Grand Floridian self parking reason

[beachwarmer]

As I was wrangling dd1 and DD8 from the self parking lot last night by myself I commented to the lovely cast member who was parked in from of me,"they really don't like self parkers.

She said that self parking had to be off site to get the AAA 3 diamond status. It was a requirement. Does anyone know if it is true? I was just wondering if this fit into the "bus driver" category.

 

[Goofy4]

Looks like that would be true for the 5 diamond status: http://www.aaanewsroom.net/Main/Default.asp?CategoryID=9&SubCategoryID=22&ContentID=62

Looks like GF is 4-diamond rated http://www.disney-hotels.org/learn/disney-grand-floridian-resort-spa.html

 

[mikelan6]

Ive stayed at a few Ritz Carltons and parking was onsite.

 

[BriarRosie]

The problem with the Grand Floridian self-parking area isn't just that it's inconvenient and across a street. About half the lot is designated for cast member parking, so it's difficult for any guest to find a spot.

I always tell people to avoid self-parking there.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

According to the Florida Tour Book from AAA the following Disney Resorts:
Beach Club
Boardwalk Inn
Contemporary
Grand Floridian
Polynesian, and
Yacht Club

are all rated Four Diamonds.

And additionally, there are 11 other Disney Resorts (including some of the DVC properties) rated with three diamonds.

 

[beachwarmer]

Thanks all . I thought it might just be a good story to tell to guest who question the location.

I hate valet because I am so short it takes me forever to get the seat and mirrors set after the valet drives it.

 

[irishdadx4]

My guess is Disney wants GF to be a five star AAA hotel..but it's "missing the boat" somewhere.

 

[brergnat]

My guess is Disney wants GF to be a five star AAA hotel..but it's "missing the boat" somewhere.

The story is, GF tried to become a 5 star hotel several years back. They gave up. Just look up the AAA diamond rating requirments, and you'll see why.

 

[seashoreCM]

The problem with the Grand Floridian self-parking area isn't just that it's inconvenient and across a street. About half the lot is designated for cast member parking, so it's difficult for any guest to find a spot..

Given the problems of people parking at resorts to take the monorail to Magic Kingdom, if Grand Floridian guests overflowed into the CM lot would management look the other way?

 

[PolynesianLily]

We are staying at the Grand Floridian for the first time, and the parking does seem a bit inconvenient but we don't want to pay $11.00 or so per day for valet parking.

On the bright side, with all the walking we will do from the car to our room will help us walk off all that Disney food!

 

[doconeill]

Depending on how you read it, 5-star may mean you can't have self-parking at all - only valet parking. To achieve that, I'd expect that they could not charge for the valet - it would have to be included.

It certainly doesn't apply to the current situation.

As far as I know, the lots are simply where they were able to be placed. None of them are especially convenient at the hotel-style resorts, IMO