Has anyone actually witnessed cars being towed from a resort lot???

[spiceycat]

they also tow at the BC - yes seem it at the Polyn and BC.

Polyn tow was in the day time. BC tow was at night.

of course the cars could have been broken down.....but considering they were new I don't think that was likely.

 

[kidd_freeper]

On a related note...

Could someone conceivably park at the lot across from the Boardwalk (with the intent to visit the Boardwalk) and then use the Boardwalk resort transportation to visit the parks for the majority of the day?

 

[Tikiman]

I am all for them towing cars for non-guests that go over the time but I have to say that I met with a Disney official on a visit there while gathering information for my site and they were telling me some of the rumors that go around that are not true and one of them was that cars are towed for going past the parking pass. They said that for as long as they had been with Disney they have never had a car towed away from the Polynesian for going over the 3 hours. They said they have been towed for other reasons but not for that. All I can do is trust what they said but I was shocked myself. They said it is one of the biggest myths even with the CMs. I hope that they do enforce the parking policy myself.

I have seen security ride around the lot on bikes. I figured they were checking passes.

 

[antidiva]

we stay onsite, but not at poly, and we have always started our mk days by driving to the poly and having our tonga toast! we park in the lot--and they have always given us a 3-hour pass-- and visit the park after breakfast. we have never had a problem--but then again, we always leave before 11:30. still over the 3-hour limit, though.

 

[disneyfan67]

My biggest fear, in this regard, is that people will continue to abuse Disney's leniency so much that they'll be forced to place even stronger restrictions, thereby adversely affected even more good folks who actually have been following the rules.

Isn't that how it always goes? That's one of the reasons I dislike people who break the rules or try and cheat the system. It's not so much the cheating that bothers me, it's the fact that the ones who play by the rules are the ones who seem to get affected by the new stricter rules.

I.E.- room keys checked or wrist bands that are issued to prevent pool hopping by non paying visitors of the resort in question.The list is endless and I'm sure people here can remember many more examples.

It's sad that Disney has to get tougher and tow someones car, but you got to take a stand and inforce the rules. I can just see some of the people who had their cars towed, getting all pissed off and making a scene that makes everyone uncomfortable. I really feel for the CM's who have to deal with those people.

 

[skiwee1]

I am all for them towing cars for non-guests that go over the time but I have to say that I met with a Disney official on a visit there while gathering information for my site and they were telling me some of the rumors that go around that are not true and one of them was that cars are towed for going past the parking pass. They said that for as long as they had been with Disney they have never had a car towed away from the Polynesian for going over the 3 hours. They said they have been towed for other reasons but not for that. All I can do is trust what they said but I was shocked myself. They said it is one of the biggest myths even with the CMs. I hope that they do enforce the parking policy myself.

I have seen security ride around the lot on bikes. I figured they were checking passes.

I don't know about the myths but do know what I saw and was told. At the Poly I've seen cars towed numerous times. I was walking to my car the one time that a CM told me that they were indeed towing the car next to me for being over the 3 hour mark. I've also had the pleasure of hearing it from the nice guys in the little guard shack when entering the Poly. I honestly don't know why you would be told differently when I've seen it myself. Maybe because I'm at the Poly a lot I might see more going on? I have no idea. I just know what I've seen with my own two eyes and have heard with my own two ears.

 

[labdogs42]

On a related note...

Could someone conceivably park at the lot across from the Boardwalk (with the intent to visit the Boardwalk) and then use the Boardwalk resort transportation to visit the parks for the majority of the day?

I hate to admit this, but I did this about ten years ago during a trip to Disney. We stayed off-site and parked at the Boardwalk every day to avoid paying parking! At the time, there was no rule about this (no posted one anyway) and the only reason I thought to do it was because I saw it in a guidebook (which one I don't remember)! I feel a little bad about it, but because of that trip, I stayed at the Swan the next time I went and I'm staying at the Beach Club this year! I love that location and I probably never would have know it if I hadn't parked illegally at the Boardwalk!

