Could you ever conceive WDW building parking decks?

[babaganoosh]

Just an offbeat question for the fanatics:

For at least some of the parks & / or TTC could you ever comprehend seeing WDW building parking decks? and eliminating the trams for that park at that point? Certainly AK would be the last I'd expect - big deck doesn't go with the natural motif. but they would save on labor and vehicle costs, I think it'd be much safer (has anyone been hit by a tram or car walking in the parking lot?)

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Unnecessary

 

[DebbieB]

They have one at Disneyland where space is limited. They have empty space at WDW.

 

[disnut8]

I think it'd be much safer (has anyone been hit by a tram or car walking in the parking lot?)

If guests in the parking lot follow the instructions of the attendants, no one would get hit by anything. The way the spaces are angled is simply a great plan. Each vehicle can park, open the doors without touching the vehicle next to them (on either side) and each person can get out. People can then take their time getting their things together and then walk in front of their vehicle to the next aisle and walk to the trams. Once at the tram area, people just wait behind the yellow lines and board the next tram. Or, people don't need to take a tram (we rarely do) and walk to the front of the lot and the entrance to the park.

I personally find Disney's parking lots to be a safe place to walk. If a garage was built, I wouldn't like that since I wouldn't be able to just get out of my car and walk. I would have to take an elevator or stairs to get to where I could walk.

 

[Grumpy92]

With them reworking HS I could see it happening there. The space is limited. They already have one backstage at that location

 

[chartle]

One thing WDW has is space so no real need for parking structures.

Also the only reason they would be needed or really anymore parking needed is if a park expanded bigger than its current lot. I just don't see that ever happening.

As for garages being safer. Maybe but it would be a nightmare at the end of the night, heck it would be a nightmare loading them in the morning.

As posted DLR only does it because they took some parking spaces when they expanded and had no where else to go.

ETA: justed check Google maps and there is still plenty of space for more parking at each park.

ETA II: They would never get away from using the TTC as the MK's lot. I know this sounds cliche but its the way Walt wanted it to work.

 

[rwdavis2]

I can't imagine how long it would take to get out of a parking garage when the park closes. It would be a nightmare.

 

[grimley1968]

I'm all for leaving the lots as they are. There is plenty of room for expansion if needed. The way the parking works with the wide, angled slots is brilliant, IMO. I'd much, much prefer taking a tram to the parks than have to deal with a garage. As for being safer, I'm not a fan of parking garages unless they are very heavily staffed by security. I think the amount of labor needed might actually increase rather than decrease if they built garages at the parks.

 

[rani8600]

They are building one in Downtown..but i agree with a PP that from the parks ppl leaving all at one time would be a nightmare

 

[figment_jii]

I generally agree that as long as they aren't running out of space, I can't really imagine they'd convert an existing parking lot to a garage. Having one large, flat area to deal with seems easier than having to maintain a multi-level parking structure.

Although, didn't they just build a parking structure over at DTD? Maybe they're testing it out to see how well it works for future construction plans.

As for garages being safer. Maybe but it would be a nightmare at the end of the night, heck it would be a nightmare loading them in the morning.

Just in regards to loading the parking lot in the morning, it isn't actually all that bad over at Disneyland. Basically, think of each level like it's own mini-parking lot. There are attendants telling guests where to go, so they fill it the same way they did the flat lot. The rows are one-way (all the same direction), so they fill the row, then move to the next row.

 

[gofordrew]

I like the way Universal is laid out. Two parking garages, no trams. They have escalators and moving sidewalk things you can get from your car to the city walk in 10 minutes or less.

 

[minnie mum]

They just completed a garage at DTD, and I think they're starting on a second. But I think the reason is because there was no place to expand the existing parking lots. I can't see this being a problem at any of the parks for the foreseeable future. If they fill the existing lots they're looking at park closures due to capacity. So what would be the point of adding additional parking?

I agree that safety isn't a problem in the lots as long as guests follow directions.

 

[chartle]

Although, didn't they just build a parking structure over at DTD? Maybe they're testing it out to see how well it works for future construction plans.

They just completed a garage at DTD, and I think they're starting on a second. But I think the reason is because there was no place to expand the existing parking lots. I can't see this being a problem at any of the parks for the foreseeable future. If they fill the existing lots they're looking at park closures due to capacity. So what would be the point of adding additional parking?

I agree that safety isn't a problem in the lots as long as guests follow directions.

DTD is different animal. They don't have transportation from the parking to the shopping area so you want the parking as close as possible. They had that until they took some lots to expand the area. Couldn't really expand across Buena Vista Drive.

At the theme park lots they have green space to expand so they just have to rearrange the tram routes.

 

[nkereina]

I don't know if they would do it but I wouldn't be opposed to it. True they have tons of space, but I'd rather see the space be used for another park/location, resort, etc. I do agree with PP that leaving at park closing would be a nightmare so they would have to do multiple smaller structures or something like that to alleviate the traffic. But a parking garage wouldn't bother me.

 

[chartle]

I don't know if they would do it but I wouldn't be opposed to it. True they have tons of space, but I'd rather see the space be used for another park/location, resort, etc.

The space I was talking about was space that already appears to be set aside for expanded parking. Mostly at Epcot, AK and DHS. There is plenty of space other places.

 

[nancipants]

I hope not. I HATE the parking garages at Universal. Nobody knows what they're doing, both the people directing traffic and the people driving. It takes so long to park and walk to the parks. Even getting from the TTC to MK doesn't take as long--in my experience, at least.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

At the parks, no. Except maybe at DHS. They have the capacity to expand otherwise.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I don't know if they would do it but I wouldn't be opposed to it. True they have tons of space, but I'd rather see the space be used for another park/location, resort, etc. I do agree with PP that leaving at park closing would be a nightmare so they would have to do multiple smaller structures or something like that to alleviate the traffic. But a parking garage wouldn't bother me.

Walt Disney World covers 43 square miles. There's plenty of room to expand without building garages.

 

[DOOM1001]

They are building one in Downtown..but i agree with a PP that from the parks ppl leaving all at one time would be a nightmare

Universal has two massive parking garages for two theme parks and City walk,I must have left those garages hundreds of times with huge crowds all leaving at the same time and I cant recall ever having a real delay getting out.Seriously, those garages must have like 12-16 exits between them,it seems like every time you exit them you go a different way,whoever designed them was a genius.I agree with the poster who says DHS should get one,that park needs as much space as possible and a parking garage done correctly would still work with its theme.

 

[DOOM1001]

I'm not all for parking garages as I don't like how they took away the clear view of all the buildings at DTD but being able to find a space beats out being able to see Disneyquest from the street.