FYI - The New Gates at the Parking Lot and Kennel

[clkelley]

The construction on the new gates is complete and while there are no signs saying so, Key Card do work at the gates. However, if you have a large vehicle, your front bumper may be bumping the gate to reach the card reader.

Also, the sign on the Kennel has been replaced, It now just say Tri-Circle D Ranch. The signs pointing the way to the Kennel have not been replaced yet.

Also, if you want to board your pets at the new Kennel and have a large motor home, it will be a "tight" squeeze to get your motor home there and you will have to block many parking spaces. As a matter of fact, the times we passed the new kennel, the parking lot was quite full and you may be blocking other cars!!

I meant to drop by and talk to a manager about both the gate situation and the kennel transportation situation, but never did get "around tuit"

 

[BradyBz12]

Thanks for the info Carol!

And you can borrow mine...

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

When I checked out yesterday I gave my opinion (aka showed my southern behind) to a couple of the managers about concerns over the changes to overflow & the new gate. It just so happened that when we pulled up to stop at front desk, there was a whole group of manager types (we're talking ties & ladies in high heels) standing in the parking lot pointing and watching people come in while someone else seemed to be explaining things. They broke up their meeting just as I approached. I asked what was going to happen this year at Halloween when all of the locals came to visit. They said that wouldn't happen because security would stop them. I laughed & said sure. They tried to explain that this is why they had the new gate installed, to keep 'outsiders' from using overflow parking, and everyone would now be forced to go thru security. I was told that only those with resort id or who had a reservation at HDDR would be allowed in. They said that those who aren't FW guests would be told to park in lot & take bus. I pointed out that because there is no system past the parking lot, they really didn't have to park, they'd be able to just drive around. I asked what would happen if someone like me showed up sometime and said I was going to TE for lunch/dinner. The answer? Oh, they'd let ME in if I was coming to eat or shop. I then pointed out that EVERYONE could say that & they'd be let in, and then they could drive their cars all over the campground, and then they'd be able to steal golf cart chargers and bikes. I then viewed a shocked/puzzled look. The next statement.... I guess we have some things to figure out that should have been talked about before the gate was installed. PRICELESS!

 

[BradyBz12]

Go get 'em!!!

 

[Tnbob]

When I checked out yesterday I gave my opinion (aka showed my southern behind) to a couple of the managers about concerns over the changes to overflow & the new gate. It just so happened that when we pulled up to stop at front desk, there was a whole group of manager types (we're talking ties & ladies in high heels) standing in the parking lot pointing and watching people come in while someone else seemed to be explaining things. They broke up their meeting just as I approached. I asked what was going to happen this year at Halloween when all of the locals came to visit. They said that wouldn't happen because security would stop them. I laughed & said sure. They tried to explain that this is why they had the new gate installed, to keep 'outsiders' from using overflow parking, and everyone would now be forced to go thru security. I was told that only those with resort id or who had a reservation at HDDR would be allowed in. They said that those who aren't FW guests would be told to park in lot & take bus. I pointed out that because there is no system past the parking lot, they really didn't have to park, they'd be able to just drive around. I asked what would happen if someone like me showed up sometime and said I was going to TE for lunch/dinner. The answer? Oh, they'd let ME in if I was coming to eat or shop. I then pointed out that EVERYONE could say that & they'd be let in, and then they could drive their cars all over the campground, and then they'd be able to steal golf cart chargers and bikes. I then viewed a shocked/puzzled look. The next statement.... I guess we have some things to figure out that should have been talked about before the gate was installed. PRICELESS!

so whats your point?

Seriously, last night we were looping around and we were comming out of the 1500 loop when a bus stopped and across the road came about 15 people with towels a folding table 2 kids and a rolling suitcase and got on the bus. We had to go to the parking area and here they were crossing the road and loaded up into 3 cars and left. It's just too easy to pull up behind someone comming through the gate and while it's up just drive through with the other car. It was funny tonight that I noticed a sign at the new gate telling you that all cars MUST stop and allow the gate to go down between cars. Now I will listen to that but will.........

 

[Magicbus]

I meant to drop by and talk to a manager about both the gate situation and the kennel transportation situation.

Are you thinking that Disney is going to provide transportation to the kennel? That would be the right thing to do, but I know, you know, it's not going to happen.

I pointed out that because there is no system past the parking lot, they really didn't have to park, they'd be able to just drive around. statement

At one point we had guests with a total of three cars parked at our site this past weekend. They just told security they were visiting site 911, that was cool having a site with that number, no problem. Not only did they all get in, but no one said anything about all the cars at the site.

