Could this work?

[DisneyLoverLaura]

Whoa! I didn't expect there to be so many rude replies.

First, my hotel does offer transportation, but it is said by many to be unreliable, timing wise, and there are only a few times a day that it leaves and comes back. That would be wasting my time if I have to leave MK at 7 PM when it closes at 10 PM because that was the last time the bus ran.

Second, one car in all of Downtown Disney surely won't matter, if it does, I will gladly walk to Downtown Disney and get on the buses from there.

And third, I don't think Disney is hurting for anymore $$$$$. If so, I am so sorry. I was supposed to do the college program in January, but had to have an emergency back surgery. I called and told them my problem, but they would not refund me $300+ I payed for my acceptance. I even asked if I could send them my doctor's note...oh well, maybe they can take that money and pay for my parking plus more The money we would be saving by taking up the almighty 2 seats on a resort bus (we will stand if we have to) would be enough to pay for a lot of counter service meals on our budget trip.

Thanks for all the advice anyway!

 

[goofy4tink]

Whoa! I didn't expect there to be so many rude replies.

First, my hotel does offer transportation, but it is said by many to be unreliable, timing wise, and there are only a few times a day that it leaves and comes back. That would be wasting my time if I have to leave MK at 7 PM when it closes at 10 PM because that was the last time the bus ran.

Second, one car in all of Downtown Disney surely won't matter, if it does, I will gladly walk to Downtown Disney and get on the buses from there.

And third, I don't think Disney is hurting for anymore $$$$$. If so, I am so sorry. I was supposed to do the college program in January, but had to have an emergency back surgery. I called and told them my problem, but they would not refund me $300+ I payed for my acceptance. I even asked if I could send them my doctor's note...oh well, maybe they can take that money and pay for my parking plus more The money we would be saving by taking up the almighty 2 seats on a resort bus (we will stand if we have to) would be enough to pay for a lot of counter service meals on our budget trip.

Thanks for all the advice anyway!

Wow.......just wow!! You know, I think I'm pretty much the only one that got any rude replies, not you!!! You asked a question, on a board that prides itself on giving out correct info. Now, you may not have liked the answers you got, but it is what it is.
You say your resort doesn't have convenient transportation, but here's the thing...that's what those of us who choose to stay onsite are actually paying for. So, you may not like the hours your resort buses run, but you chose to stay there in order to save money.
And one car in DTD??? Really? You think you're the only one who wants to do this??? Can you imagine how many cars there would be in there if we gave you the answer you wanted???? Everyone would do exactly what you want to do.

This is not about the seats you are 'taking up' on bus. It's about the use of the parking lot at DTD. While I'm sorry you lost money with the CP, it has no bearing here. Vacationing at WDW is a priviledge, not a right. We all make choices. You made the choice to stay at a cheaper resort, so now you have to live with the fact that you don't get everything that those paying to stay onsite are getting.

So, long story short??? Can you park at DTD for the day and head off to a park? Sure. If saving that $15 is that important. But, the funny thing is that you say you don't want to leave the park at 7 and miss those last 3 hrs??? You are going to miss the morning hours by waiting for buses to start running regularly back to the resorts from DTD.
You say that the money you save by taking up those 'almighty 2 seats' can be used to buy CS food during your trip??? Perhaps you would be better off heading to a grocery store, buying some sandwich makings and eat that in the parks and then actually pay to park at the park....thereby maximizing your park time.
Otherwise??? You aren't going to be getting to the parks until close to lunchtime. Buses just aren't running back to the resorts until 9:30-10ish. Add in a 20+ min wait, then drive to the resort and then either wait for a bus, boat or monorail to the park?? Time consuming to say the least.

 

[ccgirl]

Whoa! I didn't expect there to be so many rude replies.

First, my hotel does offer transportation, but it is said by many to be unreliable, timing wise, and there are only a few times a day that it leaves and comes back. That would be wasting my time if I have to leave MK at 7 PM when it closes at 10 PM because that was the last time the bus ran.

