"Free" Parking - Anyone Ever Do This?

[MikeandReneePlus5]

I agree with you. That is why these people should be banned from WDW forever. On my last trip I spent over 72 hours patrolling the parking lots. We can’t leave this to the CMs! I physically blocked a few cars and killed a man with a trident. If you see someone parking illegally you should kill them with a trident.

I saw that!

And I've been meaning to talk to you about it. You should find yourself a safehouse or a relative close by. Lay low for a while, because you're probably wanted for murder.

 

[TenderDonkey]

I saw that!

And I've been meaning to talk to you about it. You should find yourself a safehouse or a relative close by. Lay low for a while, because you're probably wanted for murder.

Boy, that escalated quickly... I mean, that really got out of hand fast...

 

[mcd2745]

Boy, that escalated quickly... I mean, that really got out of hand fast...

It jumped up a notch...



BTW, getting back to the OP, the article referenced was originally published in Budget Travel magazine (which is really a great publication - to which I have a subscription). When I received the magazine in the mail about a month ago and I read the article and their "tips" I thought the author was clueless.

 

[iheartdisney]

The one thing that I will say .... $14 is a ridiculous amount to charge for parking!!! To me, it is appalling that after how much you pay to GET INTO THE PARKS that they screw you for parking too.

Why not free?

Or nominal.


And don't get me started on the $7 for a locker!!!!!!!!


I can deal with ticket prices ... I can even deal with the food prices ... but the parking pissed me off!

Another thanks to Micheal Eisner, and ALL he did for the Disney Corp.

 

[Disney Dad Canada]

The one thing that I will say .... $14 is a ridiculous amount to charge for parking!!! To me, it is appalling that after how much you pay to GET INTO THE PARKS that they screw you for parking too.

Got one word for ya bubba. GATORLAND!!!

 

[Bullseye]

I'm not advocating this.... but if you're that desperate to beat the parking fee, why wouldn't you just stick a sheet a paper in your window that looks the same as they issue from the resort. I don't remember whats on it exactly, but it didn't seem like there was any secret code on it that CM's could discern from glancing at your window as you drive through.

As far as I'm concerned, just budget some parking dollars before you go if you not going to stay on site.

 

[Rip]

Exactly!!!!!!

Don't want to hear what policy actually is, don't post. If you are looking to cheat or scam, just go about your business. There is no need to clue the rest of us in on it.


Comment not meant for anyone in particular, just as a general fyi.

So what about things (like the article that started this thread) that aren't against actual policy? Why do so many people get their panties in a twist over them?

 

[bytheblood]

A lot of people do it, daily.

 

[robinb]

I'm not advocating this.... but if you're that desperate to beat the parking fee, why wouldn't you just stick a sheet a paper in your window that looks the same as they issue from the resort. I don't remember whats on it exactly, but it didn't seem like there was any secret code on it that CM's could discern from glancing at your window as you drive through.

There was a problem with our reservation on our last trip and the CM gave me a parking pass with the dates written in pen instead of being printed on it. We were asked for our KTTW card by the parking CM to prove that we were really resort guests.

 

[sydneysmom]

Okay, WHAT is with all the "free parking : see if we can scam Disney" threads? I don't get it. And no, I'm not judgemental, I just cannot understand why someone has to look for ways to "beat the system".

Look, if the $ 14.00 / day is steep, I have a solution. More times than not, you're planning your vacation what, like a year in advance lets say. So, if you go for 8 days @ $14.00 / day parking = $ 112 for parking for your trip.


If you divide this out by a year, 365 days, it's only $ 0.31 / day

Come on, get a jar, put down the $ 4.00 Starbucks Latte and throw in 31 cents a day. Then you won't have to worry about parking 2 miles away from the nearest resoort where you can then hop a bus to take you to a park. Seems easier, doesn't it ?

 

[Sandy Mouse]

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

Love it!!

 

[SideshowBob]

Love it!!

That was funny!

It is a real issue ... it was one of main reasons the Swan/Dolphin started charging for parking as were overrun with people parking (especially at the Swan) and walking for free into the parks. Caused there to not be enough parking for the paying guests.

 

[GinnyEmma]

Okay, WHAT is with all the "free parking : see if we can scam Disney" threads? I don't get it. And no, I'm not judgemental, I just cannot understand why someone has to look for ways to "beat the system".