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

At one point we had guests with a total of three cars parked at our site this past weekend. They just told security they were visiting site 911, that was cool having a site with that number, no problem. Not only did they all get in, but no one said anything about all the cars at the site.

same here Monday night.....3 cars at site & security just let them in. why even bother paying for security?

 

[clkelley]

Are you thinking that Disney is going to provide transportation to the kennel? That would be the right thing to do, but I know, you know, it's not going to happen.

I know they are not, but I wanted to point out the difficulties they will be causing some guests with their decision to move the kennels


At one point we had guests with a total of three cars parked at our site this past weekend. They just told security they were visiting site 911, that was cool having a site with that number, no problem. Not only did they all get in, but no one said anything about all the cars at the site.

I also had local guests come to my campsite, BUT I met them at the gate, swiped them in with my card. I had them park at the lot and I took them to my site on my cart.

 

[clkelley]

When I checked out yesterday I gave my opinion (aka showed my southern behind) to a couple of the managers about concerns over the changes to overflow & the new gate. It just so happened that when we pulled up to stop at front desk, there was a whole group of manager types (we're talking ties & ladies in high heels) standing in the parking lot pointing and watching people come in while someone else seemed to be explaining things. They broke up their meeting just as I approached. I asked what was going to happen this year at Halloween when all of the locals came to visit. They said that wouldn't happen because security would stop them. I laughed & said sure. They tried to explain that this is why they had the new gate installed, to keep 'outsiders' from using overflow parking, and everyone would now be forced to go thru security. I was told that only those with resort id or who had a reservation at HDDR would be allowed in. They said that those who aren't FW guests would be told to park in lot & take bus. I pointed out that because there is no system past the parking lot, they really didn't have to park, they'd be able to just drive around. I asked what would happen if someone like me showed up sometime and said I was going to TE for lunch/dinner. The answer? Oh, they'd let ME in if I was coming to eat or shop. I then pointed out that EVERYONE could say that & they'd be let in, and then they could drive their cars all over the campground, and then they'd be able to steal golf cart chargers and bikes. I then viewed a shocked/puzzled look. The next statement.... I guess we have some things to figure out that should have been talked about before the gate was installed. PRICELESS!

That is the EXACT point I was going to make to them, thanks!!!!!! If it isn't changed by Halloween, I'll have a full week and I'll make sure to tell them again!!

 

[Magicbus]

I took them to my site on my cart.

I offered to pick up my guests, but they refused to sit on the handlebars. Do they still sell bicycles built for two?

 

[MandMLUVMMandDVC]

That is the EXACT point I was going to make to them, thanks!!!!!! If it isn't changed by Halloween, I'll have a full week and I'll make sure to tell them again!!

Hopefully it won't come to that, but if so we'll have a chat with Don & Doug (Doug is Jeff Martin's boss, and Jeff is on vacation for the next 3 1/2 weeks)

 

[des1954]

When I checked out yesterday I gave my opinion (aka showed my southern behind) to a couple of the managers about concerns over the changes to overflow & the new gate. It just so happened that when we pulled up to stop at front desk, there was a whole group of manager types (we're talking ties & ladies in high heels) standing in the parking lot pointing and watching people come in while someone else seemed to be explaining things. They broke up their meeting just as I approached. I asked what was going to happen this year at Halloween when all of the locals came to visit. They said that wouldn't happen because security would stop them. I laughed & said sure. They tried to explain that this is why they had the new gate installed, to keep 'outsiders' from using overflow parking, and everyone would now be forced to go thru security. I was told that only those with resort id or who had a reservation at HDDR would be allowed in. They said that those who aren't FW guests would be told to park in lot & take bus. I pointed out that because there is no system past the parking lot, they really didn't have to park, they'd be able to just drive around. I asked what would happen if someone like me showed up sometime and said I was going to TE for lunch/dinner. The answer? Oh, they'd let ME in if I was coming to eat or shop. I then pointed out that EVERYONE could say that & they'd be let in, and then they could drive their cars all over the campground, and then they'd be able to steal golf cart chargers and bikes. I then viewed a shocked/puzzled look. The next statement.... I guess we have some things to figure out that should have been talked about before the gate was installed. PRICELESS!

And the parents of those people probably spent a lot of money sending these geniuses to college!

 

[ftwildernessguy]

The problem is that Disney is hiring the new business grads who have learned all about short term profits. They are unable to make appropriate decisions because profit always has to figure into the solution. In a situation like this, the interest of making money by allowing access to the trading post and trails end has interfered with what has to be done to provide security and prevent unauthorized use and abuse of Disney facilities and transportation by outsiders. In this case, you have to make the decision to lose a little money ( and I really don't think that many people are parking in the overflow lot to go to the trading posts or trail's end) in order to do the right thing.

