Money saving idea, confirmation please

[auntylinda]

I read this some where, "To avoid paying for parking at Disney, try taking the Disney resort buses. Park at Downtown Disney (in the lot in front of Planet Hollywood) and just hop a Disney bus to any resort then get a connecting bus/monorail into the park of our choice. We didn’t pay a penny for parking". Does this work? And, if so, how early do the Disney buses run?

 

[scdak]

I read this some where, "To avoid paying for parking at Disney, try taking the Disney resort buses. Park at Downtown Disney (in the lot in front of Planet Hollywood) and just hop a Disney bus to any resort then get a connecting bus/monorail into the park of our choice. We didn’t pay a penny for parking". Does this work? And, if so, how early do the Disney buses run?

I am sure the experts on DIS will tell you if this is allowed, all I will say is that it would be very time consuming on slow days and downright miserable on busy days! Just taking a bus from POFQ to the parks on my recent trip was enough to make me realize I would drive to the parks and pay for parking from now on! I would rather pay for parking then to waste valuable park time riding on crowded buses.

 

[phred52]

They don't run often enough to do that. An hour probably more of everyones vacation time is much more valuable than paying to park the car.

 

[maxiesmom]

It would work, but it would take a lot of time. At least an hour, more likely an hour and a half. Then you would have to do it all again when leaving the parks. And for me, time IS money at WDW. There are easier ways to go about saving $15 a day if you really need to.

Disney purposely makes it time consuming to do what you are suggesting. They do not want people parking at DownTown Disney to avoid paying the parking fee. They want those parking spots for people who are actually at DTD.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

During peak times they also monitor the lots at DTD and they can tow your car. DTD lots are not to be used for Theme Park access.

Pay the money and park legally. Seriously, it's basic ethics.

 

[goofy4tink]

Let's say you want to get to MK early, for rope drop maybe. You'll have to be at DTD by 7:30ish, then try to get a bus to the CR....and the buses to the resorts just aren't running all that frequently. Why?? No need to.
Or, you want to just get to MK during the day...park at DTD, walk over to the resort bus stops (10 mins), wait for the CR bus (could be up to 30 mins), ride to the CR (about 15-20 mins), then walk over to MK (8-10 mins). Is saving $15 worth at least an hour of your time?

To get to DHS, you have to go to BW (or other Epcot resort) and then either boat or walk to DHS....15 min walk (peppy pace) or take the boat (close to 25 mins). Or to Epcot, it's just a 10 min walk.

AK??? Bus to just about any resort and then transfer to the AK bus.

Or you can just walk over to SSR (about 15+ mins) and take their park buses.

BUT....that is frowned upon. DTD parking is for DTD business. Just go to a park, pay to park, and save your receipt. You only pay once a day, no matter how many parks you go to. Makes much more sense I would think.

 

[auntylinda]

Not to start controversy, but I am giving Disney quite a bit of money, so I wouldn't consider it unethical... I am not parking at Disney and hopping the fence to get in.

But thanks for the help everyone. I am staying off site and was planning on using the hotel shuttle, but I recently found out that this was going to cut down my time in the parks A LOT... I don't want to spend all that money, plus time planning my trip to have it cut in half by a free shuttle. I am just going to spend the $120 on a car!

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Not to start controversy, but I am giving Disney quite a bit of money, so I wouldn't consider it unethical... I am not parking at Disney and hopping the fence to get in.

But thanks for the help everyone. I am staying off site and was planning on using the hotel shuttle, but I recently found out that this was going to cut down my time in the parks A LOT... I don't want to spend all that money, plus time planning my trip to have it cut in half by a free shuttle. I am just going to spend the $120 on a car!

But you are circumventing a policy with the intent to avoid paying a fee to Disney with full knowledge that this is not encouraged and is specifically restricted, so yes, it is unethical to do as you outlined. It doesn't matter how much you spend, it's how you attempt to circumvent policies or rules to benefit yourself will avoiding paying for fees and services that are due.

 

[goofy4tink]

Not to start controversy, but I am giving Disney quite a bit of money, so I wouldn't consider it unethical... I am not parking at Disney and hopping the fence to get in.

But thanks for the help everyone. I am staying off site and was planning on using the hotel shuttle, but I recently found out that this was going to cut down my time in the parks A LOT... I don't want to spend all that money, plus time planning my trip to have it cut in half by a free shuttle. I am just going to spend the $120 on a car!

We all give Disney a lot of money!! You're not alone. But if you think that an hour of your time is worth $15, go for it. But I'm telling you, it isn't going to be quick. Oh, and getting out of the DTD parking lot later in the evening???? Hair-raising!!!
You may not be hopping a fence, but if Disney actually wanted you to have park access from DTD, don't you think they would provide one??? Exactly why do you think they make it so labor intensive??

 

[tjs198]

I read this some where, "To avoid paying for parking at Disney, try taking the Disney resort buses. Park at Downtown Disney (in the lot in front of Planet Hollywood) and just hop a Disney bus to any resort then get a connecting bus/monorail into the park of our choice. We didn’t pay a penny for parking". Does this work? And, if so, how early do the Disney buses run?

did you read that in the latest "budget travel" magazine? because i did!

 

[vicki_c]

Aside from the "it's the wrong thing to do" (which it is - plan on $15/day and put it in your budget and park where you are supposed to) ...

you mention the resort shuttle cutting into your park time. Parking at DTD and using various means of transport to get to the parks could be just as bad if not worse. If Disney wanted people to park at DTD and go to the parks, they would provide bus service (which they did in the past, but no longer do because people were doing what you want to do). Parking at DTD is free because it's meant for people who are spending money at DTD, like going to your local mall.

