (or Epcot resorts) to gain entrance into a park. Somehow the guards need to find a way to differentiate between guests wanting access to the hotel and those trying to pull a fast one.

Granted, if you want to try to walk into a seat at Chef Mickey's you'll need to find other transportation.

I'll try and recall what I said in my lost post. But this above statement I disagree with. Often times, I've made PS's on a whim. After over a decade of being a very loyal guest (and DVC Member), I feel I don't always need to do "commando style" and "OCD-type" planning (not to bash anyone who does because I've been there). But after anywhere from 1-3 visits a year since '94 I just feel I don't always want to plan to the "T". Sometimes it's nice to be spontaneous. In the past couple of years I've called to make PS the night before or day of. I'll add we tend to vacation during slower times (late Oct/Nov/Jan/Feb). There have been occasions where the resort told me on the phone all they had was stand-by or walk-in available. In fact, this just happened this past Nov. We walked in for dinner at the Poly, BC and AKL. With each resort the guard graciously obliged us and pointed us in the direction of either the parking lot (for 3 hours) or valet parking. I recall we used valet at the BC and Poly but parked ourselves at the AKL. Why am I not entitled to this as a WDW guest and patron of the hotel ? I'll add, I'm not opposed to some sort of validation system where the restaurant or hotel store stamps a parking ticket or whatever. But to just flatly say "you'll need to find other transportation" doesn't sit well with me from a company who prides themselves in customer service and to whom we've been such loyal customers ? Having to park at the TTC and walk the 10+ min over to the Contemp etc is not an acceptable solution imho. A TTC resort shuttle comes to mind (but even that isn't the most convenient thing, adding possibly up to 20-30 min if you miss one)---but walking in pouring rain or whatever common weather conditions happen to be in FL is a slap in the face to guests who wish to spend money at the hotel.

Resort hoppers can park at the TTC and grab the monorail.

To add.....I disagree with this also. One who is visiting a hotel for dinner wouldn't necessarily want to be herded into the whole TTC crowd being packed on to the trams & monorails from that hub---or walk. In the past decade, we've frequently traveled with my elderly mil. Walking or getting on the monorail from the TTC would just be too stressful for her. As I said, there were days when we just wanted to avoid the parks/monorails/ etc and just have a nice (relaxing) meal at the Contemp (or wherever). Families will little ones in strollers come to mind to. How inconvenient to make them drive to the TTC....wait for a tram..... load strollers and diaper bags and infants/toddlers on to a monorail (and the tram) just to eat. I feel valet shoud be an option for everyone who wishes to patron a hotel.
note: if my other post ever shows up please disregard this one.

 

[Docsknotinn]

I agree that three hours is a VERY long tim for a PS excepting Victoria and Alberts at the GF. I also think they really should enforce the time limit and tow after that. I just don't see Disney towing. I expect that if the problem continues to grow thanx to so many who park at resorts with no intent of eating or staying there that they may simply have to put a end to non-guest parking. I really feel that The Unofficial Guide is a HUGE part of the problem on this. They keep finding new ways to scam the system so they can sell more books. I just can not imagine parking at a resort just to get into a park a few minutes faster. That just rubs my rubarb the wrong way ! Maybe in the future they will need to issue a prioriry parking (PP) pass with a PS to allow you to park at the resort. If you park and don't show up to dinner there would have to be a $50 cancellation fee or else we know what "Tip" the book would be selling next year. I also think the time should be about 2 hours. There will always be those "special" people who feel entitled to cheat or even steal, yes steal, like making AP reservations and hopeing they won't have to buy a AP.

 

[MiaSRN62]

I agree that three hours is a VERY long tim for a PS

Oh....I don't !
We have often timed our meals. And from the time of parking/getting seated/looking over the menu/getting served/consuming meal/bathroom trip afterward/and maybe a quick stop in a gift store/and getting back to the car......no way is 3 hours too long ?
We have a family of 5 or 6 (depending on whether we travel with my mil who we often did). I can recall, especially when my 3 children were little, how much time was spent making cupcakes with Goofy at the Chef Mickey dessert table or just getting pics with the characters adds time on to your meal.
This year we're bringing my bil and his family along, so that makes a total of 9 of us. Anything less than 3 hours and we'd feel rushed. Ahhh...Magical Gatherings.....find your own transportation and parking and make sure you're out in less than 3 hours ! This is unbelievable to me ?

