On site guest parking

[Traveliz]

I can promise you they do still tow. I just witnessed it last weekend at the GF for a quick trip. Every time you pull up to the gate a photo of your tag is taken with a time stamp and date.

Sometimes they are a just more lax than others. OP valet the car or park at the TTC.

I am not disputing that they take a photo of your tags as you enter but they have never told me a time limit and I was at the GF last Sunday evening and parked there. I don't believe they run plates either but even if they did they would never be able to match that with who is in what room. Many people rent, use their spouses cars, boyfriends car etc. I've never been asked tonasociate a license plate number with my room reservations

 

[baler31]

I am thinking they no longer give out parking passes. I was at two different resorts this week visiting friends where I was allowed in by the guards without giving any more details than visiting guests of the resort. (And I was). One was at the poly and I was there about ten hours and one was at the beach club and I was there about seven hours. Neither time was I given a pass or told a time limit.

Liz

In the last year we have received a parking pass for all 5 of our stays. Most recent, Easter week. We had guests that week and when they did not have our room number they had to wait while the security guard verified we were staying at the resort before they were allowed in. We saw cars being towed at Beach Club and Boardwalk Inn that week. Not trying to scare anyone, I suppose we are just unlucky. We have tried twice to go to QS locations (not at our resort) to dine using our personal car and have been turned away as we were told it was too crowded to allow non guests of the resort to park.

Once at the CR I had to insist we be let in to CR when we had an 11am ADR. It was 8am and we were told we could not park, I insisted and they did relent but people should know that it can happen. I would hate for someone to be towed because of advice I gave them. Disney can and does change anything at any time. We valet anyway for all our stays, the deluxe guest lots are often far from the lobby and we are usually in a hurry. Even with valet we have always been given a parking pass.

 

[Traveliz]

I parked valet last night at the Boardwalk and was given my ticket to pick up my car but no parking pass???

 

[Alesia]

I parked valet last night at the Boardwalk and was given my ticket to pick up my car but no parking pass???

You never get a parking pass for valet, those are only for self parking.

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Who interviewed the tow truck drivers to find out why cars were being towed?

 

[wdwrich]

Who interviewed the tow truck drivers to find out why cars were being towed?

During our last stay at CR, we stayed in a room with a view of the self parking lot closest to MK. We saw cars being towed from that lot on more than one day. Did I interview the tow driver? Of course not. However, when a car is being towed for a breakdown, the owner/renter is usually present. That was not the case with the vehicles we saw being towed. There was either no one there but the tow driver, or Disney security was there. Also, these were late model cars which probably don't break down much.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[n2mm]

We were at BCV 2 weeks ago and had a parking pass. I read here that BWV was still using them. I believe there is some parking refurb going on at BWV, so parking is very limited there. I too have witnessed towing at the BWV on several occasions, not sure of the reason, but never noticed anyone other than a driver and guard. I love BWV, but hate the parking situation there. I have the TiW card, so valet when I can if eating at a resort.

 

[bumbershoot]

In the last year we have received a parking pass for all 5 of our stays.

Do you mean for your onsite stays? Like what you get when you checkin? IF so, that's not what people are talking about. They are saying that the guards give out parking passes to people coming in to dine.

I have never, not once, (and we almost always have a car and roam around to eat at various restaurants) gotten a parking pass from a resort I wasn't staying at, NOR have I ever been told by any CM there of any sort of time limit. And this includes twice for breakfast at the Wave when I wasn't staying at Contemporary or Bay Lake.

I have, once, asked at the Poly concierge desk how to get from their parking (after breakfast at Kona) to the TTC, and instead of answering, all 5 CMs behind that desk told me not to be silly, to just leave my car there. That they never tow people for that, and it would just be silly of me to move the car especially since it was just for a few hours at MK before our flight. We went along with it, and since it was our first WDW it really showed me the difference between what we say are the rules and what the rules actually are.

I haven't done it since, though, for reasons of my own.

 

[BSmithington]

Do you mean for your onsite stays? Like what you get when you checkin? IF so, that's not what people are talking about. They are saying that the guards give out parking passes to people coming in to dine.

I have never, not once, (and we almost always have a car and roam around to eat at various restaurants) gotten a parking pass from a resort I wasn't staying at, NOR have I ever been told by any CM there of any sort of time limit. And this includes twice for breakfast at the Wave when I wasn't staying at Contemporary or Bay Lake.

I have, once, asked at the Poly concierge desk how to get from their parking (after breakfast at Kona) to the TTC, and instead of answering, all 5 CMs behind that desk told me not to be silly, to just leave my car there. That they never tow people for that, and it would just be silly of me to move the car especially since it was just for a few hours at MK before our flight. We went along with it, and since it was our first WDW it really showed me the difference between what we say are the rules and what the rules actually are.

I haven't done it since, though, for reasons of my own.

Agreed. Not once in over 5 weeks of being on Disney property this year alone has a guard told me I have a time limit, issued a ticket, chalked my tires or towed my car. NOT ONCE!

 

[Goofy_Disney_Dad]

Agreed. Not once in over 5 weeks of being on Disney property this year alone has a guard told me I have a time limit, issued a ticket, chalked my tires or towed my car. NOT ONCE!

It's never happened to me either and we're there a great deal of time lately.

