Charge for parking at Contemporary?

[rlovew]

I was wondering if anyone knows for sure--other than a report on a website--that they are actually charging $20 for parking there. Perhaps the web site that reported this is wrong, and everybody is getting bent out of shape for no reason. My original reason for posting was to ask if anybody had encountered this. Nobody has responded that they have. So I have to question whether this is really going on.
On the other hand, I am VERY annoyed that they are saying I have to move my car after the tour. So I have to leave MK, walk to my car, drive it to MK parking at 11 am when it is already filled, and then return to MK. VERY inconvenient.

Having taken the tour in the past- this was always expected of you when you took the tour- they have always said to park there for the tour and then move your car. I know that was the policy even 5 years ago when we took the tour.

 

[carlbarry]

Having taken the tour in the past- this was always expected of you when you took the tour- they have always said to park there for the tour and then move your car. I know that was the policy even 5 years ago when we took the tour.

And what happens if you don't move? I have meniscus surgery and it is difficult for me to walk all the way back to my car, and then have to walk a long distance after moving the car to the MK parking lot.

 

[supersnoop]

And what happens if you don't move? I have meniscus surgery and it is difficult for me to walk all the way back to my car, and then have to walk a long distance after moving the car to the MK parking lot.

They could tow your car. That parking lot is the one where we see the most reports of cars being towed.

 

[carlbarry]

They could tow your car. That parking lot is the one where we see the most reports of cars being towed.

Yikes. Thanks.

 

[rlovew]

And what happens if you don't move? I have meniscus surgery and it is difficult for me to walk all the way back to my car, and then have to walk a long distance after moving the car to the MK parking lot.

You could pay to valet park your car at the Contemporary and then not need to move it later in the day. I will say that having taken the tour in the past you will have a bit of walking and a long time of fairly uncomfortable seats as part of the tour. We found after the tour we needed a bit of time to process before we were ready to do anything else and we went over to the railroad room at the VWL to see some of the items we were told about on the tour and took a bit of a break before going back to the park. Of all the tours(train, gardens, future wold, behind seeds, and keys) I have taken this one with the seating we had was the worst on my back (and I have no injuries). If I were ever going to do it again I would bring a cushion to sit on.

 

[carlbarry]

You could pay to valet park your car at the Contemporary and then not need to move it later in the day. I will say that having taken the tour in the past you will have a bit of walking and a long time of fairly uncomfortable seats as part of the tour. We found after the tour we needed a bit of time to process before we were ready to do anything else and we went over to the railroad room at the VWL to see some of the items we were told about on the tour and took a bit of a break before going back to the park. Of all the tours(train, gardens, future wold, behind seeds, and keys) I have taken this one with the seating we had was the worst on my back (and I have no injuries). If I were ever going to do it again I would bring a cushion to sit on.

Thank you, very useful information. Being one who is willing to be inconvenienced to save money, as opposed to someone who is willing to pay extra for convenience, I wouldn't pay for valet parking above the (not insubstantial) cost of the tour.

 

[gdrj]

It is obvious that something must be done at some of the resorts. "The test" is just that, a test. In the past few years we have visited WDW more with just two of us traveling. We do like to visit the various Monorail hotels as well as the Boardwalk area. Sometimes we will take a bus to MK and walk to Contemporary. From there we have Monorailed to other hotels or boated to WL and Ft Wilderness. On the occasions that we have dining reservations we will drive sometimes and leave the car at that resort while we tour the hotels occasionally we will run in to MK for a few hours. At times we have parked at a resort to shop and they have let us in. Of course we are not doing this on NYE or July 4th etc. We will adjust as we need to. If it impacts our ability to visit a hotel lobby or stores so be it.

I will say that I am guilty of parking in the overflow lot at BWV, not to avoid paying for EPCOT (we are AP and or staying on property), we do it for convenience. We will have dinner reservations or will visit the Pub in England or Dessert in France. I'd rather park there than the front of EPCOT, we also will visit the stores on the BW. Not sure if there is a need for it but building a parking structure in the overflow lot at BW would be good. Of course from Disney's side I don't think it makes sense financially.

 

[goofy4tink]

And what happens if you don't move? I have meniscus surgery and it is difficult for me to walk all the way back to my car, and then have to walk a long distance after moving the car to the MK parking lot.

In that case, you would walk to the MK, as you planned on doing. Then, after the tour is over, you would take the monorail back to the CR, get in your car and move it to the TTC, taking the tram from the car to the ferry or the monorail.
No, it isn't convenient, not at all. This is one of the reasons I think that Disney needs to break their resort lots into smaller areas...that would allow those having to park there, for an event or dining, or a tour, to park there, pay a very small fee to park while they were partaking of the event. If they stayed longer than specified, a larger charge would happen.

It is obvious that something must be done at some of the resorts. "The test" is just that, a test. In the past few years we have visited WDW more with just two of us traveling. We do like to visit the various Monorail hotels as well as the Boardwalk area. Sometimes we will take a bus to MK and walk to Contemporary. From there we have Monorailed to other hotels or boated to WL and Ft Wilderness. On the occasions that we have dining reservations we will drive sometimes and leave the car at that resort while we tour the hotels occasionally we will run in to MK for a few hours. At times we have parked at a resort to shop and they have let us in. Of course we are not doing this on NYE or July 4th etc. We will adjust as we need to. If it impacts our ability to visit a hotel lobby or stores so be it.

