Does SSR Need Security from DD??

[starbox]

I don't think this is a huge deal w/offsite guests. I do think it's common for onsite but not SSR guests to use DTD as a hub for catching resort busses - we do it all the time. We're actually really comfortable using all the resort transportation - boats and busses to get around the world without using our car.

But - to me, SSR people complaining about non-SSR guests using the DTD access/transportation is a little like Poly guests complaining about non-POLY all the non-resort guests eating at Ohana or CR guests complaining about Chef Mickeys - or EPCOT area resort guests complaining about all the non-resort guests using the boats to get from EPCOT to MGM.

 

[Simba's Mom]

I think Chuck has a winner. If they don't have room keys they can't get from the parks to the resorts and it'd be a one way ticket. Maybe the SSR buses need to implement this.

Thoughts???

The only problem is if people staying off-site go to the theme parks, then want to go over to see, say, POR and eat in that huge food court for lunch. Sort of a "check-it-out" and have some down time eating at the food court there. I think Disney wants to allow/encourage this and only letting people on buses who have resort keys might defeat this.

 

[lisaviolet]

Of course, it is not likely that those 4 families were people who parked at DD to avoid the parking fee, because if they had already made that trek, at least one of them would have probably known their way back.

Not necessarily.

They didn't know each other. Two of them were at the DD area hotels not Disney. Walking or driving unknown on those two groups. One of the other two were going back to their car so I assume not Disney. But who knows on that one because we sometimes drive to DD. So yes I do know that some, if not all, were non-Disney hotel guests. And once again, doesn't bother me. Was only addressing the suggestion that it does not exist.

As far as all of them not knowing to get off at CP and where to walk. Well, not necessarily on not parking at DD. An explanation could be that they got on a resort bus earlier in the day. One of the MK resorts I would think because they were coming from MK. And therefore they really didn't know how to get back via SSR. Heck, the first time I stayed at SSR I had to figure it all out. They were grateful for the help. And as I was guiding them not to get off at the Carousel, I smiled and thought of the DIS posts. As in "oh here are the guests people are talking about".

Now back to Spurs and Suns.

 

[dioxide45]

but there is, there is always a percentage of nonDVC rooms available to Disney reservations, so I would think Disney resorts covers some of the transportation.

These DVC rentals are likly units that owners have allowed DVC to rent for them? If that is the case, then a MF was paid by the ower. The only case would be if there are unsold units that Disney has put in to a rental pool.

 

[Sammie]

These DVC rentals are likly units that owners have allowed DVC to rent for them? If that is the case, then a MF was paid by the ower. The only case would be if there are unsold units that Disney has put in to a rental pool.

DVC does not rent units for owners.

Disney owns a certain percentage of all the DVC resorts, in rooms that will never be available for point usage.

 

[Chuck S]

DVC does not rent units for owners.

Disney owns a certain percentage of all the DVC resorts, in rooms that will never be available for point usage.

I think the poster was referring to Disney collection trades, where DVC units are turned over for cash reservations. In which case, yes, dues were collected from the owner for transportation. But it depends upon how those DVC rooms are chosen/turned over for cash.

BTW, a previous poster kind of inferred that I support showing a room key to use the bus. What I actually said was that many years ago, that was the policy, but now that the multi-park tickets include use of WDW transportation system, I don't think that would work now. I think the solution, if their is a bus crowding problem, is charging for parking at DtD.

 

[TisBit]

Of course, it is not likely that those 4 families were people who parked at DD to avoid the parking fee, because if they had already made that trek, at least one of them would have probably known their way back. They probably wanted to go to DD to shop or eat, which is exactly what Disney wants them to do. So, yes, there are probably CMs at theme parks telling people to use the SSR bus to go "directly" to DD, just as the Cont bus is sometimes used to go "directly" to the MK from DD.

None of this should be a significant problem, as long as those scheduling the buses are aware of this kind of incremental use. If that is the case, then prohibiting such use would only mean that the # of scheduled buses should be reduced. A reduced number of buses would mean that the crowding on the buses would stay the same, the wait between buses woudl be longer, but SSR owners would save a $0.01 or so per point (just a guess) on your dues.