 

[Tikiman]

I don't know about the myths but do know what I saw and was told. At the Poly I've seen cars towed numerous times. I was walking to my car the one time that a CM told me that they were indeed towing the car next to me for being over the 3 hour mark. I've also had the pleasure of hearing it from the nice guys in the little guard shack when entering the Poly. I honestly don't know why you would be told differently when I've seen it myself. Maybe because I'm at the Poly a lot I might see more going on? I have no idea. I just know what I've seen with my own two eyes and have heard with my own two ears.

I am not trying to disagree with your observations or any one elses, I am just reporting what I was told at the Polynesian by someone who would know. I was surprised myself. I didn’t even ask about it. It was just told to me along with some other things that they called “myths” about the resort, some of which I won’t ever mention and maybe I should not have mentioned this one.

 

[InstImpres]

the only reason I thought to do it was because I saw it in a guidebook (which one I don't remember)!

I will start by saying I am not joking nor flaming, just stating fact....it was probably "The Cheapskate's Guide to WDW" which clearly is marked unauthorized. After reading parts of it (I couldn;'t resist a money saving book for $3 from bookcloseouts) it tells you to park at all the resorts mentioned, used their pools and many more outragous items. I am all for saving money but not at the expense of doing things that are blatently against the rules.

 

[In a hurry]

We saw a car towed a couple of weeks ago from the contemporary. My husband helped the tow truck driver pull out, and they started chatting. The driver said they have a contract to tow 40 cars a day for illegal parking. He didn't know how those were picked! I also don't know if they were parked in handicap, etc.

My husband finds out the most interesting things, when he offers to give a hand to someone. He enjoys listening to others!

Also, the parks/parking lots were empty, practically!

 

[jessica52877]

I have experienced different things at the different resorts on different days. I think alot of it has to do with the crowds. At xmas they don't let you in the Contempory unless your name is on the reservation list and they have a guard out walking around the parking lot making sure you don't just walk over. In oct we ate at Poly and got a 3 hour pass, night of MNSSHP. Ate at Chef Mickeys that trip and this past trip, two weekends ago, nothing, just told us to go ahead. So I think it depends alot on what is going on.

I know how annoying it is to be eating and not find a space, every time we have parked in the very last row! at Contempory.

 

[Sammie]

I am not trying to disagree with your observations or any one elses, I am just reporting what I was told at the Polynesian by someone who would know. I was surprised myself. I didn’t even ask about it. It was just told to me along with some other things that they called “myths” about the resort, some of which I won’t ever mention and maybe I should not have mentioned this one.

I contacted the Polynesian and their comment is: No parking for access to the Magic Kingdom and visiting guests need to respect the 3 hour policy and any problems caused by that would be dealt with.

Edited to reflect an update.

 

[Sammie]

My biggest fear, in this regard, is that people will continue to abuse Disney's leniency so much that they'll be forced to place even stronger restrictions, thereby adversely affected even more good folks who actually have been following the rules.

Exactly. What Disney wants is for people do what is right without having to "force" them do it. They want you to come dine and shop at other resorts and 3 hours is plenty long to do that. If for some reason you stay 3 and half hours or even 4 hours I am sure no one has a problem with that. However if you come to eat at 5 and then go to the MK and stay till midnight, that is not what they intended with a 3 hour pass.

They prefer not to enforce this heavily. However regardless of what some might believe I have seen cars being towed and I have asked resort management, security, and the bell services and all said it was due to over staying the 3 hour limit. Now again this might not be someone that was there an hour over, but hours over or there all day long.

What bothers me is that due to the Internet some things that people would never have even considered doing are presented in such a way that they being to think they can get away with it too.

If enough guests complain about lack of parking at thier own resorts then changes will be made including the possiblility of paid parking for visiting and higher valet costs.