Look, if the $ 14.00 / day is steep, I have a solution. More times than not, you're planning your vacation what, like a year in advance lets say. So, if you go for 8 days @ $14.00 / day parking = $ 112 for parking for your trip.


If you divide this out by a year, 365 days, it's only $ 0.31 / day

Come on, get a jar, put down the $ 4.00 Starbucks Latte and throw in 31 cents a day. Then you won't have to worry about parking 2 miles away from the nearest resoort where you can then hop a bus to take you to a park. Seems easier, doesn't it ?

lol, no kidding. You all haven't parked in the city before.

 

[mesaboy2]

That was funny!

It is a real issue ... it was one of main reasons the Swan/Dolphin started charging for parking as were overrun with people parking (especially at the Swan) and walking for free into the parks. Caused there to not be enough parking for the paying guests.

Thanks, I'll be here all week.

As for your point, I fear this is a glimpse into our future experience at the Disney resorts-proper....

 

[Rip]

Thanks, I'll be here all week.

As for your point, I fear this is a glimpse into our future experience at the Disney resorts-proper....

Nah, you're already paying for parking if you're staying onsite, it's just rolled into your room charge. What you will see if it becomes a problem (and again, the article that started this thread did not advocate parking at a resort) is a more strict adherence to the 3 hour rule. If you are dining at a resort and otherwise not staying on property, that is what they are supposed to do - give you a 3 hour temporary parking pass and tow you if they catch you violating it. In reality, unless they are booked solid they choose not to enforce this the vast majority of the time.

For example, we have (long ago, when I lived in Orlando), driven to the Contemporary for breakfast at Chef Mickey's, asked what the policy was for going to the MK afterwards (at the time we did not know), and never once did a CM tell me we would have to leave, go back through the front gate, pay, and park in the regular lot. Each and every time we were told that since we had dining reservations, we could park there and visit the park afterward.

 

[mesaboy2]

Nah, you're already paying for parking if you're staying onsite, it's just rolled into your room charge. What you will see if it becomes a problem (and again, the article that started this thread did not advocate parking at a resort) is a more strict adherence to the 3 hour rule. If you are dining at a resort and otherwise not staying on property, that is what they are supposed to do - give you a 3 hour temporary parking pass and tow you if they catch you violating it. In reality, unless they are booked solid they choose not to enforce this the vast majority of the time.

For example, we have (long ago, when I lived in Orlando), driven to the Contemporary for breakfast at Chef Mickey's, asked what the policy was for going to the MK afterwards (at the time we did not know), and never once did a CM tell me we would have to leave, go back through the front gate, pay, and park in the regular lot. Each and every time we were told that since we had dining reservations, we could park there and visit the park afterward.

You're probably right. But, having just completed a weekend off-site near DTD and paying for parking explicitly, I just can't help but wonder when that may become standard policy on-site.

 

[MikeandReneePlus5]

we have (long ago, when I lived in Orlando), driven to the Contemporary for breakfast at Chef Mickey's, Each and every time we were told that since we had dining reservations, we could park there and visit the park afterward.

It has been established that this will now lead to death by trident. Just so you know.

 

[CTmommyx3]

The one thing that I will say .... $14 is a ridiculous amount to charge for parking!!! To me, it is appalling that after how much you pay to GET INTO THE PARKS that they screw you for parking too.

Why not free?

Or nominal.


And don't get me started on the $7 for a locker!!!!!!!!


I can deal with ticket prices ... I can even deal with the food prices ... but the parking pissed me off!

I agree 100%
I think they make plenty on just the ticket price, i would almost feel better paying a few dollars more and say free parking! even if in the end it still cost me with a few dollars on ticket prices.

 

[CTmommyx3]

??? 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.

I took that as them saying 14 dollars times each day not how many people they had! Like if you had a 6 day pass and parked for free each day you would have saved 84 dollars!!
as much as i hate to pay it i would never want to worry or waste the time trying to catch buses somewhere
our hotel is offsite and offers a free shuttle we just hate having to be on someone elses schedule

 

[GinnyEmma]

I agree 100%
I think they make plenty on just the ticket price, i would almost feel better paying a few dollars more and say free parking! even if in the end it still cost me with a few dollars on ticket prices.

But then the people who had already paid for parking with their room purchase or Ap. I don't know a park, zoo, etc. With free parking.