-- Suzanne

That is kinda what I was tryign to get at. I could see CM's telling people to use SSR to get to DTD directly from parks or to get back to a park from DTD....but not advise people that they could avoid parking fees by parking there.

I personally think you can get into grey areas when it is guests from other resorts trying to get to DTD from a park, etc. Unfortunately if I remember it correctly bus service to DTD is sketchy at best and usually involves going to the water parks etc. It probably saves a lot of time to use SSR buses and I don't really see a problem with that. Similar to people using AKL buses to get to Boma for reservations.

 

[Sammie]

I think the poster was referring to Disney collection trades, where DVC units are turned over for cash reservations. In which case, yes, dues were collected from the owner for transportation. But it depends upon how those DVC rooms are chosen/turned over for cash.

BTW, a previous poster kind of inferred that I support showing a room key to use the bus. What I actually said was that many years ago, that was the policy, but now that the multi-park tickets include use of WDW transportation system, I don't think that would work now. I think the solution, if their is a bus crowding problem, is charging for parking at DtD.

I support the paid parking at DD.

 

[dioxide45]

I support the paid parking at DD.

I don't... Well I do if the stores and/or restaurants will validate it for you. If I go to spend money at the stores and restaurants I shouldn't have to pay to park at a shopping mall.

 

[BroganMc]

But - to me, SSR people complaining about non-SSR guests using the DTD access/transportation is a little like Poly guests complaining about non-POLY all the non-resort guests eating at Ohana or CR guests complaining about Chef Mickeys - or EPCOT area resort guests complaining about all the non-resort guests using the boats to get from EPCOT to MGM.

Thursday night, we drove our car over to the Poly, parked in their guest lot, got food at their CS (Capn Cooks) and sat on their beach to watch the EWP and fireworks. If we'd gone earlier in the day, we could have gone swimming in their pool too (thanks to pool hopping). Oh the horror.

After being at SSR multiple times and watching those busses at all times of the day, I seriously question whether this even happens as alleged. I think a lot of DISers are making a lot of assumptions when they overhear people getting directions to DTD. As for the DTD hotels, I kept spotting and following DTD Resort shuttle busses all the last 3 weeks. So if they have a shuttle to and from parks, why would they even bother walking over to SSR?

A few other things

- the ferry doesn't begin to run until 11:15am, long after the morning park rush has ended.

- Congress Park is the 4th stop on the route. Before that, busses pick up guests from 11 other buildings. It's no wonder the busses will be packed by the time they get to CP. Picking up CP adds another 4 buildings of guests.

- Even when there's a rush for certain parks (like for morning EMH or late EMH), extra busses are dispatched. I missed 2 EPCOT busses one morning EMH but the third one arrived at the Springs 10 minutes later. It was also packed and yet I got a wheelchair spot and everyone waiting at Springs got on. The big delay for us was getting through the baggage check and turnstiles (that finger scanning is a major nightmare!!!).

- Anyone can use the ferries to SSR, OKW and POR. So even if you have security gates at the walkways, Disney will ferry them over for free. At the same time, you'll make those pathways inaccessible for the disabled like me. (I can't even use the park turnstiles without a CMs help.) Others can merely hop an unattended fence... unless you'd like to electrify it.

As you can see, I'm highly critical of these kinds of debates. I witnessed a lot of things being told to guests and alot of guests who thought they knew SSR getting it grossly wrong. One family insisted they could ferry over to Fort Wilderness last week. Another proudly told their family HRS pool had the water guns. And a ferry captain told a family boarding the ferry at DTD Marketplace that they could hop a bus to MK at the resort and then ferry over to Wilderness Lodge. (I kept wondering why he didn't just tell them to turn around and walk over to the DTD bus stop and go direct.)

 

[lisaviolet]

That is kinda what I was tryign to get at. I could see CM's telling people to use SSR to get to DTD directly from parks or to get back to a park from DTD....but not advise people that they could avoid parking fees by parking there.