 

[Tikiman]

Again, I am just reporting what was told to me and I don’t feel I need to justify anything I say by posting the persons name who gave me the info online. I would have to be an idiot to do such a thing. I am not giving my opinion on if I believe it or not so there is no reason to debate it with me and anyone who knows me knows I would not post something unless it came from a knowledgeable source. Also if they did not want me to ever tell anyone they would have said so. About half the things I am told I am asked not to mention and I would not.

It doesn’t really concern me if anyone wants to believe it. I am just adding what information I have for this topic.

 

[Micca]

Does anyone know where the cars are towed? I just wondered if there's a "Magical Tow Lot" somewhere on property complete with merchandise and trams to your tow lot row? Oh...and does it have fast pass?

 

[LvsTnk]

Again, I am just reporting what was told to me and I don’t feel I need to justify anything I say by posting the persons name who gave me the info online. I would have to be an idiot to do such a thing. I am not giving my opinion on if I believe it or not so there is no reason to debate it with me and anyone who knows me knows I would not post something unless it came from a knowledgeable source. Also if they did not want me to ever tell anyone they would have said so. About half the things I am told I am asked not to mention and I would not.

It doesn’t really concern me if anyone wants to believe it. I am just adding what information I have for this topic.

Thanks Steve, I have no doubt you were indeed told that Your information on the resorts is always so helpful and acurate. I am looking forward to once again using your webiste for our next trip! I am sure they must feel they have a handle on it if they told you that. I sometimes feel sorry about what some posters will take as fact what is posted by certain posters when it simply is not true. But then again we all know how much the rules at WDW change. PS I have stayed at the Polynesian many times and know how highly they respect you there

Sooo.. I actually was going to post that the week before Christmas we were trying to get into the GF to see the gingerbread house (DS with special needs HAD to see it after he saw the Food Network special)We tried one night before our ADR at the California Grill and they would not even let us in the gate.

We just made an ADR for lunch at the Grand Floridian Cafe and got in that way. Got the 3 hour parking thingy, but both times the guard guy was rather nasty. I must say the lunch was wonderful and we will definately be going back. Nice afternoon and I am glad it worked out that way.

 

[LvsTnk]

Does anyone know where the cars are towed? I just wondered if there's a "Magical Tow Lot" somewhere on property complete with merchandise and trams to your tow lot row? Oh...and does it have fast pass?

 

[Sammie]

Again, I am just reporting what was told to me and I don’t feel I need to justify anything I say by posting the persons name who gave me the info online. I would have to be an idiot to do such a thing. I am not giving my opinion on if I believe it or not so there is no reason to debate it with me and anyone who knows me knows I would not post something unless it came from a knowledgeable source. Also if they did not want me to ever tell anyone they would have said so. About half the things I am told I am asked not to mention and I would not.

It doesn’t really concern me if anyone wants to believe it. I am just adding what information I have for this topic.

My sincerest apologies if it seemed I doubted you. I am sure you were accurately relaying what you were told.

I am also sure the Polynesian management would care if their parking lot becomes so full of guests over staying their 3 hours due to the fact they are now aware that they will not be towed. That was my point, which was overlooked.

I don't see where sharing the info helps the situation.

 

[Tikiman]

No need to apologize at all. I would not suggest my information is more accurate than what your or others actually see or were told. The only thing I am suggesting is accurate is my relaying of the information that I was told. Maybe that person was not told of some circumstances that they did tow a car. I was just adding my info to the mix and the readers can take what they want from it. If I had to guess I would have assumed that cars had been towed for going over the pass time. Besides the fact of what information is the right answer I can see your point that it might not be something to share with everyone and is probably why I had never mentioned it before but since Disney does read this maybe they will see how people feel about it and start enforcing it better.

Anyway I think the horse is dead.

 

[labdogs42]

Does anyone know where the cars are towed? I just wondered if there's a "Magical Tow Lot" somewhere on property complete with merchandise and trams to your tow lot row? Oh...and does it have fast pass?

They probably sell little toy tow trucks with mickey ears on them!!!