On site guest parking

[BSmithington]

I feel like logic and BSmith just aren't working together here.

I see that you like to chime in on threads and then back-off when challenged. Bye Felicia!

 

[aaarcher86]

I see that you like to chime in on threads and then back-off when challenged. Bye Felicia!

No. I'm sure you've heard of this phrase...

I've chosen to exercise that logic.

 

[sam_gordon]

because they tow every day right?

Can you please show where anyone has claimed that in this thread?

 

[BSmithington]

I feel like logic and BSmith just aren't working together here.

In your attempt to be clever, it's all just going over your head. It's okay.

How else would the General Manager and the parking operations manager be aware that a restaurant is running behind. All resort employees are aware at dinner time right? That's what you said. So the chef/restaurant manager needs to be on the phone with the GM and Parking Manager bc they want to stop the impending tow company.

 

[BSmithington]

Can you please show where anyone has claimed that in this thread?

I'm not arguing the signage or that they could tow you.

I'm simply saying ask the guard. Let a real Disney employee tell you what to do, not people on an unofficial Disney site who have zero authority.

 

[aaarcher86]

How else would the General Manager and the parking operations manager be aware that a restaurant is running behind. All resort employees are aware at dinner time right? That's what you said. So the chef/restaurant manager needs to be on the phone with the GM and Parking Manager bc they want to stop the impending tow company.

The tow trucks don't just show up. They're called. Before they're called the attendants are going to make sure there's no logical reason (aside from people using the lot for non resort activities) for them to be there before making a final judgement call to tow. It's a last resort. And it's not a last resort they always utilize. I've never seen anyone say otherwise?

This isn't as hard as you're making it. Truly.

It's great you have the answer for how to enjoy your vacation based on your experience. It doesn't make mine any less valid. Your vacation won't effect mine. Mine won't effect yours. You can think I'm stupid for paying to valet and following rules, and I'll make my judgements on you. Neither changes what we will do. It's just not that serious.

 

[BSmithington]

The tow trucks don't just show up. They're called. Before they're called the attendants are going to make sure there's no logical reason (aside from people using the lot for non resort activities) for them to be there before making a final judgement call to tow. It's a last resort. And it's not a last resort they always utilize. I've never seen anyone say otherwise?

This isn't as hard as you're making it. Truly.

It's great you have the answer for how to enjoy your vacation based on your experience. It doesn't make mine any less valid. Your vacation won't effect mine. Mine won't effect yours. You can think I'm stupid for paying to valet and following rules, and I'll make my judgements on you. Neither changes what we will do. It's just not that serious.

Then why are you fighting me? Instead of saying follow the rules, how about we rely on the people actually working the gate to determine who, what and for how long someone can park. Again ask the guard.

 

[supersnoop]

Just following your logic here...

Quoting someone but making straw-man assumptions is not the same as "following" someone's logic.

How else would the General Manager and the parking operations manager be aware that a restaurant is running behind. All resort employees are aware at dinner time right? That's what you said. So the chef/restaurant manager needs to be on the phone with the GM and Parking Manager bc they want to stop the impending tow company.

Guards drive around the parking lots checking on cars and identifying any that may be candidates for towing. They investigate; check the parking permit, check the log for when they entered, cross reference against ADRs, and, if necessary, reach out to the restaurant to see if there's any reasonable explanation that a car is still there. Then they can make an informed decision.

Then why are you fighting me? Instead of saying follow the rules, how about we rely on the people actually working the gate to determine who, what and for how long someone can park. Again ask the guard.

Because people think they can tell the employee half the story and get away with something that's against the rules.

 

[goofy4tink]

5 trips this year, all at GF, each about 2 weeks. I think I'll go with what has worked for me. Your "knowledge" is limited to your experience as mine is limited to what I have witnessed Feb-May of this year alone.

Here is the safest advice. Follow the instructions given to you by an actual Disney employee. Not someone on an internet site. As much as DIS people wish upon a star they are in fact not official Disney staff. If you pull up to any Disney resort and ask the guard if you can park and head to a park and they say ok - you have your answer. If they say no, well park at your own risk.

