DTD Parking-Packed?

[kbelle8995]

I would like to start off the post by saying I do not disagree with Kevin. I think it is down to timing. Yes you can go over there and find a parking spot easily. First thing in the morning or the middle of the week or when there is absolutely nothing going on.

BUT more and more you have to drive clear down to the Cirque building or follow guests like you are Jaws. Seriously I want to play the theme music.

If they expand, they are going to do something with parking. I was there Sunday to go to eat. There was no parking except down at Cirque. And there were at least one car in most rows waiting for someone to leave. We cancelled our reservation at Capt Jack's and went to eat at Olivia's. There was a huge St. Patrick day celebration for most of the week.

Would love to hear other's opinion's on this.

 

[JimmyV]

I also agree with Kevin. While parking is not pleasant, it certainly isn't impossible the way some exaggerate it to be. No one likes "stalking" people as they leave the shopping area and head back to their cars, but it is an effective method of getting a spot. DTD is no more difficult than any typical mall on a busy weekend.

But the expansion may create a whole new set of problems. First of all, from the plans that have been revealed, the expansion is going to occupy much of the space currently set aside for parking. And while a parking structure will help, it is difficult to imagine that there will be a net gain in parking spaces. Even if there is a net gain, will that gain keep pace with the vast increase in guests that are to anticipated once Disney Springs becomes "new and improved"? An increase of 20% in parking spaces is of little use if the increase in guests is 30%.

And as far as parking difficulties go, I always find that driving around in circles and up and down ramps while in a garage to be far more time consuming and frustrating than parking in flat lots. What this all means is that if Disney hopes and expects Disney Springs to be a more highly utilized destination, (especially one with adult eating and drinking going on), then Disney will have to improve the transportation system tremendously. The only reason I ever drive to DTD is because I am tired of waiting 45 minutes for a bus to arrive, only to have that bus make stops at water parks and who knows where else. If Disney Springs is truly going to become a destination, it has to be given direct, frequent transportation much more in line with how guests are delivered to the parks.

 

[kbelle8995]

Yeah maybe it's just me but "Stalking" people and hoping that they are leaving and hoping no one else beats you to the spot is just as time consuming and frustrating as trying to get into a parking garage. Trying to pick lesser of two evils.

I am worried about the placement of parking garages and asthetics but this is Disney.
Here's the choices:

A).Put in a parking garage.
B.) Charge off property guests for parking until a certain time ala Universal.
C) Leave it as is.

 

[disneysteve]

While parking is not pleasant, it certainly isn't impossible the way some exaggerate it to be. No one likes "stalking" people as they leave the shopping area and head back to their cars, but it is an effective method of getting a spot.

Sorry, but I don't consider having to employ the "stalking" method to be acceptable except at really peak times like Christmas week. On a weeknight during the summer (which is when we've visited the past 4 years), I just shouldn't have to do that.

I think Disney has not bothered to address this because it drives more people to pay the ridiculous valet fee. The fact that they have to offer valet parking tells you that parking availability is a problem.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Sorry, but I don't consider having to employ the "stalking" method to be acceptable except at really peak times like Christmas week. On a weeknight during the summer (which is when we've visited the past 4 years), I just shouldn't have to do that.

I think Disney has not bothered to address this because it drives more people to pay the ridiculous valet fee. The fact that they have to offer valet parking tells you that parking availability is a problem.

Then you should never, ever visit the Premium Outlets near Disney....and they have a parking structure.

i visit DTD a lot and have never valet parked.

 

[disneysteve]

Then you should never, ever visit the Premium Outlets near Disney....and they have a parking structure.

Been there, done that. We have left the Premium Outlets without ever shopping on a couple of occasions because the lot was overfull to the point that cars were parking on the grass, on the curbs, anywhere and everywhere. I agree that it is insane even more so than DTD. At least at Disney you do eventualy get a space.

 

[dwelty]

As one who remembers Disneyland prior to DCA and Downtown Disney, I can say that the parking structure that Disney built in 2000 greatly reduced traffic in and around Disneyland. in Fact the traffic now (even with 2 parks and DTD) is half of what it was in the area prior to the parking structure. I for one trust that Disney knows what it is doing and the structure will improve the problems in the entire BV area. The Disneyland Parking Structure holds over 10000 cars and was the largest in the Western Hemisphere at time of completion. (the largest in the world is in the city of Tokyo).

 

[kbelle8995]

I was wondering about Disneyland and their parking Garages.

As for Prime outlet, I use the parking garage and I am always able to get a spot quickly.with a few exceptions. Now this is not the case at Xmas but that's the case anywhere at Xmas. And when it's that crowded I leave.