 

[goofy4tink]

I believe some here posted they those staying at a rsort get a parking pass to put on their dashboard. This was in answer to so some asking how anyone knew if you were allowed to park there.
I have no idea how they handle non-rsort guests parking at a resort and then heading to a park. Do they tow? Maybe. I've watched security drive arou d the CR/BLT lot, making notes. Do I know what they were writing down? No. I was 12 floors up! But I watched them do this at various times of day.

I stay at BWVs a lot. On occasion I've driven there. And it has been eye openi g to watch what happens there. I've sat out on my balcony, facing the parking lot, watching the steady stream of cars leaving the lot.....about 15-20 mins after IllumiNations ended. Coincidence? I think not. That parking lot had a ton of empty spots mid-afternoon. Then, there were a ton of cars leaving, all at that same
time. This left an awful lot of empty spots close to the front of that lot.

Does Disney need to do something about this practice? Maybe. I wish they would. Perhaps it's time for gated resort lots. That really shouldn't be hard to do..nor expensive. They could leave an area for day guests....parking would be free with a validated slip. Otherwise, there would be a charge. But in all reality? Disney will probably never do that. So, it's really a case of people being considerate if they park at a resort they are t staying at.....by this I mean choosing a parking spot that is a bit further removed vs one right up front, close to the resort.

 

[aaarcher86]

I'd like some of your alls luck.

It felt like I was trying to get into a max security prison going to the Poly for a dinner ADR.

 

[Traveliz]

You never get a parking pass for valet, those are only for self parking.

Yes that is my point; the poster ahead of me stated she did get a parking pass when valet parking. Thought that was highly unusual.

Liz

 

[Figmentmommy]

I'd like some of your alls luck.

It felt like I was trying to get into a max security prison going to the Poly for a dinner ADR.

So true. We were checked out thoroughly at the gate for our 'Ohana dinner ADR - and were turned away the following night when we came to eat at Captain Cook's, shop & tour the resort. We were told very nicely to go park at the TTC. We did just that and walked the path to Poly. So - it's important when making your plans to realize that sometimes you will be allowed to park to shop, tour, and eat at the food court .... and other times you will be turned away without an ADR.

 

[supersnoop]

I've received a three-hour parking permit for my dash in the past. I was staying off-site at the time.

 

[Julylady]

When going to MK from a Disney resort, busses are faster since they drop you off right at the park. No need for monorail or boat.

 

[goofy4tink]

When going to MK from a Disney resort, busses are faster since they drop you off right at the park. No need for monorail or boat.

However, the OP is looking to go to both MK and WL....and doesn't want to take a bus. She wants to drive to WL, park her car, and then head to MK until her WL ADR at lunchtime. So, a boat is going to be an option, at some point. Or a bus. The question at hand is is it okay to leave the car at WL while she goes to MK. She wants to do the least amount of travel with her child.

 

[CarolMN]

I'd valet park at the VWL. They don't care how long you stay if you valet. It would be worth the $15 plus tip (I think that's correct price now) to have the car seat and be able to drive back to the resort after dinner.

 

[Traveliz]

It's 20.00 plus tip to valet now.

Liz

 

[HopperFan]

Does Disney need to do something about this practice? Maybe. I wish they would. Perhaps it's time for gated resort lots. That really shouldn't be hard to do..nor expensive. They could leave an area for day guests....parking would be free with a validated slip. Otherwise, there would be a charge.

Not only should they but it's very do able. Example of CSR which is already built for it.

- When you enter CSR you do not hit the guard gate first, you actually hit the cross road that goes to guests rooms that have their own security gate that can only be entered by scanning your MB. Now all guest areas are secure and it's one resort that we never have a problem parking very close to buildings where we want to be.

- You approach guard gate at check in or to eat or explore resort. You explain to guard and they direct you to the smaller but big enough parking area for those purposes. Put in a ticket machine that rather than explain to the guard why you are there, just pull the ticket.

- Make free parking for 3 hours, anything after you pay .... so if you are a parking lot fee avoider (or pool crasher), going in for 6 hours, divide $17 by 6 = $2.80 so bump it to $3. You still get 3 hours free so if you are at parking 6 hours to sneak to the park, minus 3 free = 3x $3 you still pay $9. May be a bargain but now is it really worth the hassle? If you are really working it and parking to do a 10 hour day, 10 - 3 hours = 7 and now your parking is $21 .... not such a good idea. If you are there for legitimate purposes then you are good.

- For resorts that have activity or dining that may take longer than 3 hours - say California Grill or a Fishing Excursion etc. allow those venues to stamp parking receipts and they are given extra hour or two free.

IF not:

- Personally I would like to see all "visitors" to resorts lumped into parking lots together where they can not take any spots meant for hotel guests. Short term parking only. Now with MB they can't scan to get into any other parking areas close to the buildings. Do the math, make them just big enough for expected needs. Give those guests parking passes for their dash that Security writes with big sharpie the date and time of arrival. Check the lot every couple hours. Great DCP job. Anyone over their time - tow them. Harsh? No. You were given 3 hours. The next guest coming to eat etc needs that spot. Want to hang around? Valet or come in via bus/taxi etc.

No matter where you stay it is very frustrating to come back to your hotel, condo etc and not get a spot anywhere near where you are staying because others are parking when and where they shouldn't. Particularly since it's the deluxe/park hotel guests that are getting the short end of the stick.