See here's the issue....very few people choose to self park at the GF, for anything, if they aren't actually staying there. It's not a great experience, the walk to the main bldgs is nuts. So, you obviously have never had to deal with non-resort guests taking up spots at your resort for hours on end, when they aren't even there, at the resort. So, I can understand your mentality now.
I can tell you what I witnessed in my stays in Sept, Oct, and May, to date and then again in Dec. What's your point? You, quite obviously, feel that only your experience matters. You ignore the fact that I have talked to many, many WDW CMs, working in transportation, just to get concise and correct info for this board. Darn....I even took the Mears shuttle in the name of research for this board!!! So, yeah, I ask and then do what I'm directed to do. That is what works for me!!!

I'm not saying you haven't had your particular experiences. Not at all. But others have had them as well. I am not, not for a minute, going to say that my parking experiences are not valid because you had different ones. We can only report what we have encountered, our particular experiences. So, thanks for your report...I'm sure those needing the info will be happy to add what you've reported to what others have reported, and make their choices.

 

[goofy4tink]

Then why are you fighting me? Instead of saying follow the rules, how about we rely on the people actually working the gate to determine who, what and for how long someone can park. Again ask the guard.

The problem with this? You have, quite obviously, had a different experience with the guards than I have. Both experiences are valid, but not the same. So, I drive up to the guard shack, and am told that I am not allowed to park there for the day, but can park to eat dinner, just be sure to move the car after dinner, but the next week, someone does the exact same thing, at the exact same resort, and is told sure, leave your car here for as long as you want...go to a park if you want, have a nice day. So....who's report is valid? As I said before, ask 5 CMs the same question and you'll get 4 different answers. Seems to be the Disney way.

 

[BSmithington]

Quoting someone but making straw-man assumptions is not the same as "following" someone's logic.


Guards drive around the parking lots checking on cars and identifying any that may be candidates for towing. They investigate; check the parking permit, check the log for when they entered, cross reference against ADRs, and, if necessary, reach out to the restaurant to see if there's any reasonable explanation that a car is still there. Then they can make an informed decision.


Because people think they can tell the employee half the story and get away with something that's against the rules.

Do they also call the conference manager? The operations manager? The overall GM? I have attended conferences at the CR, worked as an IC at the WL, and visited as a guest. All three are very different things. Oh and parking is an outsourced function as well. So do they check back with their team and probably their legal department as the liability (if wrong) is on them.

OR...maybe they don't really tow every single day. Maybe everyone should follow instructions when they arrive in the lot...And maybe this is something the DIS goes crazy over and they really don't care too much about...

 

[aaarcher86]

Then why are you fighting me? Instead of saying follow the rules, how about we rely on the people actually working the gate to determine who, what and for how long someone can park. Again ask the guard.

Well, I originally was just trying to find a nice way to address your ridiculous idea that you'd get 2 vacations out of getting a car towed.

And really, I'll stick to saying "follow the rules." Because that's what I expect out of self respecting adults. I know it's a lot to ask.

 

[BSmithington]

The problem with this? You have, quite obviously, had a different experience with the guards than I have. Both experiences are valid, but not the same. So, I drive up to the guard shack, and am told that I am not allowed to park there for the day, but can park to eat dinner, just be sure to move the car after dinner, but the next week, someone does the exact same thing, at the exact same resort, and is told sure, leave your car here for as long as you want...go to a park if you want, have a nice day. So....who's report is valid? As I said before, ask 5 CMs the same question and you'll get 4 different answers. Seems to be the Disney way.

This is my point. If the guard says ok - you are good to go. Ask the guard when you arrive. That's the best advice you can give to someone.

 

[BSmithington]

Well, I originally was just trying to find a nice way to address your ridiculous idea that you'd get 2 vacations out of getting a car towed.

