Okay, never saw this before at OKW

[eporter66]

Glad this is going on!!!

 

[cc1075]

We always stay at OKW - twice a year - building 19. Security has always walked though our pool area at least twice a day for as long as I can remember.

Sometimes walking with a clipboard and sometimes riding a bike.

I have never noticed them in the parking areas - but that is probably because we are always at the pool.

 

[Muhlenberg]

Could they be checking to see if non resort guests are parking and using the buses?

I'm wondering the same thing.

 

[NJ&SSR]

Security was driving through the self-parking lot at BLT the morning of 7 Nov looking at cars. They were not on foot and not checking parking passes, but rather in a marked Chevy Trailblazer going slowly through the lot looking at the cars. They made multiple passes in succession. Not sure what they were checking on.

 

[Brian Noble]

I'm wondering the same thing.

I'm not sure how. I've visited OKW before without a parking pass to eat at Olivia's. (I know, not a hot dining destination, but I'm a sucker for the blackened grouper sandwich.) I happened to be staying at Bonnet Creek this past July, explained at the guard shack that I was hoping to grab lunch---no ADR, just walking up. After briefly flashing my drivers license I was waved right on through. I wasn't given a temporary pass, and the guard didn't write down my license plate #. What's more, no one actually followed me to be sure that I actually *was* eating lunch at Olivia's.

However, I did, and it was lovely. The weather was cool enough to sit outside, and we had a wonderful lunch away from the hustle and bustle of the water parks, where we had spent the morning until about 11:30, when it was clear it was about to reach capacity.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Just make sure that if you see Security doing this, that you THANK them.

(Just an Idea)

 

[dianeschlicht]

I'm not sure how. I've visited OKW before without a parking pass to eat at Olivia's. (I know, not a hot dining destination, but I'm a sucker for the blackened grouper sandwich.) I happened to be staying at Bonnet Creek this past July, explained at the guard shack that I was hoping to grab lunch---no ADR, just walking up. After briefly flashing my drivers license I was waved right on through. I wasn't given a temporary pass, and the guard didn't write down my license plate #. What's more, no one actually followed me to be sure that I actually *was* eating lunch at Olivia's.

However, I did, and it was lovely. The weather was cool enough to sit outside, and we had a wonderful lunch away from the hustle and bustle of the water parks, where we had spent the morning until about 11:30, when it was clear it was about to reach capacity.

Brian, I understand that folks are certainly allowed and even encouraged to visit any and all resorts, but my guess is that you parked in the provided parking lot at HH. It's the folks who go to the lots for the individual buildings and get their "free parking" and a ride on the OKW buses to the parks that is the problem. It's an issue at SSR too. I'm glad they are finally going to crack down on it. It's amazing how full some of the lots are at noon and them how empty they are at midnight!

 

[Brian Noble]

It's the folks who go to the lots for the individual buildings and get their "free parking" and a ride on the OKW buses to the parks that is the problem. It's an issue at SSR too.

My sense has always been that the real problem at OKW is people staying in outlying areas at the resort driving to the HH area, finding that parking lot full, and parking in the lots of the nearby villas. I can't recall seeing more than a handful of cars parked in OKW lots without tags in my three visits so far, but I also admit that I don't go around checking dashboards while on vacation.

SSR's problem seems to be people walking from DTD (where parking isn't gated) to catch direct buses to the parks. These folks wouldn't be caught by the parking pass patrol either.

If you're going to brazen your way past a guard shack to park for free, you may as well do it in a resort that's walking distance (or at worst monorail/boat distance) to a theme park. OKW just doesn't seem like an appealing place to try it.

 

[Conan the Librarian]

Park at DTD, walk to the first bus stop at SSR (Congress Park) go where you want. It can be real easy. The bus drivers don't check for passes.

 

[FindTheMickeys]

I stayed at SSR over Labor Day. First time I have driven since I purchased DVC and also first time I WASN'T asked if I had a car. So, no parking pass However, we parked the van for the duration and walked or took the busses and no one said a word...

 

[dianeschlicht]

My sense has always been that the real problem at OKW is people staying in outlying areas at the resort driving to the HH area, finding that parking lot full, and parking in the lots of the nearby villas. I can't recall seeing more than a handful of cars parked in OKW lots without tags in my three visits so far, but I also admit that I don't go around checking dashboards while on vacation.

SSR's problem seems to be people walking from DTD (where parking isn't gated) to catch direct buses to the parks. These folks wouldn't be caught by the parking pass patrol either.

If you're going to brazen your way past a guard shack to park for free, you may as well do it in a resort that's walking distance (or at worst monorail/boat distance) to a theme park. OKW just doesn't seem like an appealing place to try it.

While many of the people parking at HH are people checking into OKW, I think there probably are a few who park there to dine even though they are staying at the resort. I really don't think that's the major problem though. I noticed the "outside parkers" a lot at building 55. They probably choose that building because it's so remote from the HH area, and they are confident of not being caught. It's kind of like how often we see people from the nearby area at OKW pools.

I think OKW is the perfect place to get away with something like that, because as you state, the other's are more obvious, and especially at BCV, they watch the lots closely for things like that.

 

[childsplay]

I'm glad they're checking. But I wonder if they actually do anything if they find a violation.

 

[Connears]

Probably doing a survey to see how much money they can make if they take away the "privilege" of free resort parking. Similar to free valet, taking it away will mean only those who choose to have cars will get charged for it.

Wow..nothing like looking at the dark side of everything!!!! I for one am glad to have the security doing its job! Well done!

Connears

 

[dmoore22]

Security being visible may be just enough of a deterrent to discourage many abuses and vandalism in our otherwise peaceful "Home" resort. If they need to walk their "beat" then more power to them.

 

[zev]

When we stayed at SSR, my dad came later and the guard actually got on him even though I had told them I had another in the party showing up.(guard was nice about it, though) When we drove to Poly for the Luau dinner that guard questioned us even with a valid parking pass (nice as well) same for our tour of AKL. Not suprised by Poly being a bit tighter but AKL and SSR?? To me the resorts are pretty on top of it, still good to know they do a spot check. Wonder what they would actually do as well. Lots of reasons a car might not have a pass for a small bit of time. Would they keep a database for frequent offenders......the local that knows the loopholes???