 

[Docsknotinn]

You make a good point. I'm not used to traveling with a group your size.

 

[dudspizza]

That just rubs my rubarb the wrong way!

This has to be the best quote of this entire thread.

I have followed this thread since it's inception, with interest. People should be able to park for a PS, but a time limit is reasonable. I also think that paying guests of the resort should always have a parking spot, including self parking.

It all comes down to the guards not enforcing the rules. Has anyone thought of the fact that Disney hasn't provided enough security to watch the parking lot? Having a guard at the entrance isn't enough. Do they have people driving around looking for offenders? Maybe having a guard towards that MK end of the parking lot watching for offenders would help curb the problem. A security presence would help.....

Have a DISNEY day, everyone!

Duds

 

[MiaSRN62]

Has anyone thought of the fact that Disney hasn't provided enough security to watch the parking lot? Having a guard at the entrance isn't enough. Do they have people driving around looking for offenders?

I did think of this actually....good point.....but I'll bet Disney won't want to budget for something like that. I'd be all-for a stronger (and fair) guard presence. If people on these boards are saying the offenders who sneak into the parks via the parking lots are as great as I'm reading, then an extra guard presence should really help and allow us "legal" guests to park for a bit.

 

[eelvira]

Sounds like the right thing to do. Have a guard looking for all those blatant "guests" that park and walk toward MK.

But that could present the problem of what if the people are indeed guests of CR? The key at all resorts looks the same to me or is there some code in the number that shows the resort where you are staying at? There should be a way that you could prove to the guard that you are staying at CR. You just returned driving from somewhere and now you are going to the park.

 

[safetymom]

I seem to remember that one of the numbers on your resort card tell the CM what resort you are staying at.

 

[dudspizza]

Sounds like the right thing to do. Have a guard looking for all those blatant "guests" that park and walk toward MK.

But that could present the problem of what if the people are indeed guests of CR? The key at all resorts looks the same to me or is there some code in the number that shows the resort where you are staying at? There should be a way that you could prove to the guard that you are staying at CR. You just returned driving from somewhere and now you are going to the park.

From what I have been told, the code printed on the back of your room key indicates which resort you are staying at.

This whole discussion is similar to the very heated discussion on pool hopping by people who are staying off site (or at other resorts) going to resort pools to swim. If the policy was enforced in a nice by strong way, the people who should not be there would stop coming.

It is up to Disney to enforce their own policy in their "disney nice" way. Not the way the OP was treated by the guard at CR.

Duds

 

[beattyfamily]

Sounds like the right thing to do. Have a guard looking for all those blatant "guests" that park and walk toward MK.

But that could present the problem of what if the people are indeed guests of CR? The key at all resorts looks the same to me or is there some code in the number that shows the resort where you are staying at? There should be a way that you could prove to the guard that you are staying at CR. You just returned driving from somewhere and now you are going to the park.

Upon check in you get a parking pass to put on your dash board and that has always stated which resort I'm staying at.

 

[Docsknotinn]

Unless things have changed we always got a paper to put in the dash with the resort name as well.

 

[jenjersnap]

It all comes down to the guards not enforcing the rules. Has anyone thought of the fact that Disney hasn't provided enough security to watch the parking lot? Having a guard at the entrance isn't enough. Do they have people driving around looking for offenders? Maybe having a guard towards that MK end of the parking lot watching for offenders would help curb the problem. A security presence would help.....

We ate breakfast at CM on Sat. 12/18, as I mentioned earlier. We observed a security guard in a golf cart ("golf cart" doesn't seem quite right, it seemed more like a very miniature truck) riding around the CR's parking lot, seemingly looking over cars. I have no idea what he was actually doing - for all I know, guards use them to go on break or whatever. But he was trolling around and he conferred with the guard at the post.

Just wanted to add my observation ...