Downtown Disney Parking Time Limits and Rules

[DOOM1001]

The purpose is to free up spots, particularly to the northeast (Marketplace area).

There is no more space there, unless we want to build a multi level garage.

I avoid parking in the lots by the marketplace because they are the ones that will likely be the most crowded,you probably could find a spot there if you tried but I'm the kind of person who prefers to find a space right away and walk than spend 5-10 minutes driving around looking for a spot.But for the most part most times of the year you can find parking from the T-Rex area towards the West end relatively easy.There's always super busy days you might either have to drive around for a while or you could do like me and just head over to the area around La Nouba and get a spot.I don't think parking at DTD is a problem,but if Disney decides to build more parking or add a garage then I'd be OK with it,but charging for parking will always be an issue,I don't like it,retailers won't like it and most people don't like it.

 

[Winue]

If parking is not plentiful and free, no purchase necessary, I rarely patronize that place (a downtown, a "vertical mall" with garage, a hotel, etc.). It becomes a matter of going there only if absolutely necessary or there is a big incentive such as a major sale.

No doubt, there are others who feel the same way.

In turn merchants have to offer something extra to get people in the door. Charging for parking at DTD would change the clientele, notably a significant decrease in head count.

I respectfully disagree, only because I think they will have no problem getting people there. It is always packed, especially in the evenings...

 

[goofy4tink]

THe thing that I'm finding interesting here is the number of people that say there are no decent parking spots, because they are probably taken up by those early arrivals wanting to go to the parks. On the other hand, there are few people that see the issue with interlopers parking at a resort (BW, CR, Polynesian for instance) in order to get to a park more easily, and avoid the parking fees. These people say that there are plenty of spots available, they just aren't up front, so those staying at the resort really have no real issue. We are just complaining because we can't park close to the resort we are paying to stay at.

Really, in all seriousness, this is really not a huge issue. Are there people parking at DTD in order to access a park? Probably. Are there a lot, enough to negatively impact the parking situation? No. Again...the buses are not running early enough to get people to the parks much before 11 or even noon. When you stop to consider how long it's going to take to get to a park, from DTD, you quickly realize that it's more than worth it to drive to the park, and pay your parking fee.
15 mins to park and walk over to the buses,at least.
30 mins until a bus comes to a resort...maybe more
15-20 min ride to resort
transfer to park transport...15 mins
15 min to a park
You are at least 90 mins...not worth $15 to me.


But again....there just aren't all that many people doing this. The issue is that everyone wants to park close to the shops at DTD. If you head to the far lots, in front of and behind Cirque, there is a ton of space. I almost think it would be good if they left one area open and then let people park there, for a nominal fee (maybe $10) and then take a bus to the TTC. The bus could run every 30 mins. Just back and forth between DTD and TTC.
Or, you can always park over there, and take the Lynx bus..either the 111 or the 50. That will take you to the TTC, every half hour, for $2 pp.

 

[seashoreCM]

Introducing a Downtown Disney park shuttle from the Cirque de Soleil area (old West Side bus stop) even to Transportation & Ticket Center will attract more freeloaders to the DTD area unless a monitoring systemwith sanctions is simultaneously put into effect in the rest of the DTD parking area.

 

[chartle]

Introducing a Downtown Disney park shuttle from the Cirque de Soleil area (old West Side bus stop) even to Transportation & Ticket Center will attract more freeloaders to the DTD area unless a monitoring systemwith sanctions is simultaneously put into effect in the rest of the DTD parking area.

The issue is that ANY roadblock you put up, particularly your highly complicated one, to stop these "freeloaders" will also stop the non freeloaders from coming, aka the casual shopper.

Disney is obviously willing to force you to park at a not so desirable spot and to forfeit the little bit of extra parking fee money.

 

[lugnut33]

Got hammered one evening at Raglan Road and left the rental car in the parking lot all night until the next morning because I took a taxi back to the resort. Nothing happened to the car.

 

[goofy4tink]

Introducing a Downtown Disney park shuttle from the Cirque de Soleil area (old West Side bus stop) even to Transportation & Ticket Center will attract more freeloaders to the DTD area unless a monitoring systemwith sanctions is simultaneously put into effect in the rest of the DTD parking area.

It already exists..but most people don't realize it. You can take the Lynx bus from there to TTC for $2 pp.
If they charged a fee to leave your car there, it would recoup some parking costs and allow people to travel to TTC, where they could get a bus, boat or monorail to other destinations.
I may have to try the Lynx bus one time, just to see how it works out.

 

[Brian Noble]

I may have to try the Lynx bus one time, just to see how it works out.

EasyWDW's Josh uses Lynx all the time (he does not drive, IIRC), and has done this route once. Sounded "not terrible", but I would still think most folks would rather just pay for the convenience of parking at their destination.

 

[joelkfla]

Even in busy times, it seems like there's plenty of parking down at lots 4 and 5, which are really a far walk to the shopping area. Easy solution - just bring out a tram or the old double decker buses from Epcot and constantly run a free shuttle along the sidewalk. Then it won't matter where I park but I can get where I want to go easily and freely.

The Downtown Disney Water Shuttle runs boats from HOB to Cap'n Jacks, every 15 minutes during the day, & every 10 minutes in the evening.

I know they are low capacity and sometimes fill up, but that is an option.

I don't think Disney would run a tram where there's heavy pedestrian traffic or mixed vehicular traffic, so dedicated tram lanes would need to be created thru the parking lot. OOPS! There went a couple hundred parking spaces!

Actually, except on busiest days, parking is usually available during the day in lot G (T Rex) or H (Planet Hollywood), which are not that far a walk.

 

[goofy4tink]

EasyWDW's Josh uses Lynx all the time (he does not drive, IIRC), and has done this route once. Sounded "not terrible", but I would still think most folks would rather just pay for the convenience of parking at their destination.

Well, yeah...we ALL know that!!! I can't figure out why anyone would want to park at DTD and head to a park, but to each his own I guess. Have always wondered if anyone uses the Lynx bus from DTD.....nice to know it's pretty doable.

 

[Brian Noble]

I don't think most of the people doing that are parking at DTD. For example, quite a few guests from the UK prefer not to drive in the US (I get that, I never drive in the UK!) and may be staying in an offsite villa. Those folks often use public/shared transit (i.e. the I-Drive Trolley) to get to and fro, and the DTD-TTC Lynx route is probably quite useful, as I think DTD might be a Lynx mini-hub.

 

[sharadoc]

The Downtown Disney Water Shuttle runs boats from HOB to Cap'n Jacks, every 15 minutes during the day, & every 10 minutes in the evening.

I know they are low capacity and sometimes fill up, but that is an option.

I don't think Disney would run a tram where there's heavy pedestrian traffic or mixed vehicular traffic, so dedicated tram lanes would need to be created thru the parking lot. OOPS! There went a couple hundred parking spaces!

Actually, except on busiest days, parking is usually available during the day in lot G (T Rex) or H (Planet Hollywood), which are not that far a walk.

Good to know. I thought it was only hotel shuttles at those docks. Definitely will look into that next time.