 

[des1954]

The problem is that Disney is hiring the new business grads who have learned all about short term profits. They are unable to make appropriate decisions because profit always has to figure into the solution. In a situation like this, the interest of making money by allowing access to the trading post and trails end has interfered with what has to be done to provide security and prevent unauthorized use and abuse of Disney facilities and transportation by outsiders. In this case, you have to make the decision to lose a little money ( and I really don't think that many people are parking in the overflow lot to go to the trading posts or trail's end) in order to do the right thing.

They might be wise to hire some new engineering grads, and new security and protective services grads. But of course, those grads are liabilities who do nothing to increase the bottom line.

As far as unauthorized use of transportation, an AP entitles the holder to the use of all Disney transportation.

We've been allowed to use the parking lot at the PR under the guise of coming in to go to the snack bar. We were handed a 2 hour parking pass which was to be displayed in our dash. The pass never made it to the dash, and we spent well over 2 hours parking in the lot.

Security at WDW is nothing more than some posturing to give the illusion of providing safety.

 

[Magicbus]

As far as unauthorized use of transportation, an AP entitles the holder to the use of all Disney transportation.

Do you mean unauthorized users or just people that use the transportation, but don't spend $ at WDW?

 

[ftwildernessguy]

2 years ago I was on the receiving end of what I call abuse of the parking situation at the fort. I drove my truck to the kennel to pick up my dog and am unable to get a parking spot in the overflow lot. Why? It was full of golf carts and cars without permits. So I left my truck in front of the kennels and ran in and got Mickey out for the night. I then had to go thru the security gate for re-entry and the line was backed up into the road. Why? When I got to the gate there was a whole line of people with their Keys to the World cards swiping in people and directing them to the overflow lot. I think I was the only one in line who belonged there and I had to swipe my own card. So the kennel moving will be a minor inconvenience for me, since it really isn't that far away from the fort, and if the security gate at least makes it more difficult for abuse, then so be it. I'm sure there will be ways around the system, there always are, but hey, maybe I won't see the boondockers spending their vacation in the overflow lot anymore (another story, suffice it to say I finally had enough and blew in a guy with a junky Winnebago who had been in the lot for 3 days straight with his awnings out and the generator running).

 

[Running_Bell]

I just must be dumb or naive... I can't believe people abuse things this way, it's awful.

Does anyone know if this will keep Kenny from delivering golf cart? thanks

 

[AuburnJen92]

Every single day we were there this weekend, that overflow lot was full of CARS, not RV's, CARS. In fact, Lorna and I took her son out to his truck, which was still connected to the trailer and this woman was hell bent on having his parking spot and was hovering around us to have it. Now mind you, there were other spots available, but she wouldn't budge. Matt never did get that spot back the whole weekend. I still don't know how he got the trailer hitched back up unless he ran over some people.

On top of all this, when it was time to check out Labor Day, the line to get out was the worst I have seen it EVER. Donnie, Lorna, Carol, Magicbus, Melissa, Bob, the whole gang can vouch for this. Never, ever, have I seen it that bad. Now, I had some serious packing to do because we had the screen room up and all our junk out, however, Chris and Richie ended up going to the front desk and asking the manager if we could just stay in our spot after they went down to the overflow and looked at the utter chaos down there. We ended up getting permission to do so, but only because the Fort had pretty much completely emptied out. What if it hadn't? What if it was the middle of the summer and someone was waiting for my spot and I have no place to put the RV? This scenario they have created is for the birds.

Lorna and I went to go and get some items for Brian's memorial and all I did was show my ID and say I was going to my site. That is it, no site number, nothing. The shooed me in. I see the Halloween holiday as a nightmare waiting to happen and them not a clue on how to handle it.

 

[AuburnJen92]

I just must be dumb or naive... I can't believe people abuse things this way, it's awful.

Does anyone know if this will keep Kenny from delivering golf cart? thanks

Kenny is just fine. You won't have a problem at all.

 

[Tri-circle-D]

The construction on the new gates is complete and while there are no signs saying so, Key Card do work at the gates. However, if you have a large vehicle, your front bumper may be bumping the gate to reach the card reader.

Carol- Thanks for posting this info. So, this means that a returning registered guest with a KTTW card can enter either in the old returning guest lane, or this new one?

That is a good thing.

I think.

I didn't think they would allow guests to return via this gate, as this could interfere with bus traffic. I still have concerns about knuckleheads trying to come in through this gate. I can't tell you how many times I saw the old gate that used to be near the kennels broken. For a while, it seemed like it was every trip. I predict similar problems with this one.

TCD