Getting DAS early

[lucifie]

We're heading to Disney in less than 2 weeks and we plan on getting the DAS for DD. We're staying off site and are planning to be in the parks from 1/25-1/30. Is there a way we can go to Guest Services when we arrive the evening before to set up the DAS? I assume we could go to one of the parks, but then we would have to pay for parking. It might be too late when we get in anyway, but I'm trying to save some time in the morning if I can. Any suggestions?

 

[Aladora]

While there have been some reports of people being able to get a DAS from GS outside the parks, most people report that it is only issued at the locations inside. We got the DAS for our son in December at HS and we went first thing on our first day with zero wait.

 

[gap2368]

yes it is a hit or miss with the out side GR windo some times they will do it and some times they will not, you will have to pay for parking unless you can park at the board walk and walk over to EPCOT and do the back gate but I think boardwalk is going under refurb and only guest staying there or have reservation for dinner can park there

I think you should be fine doing it first thing when you get to the park you are going at a slower time so that should help too

 

[unwritten01]

Agree - there on Thanksgiving (HS first park) and no real wait at all. I would recommend you just do it at the park. Have a great trip!

 

[CoriM48]

We've gotten our DAS at the outside window of HS two years in a row now with zero problem. We prefer to get it the day before we start our park days. But you would have to pay for parking or park at one of the resorts or at Downtown Disney and then shuttle around.

 

[DisneyOma]

We've gotten our DAS at the outside window of HS two years in a row now with zero problem. We prefer to get it the day before we start our park days. But you would have to pay for parking or park at one of the resorts or at Downtown Disney and then shuttle around.

If not staying onsite, there's no access to the resorts unless you have a dining reservation.

 

[OurBigTrip]

If not staying onsite, there's no access to the resorts unless you have a dining reservation.

I don't think that's correct.

 

[DisneyOma]

I don't think that's correct.

Monorail resorts and EPCOT resorts have been stopping people from entering the lots if they don't have a reservation or an ADR. We had to show proof of our reservation (driver's license linked to reservation) just to get into the Pop Century parking lot last August. My daughter had to do the same this last week.

 

[Badamon]

We've gotten our DAS at the outside window of HS two years in a row now with zero problem. We prefer to get it the day before we start our park days. But you would have to pay for parking or park at one of the resorts or at Downtown Disney and then shuttle around.

What time of day were you successful with getting the DAS at the outside GS window at HS? Would love to check this off the list on arrival day (a no park day for us) and start off the following morning with our "business" taken care of. We're staying on-site and have a car, so not worried about transportation or parking fees. It will, however, be tempting to go into the park!

 

[Baklava]

I don't think that's correct.

When we took Ubers back to our resort they had to show ID and we had to show a Magic Band. The guard in the guardhouse would not allow us into the parking lot without a reservation of some sort, whether it was room or dining.

 

[OurBigTrip]

When we took Ubers back to our resort they had to show ID and we had to show a Magic Band. The guard in the guardhouse would not allow us into the parking lot without a reservation of some sort, whether it was room or dining.

Then who they are charging to park in the resort parking lots? They aren't charging guests at that resort, and they aren't charging guests with ADRs, so they must be letting others in.

 

[lanejudy]

Then who they are charging to park in the resort parking lots? They aren't charging guests at that resort, and they aren't charging guests with ADRs, so they must be letting others in.

I don't believe the "pay to park" plan has fully materialized, it is (or was) a trial at some resorts. Generally speaking, parking at resorts is for guests of that resort or those who are "doing business" at that resort (ADRs, visiting, etc.). It's my understanding the "pay to park" plan might open the resort lots to others. Parking at a resort to use the WDW transportation system to the parks has been frowned upon at any resort, and outwardly restricted at others particularly during busy times of year. It remains to be seen what will happen regarding paid parking.
I would not encourage someone to park at a resort just to use the transportation, as they may be charged or may simply be refused admittance to the lot.

 

[OurBigTrip]

I don't believe the "pay to park" plan has fully materialized, it is (or was) a trial at some resorts. Generally speaking, parking at resorts is for guests of that resort or those who are "doing business" at that resort (ADRs, visiting, etc.). It's my understanding the "pay to park" plan might open the resort lots to others. Parking at a resort to use the WDW transportation system to the parks has been frowned upon at any resort, and outwardly restricted at others particularly during busy times of year. It remains to be seen what will happen regarding paid parking.
I would not encourage someone to park at a resort just to use the transportation, as they may be charged or may simply be refused admittance to the lot.

Oh, I agree 100% on not parking there for the parks. But on our trips, we often go to other resorts to look around or shop, etc. I've never been stopped from entering a lot, even if I wasn't staying there or didn't have an ADR.

 

[Baklava]

Then who they are charging to park in the resort parking lots? They aren't charging guests at that resort, and they aren't charging guests with ADRs, so they must be letting others in.

Who are they charging? I couldn't possibly tell you. Not me. I can only state (as I did) that when *I* returned to my resort in a private car I was required to have proof of a reason to be there.

 

[gap2368]

When I went down in December I went to the board walk with some friends at the hotel they asked for reservation we had non so they said we should have to use the vala parking and pay for it we told them we have a handy cap tag they said that if one is open then we could park there. So they are charging some guest

 

[stitchlovestink]

If not staying onsite, there's no access to the resorts unless you have a dining reservation.