Second, one car in all of Downtown Disney surely won't matter, if it does, I will gladly walk to Downtown Disney and get on the buses from there.
And third, I don't think Disney is hurting for anymore $$$$$. If so, I am so sorry. I was supposed to do the college program in January, but had to have an emergency back surgery. I called and told them my problem, but they would not refund me $300+ I payed for my acceptance. I even asked if I could send them my doctor's note...oh well, maybe they can take that money and pay for my parking plus more The money we would be saving by taking up the almighty 2 seats on a resort bus (we will stand if we have to) would be enough to pay for a lot of counter service meals on our budget trip.Thanks for all the advice anyway!

And there we have it...the "me" mentality. It's only me..... It's not only you. There are MANY people vacationing at WDW.

If you think the bus at your resort is unreliable, you should see the DTD busses. We rent a car. I think most resort busses, have a bus that goes to the park at closing. For DTD, you would be waiting a looonngg time for a bus if you stay until EOD just to go to a resort (not even yor final destination). At least, we always did. Then, we always had to stand because they were so packed. You would then be at a resort and have to wait what could be quite a while for a bus to go to DtD for you to get your car.

I would pick up some lunch meat and bread keep it in the fridge for lunches and pay to park at the parks.

 

[kaytieeldr]

And bus drivers are suddenly reliable? It was because of the horrible parking situation, there was hardly a day you could park there after people discovered the 'free' parking. Always take the bus driver's facts with skepticism. They told you wrong.

So now you are defending facts gathered from bus drivers?? Really?? I think you are the one who "needs" to provide credence to YOUR arguments!!
You have a very bad attitude for being a MOD...just saying, have a magical day.

Facts? Sure, absolutely. Do facts become less factual based on the career choice of the person or persons providing said facts?

How is that possible?

 

[maxiesmom]

Whoa! I didn't expect there to be so many rude replies.

First, my hotel does offer transportation, but it is said by many to be unreliable, timing wise, and there are only a few times a day that it leaves and comes back. That would be wasting my time if I have to leave MK at 7 PM when it closes at 10 PM because that was the last time the bus ran.

You will be wasting even more time by parking at DTD. Disney themselves tell you to budget 2 hours to get from one point to another, when transferring around using their buses. You will have to park at DTD, wait for a bus to show up. Go to that resort, and then wait for another bus to show up. Not efficient use of time at all.

There are many other, easier ways to save money during at trip to WDW. You should head over to the budget board, they have great ideas. You are free to park at DTD and use their buses to get around. But that is penny wise and pound foolish. You will be wasting more money than you save.

 

[kaytieeldr]

First, my hotel does offer transportation, but it is said by many to be unreliable, timing wise, and there are only a few times a day that it leaves and comes back. That would be wasting my time if I have to leave MK at 7 PM when it closes at 10 PM because that was the last time the bus ran.

Just a little more research would have shown that this property is directly on the Lynx system's Route 50 golynx.com for schedule and price information - and this public bus system runs both more frequently and possibly later than Clarion's shuttle.

Second, one car in all of Downtown Disney surely won't matter, if it does, I will gladly walk to Downtown Disney and get on the buses from there.

You sound like you think you're the only offsite party in the entire Central Florida area who will be avoiding paying for parking any of the days you're there . You're not. And just because "everyone else" is doing it doesn't mean it's right, or that anybody here is going to condone it. Some of these posters are shareholders - and when you use a service without paying for it when payment is typical/expected (as in parking to visit a theme park), you deprive the owners of revenue.

As for walking, go ahead. It's about 1.6 miles from the front door of that Clarion to the closest corner Downtown Disney. GoogleMaps beta walking directions estimates 41 minutes. I don't think that includes waiting for dr ERs who refuse to let you cross the streets.

And third, I don't think Disney is hurting for anymore $$$$$.

Respectfully, that's not your determination to make. They charge offsite visitors to park when visiting the major theme parks, except under certain conditions. You don't meet those conditions. Therefore, you're expected to pay to park.

I was supposed to do the college program in January, but had to have an emergency back surgery. I called and told them my problem, but they would not refund me $300+ I payed for my acceptance. I even asked if I could send them my doctor's note

it's too bad about your back, but weren't there terms and conditions with the College Program and the deposit? I know nobody ever thinks anything bad is going to happen to them, but if the application fee (or acceptance fee, or whatever it is) was nonrefundable, surely you were aware of that??

