Go back to showing hotel ids for transportation?

[rie'smom]

We were just at SSR 2 weeks ago and saw none of this. We stayed in the Congress Park section too. Maybe it was because it was too darn hot to even think about walking to DTD.

 

[hakepb]

This just seems so wrong. If you are not staying on Disney property you should not be able to just board a bus anywhere and go to any resort you feel like. I have always felt safe for my family, because to get into the resort you have to use Disney transportation, OR show some kind of ID or ressie at the Gate.
If anyone can just wander in, and roam around how safe is that? And why bother with the gate at the main entrance of each resort?
Just makes me uncomfortable.

And if the bus service is coming out of member dues, CM's should not be offering it! JMHO

That is concerning that someone can easily park for free at DTD, and walk into SSR without going through a guarded checkpoint along the walking path, although BWV is kinda the same way.

 

[culli]

I have always felt safe for my family, because to get into the resort you have to use Disney transportation, OR show some kind of ID or ressie at the Gate.
If anyone can just wander in, and roam around how safe is that? And why bother with the gate at the main entrance of each resort?
Just makes me uncomfortable.

And if the bus service is coming out of member dues, CM's should not be offering it! JMHO

As far as feeling safe, we just got back from BWV and the entrance points to the "hotel" was never locked that I can recall. One night we took the BCV bus back from MK as the BWV bus line was long and two BCV buses came before any BWV. Anyway we did this and walked back to BWV and this was about 1am. We were not sure how to get back from the BCV bus stop and walked right through the BCV and was wandering the halls trying to figure out how to get to the BW. Not only did we walk right into the "hotel" I didn't see anyone. Other "hotels" we stay at you usually have to use your key to get into the place past 10pm. This struck me as odd, but didn't think too much of it until I read your post about feeling safe on WDW grounds.

 

[BostonDisneyKid]

The simple solution would be to put a gate (requiring key access) on the trail between DTD and SSR. This is what is done at US resorts to keep park guests from parking at their resorts and walking through the resort and in to the parks. If I were an SSR owner I would request this be done, rather than just emailing them with a problem, provide them with a solution.

 

[ADP]

I'm seeing more and more guests who drive into a resort and then take the theme park buses to avoid the parking fees. Its an easy cost-cutting mechanism for guests, but creates a capacity problem for legitimate guests.

I don't think we'll ever see a bracelet system for transportation. Disney has to keep guests moving or else they chance to loose huge dollars while people sit at the bus depot, monorail station, or boat launch.

 

[jodifla]

This just seems so wrong. If you are not staying on Disney property you should not be able to just board a bus anywhere and go to any resort you feel like. I have always felt safe for my family, because to get into the resort you have to use Disney transportation, OR show some kind of ID or ressie at the Gate.
If anyone can just wander in, and roam around how safe is that? And why bother with the gate at the main entrance of each resort?
Just makes me uncomfortable.

And if the bus service is coming out of member dues, CM's should not be offering it! JMHO

The resorts are not closed properties. They are open to visitors who might be eating at the restaurants, or just looking around.

 

[Disneyhappy]

Don't forget about the boat service between SSR and DTD. Not sure when the service starts everyday but I believe anyone is allowed to use the boat service. What frustrates me is I feel like I am entering Fort Knox when I want to visit our favorite resort, the Polynesian. We like to have an icecream and watch the fireworks from the beach once during a trip. Sometimes we eat dinner there and other times we don't. They have a list of ADRs and if your name is not on it, they are tough about letting anyone in.

 

[Chuck S]

There is actually three ways the problem, if there is one, can be addressed.

1) Return to showing room keys to board the bus. In the "old days" each room key was resort specific.

2) Charge for parking at DtD. There could be 3 hours free, then a charge after that, unless you have a theater validation. Free for resort guests and AP holders.

3) If FL residents with season passes (not the same as APs) don't get free parking, they could extend it to them.

 

[spiceycat]

1) Return to showing room keys to board the bus. In the "old days" each room key was resort specific.

they still are - it is just numbers now instead of the name.

