DTD Guest Parking Abuse?

[DVC Grandpa]

Do you remember when the showing of your Disney room key to the bus driver was your pass to riding that bus? I think it was only done at the hotels for those busses going to the parks. We stayed at Disney’s “Dixie Landings” back then.

With the new increase in parking cost perhaps it’s time to reinstate that “check and ride” policy to prevent those guest from using the DTD lots for day long parking and taking a bus to any resort and then on to any park from there. Even before the construction started at DTD the main lots were full starting mid morning yet the stores seemed to be navigable . Perhaps until the construction of the parking lots are completed the showing of room keys (Magic Bands) would preserve parking space for those actually visiting the DTD locations.

 

[drusba]

Back when they checked room keys, the DTD issue still existed because they did not check there and they had buses that ran from DTD directly to the parks (and it has been so long that they did room key checking that back then Transportaiton and Ticket Center was the bus stop for everyone, including resort guests, to get to MK). The problem is particularly acute now because the DTD construction has temporarily eliminated some parking areas and you can have difficulty finding any parking even late afternoon or early evening.

Checking for room keys is no longer the possible solution because many just carry the Magic Bands. Also, though checking could help the parking problem, it would also slow down the departure times of the buses. Thus, I am not sure there is any easy answer. Perhaps they could establish parking areas that only resort guests could use but that would add additonal cost to have gates to enforce it.

 

[disneynutz]

I have been told that magic bands will be used in the bus queues to keep track of guests and to order additional buses based on the number of waiting guests.

Bill

 

[zavandor]

They could require to touch the MB when boarding the bus. That's how busses work in London (well, we touch the Oyster card not the MB ). it takes really no time.

 

[crisi]

Or they could just charge for parking at DTD at the same price as the parks, and validate with a purchase of the amount equal to or greater than the parking charge.

 

[DebbieB]

They should do what Disneyland does. Free parking up to 3 hours, 5 hours with a validation. That encourages people to go there to look around but not long enough to make a park day out of parking there.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

Aren't they building a parking garage with a few levels at DTD right now...Maybe we will have to pay to park in that...
I know people try to skit the system but i mean that's alot of changing busses,or boats to save on parking...
When we shop at DTD while staying on site I always have our packages sent back to the resort even if we have a car...

 

[chalee94]

They should do what Disneyland does. Free parking up to 3 hours, 5 hours with a validation. That encourages people to go there to look around but not long enough to make a park day out of parking there.

i like this idea.

 

[erionm]

Aren't they building a parking garage with a few levels at DTD right now...Maybe we will have to pay to park in that.

Disney has said that parking at Disney Springs will remain free of charge.

 

[CMOORE185]

i like this idea.

Seems the best solution.

 

[Cricket2]

Have you ever thought they might want people to park there to possibly entice more $ out of offsite pockets after parks close? If you are at Epcot's parking lot after parks close, you go back to your hotel most likely offsite or wherever. If you are parked at DTD, you might be pulled in and go eat something or stop in a store or have a drink etc.

 

[nalajms]

Have you ever thought they might want people to park there to possibly entice more $ out of offsite pockets after parks close? If you are at Epcot's parking lot after parks close, you go back to your hotel most likely offsite or wherever. If you are parked at DTD, you might be pulled in and go eat something or stop in a store or have a drink etc.

I really can't see someone who is willing to spend an extra hour or 2 riding buses to save $15 or so on parking going into DTD after parks close to spend more money.

 

[CMOORE185]

Have you ever thought they might want people to park there to possibly entice more $ out of offsite pockets after parks close? If you are at Epcot's parking lot after parks close, you go back to your hotel most likely offsite or wherever. If you are parked at DTD, you might be pulled in and go eat something or stop in a store or have a drink etc.

Not buying that theory.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

I really can't see someone who is willing to spend an extra hour or 2 riding buses to save $15 or so on parking going into DTD after parks close to spend more money.

You would be amazed. Parking fees tend to bring out the effort to save even if you are spending a couple of hundred bucks shopping to "save "

 

[Greysword]

Honestly, just as long as those who park at DTD don't walk over to SSR and use those buses, I'm not sure I'm terribly concerned about parking at DTD for park use. This is an issue WDW transportation and DTD management need to sort out.

 

[supersnoop]

I really can't see someone who is willing to spend an extra hour or 2 riding buses to save $15 or so on parking going into DTD after parks close to spend more money.

I expect people who make bad decisions to keep making bad decisions. And, in this case, I expect them to be so frustrated about their bad decision by the time they finally get back to Downtown Disney, that they need a meal and drink just to calm down for the drive back to where they came from.

 

[DVC Grandpa]

You would be amazed. Parking fees tend to bring out the effort to save even if you are spending a couple of hundred bucks shopping to "save "

Now that parking fees are up $2 to $17 and if you stay more than one day that adds up in a hurry...as all things do at Disney!

 

[yitbos96bb]

I really can't see someone who is willing to spend an extra hour or 2 riding buses to save $15 or so on parking going into DTD after parks close to spend more money.

People do all kinds of stupid for free stuff. Look at studies where people give out SS# and other PII for a gift card as an example

 

[Pootle]

Have you ever thought they might want people to park there to possibly entice more $ out of offsite pockets after parks close? If you are at Epcot's parking lot after parks close, you go back to your hotel most likely offsite or wherever. If you are parked at DTD, you might be pulled in and go eat something or stop in a store or have a drink etc.

I disagree - if you have made it back to your car at DTD, where you have parked to save $$, then you are going to drive a little further, to Crossroads maybe, to buy your food for a fraction of the cost.

I've driven to DTD, with the intention of shopping, found it impossible to park, and driven off again. $$ lost for Disney.

I assume that somewhere the 'bean counters' will need enough evidence of $$ being lost to them before they set up any type of system (purchase receipt validated, 3 hours free parking, etc) that costs money to administer.

 

[Cricket2]

I disagree - if you have made it back to your car at DTD, where you have parked to save $$, then you are going to drive a little further, to Crossroads maybe, to buy your food for a fraction of the cost.

I've driven to DTD, with the intention of shopping, found it impossible to park, and driven off again. $$ lost for Disney.

I assume that somewhere the 'bean counters' will need enough evidence of $$ being lost to them before they set up any type of system (purchase receipt validated, 3 hours free parking, etc) that costs money to administer.

I think my point is being missed here. I'm saying from Disney's perspective they may not care if you park at DTD and ride to parks because they are open to the idea that you could shop etc. after your return.

Not to mention you haven't really made it back to your car, you made it back to a bus stop and in many cases your car is still a longer walk than a shop/bar.

"Oh honey, I forgot I wanted to look at that _______ thing at WoD, it will only take a minute".

Yeah, right