 

[sam_gordon]

So now you are defending facts gathered from bus drivers?? Really?? I think you are the one who "needs" to provide credence to YOUR arguments!!
You have a very bad attitude for being a MOD...just saying, have a magical day.

Wow, coming from someone with two posts, just wow.

 

[Greysword]

I seldom take a bus driver's info with skepticism when I'm asking about a bus issue. Now, a new DVC resort?? No, not so much!!!

Heck yeah a bus driver regarding new DVC resorts! You know, those bus/boat/monorail drivers are the best source of intel on property. They know everything!

You have a very bad attitude for being a MOD...just saying, have a magical day.

Just to set the record straight, this is one of the best boards on the DIS for information, mainly due to the great moderating. If you think this is bad, you should see things when momma steps out for a few minutes

Whoa! I didn't expect there to be so many rude replies.

Pig Pile!!!! Straight forward, not really rude.

First, my hotel does offer transportation, but it is said by many to be unreliable, timing wise, and there are only a few times a day that it leaves and comes back.

Great point! This is EXACTLY why staying on property is a benefit; access to the WDW transportation system for no additional cost! It's in the advertisement literature

Second, one car in all of Downtown Disney surely won't matter, if it does, I will gladly walk to Downtown Disney and get on the buses from there.

One small drop of water won't cause you to drown...will it? <que tidal wave> You won't miss 15 additional dollars for parking, would you? "...and don't call me Shirley"

And third, I don't think Disney is hurting for anymore $$$$$. If so, I am so sorry.

I'm curious what you mean by "hurting". I think many companies are "hurting" in the sense they are not making as much as they did before the recession. I think there are share holders (and share holding pension funds) that could use a dividend check to help cover the costs of daily expenses (or help pay this month's retiree payments). It is interesting how we are on a benchmark of what is excessive or not. Should the people who do pay for the transportation from their resort to DTD subsidize those who are unwilling to pay for the service, themselves? I'm just curious how this would work and what the rules ought to be.

On a more sarcastic note, maybe if you took the last quarter Resorts and Park's financial statement up to the MK (or EPCOT) parking lot attendant, set the argument that surely with all those spots they could spare just one for the day, maybe they will let you in, then you won't have to use DTD!

The money we would be saving by taking up the almighty 2 seats on a resort bus (we will stand if we have to) would be enough to pay for a lot of counter service meals on our budget trip.

Oh, you will be standing, even if you are a paying customer...especially at park closing Besides, I am kind of curious about something. If you have proven you are unwilling to spend $15 to park (by parking at DTD), why would anyone believe you are willing to spend $30 on a cheap hamburger or chicken nuggets? Not sarcastic, just curious about the logic.

Thanks for all the advice anyway!

You are very welcome! Oh, and Please don't abuse the transportation system by trying to get free parking. In the end, it could have unintended consequences to the rest of the visiting Disney population by forcing WDW management to implement a policy.

 

[perdidochas]

Whoa! I didn't expect there to be so many rude replies.

First, my hotel does offer transportation, but it is said by many to be unreliable, timing wise, and there are only a few times a day that it leaves and comes back. That would be wasting my time if I have to leave MK at 7 PM when it closes at 10 PM because that was the last time the bus ran.

Second, one car in all of Downtown Disney surely won't matter, if it does, I will gladly walk to Downtown Disney and get on the buses from there.

And third, I don't think Disney is hurting for anymore $$$$$. If so, I am so sorry. I was supposed to do the college program in January, but had to have an emergency back surgery. I called and told them my problem, but they would not refund me $300+ I payed for my acceptance. I even asked if I could send them my doctor's note...oh well, maybe they can take that money and pay for my parking plus more The money we would be saving by taking up the almighty 2 seats on a resort bus (we will stand if we have to) would be enough to pay for a lot of counter service meals on our budget trip.

Thanks for all the advice anyway!