People are just going to say, "How do I get to DD from here?" to the CMs at parks not "I"m parked at DD, staying offsite and I want to get back to my car?". (No sarcasm intended). So CMs would never know when answering whether they are helping people to avoid parking fees. As I said about the four groups that I helped out most were told to get on the SSR bus expecting to land at DD, it was evident that that had occured, and at least two were definitely offsite. And one definitely was parked. Maybe more. They were told by CMs.

And I suspect there are many that don't think there is a thing wrong with using DD or SSR (especially when they've been shown it) as a hub for the parks for offsite. I'm sure DD hotel customers do it all the time. Nothing wrong as in doesn't even cross their mind to give it some thought. I'm thinking back to my interaction. It was completely open. Hard to explain the vibe.

 

[lisaviolet]

I support the paid parking at DD.

Sammie, do you mean that same as the parks? As in free for WDW guests. And would you support a system where a bill from stores/clubs covers the cost. Realizing that some might make a purchase to do the buses anyway. Maybe a purchase and a time limit.

That might make sense.

Otherwise, wouldn't the stores suffer somewhat? It is my perception when I'm there that it does fairly well locally. Unsure how on I am with that. And maybe that would change with a fee for parking.

 

[dvc_john]

The last sentence is not true--if you go over the free time allotted the charge is $6 per hour (in 20-minute increments).* So if you go more than two hours over the "free" time (either 3 or 5) your charge will end up being more than the $11 it would cost to park in the theme park parking lots.

Thanks, I stand corrected.

Now I'll make a small correction to your statement. If you go more than 1 hour 40 minutes over the 'free' time your charge will end up being more than the $11 it would cost to park in the theme park parking lots. (more than 1 hour 40 minutes over 'free time' = $12, more than two hours over 'free time' = $14 or more)

 

[MagicalPins]

Being a Disneyland local, I am always shocked that Downtown Disney at Walt Disney World has free parking all day. I am so used to the DL 3 free hours/5 w/ validation from sit down restraunt/movie.

Sometimes at Disneyland, I park at Downtown Disney to run into the parks if Im not going to be long and just walk to parks which is faster than parking in a lot and taking a tram, but its not for the purpose of avoiding paying for parking since its included in my pass. A few times I have ended up running over my time and stayed longer and went to a restraunt to get my parking validatated.

I really think WDW should have the same type of situtation.

 

[LIFERBABE]

Thursday night, we drove our car over to the Poly, parked in their guest lot, got food at their CS (Capn Cooks) and sat on their beach to watch the EWP and fireworks. If we'd gone earlier in the day, we could have gone swimming in their pool too (thanks to pool hopping). Oh the horror.

After being at SSR multiple times and watching those busses at all times of the day, I seriously question whether this even happens as alleged. I think a lot of DISers are making a lot of assumptions when they overhear people getting directions to DTD. As for the DTD hotels, I kept spotting and following DTD Resort shuttle busses all the last 3 weeks. So if they have a shuttle to and from parks, why would they even bother walking over to SSR?

A few other things

- the ferry doesn't begin to run until 11:15am, long after the morning park rush has ended.

- Congress Park is the 4th stop on the route. Before that, busses pick up guests from 11 other buildings. It's no wonder the busses will be packed by the time they get to CP. Picking up CP adds another 4 buildings of guests.

- Even when there's a rush for certain parks (like for morning EMH or late EMH), extra busses are dispatched. I missed 2 EPCOT busses one morning EMH but the third one arrived at the Springs 10 minutes later. It was also packed and yet I got a wheelchair spot and everyone waiting at Springs got on. The big delay for us was getting through the baggage check and turnstiles (that finger scanning is a major nightmare!!!).

- Anyone can use the ferries to SSR, OKW and POR. So even if you have security gates at the walkways, Disney will ferry them over for free. At the same time, you'll make those pathways inaccessible for the disabled like me. (I can't even use the park turnstiles without a CMs help.) Others can merely hop an unattended fence... unless you'd like to electrify it.

