Free Parking with Annual Pass

[Jhalkias]

Does anyone know if you have to show an ID when parking at the theme parks and using your annual pass for free parking? My family all has AP's, another family going with us does not - can they use one of our AP's to park? Does someone need to ride in their car with them?

Thanks!

 

[Missyrose]

1. Does anyone know if you have to show an ID when parking at the theme parks and using your annual pass for free parking?
My family all has AP's, another family going with us does not -
2. can they use one of our AP's to park? Does someone need to ride in their car with them?

Thanks!

1. Yes, you have to show ID now

2. To get the free parking a passholder would have to be in the second car

 

[Jhalkias]

Thank You!

It's been awhile since we have used a car at WDW, so I could not remember . . .

 

[Missyrose]

Thank You!

It's been awhile since we have used a car at WDW, so I could not remember . . .

The ID thing is a fairly new development.

 

[auger]

When did they start requiring you to show ID?
We were there in April and did not have to.

 

[vicki_c]

When did they start requiring you to show ID?
We were there in April and did not have to.

About a week ago I think.

 

[aubriee]

About a week ago I think.

Actually we had to show our AP in midMay. We were there May 10th-20th. Sometimes they asked for ID and sometimes they didn't that week. My husband was driving, so was always sitting on his wallet, so I'd just hand them mine. They'd then hand my husband's AP back and ask for mine. Some just glanced at them to see that they matched, but others would bend down and really look at me, making sure they were actually my ID and AP, I guess. Funny thing is we might go to a different park that afternoon and that gate attendant wouldn't even ask. It was very hit and miss.

 

[nyfinfan]

That's funny because last August we went almost everyday and they barely glanced at the AP when I held it up. It probably could have been an expired AP and they wouldn't know. I'm guessing they figure most people wouldn't be bold enough to do that. Parking fee's everywhere are a joke. They might make around $100,000 on a busy day at one park. That's obscene in my book. IMHO.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Parking fee's everywhere are a joke. They might make around $100,000 on a busy day at one park. That's obscene in my book. IMHO.

Parking lot maintenance costs money, trams cost money, Cast Mambers directing drivers (vs a free-for-all) cost money... there's nothing obscene about assessing charges for a service to those who use the service. 'Public' garages/lots charge parking fees (generally much more per day than WDW; commuter lots charge parking fees; concert and sporting venues charge parking fees (again, generally much more than WDW/USF - and for just a few hours; private citizens take advantage of their proximity to events and charge to let people park on their property...

Good business sense. Not obscene.

 

[aubriee]

Does anyone know if you have to show an ID when parking at the theme parks and using your annual pass for free parking? My family all has AP's, another family going with us does not - can they use one of our AP's to park? Does someone need to ride in their car with them?

Thanks!

Not aimed at the OP, as all they'll need to do is have one of the AP holders ride in the other family's car, but people using the AP perks, when they are not supposed to, is the reason we all must show ID now. It used to be as long as someone you were with had an AP, the CM's in the stores would allow the guest to use the 10% off discount for merchandise. Now the one paying for it, has to have an AP in their name and ID must be shown. In the past, when we ate at a restaurant that offered the AP discount, we could all use that discount. Now again, the AP holder must be the one paying. You can see why Disney would have to start enforcing the rule though. Too many non passholders took advantage.

I have a coworker who got mad at me last year. She knows I go to WDW 4-6 times a year and always have an annual pass to both WDW and Universal. She asked me one day how many people in my family had annual passes and when I asked her why, she said she and her family were planning their second trip to WDW and she had came up with the brilliant idea, that I could just loan her family my annual passes. That way they would not have to spend all that money on park tickets. She couldn't understand why I didn't appreciate her "brilliant idea". She accused me of being self righteous and selfish and said that since I wasn't using our annual passes that particular week, she didn't see why I'd mind them using them. She said she couldn't believe I was going to make her spend all that money when she didn't have to. She just couldn't believe I wouldn't go for it and thought it was a "brilliant idea"

 

[maxiesmom]

That's funny because last August we went almost everyday and they barely glanced at the AP when I held it up. It probably could have been an expired AP and they wouldn't know. I'm guessing they figure most people wouldn't be bold enough to do that. Parking fee's everywhere are a joke. They might make around $100,000 on a busy day at one park. That's obscene in my book. IMHO.

Have you forgotten Disney is a business, with a lot of people to pay and a lot of upkeep to make us all happy to go back?

Disney parking is a bargain compared to sports venues and even hotel parking in major cities. Even so, if you stay on Disney property you don't have to pay for parking. A great perk, in my book!

 

[dioxide45]

Have you forgotten Disney is a business, with a lot of people to pay and a lot of upkeep to make us all happy to go back?

Disney parking is a bargain compared to sports venues and even hotel parking in major cities. Even so, if you stay on Disney property you don't have to pay for parking. A great perk, in my book!

There is a difference here between WDW and major cities. WDW is sitting on swamp land. Real estate in the down town of a major city is very expensive and usually has other costs associated with building the structure you are parking in. At WDW they paved some swamp and charge to park in it.

Though I have no real issue with the parking fees, if we opt to go to WDW we know upfront and budget that in to our costs. I am not going to fret over another $15-$20 a day when I an already spending that much on the vacation.

 

[SteveMouse]

Houston is sitting on swamp land.

Washington, D.C. is sitting on swamp land.

Miami is sitting on swamp land.

Wish parking in those swamps was as cheap as Disney!

 

[goofy4tink]

I doubt it makes much difference what type of land wdw is sitting on. Parking is just a cost of travel there. Free parking is a perk of staying at a wdw resort. If you pay to park at one park, just hold onto your receipt and you get free parking at other parks that same day.
Parking fees are something that need to be budgeted for when driving to the parks from off-site resorts.

 

[auger]

About a week ago I think.

Thanks!
I guess I will have to be sure to have my ID ready to show when we go in September!
Oh, wait!
We will be on property, so we will park free anyway!!!
DUH!!!

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

That's funny because last August we went almost everyday and they barely glanced at the AP when I held it up. It probably could have been an expired AP and they wouldn't know. I'm guessing they figure most people wouldn't be bold enough to do that. Parking fee's [sic] everywhere are a joke. They might make around $100,000 on a busy day at one park. That's obscene in my book. IMHO.

I'll bet Disney shareholders don't think parking fees are a joke,

They are a business. The reason for a business is to make money.

 

[dioxide45]

Given that you can stay off site in a large villa for a fraction of the price of staying in a tiny onsite hotel room, I will still gladly pay the daily parking fees even though I don't like them. Depending on how often we go, we sometimes buy annual passes which gives us free parking.