This is absolutely not true at all!!! We have a house in FL and sometimes just go over to visit. All you have to do is declare your intentions to the guard at the gate. We have been staying on property and have had visitors. NO PROBLEM!!
We have taken packages and dropped them off to bell services for friends and family coming in staying at a different resort. That statement could not be any further from the truth!!!
We have even just said we wanted to check out the resort, shop, and take some photos. NO problem!!!!

Monorail resorts and EPCOT resorts have been stopping people from entering the lots if they don't have a reservation or an ADR. We had to show proof of our reservation (driver's license linked to reservation) just to get into the Pop Century parking lot last August. My daughter had to do the same this last week.

They look at everyone's ID. But they will let people in without a reservation. People are ALLOWED and encouraged to visit other resort's food courts. Locals go to various resorts to pin trade. A reservation or ADR is NOT a REQUIREMENT to visit a hotel!!

I just visited POP (have friends who work there) in both September AND December And I was staying elsewhere. The guard let us in. NO problem!!! Told him we came to visit friends. Please gets your facts straight.

I don't think that's correct.

You're right, that is not correct.

 

[Gracie09]

This is absolutely not true at all!!! We have a house in FL and sometimes just go over to visit. All you have to do is declare your intentions to the guard at the gate. We have been staying on property and have had visitors. NO PROBLEM!!
We have taken packages and dropped them off to bell services for friends and family coming in staying at a different resort. That statement could not be any further from the truth!!!
We have even just said we wanted to check out the resort, shop, and take some photos. NO problem!!!!


They look at everyone's ID. But they will let people in without a reservation. People are ALLOWED and encouraged to visit other resort's food courts. Locals go to various resorts to pin trade. A reservation or ADR is NOT a REQUIREMENT to visit a hotel!!

I just visited POP (have friends who work there) in both September AND December And I was staying elsewhere. The guard let us in. NO problem!!! Told him we came to visit friends. Please gets your facts straight.


You're right, that is not correct.

It seems like this is a case where one person's experience is not the same as another. For whatever reason the PP was told she needed proof of a reservation. Why, I don't know. Maybe it was a new guard and he was being by the book. Maybe there were complaints. Maybe it was the busy season and there were issues. I do know that people have reported not being permitted to park at the epcot resorts and the monorail resorts (more than one person and more than one day) especially during the busy season. So to say your facts are true and another person's facts are false, really isn't the complete story

 

[limabeanmom2003]

This is absolutely not true at all!!! We have a house in FL and sometimes just go over to visit. All you have to do is declare your intentions to the guard at the gate. We have been staying on property and have had visitors. NO PROBLEM!!
We have taken packages and dropped them off to bell services for friends and family coming in staying at a different resort. That statement could not be any further from the truth!!!
We have even just said we wanted to check out the resort, shop, and take some photos. NO problem!!!!


They look at everyone's ID. But they will let people in without a reservation. People are ALLOWED and encouraged to visit other resort's food courts. Locals go to various resorts to pin trade. A reservation or ADR is NOT a REQUIREMENT to visit a hotel!!

I just visited POP (have friends who work there) in both September AND December And I was staying elsewhere. The guard let us in. NO problem!!! Told him we came to visit friends. Please gets your facts straight.


You're right, that is not correct.

Actually, they are testing a program at several resorts right now where you are required to pay to park if you do not have a reservation at that specific resort. they are cracking down on people who park at resorts to avoid paying to park in the theme park parking lots. I don't expect value resorts to start doing this, or moderates for that matter, but who knows.

 

[stitchlovestink]

It seems like this is a case where one person's experience is not the same as another. For whatever reason the PP was told she needed proof of a reservation. Why, I don't know. Maybe it was a new guard and he was being by the book. Maybe there were complaints. Maybe it was the busy season and there were issues. I do know that people have reported not being permitted to park at the epcot resorts and the monorail resorts (more than one person and more than one day) especially during the busy season. So to say your facts are true and another person's facts are false, really isn't the complete story

Disney has said its resorts are open to all...only certain amenities are reserved for those staying there. You can go to the deluxe resorts to do water sports or to rent surrey bikes or other activities including horseback riding. There are TONS of activities (spa treatments) that people can utilize that do NOT REQUIRE you to be staying at that hotel or even on property for that matter. Yes, you may have to pay for parking depending on the circumstances but to say that you can't visit the other resorts just isn't true.
They do try to monitor the Epcot resorts better during Food and wine and sometimes even during flower and garden. But that poster was basically implying you would be turned away from any resort without a ressie and that simply isn't true. Locals visit them all the time!!!

 

[lanejudy]

We're getting way off-topic with the parking. It's possible a post wasn't as clear as the poster intended. It's also possible that Disney may change rules related to resort parking.

To get back on-topic of getting a DAS early:
There is no guarantee that one will be able to get a DAS without entering any given park, though it's possible.
DAS may be available at an outside-the-gate Guest Relations booth at a park (not DTD, resorts or water parks).
If not staying on-site, one should consider the logistics of parking to get to an outside-the-gate Guest Relations to request DAS. That includes where to park and what the cost could be. Except for DTD, I would not expect free parking anywhere on property for an off-site guest.

Let's bring this thread back to the topic of getting a DAS early...