I thought the only time that Disney asked for ID was when they were having a thief problem at the resort.

heck in the old days they didn't have security guards at the resorts.

the CBR got hit several times - before Disney put in SG all the time. before then it was just in busy times.

took another few resorts to get robbed before Disney put SG in all resorts.

back in 93 when I brought OKW - there was only a SG there limited hours - mid morning to afternoon - I think.

 

[Chuck S]

they still are - it is just numbers now instead of the name.

I thought the only time that Disney asked for ID was when they were having a thief problem at the resort.

heck in the old days they didn't have security guards at the resorts.

the CBR got hit several times - before Disney put in SG all the time. before then it was just in busy times.

took another few resorts to get robbed before Disney put SG in all resorts.

back in 93 when I brought OKW - there was only a SG there limited hours - mid morning to afternoon - I think.

While it is true that the account numbers identify the resort, (ie OKW is 16) it would not be easy for a busy bus driver to identify at a glance, like the old key cards. They could install card readers on the bus, bus making the card designs resort specific would likely be cheaper. However, even so, resort guests from any resort can use the transportation systems. How else would they get from resort to resort for dining or dinner shows? In 91 & 92 we were required to show resort IDs for resort bus transportation, but the practice ended quickly for some reason.

 

[pilferk]

A hopper entitles you to all Disney transportation - not staying at a resort. They would have to change the entitlement before they gate, and I don't think they will do that - people not staying at Disney resorts still visit the resorts to shop, go to restaurants, visit the resort to consider future stays....

Of course, with gas prices increasing they may decide to try and reduce bus use, restricting bus access would be one way to do that.

Another option in all this would be to charge for parking at DTD.

They could "validate" at restaurants, the theaters, DisneyQuest, or if you spent a certain amount of $$ at the shops.

This would go a long way toward curbing many of the issues they've had their in the past, and not just the one with people using DTD for "free parking".

But I'm sure Disney sort of likes having it be a "destination shopping" spot for the locals, and charging for parking would likely discourage that.

Honestly, I agree it's a problem but there just doesn't seem to be an easy solution....I think it's something WDW brass have been wrestling with for awhile.

 

[pilferk]

Don't forget about the boat service between SSR and DTD. Not sure when the service starts everyday but I believe anyone is allowed to use the boat service. What frustrates me is I feel like I am entering Fort Knox when I want to visit our favorite resort, the Polynesian. We like to have an icecream and watch the fireworks from the beach once during a trip. Sometimes we eat dinner there and other times we don't. They have a list of ADRs and if your name is not on it, they are tough about letting anyone in.

We've found the same thing.

So we park at the TTC and take the walkway over to the Poly.

Never had a problem doing it that way.

It's funny...we go to the GF, the Contemp, the WL, etc either just to look around, to check out the decorations (at Xmas time), or to grab a quick bite to eat. It seems the Poly is the strictest of the security groups, at the gate. I don't know why.....maybe they see a lot of "free theme park parking" people? Don't know....

 

[crisi]

Another option in all this would be to charge for parking at DTD.

They could "validate" at restaurants, the theaters, DisneyQuest, or if you spent a certain amount of $$ at the shops.

This would go a long way toward curbing many of the issues they've had their in the past, and not just the one with people using DTD for "free parking".

But I'm sure Disney sort of likes having it be a "destination shopping" spot for the locals, and charging for parking would likely discourage that.

Honestly, I agree it's a problem but there just doesn't seem to be an easy solution....I think it's something WDW brass have been wrestling with for awhile.

I think validated parking at DTD would be the way to go. Free with resort ID/AP or $50 purchase from DTD - $11 - just like the theme parks.

(Here is what I don't get - if I wanted to get quickly from DTD to any of the parks - except AK - I'd take the DTD bus to the 'walk' resort (BW/Y&BC for Epcot/Studios - Contemporary for MK). I wouldn't bother to go over to SSR to catch a bus - that's a longer walk).

Buses are handy - sometimes a day guest at the MK really does want to go over to Beaches and Cream to eat (never got this myself, but people do it).

