DDE and parking question.

[imgoofytoo]

Parking is free for dining purposes but what kind of limits are in effect?
For instance, if I have a PS at Cindy's at 3:00 pm, can I park at noon?
And for how long?

Clue me in folks!
Thanks,

imgoogytoo

 

[eeyore0062]

This is how the parking works with DDE. You pay the $8 to park unless you also have the AP (then ignore the rest, because you are parking free anyway). Before you leave the park, take your parking ticket,the receipt from dinner along with your DDE to Guest Relations and they will refund your $8. Usually it good for about 3 hours, but I am not sure what other restrictions there are on it.

Hope this helps!

 

[imgoofytoo]

My seasonal AP does not include free parking. Thanks for the quick reply!
Anyone else out there with more to share?

Thanks!
imgoofytoo

 

[webray]

Nope..eeyore made it pretty clear.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Well, I do have something more to add. When we checked into AKL for a 3 night stay on a Friday....we valet parked. As the driver took the car, I walked up to the valet services and told them I had the DDE card. they said, "Oh, that is only good if you are dining at the resort! I said..."Well, I have a PS at Boma for tomorrow night (sat) and Sunday morning...and we do not plan on using our car at all while staying at WDW." They kind of looked at each other and shrugged their shoulders...and I got free parking. SO I do not know if that is standard, but that is what happened to us.

I think if you let them know you have a PS, they are pretty lenient with how long you are there. But that has just been my experience so far. I am learning as I go! I can't wait to use my DDE card this time! I LOVE that card! :jumping4:

 

[imgoofytoo]

Thanks for the replys. The DDE sounds like a great value. Just wondering if the parking benefit is worth the hassle.

imgoofytoo

 

[Luv2Roam]

We know we can valet park for free with the DDE card. But then we would still have to tip. We never have had to park far from an entrance, and we are able bodied.
I thought maybe I would use it in inclement weather, but have not had a need for that yet.
I think I have heard the three hour time frame too. But not sure where I heard or read it, and haven't pushed it that close anyway.

 

[mitros]

OK, you folks are all fellow Floridians. Has anyone heard that they are going to make the DDE available to non Floridians under certain circumstances? I was rummaging through a number of Disney related websites, and I thought that I read that this would be something new this year. Do you think I can remember where I saw it? Of course not! I am going to keep searching around to see if I can find that info again. Any of you guys {gals} her about this?

 

[Amy&Dan]

To Mitros: I am from Colorado and had no trouble today getting the DDE card (you have to be an AP holder to use your DDE card once you get it). Call 407-566-5858, M-F (I think the hours are like 9-5). You give them your credit card and they send you the card. If you are going to WDW before your card arrives you can use your email confirmation to get your discounts. There was a thread about this earlier this week on this board and that's how I learned about it. I think this new policy of making this card available to all AP holders is new just this month!

 

[risy]

I don't get it. If you are eating at any resort (even without the DDE), you can park for the 3 hour window at the resort. It does not need to be valet.

If you are eating at a park with the DDE, don't you just park with everyone else in the huge lot? Or is there valet parking there? Can you use it for the preferred parking (or am I thinking of Seaworld)?

We are considering getting the card, but want to be sure we'll recoupe our expenses.

Thanks for any additional explanations.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

The questions about free parking should apply to Florida residents who are not staying on property only.

Anyone who has an AP or PAP gets free entrance through the toll plazas.

Anyone who has a resort parking pass on the dashboard, or shows a reservation form for arrival that day gets free entrance through the toll plaza.

Anyone who is going to a park and has a DDE card can get free entrance through the toll plaza after 5:00pm. Since only people with APs or PAPs or Florida residents can get the DDE card, this last requirement is really for Florida DDE holders who do not have an AP or PAP.

As far as parking at the Monorail or Epcot Resorts is concerned, if you are not staying at that Resort you are limited to a stay of three hours unless you use valet parking.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

risy-basically, free valet is just a perk you get with the DDE card. I am not talking about parks, I am talking about resorts you are dining at. I'd rather valet park, especially at some resorts where self parking is pretty far away. Plus, as we all know, the weather can change pretty rapidly in Florida, and it is nice to have the car brought to you. It just adds to the whole experience for me and I do not mind tipping the person who retrieves my car a few bucks.

 

[risy]

I LOVE valet parking!!! And that is truly a perk.
Thanks for all your info - these boards always amaze me!

But I just want to make sure I understand (as a FL resident).

If I make a PS at Crystal Palace in MK at 2pm and use my DDE card, I get no parking perks. I must still pay $8 and park in the main lot. True?

 

[DMRick]

(you have to be an AP holder to use your DDE card once you get it).

I was told you only have to show ID, not an AP. My AP will expire in May, but my DDE not until February 2006. I asked about that and they said no problem..you just had to tell them you had an AP to purchase it, not to use it.

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

risy-I see you live near the park. So I assume you mean you will not be staying at a WDW resort when you have that PS (cuz resort guests get free parking.) Do you have an AP? Cuz AP holders get free parking, too. If all you have is the DDE card...well, I hope someone on this board will know the answer, cuz I am curious too.

BTW-Are you Satellite Beach? My parents have a vacation home on Melbourne Beach and we love it up there! :jumping4:

 

[Beth]

risy,

If you do not have an AP, and you are not staying on site, then you will have to pay to park in the MK parking lot, even though you have a PS at a restaurant inside the MK.

The "parking perk" for the DDE card relates to valet parking at the resorts. (And I am a little worried that they may take this away - with all the new cardholders coming on board....)

We've had our DDE card for about 5 years, and this is how I understand it. We only have a SP, so we don't get free parking at the parks.

A few years ago, they offered a special parking area for DDE members in the EPCOT parking area - that came with free parking, I believe, but I think they discontinued this perk.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[risy]

Thank you Beth - I finally understand!!!! Thank you. Thank you.

We are actually staying on property in a couple weeks - but we have a PS for breakfast at Chef Mickeys, before we check into our cabin. Depending on what we do next, we might be there longer than 3 hours. So I want to be able to park, for free, for longer than 3 hours.

We also have some "Birthday Celebrations" planned during the year when we will not be staying on property.

Wildernesslodge lover - I am just across the causeway from Sat Beach!!! I finally moved inland after the 1996 hurricane season! Love Mel Beach. We used to take weekend holidays down there. Unfortunately, some of those motels are now driftwood from Hurricane Jeanne. Hope your folks home is fine.

 

[Lexxiefern]

Ok, so just to get this straight - if I have a PS for 1900 Park Fare for dinner, I can valet park at the GF for free with the DDE?

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

Lexxie-yes, that is correct! Just tip the guy who brings you your car!

Risy-My parent's place is ok...we are still waiting for a roofer...we are on a wait list for that!

We eat at City Tropics all the time! Ever been there? Also, Gen Nai off of Sarno road for sushi. Man, I miss Melbourne...i gotta get up there again soon!

Ok...sorry to hijack...back to the previously scheduled thread!

 

[risy]

G E N N A I !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Risy want sushi NOW!!!