Odd question re: parking at Port - Damage

[mkstewartesq]

Okay, here’s a weird, maybe oddly-paranoid question:

We are driving down to Port Canaveral and will park at the port in the parking deck at the terminal. We just bought a new car, but are trying to decide whether to take the new car or the old car.

Our concern, not ever having parked in the deck before, is how likely it would be for the new car to get dinged-up while parked. Of course, getting dinged up can happen anywhere - but we don’t know how close all of the spaces are, how full the lot gets, etc. - and we can only guess at how likely damage is with lots of families parking, excitedly dragging luggage around etc., especially when a larger ship (Fantasy) will be disembarking and reloading while we are on our 3-day Dream cruise. On the other hands, lots of places intended for longer stays/people who drive large vehicles due to the distance etc. have larger spaces so maybe this isn’t as much of an issue.

Does anyone have any thoughts/experiences? Recommendations of the more "car-safe" place to park in the deck? Thanks

 

[Quellman]

To add to your concerns you also have to consider the fact that your car is subject to sea spray and salt. Our first trip we parked deck 3 facing the ship. Came back and our my brown car was mostly white. This second trip we took the SUV and found a nice parking spot facing the interior ramp up on the side furthest from the ship. Much less white.

The larger the car the tighter the spaces. You also have to consider that while you are parked there will also be the Dream in port loading and uloading, increasing the number of moving cars in the garage. You may have parked next to a Dream passenger and not a Fantasy passenger.

The roof line is also pretty low. But there is an uncovered outdoor lot and a VIP upcharge parking that is also not covered.

 

[Bree]

Dings are going to happen everywhere. I think parking furthest away from the entrances help. Everyone is always driving around looking for the closest spot. Sometimes I see people still circling after I have parked my car in a space far from the door and about to walk in the store.

 

[ptcbass]

We are very particular about our car and never park near others when given the opportunity. We parked in the garage so that the car would be out of the sun. The parking places are tight but it isn't like the cars will be coming and going all week like a mall parking lot. It is a little more limited to when a ship comes in. Also if you park beside someone parking for your same cruise you know they will be there the whole time. There is always a chance for a ding I guess.

Our spot was very tight and we didn't have any problems. Of course on disembarkation day we were gone and on the road by 8:05 am. I didn't want to wait around for things to get crazy.

 

[Justacruiser]

Haven't had problems with the parking lot on any of our cruises. I usually park next to someone that just arrived. That way, I know at least 1 side of the car isn't likely to get dinged because they are on the ship with you. I also look for a place on the end, usually the far end and park close to the far spaces line. Again, if you are parking next to an already parked car, they may get off the Dream or Fantasy ship, but only 1 car will leave and 1 will park while you are gone, unless you are doing a B2B. You would have to have some bad luck for that 1 or 2 cars to actually ding your car. And finally, MOST people that cruise Disney have a little money, and have a more valuable car and hopefully a higher financial responsibility to themselves that others. I think it is far more likely to get a ding from a Kroger or Walmart than in a Disney Cruise Line parking lot (and yes, I know they don't own their parking lot).

 

[cjsmith]

It's not actually an odd question!

My damage didn't occur while parked at Port Canaveral but did at Port Everglades. We got off our one of our cruises a few months ago and found damage to our car. As we were in a corner handicapped space, it appears that another handicapped car that had an area on the back to place their wheelchair, backed into our car and did great damage to the bumper on my car.

I will tell you, that all of the ports do have writing on the backs of the tickets that claim if you park there, it is at your own risk. I did file a police report, however the port would claim no responsibility and I was on my own to fix the damage.

In all of our cruises leaving from many Florida ports, this was a first.

But just be aware, it can happen just like it can anywhere else.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

Yep. Somebody ran into the back of my dad's car when he parked it there. Likely they were backing out and not paying attention to where they were going. Left a big dent. They left a note and their insurance info at least.

 

[Donna M]

I really think in your situation that you should take the old car. You're going on vacation and the last thing you need to think about is whether or not your new car will have a ding when you get back to it.

The chances that anything will happen are small, but you will be in a lot with other cars and like anyplace else, things happen.

Just go with the old car so you don't have to worry about it and have a great trip.

 

[mkstewartesq]

I really think in your situation that you should take the old car. You're going on vacation and the last thing you need to think about is whether or not your new car will have a ding when you get back to it.

The chances that anything will happen are small, but you will be in a lot with other cars and like anyplace else, things happen.

Just go with the old car so you don't have to worry about it and have a great trip.

Yes, after reading all of the helpful comments and replies in this thread, this is the approach we have decided to take, for the exact reasons you stated – we just don't want to be worrying about the new car for the entire cruise.

Thank you very much, everyone, for all of the replies.

Mike

 

[cheesehead3]

I will have to say we have had good luck. I left a window down on our vehicle on one trip. They had the police out and they left a "ticket" in the vehicle and taped the window up with a plastic bag. Other than that we park in what I call "one door ding" spots usually on the 3rd level right by the elevators and have not had an issue.

Charles

 

[Kenny1113]

We had the problem of the lovebugs getting baked onto our car. The bugs were bad on our 4 hour drive up, made the mistake of not getting them washed off prior to our car sitting uncovered (many years ago idk if this has changed) in the sun for a week.

 

[ladypiph]

I haven't had any issues with parking at the port we always park on level three closest to the elevators. and usually it is next to a handicap which has a lot of room in between the spots.

 

[jetskigrl]

Yes, after reading all of the helpful comments and replies in this thread, this is the approach we have decided to take, for the exact reasons you stated – we just don't want to be worrying about the new car for the entire cruise.

Thank you very much, everyone, for all of the replies.

Mike

We are doing the same thing for our cruise in two weeks. We are leaving the new (bigger) car at home and taking our older one to leave at the port parking lot all week (San Diego). Our friends received damage to their car in the same lot last year so that was enough for us to decide to leave the new car at home in the garage this trip

 

[bumbershoot]

My theory on new cars is that we should put a ding in them before driving them off the lot. Yes it's painful, but it's going to happen anyway. Might as well break our hearts immediately rather than worry about the first dent for an undetermined amount of time.

(says the person whose brand new, parked, New Beetle was backed up into and had its side smooshed by an OLD metal Suburban in the first month of owning the Beetle...after that, nothing else bugged me with the Beetle!) (when parallel parking and perpendicular spaces on the other side literally collide)

 

[Msidescooter]

I will have to say we have had good luck. I left a window down on our vehicle on one trip. They had the police out and they left a "ticket" in the vehicle and taped the window up with a plastic bag. Other than that we park in what I call "one door ding" spots usually on the 3rd level right by the elevators and have not had an issue.

Charles

They left you a ticket for leaving your window down? That seems a bit harsh...

 

[SuperDry]

Everyone is always driving around looking for the closest spot. Sometimes I see people still circling after I have parked my car in a space far from the door and about to walk in the store.

It's really rich when you see people do this, then finally get out of their cars and they're in exercise clothes and going to the gym.

We got off our one of our cruises a few months ago and found damage to our car. As we were in a corner handicapped space, it appears that another handicapped car that had an area on the back to place their wheelchair, backed into our car and did great damage to the bumper on my car.

I will tell you, that all of the ports do have writing on the backs of the tickets that claim if you park there, it is at your own risk. I did file a police report, however the port would claim no responsibility and I was on my own to fix the damage.

Even absent such a disclaimer, why would you expect the port to be responsible for such damage? If you had two friends over for dinner, and one ran into the other's car in your driveway, would you expect that you would be responsible for the damage, just because the accident occurred on your property?