I think your best bet would be to take the hotel shuttle in the am. Then in the pm, either take the hotel shuttle home, or get bus service to DTD, and from DTD walk. That gives you money savings and flexibility. The bus stops at the corner of DTD that's closest to your hotel. You might be walking 1/3 of a mile through the DTD parking lot anyway.

Also, the $14 a day parking will be eaten up by one counterservice meal. Take a lunch and snacks, which will save you more than $14.

 

[jsilvers]

one car in all of Downtown Disney surely won't matter

A classic example of the mentality that leads to the "tragedy of the commons". (For an explanation of the term, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tragedy_of_the_commons.)

 

[sharadoc]

So now you are defending facts gathered from bus drivers?? Really?? I think you are the one who "needs" to provide credence to YOUR arguments!!
You have a very bad attitude for being a MOD...just saying, have a magical day.

Don't you dare pick on goofy4tink!! She's a great mod. She's willing to share her opinions and is entitled to, just like the rest of us. She knows of what she speaks and we are always happy when she chimes in. Seriously, this transportation board is great!

 

[goofy4tink]

Mom is humbled....

 

[joelkfla]

I don't think that includes waiting for dr ERs who refuse to let you cross the streets.

 

[rgf207]

C'mon everyone. The OP deserves to park in DTD. I mean rules apply to everyone else but her. She paid more for her vacation than anyone else and it seems like Disney owes her because she lost out on $300 earlier.

The "me" attitude is great. Entitlement all the way.

 

[goofy4tink]

Okay guys.....no room here for sarcasm or snideness. Let's stick to the topic, and not get into other 'stuff'. Continue to give out good, usable info, or just don't post.

 

[mossy1]

Okay guys.....no room here for sarcasm or snideness. Let's stick to the topic, and not get into other 'stuff'. Continue to give out good, usable info, or just don't post.

Thanks for the general steer back in the right direction. I really love the boards here, but I really dislike when so many people have to pile on and go way off topic. Earlier in this thread I think a few people told the OP she could to this if she really wanted to waste her time. But many recommended finding a different way. Then there are 2 pages of personal attacks on various members. I may not have the highest post count but I am an avid reader. IMHO it really makes me sad that almost every post has to have this kind of downward spiral thing going on. I feel all opinions should be respected even if you do not agree. Removing soap box and back to semi-lurk mode. Have a good day!!

 

[kaytieeldr]

Drivers. That's what I get for typing on the ITouch

 

[DisneyLoverLaura]

I just want to apologize for sounding rude yesterday. I didn't think before I responded. I was in a rush to get to class and just typed without thinking. I honestly feel stupid...

Anyway, after thoroughly reading everyone's responses I decided I am just going to go ahead and pay for parking. I'll just have to babysit a lot more because I only get paid 3 dollars an hour haha! I didn't think it would be a big deal, but I realize now that the right thing to do is to pay. I did ask for advice after all. I know, I know...I probably sound bipolar, but I couldn't even sleep last night thinking about how rude I was. I don't want to have a bad name on the boards either because I'm really not like this in real life.

Once again, not in a sarcastic way, thanks for the advice!

 

[DisneyLoverLaura]

Okay guys.....no room here for sarcasm or snideness. Let's stick to the topic, and not get into other 'stuff'. Continue to give out good, usable info, or just don't post.

Thank you. You really are a great moderator and you did give great advice. I am sorry if you thought I was referring to you as rude yesterday.

 

[maxiesmom]

I just want to apologize for sounding rude yesterday. I didn't think before I responded. I was in a rush to get to class and just typed without thinking. I honestly feel stupid...

Anyway, after thoroughly reading everyone's responses I decided I am just going to go ahead and pay for parking. I'll just have to babysit a lot more because I only get paid 3 dollars an hour haha! I didn't think it would be a big deal, but I realize now that the right thing to do is to pay. I did ask for advice after all. I know, I know...I probably sound bipolar, but I couldn't even sleep last night thinking about how rude I was. I don't want to have a bad name on the boards either because I'm really not like this in real life.

Once again, not in a sarcastic way, thanks for the advice!

That is ok. We all have days where we post before we think it thru.

Don't let us all scare you away from the Transportation Boards. It is a great place to get travel info, even if we can tend to be a bit vocal about our thoughts.