More Parking Insanity...

[Jaffa]

Well I just got home from 9 awesome days at WDW.

Not sure if this will spark mroe debate or controversy or if people will dislike me even more but here is what I found out....

We had dining reservations at Cape May Cafe at the Beach Club one night and wanted to go to Epcot after.

Now according to many people here I would be given a parking pass for about 3 hours then I would have to move my car (reminder, I was staying at AKL).
so we checked in at the gate and I asked the gaurd how long I was allowed to park at this hotel....he shrugged his shoulders and said, "however long as you like" so we parked, ate, then went to Epcot for quite a few hours.

so again I ask, what would stop me from parking at the Contemporary and walking to the Magic Kingdom.

Sounds like it's not as strict as you all led me to beleive.

Again, I'm not a hater, just wanting to participate and pass along what I learned.

Jaffa

 

[Suellen]

I've seen them NOT let someone park at BLT to walk to Magic Kingdom.

Love it when we stay at Beach Club and can't find parking in the lot! So much fun to circle and circle waiting for Epcot to close.

 

[Jennasis]

We weren't given a pass when we ate at AKL...but the guard did right down our license plate number.

Getting towed on vacation is not a risk I'm willing to take. YMMV.

 

[minnie mum]

The Beach Club is not the CR. You're comparing apples and oranges. And stirring an always simmering pot. Leave it alone. .

 

[eranwolf]

Nothing, my parents neighbors do it all the time. From what I have heard is that they simply say they are going to the Contemporary at the parking gate and then just park in the MK lot. Now that said they also use a GAC and are perfectly fine. Not condoning any of it just reporting what I see/hear.

 

[minnie mum]

Nothing, my parents neighbors do it all the time. From what I have heard is that they simply say they are going to the Contemporary at the parking gate and then just park in the MK lot. Now that said they also use a GAC and are perfectly fine. Not condoning any of it just reporting what I see/hear.

And away we go...

 

[stargazertechie]

Nothing, my parents neighbors do it all the time. From what I have heard is that they simply say they are going to the Contemporary at the parking gate and then just park in the MK lot. Now that said they also use a GAC and are perfectly fine. Not condoning any of it just reporting what I see/hear.

 

[maxiesmom]

Most of the resorts that are close the parks have signs up stating that parking there is not for theme park access. However, enforcement of that rule varies. Sometimes you can get away with parking at those resorts and going to the parks, sometimes not. It is up to the individual on if the risk of getting their car towed is worth it or not. Also it depends on if they care how their actions negatively impact those who have rooms at those resorts or not.

I know I wouldn't appreciate it if I was going back to my resort, and couldn't find a place to park. So I wouldn't park where I shouldn't be parking, even if I may be able to get away with doing so. I wouldn't do to someone else what I wouldn't appreciate them doing to me.

 

[Suellen]

Nothing, my parents neighbors do it all the time. From what I have heard is that they simply say they are going to the Contemporary at the parking gate and then just park in the MK lot. Now that said they also use a GAC and are perfectly fine. Not condoning any of it just reporting what I see/hear.

This is not what the OP is saying... but REALLY?

I've been at the guard shack before and had to wait while the security guard went over to talk to people that were walking over to MK. They said well we DO have reservations at CM later today. The guard made them move.

That is really the only time I've seen them actively do anything. Though there are signs at all of those resorts that state they are unable to provide Theme Park Parking (or something like that) someone has posted the picture before.

It really is inconsiderate to people staying at these resorts when they are full. Especially the resorts that already seem to not have enough parking. Beach Club and Boardwalk seem to have the biggest problem from what we have seen.

 

[Belle0101]

I predict ... years from now, when/if WDW decides to aggressively enforce the "Not for Theme Park" parking rule we'll have posts upon posts of folks asking for the personal experiences of folks who have tried it after enforcement.

And then even more posts debating whether it actually affected the number of available parking spaces and at what time, how folks are going to take their vacation dollars elsewhere because they can no longer park at resorts for theme parks, how their vacations were just horribly ruined ...

 

[eranwolf]

 

[maxiesmom]

I predict ... years from now, when/if WDW decides to aggressively enforce the "Not for Theme Park" parking rule we'll have posts upon posts of folks asking for the personal experiences of folks who have tried it after enforcement.