I will say that I am guilty of parking in the overflow lot at BWV, not to avoid paying for EPCOT (we are AP and or staying on property), we do it for convenience. We will have dinner reservations or will visit the Pub in England or Dessert in France. I'd rather park there than the front of EPCOT, we also will visit the stores on the BW. Not sure if there is a need for it but building a parking structure in the overflow lot at BW would be good. Of course from Disney's side I don't think it makes sense financially.

Can I ask a question? Why park at BW? Wouldn't BC be much closer to the IG? I've always wondered why people park at BW for Epcot access....it's a hike from that overflow lot to the boardwalk.

 

[carlbarry]

In that case, you would walk to the MK, as you planned on doing. Then, after the tour is over, you would take the monorail back to the CR, get in your car and move it to the TTC, taking the tram from the car to the ferry or the monorail.

I can park at TTC? I've never done that; I parked once at the Poly to see the Electrical Water Pageant, but never TTC.
Ironically, the second half of my stay I'm staying at the Poly Villas.
Thanks.

 

[gdrj]

Can I ask a question? Why park at BW? Wouldn't BC be much closer to the IG? I've always wondered why people park at BW for Epcot access....it's a hike from that overflow lot to the boardwalk.

For us purely familiarity. Our home resort is BWV. We usually visit the BW area and the BW lobby (just gives us good feeling!). Also if we happen to time it right we can just take the boat from the BW directly to EPCOT (no stops). Of course I can usually time it right by stopping at the Candy Store

 

[supersnoop]

Can I ask a question? Why park at BW? Wouldn't BC be much closer to the IG? I've always wondered why people park at BW for Epcot access....it's a hike from that overflow lot to the boardwalk.

Probably because it's easier to scam your way past the guard. What's your excuse for parking at BCV? At BWV, "I'm visiting the shops and entertainment on the Boardwalk."

 

[moericus]

So I needed a rental car while staying at BWV two weeks ago. I parked it overnight in the lot. The guard stopped me at the gate and said I would need a permit printed from the front desk. I parked pretty far away because both the left and right parking lots were packed when I came back to resort around 7:30pm.

By morning, both lots were close to empty. There's something fishy about BWV parking lots and it ain't the "shopping and entertainment". I'm so glad these immoral people are going to end up costing us all more money for hotel parking fees.

 

[Sandisw]

I haven't read the entire thread but I am okay with them charging for parking at the resorts if you are not staying there. For ADR's, they can do something like TIW does with Valet. You pay and then bring your receipt from the dinner and are reimbursed. Give guests a 3 hour window from the time of the reservation...which should give them plenty of time to eat and explore.

And, in terms of pool hopping, etc., again, maybe for those resorts close to the parks the rule needs to be Disney transportation? I have had issues with both BLT and BWV in finding a spot a few times...even had it at VWL once...I drove around for 10 minutes until a spot opened up...it will be interesting how it goes over!

 

[roadtripper]

We had an experience in December where the security guard denied us entrance to parking at WL (we are AP and DVC and were staying at OKW). We truly WERE going to grab drinks and a bite at Territory Lounge and walk the grounds. He said he would "lose his job" if he let us in. I told him we had a son with a w/c, and it would not be convenient for us to go back to TTC and take a boat over (plus it was cold). He had us pull over and called a supervisor. We eventually were let in, but the situation was not handled well. Now I'm getting nervous about our Chef Mickey's ADR on Monday--a holiday. We will be driving to the Contemporary because when DS is done, he is done. I would never subject a monorail or busload of people to his meltdowns. Hoping for a reasonable security guard.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

We had an experience in December where the security guard denied us entrance to parking at WL (we are AP and DVC and were staying at OKW). We truly WERE going to grab drinks and a bite at Territory Lounge and walk the grounds. He said he would "lose his job" if he let us in. I told him we had a son with a w/c, and it would not be convenient for us to go back to TTC and take a boat over (plus it was cold). He had us pull over and called a supervisor. We eventually were let in, but the situation was not handled well. Now I'm getting nervous about our Chef Mickey's ADR on Monday--a holiday. We will be driving to the Contemporary because when DS is done, he is done. I would never subject a monorail or busload of people to his meltdowns. Hoping for a reasonable security guard.

In this case, you have an ADR, and it's not December. I think you will be fine.

 

[DebbieB]

If you have a handicap permit, you should get free valet. With an ADR, you shouldn't have a problem.

 

[DisneyRegulars]

We had an experience in December where the security guard denied us entrance to parking at WL (we are AP and DVC and were staying at OKW). We truly WERE going to grab drinks and a bite at Territory Lounge and walk the grounds. He said he would "lose his job" if he let us in. I told him we had a son with a w/c, and it would not be convenient for us to go back to TTC and take a boat over (plus it was cold). He had us pull over and called a supervisor. We eventually were let in, but the situation was not handled well. Now I'm getting nervous about our Chef Mickey's ADR on Monday--a holiday. We will be driving to the Contemporary because when DS is done, he is done. I would never subject a monorail or busload of people to his meltdowns. Hoping for a reasonable security guard.

This same thing happened to my brother! We had an ADR for Hoop Dee Doo and he went early to see if he could get an additional seat for his friend that was traveling with us. The security guard told him he needed to go park at the TTC! My brother was like "I am absolutely not going to the TTC, that is ridiculous". He had to argue his way in and was very frustrated by the whole experience.