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.
And that is pertinent in what way????
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 elseall free of charge.
Yes, indeed it's doable as stated in that article. But what isn't said is how long it will take. And parking at BW??? Please. They have some of the longest wait times for buses to MK and AK that exist. I know..I stay there more often than not.
It sure would be nice that if people are going to write 'helpful' articles, that they would actually let people know exactly what this 'alternative' parking is going to cost time-wise.
Actually, disneyworld.disney.com still says this. It was a problem I asked my hotel about because they only provided shuttle service to Magic Kingdom and Epcot, so I was concerned about the other two parks, but they said we could use Disney transportation to the other parks.
Unfortunately, I don't have the money that it seems many people have. We can't stay on the resort and eat every meal at a sit down restaurant, but being lower middle class shouldn't inhibit us from enjoying disney. At least, this is my opinion. We are actually spending quite a bit more than planned because we were planning on using shuttles. The purpose of this thread was to actually see if this less expensive form of transportation would be a waste of time. Appartently it is, so we will plan on spending the money on parking. Of course, this is not giving Disney any more money... this will just be cut from our souvenir and snack budget. Not a big deal, just trying to decide where Disney will suck us dry!
We hear from many people that want to do Disney on the cheap. But then they realize that they aren't able to get the 'full benefit' of a WDW vacation. They choose to stay at an offsite hotel that, while inexpensive, isn't going to provide them with decent transportation to the parks. So, now you have to figure out other ways to get there. And Disney knows all about these 'alternative' methods. They aren't stupid. Yes, they want you to spend as much of your hard earned cash at WDW as is humanly possible. They are a business. And yes, they make things much easier for those who are paying to stay at a Disney owned resort. They have value resorts in place for those without unlimited funds. Are they more expensive than a lot of offsite hotels/resorts? Sure. But...you get free transportation to and from the airport, you get frequent shuttles to the parks, you get EMH entry. And you don't have to worry about renting a car and having to pay for parking at the parks.
But, even the values aren't going to be in reach of some. That's a fact of life. But just because you can't afford to stay onsite and get all the perks of staying onsite, doesn't mean you get to try and finagle your way around policy. You can't afford to stay onsite? Fine. But realize that there are some things you are just not going to be able to do.
Does Disney tow cars?? I'm sure that in some cases they do. But I have to tell you....towing aside, it's really frustrating to try and find a parking spot, at a resort that you are paying to stay at, but find there are too many cars there already. And at BW, you should see the parking lot empty at about 9:45...gee, wonder why that happens???? And no, I don't mean the lot behind the Hess Station. Not all that many people park there...the walk is too long for them. They try to park in the guest lot....and many times they are allowed to. Drives me nuts. I have seen the same thing at BLT...watched as people park there cars early in the day, before park opening, then as I sit there, watching people leaving MK for the night, these same people arrive back at their car and pack up and leave. Really??? They're BLT guests? Nope, they are people who it's their right to park there for park access. Who knows where they were actually spending the night...could be at an offsite resort/hotel, or it could just have been native Floridians who didn't want to pay to park. But, either way...it doesn't make it right.
There are things you need to put into a budget...and parking is one of them. That's a cost of doing business with Disney..you don't want to stay at a WDW resort??? Fine, but you don't get the same perks. Plain and simple.
I've said it before....WDW is not a 'budget' type destination.