And then even more posts debating whether it actually affected the number of available parking spaces and at what time, how folks are going to take their vacation dollars elsewhere because they can no longer park at resorts for theme parks, how their vacations were just horribly ruined ...

and how you can maybe still get away with parking at those resorts, if you can come up with a good enough excuse

 

[CR Resort Fan 4 Life]

During busy times like around the holidays the resorts are more strict on letting guests park at resorts they are not staying at, especially if they don't have ADR's. So it's possible that someone not staying at the Contemporary during that time could be turned away if they don't have a confirmed ADR.

Plus during times like the Food & Wine Festival the Epcot Resorts are a lot more strict when it comes to parking at them. So even though you might have an ADR for Cape May Cafe, chances are you would have been given a 3 hour parking pass.

 

[JennyDrake]

Most of the resorts that are close the parks have signs up stating that parking there is not for theme park access. However, enforcement of that rule varies. Sometimes you can get away with parking at those resorts and going to the parks, sometimes not. It is up to the individual on if the risk of getting their car towed is worth it or not. Also it depends on if they care how their actions negatively impact those who have rooms at those resorts or not.

This is EXACTLY my experience. I have had them call to confirm I had a dinner reservation. I have also been waved through without giving any info at all. My guess is that it depends upon the indidivual working and current crowd levels

 

[Jaffa]

Honestly I had not idea this was such a tough subject when I asked 2 months ago.

But just reporting my experience.

I asked what my time limit was and went with the answer I was given.

 

[shellybaxter]

OP - My Husband and I have been to WDW many times during off peak times. We have found that they were not enforcing many of the parking rules often discussed on the DIS. For example, we were once given permission by the guard at the gate to eat lunch at Beachs and Cream and then go over to DHS for the afternoon. Now at this time the parking lots weren't even half full so it was no big deal. We've also been encouraged by the staff at the Poly to valet park at the Poly exclusively for MNSHP. We weren't going to the party that night but my scooter was all decorated with lights and they thought we were. No problem. Anyway. We just figure that WDW enforces rules when they need to, which usually isn't when we are there. Disney seems to understand that rules can be flexible for guest enjoyment. Some on the DIS don't like that concept.

 

[larryz]

I predict ... years from now, when/if WDW decides to aggressively enforce the "Not for Theme Park" parking rule we'll have posts upon posts of folks asking for the personal experiences of folks who have tried it after enforcement.

And then even more posts debating whether it actually affected the number of available parking spaces and at what time, how folks are going to take their vacation dollars elsewhere because they can no longer park at resorts for theme parks, how their vacations were just horribly ruined ...

Where have you been -- we've already done those threads...

 

[brerrabbit]

This may sound a little off topic but after this thread, the numerous FP threads and debates and all the other hot button issues around here over the years about pool hopping, refillable mugs etc. I finally got my hands around something with one of the most innocent questions being asked on this board.

Someone wanted to know about golf reservations and if you still had to leave a credit card number and was the cancellation policy still 24 hours. Having golfed at WDW many times, I immediately answered the question because hey, I've been enough times that know all that stuff.

I answered and in the response said just go look at the policy online and it explains everything. Then I thought to myself, when is the last time I looked at the policy? So I did, and guess what the answer I gave was wrong. WDW requires a credit card number for golf reservations, and has a 48 hour cancellation policy and stated rates for all seasons and course. Problem was everything I was reading went against everything I thought I knew.

Then I tried to reconcile the whole thing in my mind and suddenly a whole lot of things became very clear. Disney has a policy written out for just about everything that goes on there that they offer to the public. That is their official policy and if you are an honest person that reads rules and accepts them then that's all you need and you move on.

Now I am not suggesting that anyone that moves to the next step in the process is dishonest but this is where the wheels come off in a lot of the discussions. I will only speak to what I know best which is the Tee time policy as written vs to what actually happens. First I go in the summer, and not a lot of folks want to play golf because of the heat and humidity so call it the "off" season for golf. Disney says the cheaper rates start at 2:00 PM, every time I call for a tee time they tell me the cheaper rates start at 10:00AM. Official policy wants a credit card, when I call they say all they need is my reservation number and won't charge me anything if I don't show up. When I get to the course as a single player at 9:15 they offer to start me right away, I say no I have the after 10:00 rate, they say that's fine you can start now there's no one on the course.