And really, I'll stick to saying "follow the rules." Because that's what I expect out of self respecting adults. I know it's a lot to ask.

I'll switch it to line cutting. Let's say the CM instructs you to move all the way forward. So you do and in change positions with another guest. Let's say another CM walks up and takes you out of line, informs you that you have broken policy and asks you to leave the park. Would you not complain?

 

[aaarcher86]

Maybe just agree to disagree. I'd rather follow the written rule that can be provided versus someone's word.

I've witnessed a mom throwing a hissy fit at POR because she had 5 in a Royal Room and got caught (which people seem to think doesn't get checked either). If she was told by a reservation CM it was fine, it should be fine right? Free vacay!

 

[aaarcher86]

I'll switch it to line cutting. Let's say the CM instructs you to move all the way forward. So you do and in change positions with another guest. Let's say another CM walks up and takes you out of line, informs you that you have broken policy and asks you to leave the park. Would you not complain?

Uh, well I wouldn't jump in front of someone. I'd tell them the CM said to move up. This is the weirdest analogy.

Do you really do that? Just cut if there's a little space between people? You'd meet the pointy end of my elbow.

 

[BSmithington]

See here's the issue....very few people choose to self park at the GF, for anything, if they aren't actually staying there. It's not a great experience, the walk to the main bldgs is nuts. So, you obviously have never had to deal with non-resort guests taking up spots at your resort for hours on end, when they aren't even there, at the resort. So, I can understand your mentality now.
I can tell you what I witnessed in my stays in Sept, Oct, and May, to date and then again in Dec. What's your point? You, quite obviously, feel that only your experience matters. You ignore the fact that I have talked to many, many WDW CMs, working in transportation, just to get concise and correct info for this board. Darn....I even took the Mears shuttle in the name of research for this board!!! So, yeah, I ask and then do what I'm directed to do. That is what works for me!!!

I'm not saying you haven't had your particular experiences. Not at all. But others have had them as well. I am not, not for a minute, going to say that my parking experiences are not valid because you had different ones. We can only report what we have encountered, our particular experiences. So, thanks for your report...I'm sure those needing the info will be happy to add what you've reported to what others have reported, and make their choices.

The "my" spot doesn't really work well. Check your actual booking contract, you are not guaranteed a spot at your resort. Nor are you actually guaranteed a room at that resort.

 

[supersnoop]

Do they also call the conference manager? The operations manager? The overall GM? I have attended conferences at the CR, worked as an IC at the WL, and visited as a guest. All three are very different things. Oh and parking is an outsourced function as well. So do they check back with their team and probably their legal department as the liability (if wrong) is on them.

OR...maybe they don't really tow. Maybe everyone should follow instructions when they arrive in the lot...And maybe this is something the DIS goes crazy over and they really don't too much about...

Parking is not outsourced. Valet is; but parking and security is not.

They're smart enough to figure out why you drove in, and they can certainly call whoever they need to.

We have seen cars towed. We have seen people return to the parking lot wondering where there car is. We've seen people at the front desk because they think their car was stolen, only to be told otherwise.

The whole point of a forum is that it brings together a multitude of experiences. Your's is one experience. One of many. When making a decision, do you rely on the one outlier, or the more common experience?

 

[BSmithington]

Uh, well I wouldn't jump in front of someone. I'd tell them the CM said to move up. This is the weirdest analogy.

Do you really do that? Just cut if there's a little space between people? You'd meet the pointy end of my elbow.

Dear Baby Jesus please read what I posted. A CM instructs you to move up, a CM instructs you to park. If a CM tells me to fill in all available spaces I do what he/she said. If a CM tells me to park here, I do what they say.

 

[maxiesmom]

The "my" spot doesn't really work well. Check your actual booking contract, you are not guaranteed a spot at your resort. Nor are you actually guaranteed a room at that resort.

No but it is called being courteous. I don't park in my neighbors driveway. Or at the bottom of their driveway, making it hard for them to use their driveway. Just because you can get away with doing something doesn't mean you should be doing it.