Plus, the enforcement issue is huge at Disney - I visited Boardwalk and Wilderness Lodge during a conference last week, drove up to the parking gate, said I was having dinner, flashed a license, parked went and had dinner - without any sort of three hour pass thrown into my windshield. Could have waltzed into Epcot for Illuminations using up one of those precious BWV parking spaces until 11pm - MK was open late the night we were over at WL, could have taken the boat over for Wishes.

 

[Brian Noble]

Plus, the enforcement issue is huge at Disney

I don't think this is by accident. The #1 rule in the Disney Guest Services playbook seems to be: "Don't say no to any guest request unless you absolutely have to."

 

[madcoco]

I think validated parking at DTD would be the way to go.

Coming soon. RUMOR has it, that's a FACT.

 

[snackyx]

DTD is not an attraction--it is a shopping and restaurant destination, and Disney does NOT want to discourage anyone from visiting there because of a parking fee that may be validated or not. I can't imagine that the powers that be at Disney management would ever feel that the SSR/DTD bus crowding would take precident over keeping a steady flow of traffic into DTD with free parking.

 

[pilferk]

DTD is not an attraction--it is a shopping and restaurant destination, and Disney does NOT want to discourage anyone from visiting there because of a parking fee that may be validated or not. I can't imagine that the powers that be at Disney management would ever feel that the SSR/DTD bus crowding would take precident over keeping a steady flow of traffic into DTD with free parking.

See, I see that point. And agree with it to some extent. But I think it's a question of offsets, and resources...and I don't know which way the balance woudl tip. I'm certainly not nearly as confident as you are...

There have been other a number of issues, too...with unruly teens using the place as a hang out, with the free parking, and with some other things too. And validated parking seems like a good solution all the way around.

If you're USING DTD as a shopping, restaurant, or entertainment destination, parking would be FUNCTIONALLY free. If you eat at one of the sit downs, go to one of the theaters, or spend some set amount of money ($50 sounds reasonable, but you could even go down to $25 or $30) in the shops....parking would be free via validation. Likewise if you're a resort guest or an AP holder.

ONLY if you park, and don't do one of those things, would you get hit for the $11 fee. And if you're not doing one of those things....what will Disney have lost if you choose not to go there?

I do see the point that you will likely reduce foot traffic and maybe window shopping from the locals, so possibly some revenue. I don't get a sense of just how much of that goes on at DTD to know if that would be a deal breaker.

But I do know you'd likely solve some problems that have cropped up, especially since PI dropped it's gate admission price. I'm not sure if one completely offsets the other, or not. But I can see how validated parking would be one of the strongest options to correct the problems....

 

[Brian Noble]

It is a conundrum.

I can see DTD going to a model similar to many other shopping districts that are also conveniently located near attractions: Free parking for a modest amount of time (say, 2-3 hours), then hourly parking which can be offset in part by validation when purchasing at any vendor served by the lot. The Norfolk waterfront works this way, as does the parking lot near the shops outside of Knott's Berry Farms. Even the DTD/Anaheim lots work this way:

http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dis...ame=ParkingPage#DowntownDisneyDistrictParking

People who want to just browse can, with plenty of time to look around. People doing serious shopping/eating/imbibing will be covered by validation. Teens just hanging out all night without spending money get hit by a charge, as would folks trying to get themselves "free parking" for the theme parks.

At that point, you can restore the bus service between the parks and DTD, which Disney would probably be happy to provide.

 

[Chuck S]

DTD is not an attraction--it is a shopping and restaurant destination, and Disney does NOT want to discourage anyone from visiting there because of a parking fee that may be validated or not. I can't imagine that the powers that be at Disney management would ever feel that the SSR/DTD bus crowding would take precident over keeping a steady flow of traffic into DTD with free parking.

Except that it is not any advantage to Disney if the parking lots fill early with park goers. If the good spots are filled with park goers, there is no steady flow of shoppers, there are aggraveted people wanting to shop or dine and unable to find parking to do so.

 

[crisi]

Of course, paid parking at DTD wouldn't keep the Downtown Disney hotel guests off the SSR buses - those that are on the close end and walk down to DTD/SSR to catch buses - but SSR is a pretty long walk from most of the DTD hotels, I can't believe this is a HUGE issue.