What I am trying to get at is there is the "official" policy, and then there is the reality of practicality. Rules for golf don't count in the off season when theres's no one playing. But come back from October through March and the rules apply to the tee, no exceptions.

So the moral of this long rambling story is this, there are rules that say don't park at the resorts to go to a park, use the FP during the window, refillable mugs are only good during your current stay etc. Can you do it and get away with it? Yes. Can you sometimes do it and even get it blessed by the CM on duty at the parking lot, at the FP entrance, or in a food court? Yes again. Could your car be towed, you be denied entrance with a late FP, or be asked to pay for drinks got in the old mug? Once again, YES! So the lesson learned is simple, they have rules that depending on circumstance may or may not be enforced to the letter. Since I am on vacation and do not want to take the chance of ruining my fun, I will adhere to the rules and not take a chance of having unpleasant things happen. Others are willing to take that chance, I am not. All I can say is when they do enforce the rules, don't get mad, yell at CM's or threaten anyone, just say okay, and deal with the consiquinces of your decision.

 

[brerrabbit]

Nothing, my parents neighbors do it all the time. From what I have heard is that they simply say they are going to the Contemporary at the parking gate and then just park in the MK lot. Now that said they also use a GAC and are perfectly fine. Not condoning any of it just reporting what I see/hear.

I just realized when rereading this post that the poster is not saying they are parking at the CR and going to MK to be close, they are saying they are going to the CR and then parking in the MK lot to avoid paying for parking.

This is a totally different topic about how to avoid parking fees, not parking at the resort to be closer to the park.

 

[fizbobunny]

This may sound a little off topic but after this thread, the numerous FP threads and debates and all the other hot button issues around here over the years about pool hopping, refillable mugs etc. I finally got my hands around something with one of the most innocent questions being asked on this board.

Someone wanted to know about golf reservations and if you still had to leave a credit card number and was the cancellation policy still 24 hours. Having golfed at WDW many times, I immediately answered the question because hey, I've been enough times that know all that stuff.

I answered and in the response said just go look at the policy online and it explains everything. Then I thought to myself, when is the last time I looked at the policy? So I did, and guess what the answer I gave was wrong. WDW requires a credit card number for golf reservations, and has a 48 hour cancellation policy and stated rates for all seasons and course. Problem was everything I was reading went against everything I thought I knew.

Then I tried to reconcile the whole thing in my mind and suddenly a whole lot of things became very clear. Disney has a policy written out for just about everything that goes on there that they offer to the public. That is their official policy and if you are an honest person that reads rules and accepts them then that's all you need and you move on.

Now I am not suggesting that anyone that moves to the next step in the process is dishonest but this is where the wheels come off in a lot of the discussions. I will only speak to what I know best which is the Tee time policy as written vs to what actually happens. First I go in the summer, and not a lot of folks want to play golf because of the heat and humidity so call it the "off" season for golf. Disney says the cheaper rates start at 2:00 PM, every time I call for a tee time they tell me the cheaper rates start at 10:00AM. Official policy wants a credit card, when I call they say all they need is my reservation number and won't charge me anything if I don't show up. When I get to the course as a single player at 9:15 they offer to start me right away, I say no I have the after 10:00 rate, they say that's fine you can start now there's no one on the course.

What I am trying to get at is there is the "official" policy, and then there is the reality of practicality. Rules for golf don't count in the off season when theres's no one playing. But come back from October through March and the rules apply to the tee, no exceptions.

So the moral of this long rambling story is this, there are rules that say don't park at the resorts to go to a park, use the FP during the window, refillable mugs are only good during your current stay etc. Can you do it and get away with it? Yes. Can you sometimes do it and even get it blessed by the CM on duty at the parking lot, at the FP entrance, or in a food court? Yes again. Could your car be towed, you be denied entrance with a late FP, or be asked to pay for drinks got in the old mug? Once again, YES! So the lesson learned is simple, they have rules that depending on circumstance may or may not be enforced to the letter. Since I am on vacation and do not want to take the chance of ruining my fun, I will adhere to the rules and not take a chance of having unpleasant things happen. Others are willing to take that chance, I am not. All I can say is when they do enforce the rules, don't get mad, yell at CM's or threaten anyone, just say okay, and deal with the consiquinces of your decision.