And that example someone gave about going from MK to DTD for rope drop - I didn't even think that was always possible due to the limited buses in the morning around DTD.

And the "so much money" argument buys you nothing - everyone is spending "so much money" to go to Disney, any way you slice it.

By the way, here's a link to a 3 page thread (currently) discussing that article and that advice specifically.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2641991&highlight=budget

 

[jlewisinsyr]

Disney's own website even addresses this in a way...

Transportation to and from the Downtown Disney area is available via bus throughout Walt Disney World Resort and is complimentary for Walt Disney World Resort hotel Guests. For Park Guests choosing to drive, complimentary self-parking is also available.

The key words are that the buses are complimentary for Resort hotel Guests. Although this is not always enforced, it is clear to note that they can restrict buses to just resort guests as that is the intent.

 

[bdcp]

It's the reason they don't run buses from DTD to the parks. Everyone gives a lot of money to the parks,so, how is that even remotely a good reason? There's always someone who wants to abuse the system because they think it doesn't apply to them. Not to mention it could easily take 2+ hours each way. What a waste of time.

I don't think the buses even start running to and from DTD until after the parks open.

 

[tjs198]

I read this some where, "To avoid paying for parking at Disney, try taking the Disney resort buses. Park at Downtown Disney (in the lot in front of Planet Hollywood) and just hop a Disney bus to any resort then get a connecting bus/monorail into the park of our choice. We didn’t pay a penny for parking". Does this work? And, if so, how early do the Disney buses run?

I think it is fine to do. It's actually pretty slick. This tip was given in a major magazine last month "Budget Travel". It may not be "worth it" to some people due to the time it would take but worth it for others.

Don't worry about the people who disagree, I'm sure they also think it is unethical for the senior citizens in Minnesota who walk the malls for exercise because it's too cold outside even though they have no intention of "shopping" in the mall.

 

[sam_gordon]

I think it is fine to do. It's actually pretty slick. This tip was given in a major magazine last month "Budget Travel". It may not be "worth it" to some people due to the time it would take but worth it for others.

Being GENEROUS, you're killing at LEAST two hours in transportation time. If you think two hours of waiting and sitting on busses (half of which will be when you're exhausted from walking all day), go for it.

Disney's policy is DTD parking isn't to be used as park parking. If you want to go against policy, go ahead. Just don't complain if you end up suffering the consequences (possible towed car).

 

[tjs198]

budgettravel dot com/feature/the-completely-obsessive-absolutely-indispensable-guide-to-disney-world,5637/

2. Don't even think about paying for parking
When you're shelling out $82 a day for admission, tacking on another $14 for parking can feel like adding insult to injury. I'm proud to say my family hasn't paid for a spot in years. What many out-of-towners don't realize is that the parking lots at Disney water parks, miniature-golf courses, and the Downtown Disney entertainment district are absolutely free. From those locations, shuttle buses will take you wherever you need to go (note that some routes require transfers). Our all-time favorite spot is an unmarked overflow lot across the street from the BoardWalk Inn. Next to a Hess gas station, the lot is almost always half-empty and is a 10-minute walk to the resort. From there, you can stroll over to Epcot, take a ferry ride to Hollywood Studios, or catch a shuttle bus anywhere else—all free of charge.

 

[Brian Noble]

Officially, you cannot park at Downtown Disney, or a WDW resort at which you are not a registered guest, for the purposes of visiting a theme park.

In practice, no one will tow your car---as far as I can tell, those reports are entirely apocryphal. On the other hand, time is money on vacation. Unless you are paid less than minimum wage in your day job, the parking fee is worth paying in the time saved. Just pay the $14/day, and enjoy your vacation. Trying to play the shuttle game from DTD is penny wise, but pound foolish.

The key words are that the buses are complimentary for Resort hotel Guests. Although this is not always enforced, it is clear to note that they can restrict buses to just resort guests as that is the intent.

While this is an advertised perk of being a resort guest, WDW Transportation is available to anyone who wishes to use it for any legitimate purpose. There was a time when one needed a multi-day ticket, or be a registered guest, but that restriction was removed many years ago. The only uses that are specifically ruled out are as I noted: parking at DTD or a resort (at which you are not a guest) to visit the theme parks. Even then, if you valet park at a resort, you are often welcome to do so for any reason at all---that's because the valets can park your car in a way such as to not inconvenience registered guests.

 

[livndisney]

I hope you plan on spending each morning of your vacation at DTD. The resort buses from DTD don't run back to the resorts until after 10:30. Unless of course you want to do what the CM stationed at the bus area suggested- Take a bus from DTD to POFQ (The hub for some unknown Disney reason), then from POFQ take a bus to your park of choice. You should make it to a park by noon.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

The way I look at it, the more people who decide to save $14 and do the DTD, the less people at rope drop and the first couple of hours in the parks .

 

[bear_mom]

Not to start controversy, but I am giving Disney quite a bit of money, so I wouldn't consider it unethical... I am not parking at Disney and hopping the fence to get in.

But thanks for the help everyone. I am staying off site and was planning on using the hotel shuttle, but I recently found out that this was going to cut down my time in the parks A LOT... I don't want to spend all that money, plus time planning my trip to have it cut in half by a free shuttle. I am just going to spend the $120 on a car!

I'm thinking that parking at DTD and using Disney buses isn't going to save you any time over using the hotel shuttle. I've waited a LONG time for a bus leaving DTD before.

Emily