"Free" Parking - Anyone Ever Do This?

[MIChessGuy]

A travel article that I came across this afternoon offered the following advice for avoiding the theme parks' $14 parking fee:

"Our all-time favorite spot is an unmarked overflow lot across the street from the BoardWalk Inn. Next to a Hess gas station, the lot is almost always half-empty and is a 10-minute walk to the resort."

The author then observes that you can walk to EPCOT from BoardWalk, or take a boat to DHS, or take a WDW bus to other destinations. See http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41464600 for the full piece.

Has anyone here ever done this? I wasn't aware that any resorts had "overflow" lots, and in any case the resorts generally have security gates controlling access to the parking lot.

 

[imthatgirl]

We've parked there when eating at the Boardwalk but not staying on property. With this particular lot there is not time frame in which you can park there.

Personally though I would find this way too inconvenient to use as park parking. You would have to be VERY cheap to do this.

 

[nhra67]

Oh no, not again....

 

[sdzman]

If $14.00 parking is a problem then do yourself a favor and stay home

 

[bdcp]

Is this the second or third thread this week on beating the parking charge? I don't get it. Why do some people think they can try to get away with something that most others know is just wrong?

Do people really think they can get something for nothing? Next we'll be hearing rants about paying towing fees for parking where you shouldn't.

 

[eyor44]

I'm ready too.....



For visiting the World so much, the author doesn't know that you can walk to DHS from BoardWalk also? No need to wait for the boat.

 

[disneychic2]

Oh no, not again....

Yep, again!

 

[amzking]

From the article:
"2. Don't even think about paying for parking
When you're shelling out $82 a day for admission, tacking on another $14 for parking can feel like adding insult to injury. I'm proud to say my family hasn't paid for a spot in years. What many out-of-towners don't realize is that the parking lots at Disney water parks, miniature-golf courses, and the Downtown Disney entertainment district are absolutely free. From those locations, shuttle buses will take you wherever you need to go (note that some routes require transfers). Our all-time favorite spot is an unmarked overflow lot across the street from the BoardWalk Inn. Next to a Hess gas station, the lot is almost always half-empty and is a 10-minute walk to the resort. From there, you can stroll over to Epcot, take a ferry ride to Hollywood Studios, or catch a shuttle bus anywhere else — all free of charge."

Unbelievable. Do people really want to spend an hour or more getting from the parking lot to the park, just to avoid a measley $14?

Later the author says not to skimp on hotels, and to stay onsite.

 

[chartle]

Is this the second or third thread this week on beating the parking charge? I don't get it. Why do some people think they can try to get away with something that most others know is just wrong?

Do people really think they can get something for nothing? Next we'll be hearing rants about paying towing fees for parking where you shouldn't.

Actually this is the second thread I've read about probably the same article.

 

[d_lairson]

One time, back in 2003 when we were visiting for 1 day on an extreme shoestring budget we parked at DTD and took the bus to MK. It wasn't bad, but I felt SO guilty doing it!

Last time we went for the day we had lunch at Whispering Canyon and took the boat to the MK for a couple of hours, but I could not imagine taking a bus from there to EP or something.

It helps that with our AP we get free parking now, but still...

 

[EastonCat]

I purchased a submarine car so we can hide it at the bottom of Bay Lake. We scuba to Fort Wilderness, eat at Trail's end and take a moment to fill our pockets with exta fried chicken to eat in the parks. We then make sure to get a guest assistance card we don't need and go on every ride in all four parks on a one day parkhopper.

It's the only way to Dis.

 

[DaParkers]

We've parked there when eating at the Boardwalk but not staying on property. With this particular lot there is not time frame in which you can park there.

Personally though I would find this way too inconvenient to use as park parking. You would have to be VERY cheap to do this.

I don't condone cheating, but what is wrong with wanting to save between $50 and $100 if they can? It is not $14, it's $14 x 5, 6, or 7 for a lot of people. If you can park for free legally, then why not? If they have to pay to park, then they're obviously staying offsite, which may be because they can't afford to stay onsite. I stay onsite, but don't look down on those that don't or can't financially afford to.

 

[mesaboy2]

Oh no, not again....

Will you share your popcorn? That way I don't have to pay.

 

[mesaboy2]

Given MSNBC's ratings, they probably should've just shared this advice with their employees in an internal memo.

 

[lovealatte]

Really, I see no issue. There is nothing that says people cannot park there. Given the people utilizing this spot will most likely be staying off site, and parking is a cost that adds up quickly. Disney is very expensive, and many people do have budgets. This could be the equivalent to a couple souvenirs for their kids.

 

[Sammie]

I agree, if I can't afford to park, I need to stay home.

 

[BlondeAlligator]

Later the author says not to skimp on hotels, and to stay onsite.

Which would actually give you free parking anyway.

 

[Lilo&Stitch]

I don't condone cheating, but what is wrong with wanting to save between $50 and $100 if they can? It is not $14, it's $14 x 5, 6, or 7 for a lot of people. If you can park for free legally, then why not? If they have to pay to park, then they're obviously staying offsite, which may be because they can't afford to stay onsite. I stay onsite, but don't look down on those that don't or can't financially afford to.

I totally agree ! that was a pretty snooty thing to say

 

[HHSTigerFan]

Why doesn't Disney just include parking into the park ticket???

 

[SnipsNSnails]

I don't condone cheating, but what is wrong with wanting to save between $50 and $100 if they can? It is not $14, it's $14 x 5, 6, or 7 for a lot of people. If you can park for free legally, then why not? If they have to pay to park, then they're obviously staying offsite, which may be because they can't afford to stay onsite. I stay onsite, but don't look down on those that don't or can't financially afford to.

??? Yes, it's just $14 per vehicle not per person! Maybe you are a big group and have 2-3 cars but no one is saving $100 on parking by doing this. Throw your spare change in a jar for a few months and you'll easily have the money to park.