As you can see, I'm highly critical of these kinds of debates. I witnessed a lot of things being told to guests and alot of guests who thought they knew SSR getting it grossly wrong. One family insisted they could ferry over to Fort Wilderness last week. Another proudly told their family HRS pool had the water guns. And a ferry captain told a family boarding the ferry at DTD Marketplace that they could hop a bus to MK at the resort and then ferry over to Wilderness Lodge. (I kept wondering why he didn't just tell them to turn around and walk over to the DTD bus stop and go direct.)

Excellent Post Brogan, and I agree. I spend alot of time at the resort proper and we walk early in the mornings. We always stay in CP and rarely do we see anyone walking the paths to get to the bus stops. It's just busy and you will not always get a seat on the bus unless you decide to wait for the next one.

I also agree that WDW is set up to share its transportation system. I see nothing wrong with telling a guest how to best use the system to get where they want to go. I have hopped on a MK bus to get to the Contemp. or a Contemp but to get to MK.

I do not agree with using SSR busses to avoid parking fees, but that could be prevented by not allowing cars to enter the DTD lot prior to DTD opening. Or they could charge before noon and validate.

We use it all, boats, busses, walkways and the occasional pool or community hall hop. That is quite a walk from DTD hotels to Congress park bus stop, so I doubt there is much of that going on either.

 

[crisi]

As long as your multiday pass entitles you to Disney transportation, you'll get people taking the SSR buses who aren't staying there. May be a big issue, may not be, but they are entitled.

I will take the "wrong" bus to get closer regularly - a favorite of ours is to catch the MGM bus and walk back to the BW from MGM from AK if that bus comes first. We will also monorail and walk instead of bussing to get back to BW from MK. In my experience, DTD buses are horrible (they never come when you want them, but you'll see four of them waiting for a MK bus), and I don't see any issue with catching an SSR bus that is there and walking rather than waiting for an DTD bus.

I do suspect people park at DTD to avoid parking fees - they do it at the Boardwalk as well! And I think both lots should be "free with validation" lots with a fairly high validation threshhold. IMHO the whole DTD area needs some help, since they took away the entrance cover to PI it really hasn't been a pleasant place in the evenings either.

 

[abk96]

Every trip we will go to DTD one morning and then walk over to SSR CP to get a bus to a park. You all aren't saying that is wrong, right?

Are you all just concerned about people parking at DTD and then using the transportation at SSR? Or do you not want anyone using SSR transportation that's not staying at SSR?

I agree with coming up with a solution to stop people from parking then entering SSR for transport. I think the PP who talked about DL with 3 free hours and 5 hrs. with validation from movies or restaurant would be a great idea.

 

[JerJan]

Yep, that's accurate. We've heard a bus driver and the CM at the bus loading areas at the theme parks tell guests to do this.

DITTO....we have too

 

[starbox]

On our last trip, we were trying to get to DTD from Winterland/Summerland. The weather was amazing - so we decided to just take the first OKW/SSR or POR bus we saw and then ferry to DTD. It ended up a OKW bus came first and the bus driver asked if we were headed to OKW and we said "Why not?"

I'm sure it looked like we were interlopers.

And MS told us to park at the CR for a tour - even though we are not staying at CR.

BTW - AKV folks have to deal with transporting all the stupid people who hop to another park and leave their car at AK parking even though the park closes early. We had a group of stranded and very drunk Spring Break girls on our AKV bus after Illuminations that the driver agreed to take to AK.

 

[dioxide45]

According to Wikipedia there are about 825 units at SSR. I am averaging 4 people per unit would be. This would be 3300 people staying at any given time. If say 100 people park at DTD, this equates to about 3% increase in usage. That usage is taken in to account when they plan how many buses to run. 3% is very small and if they reduce one or two runs you will still end up with the same if not longer waits.
I really think it is a non issue. People staying offsite are not all parking at DTD to take the bus from SSR.
Adding a parking fee at DTD will just reduce the number of people going to DTD, this will reduce people from parking there and using SSR buses, but as I mentioned above, Disney will adjust the number of runs to accomodate. They have this down to a science to keep cost down while maintaining a minimum service level.