On site guest parking

[goofy4tink]

Exactly. Just tell the guard. I've always tell the guard and they just wave me through. Now that said I will not try to park at the monorail resorts or Boardwalk due to congestion in those lots. Used to park across the street at the Boardwalk but now that is just for employees.

Interesting. I've had several instances, in the past year, where a guard has said exactly the opposite. I have been given a ride back to my resort, by a CM, and we were told to not leave the car there...no park access. I've been in a car when we were told to be sure to move our car after dinner. At BW? Same thing..even though I was staying there. The driver wasn't. The guard told him he shouldn't leave his car for an extended period of time.
I must travel with suspicious looking people.

 

[BSmithington]

Personally, I find the assumptions within this post annoying. How do you know how many times "some DIS person" visits? Some DISers live nearby and visit every few days, some actually work at Disney, some live states away (like me) and don't get to go more than once per year.

I'm one of many people who have witnessed cars being towed at the resorts (though not at WL I'll admit). I didn't interview the tow drivers. I have personally seen the signs at many of the resorts that say self-parking is for paid guests of the resorts. That, to me, is an indication that the resorts do care. I would never assume, based on my experience alone that the security guards "don't care". I've had experiences where I've gotten temporary parking passes for ADR's at resorts and times I haven't. Neither experience warrants an assumption about the policies going forward, and neither do yours.

The OP asked a question, and some posters gave their answers to that question based on their experiences, and based on stated rules of the resorts. That is not "backseat coaching".

I tell the guard what I am doing and they tell me yes or no. I have done 5 trips this year alone. And in those 5 trips (each about 2 weeks) never once have I received a ticket, had my tires chalked or was given a time limit. I don't assume anything, I tell the guard and he/she tells me what to do.

 

[BSmithington]

If you have kids, is that what you teach them?

Yes it is. Take the first available spot you see.

 

[BSmithington]

The problem is that the one security guard is only on duty for part of the time you're there. Think about the phone agents who constantly give out terrible, inaccurate information. If you rely on one employee telling you it's okay, while the posted signs specifically prohibit what you want to do, you may not find your car when you return. The "DIS" perspective seems to err on the side of caution. Because one bad experience will ruin an entire vacation. The advice you should get from here is the safest. If you want to push the limits and see what you can get away with, then you at least need to understand the consequences.

I can pretty much guarantee that if a guard told you that you could park and they then towed your car; not only would this trip be free your next one would be as well. Use your brain and understanding of Disney customer service.

 

[wdwrich]

Yes it is. Take the first available spot you see.

Then unfortunately, they'll probably turn out just like you. Shame really.

 

[aaarcher86]

I can pretty much guarantee that if a guard told you that you could park and they then towed your car; not only would this trip be free your next one would be as well. Use your brain and understanding of Disney customer service.

I don't know why you think that. There'd be no way to prove what they told you. But they could pretty easily point to signs that tell you something isn't allowed.

Maybe you haven't been reading all the poor customer service posts coming in. But two free vacations? Lol. I wouldn't have expected that even years ago.

 

[BSmithington]

Forget the whole courtesy thing? How about you start paying for that convenience of walking to a park from the CR or BW? You can ask 4 different CMs at WDW if you can park at the resort for park access....you will get different answers. I own DVC at both BLT and BWVs...... I see more clearly why the parking lots have the issues they have.......those who feel entitled to do whatever they wish, whenever they want.
I am not of the 'DIS police mentality'....I am, however, supposed to uphold DIS guidelines....those that suggest ways around Disney policy. And the official Disney policy is that parking at a resort, one you are not staying at, to access a park is not allowed. During really busy times of year, there are jersey barriers up at BW.
And visit once a year? Hardly. And when I do go, I am always chatting with CMs about transportation issues. So, rather than subject a DISer to embarrassment, I prefer to give all the info....they can then make an informed decision. They know what 'could' happen.

So, I will continue with my 'backseat coaching'.....sorry.

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.

 

[supersnoop]

I can pretty much guarantee that if a guard told you that you could park and they then towed your car; not only would this trip be free your next one would be as well. Use your brain and understanding of Disney customer service.

I call shenanigans. Where's your proof that a guard told you anything? Where's your proof that you actually told the guard what you were doing? I've seen many suggestions to tell the guard part of what you're doing; going to dinner but not saying where, eating at a resort restaurant but not mentioning that you're going to the park afterwards. The legally enforceable signs in the parking lots say you could be towed. You aren't getting a free trip if they follow through.

 

[maxiesmom]

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.

So why are you even posting here if you don't have any faith in what is said?

Btw, I don't think anyone is impressed by your staying at the Grand Floridian.

 

[BSmithington]

I don't know why you think that. There'd be no way to prove what they told you. But they could pretty easily point to signs that tell you something isn't allowed.

Maybe you haven't been reading all the poor customer service posts coming in. But two free vacations? Lol. I wouldn't have expected that even years ago.

Seriously just stop!

If dinner ran 3 hours and 1 minute and they towed your car would you be fine with it?

 

[aaarcher86]

Seriously just stop!

If dinner ran 3 hours and 1 minute and they towed your car would you be fine with it?

Do you really think they don't make sure they've given someone ample time? Or don't know if a restaurant is running behind?

It's not really something I have to worry about since I pay to valet or use my TIW.

You didn't really address my questions, but okay Maybe you'll come back at some point and tell us you got two free GF stays! How cool!

 

[BSmithington]

So why are you even posting here if you don't have any faith in what is said?

Btw, I don't think anyone is impressed by your staying at the Grand Floridian.

BC I cant stand the DIS police.

And you don't have to be impressed, but don't claim to "know" policy when a VIP guest can do otherwise.

 

[wdwrich]

Seriously just stop!

If dinner ran 3 hours and 1 minute and they towed your car would you be fine with it?

That's not the point. The crux of the discussion is whether it is okay to have a meal at a deluxe resort, then leave one's vehicle in the resort lot while you head off to a theme park. Signage clearly states that it's not allowed.

 

[BSmithington]

Do you really think they don't make sure they've given someone ample time? Or don't know if a restaurant is running behind?

It's not really something I have to worry about since I pay to valet or use my TIW.

You didn't really address my questions, but okay Maybe you'll come back at some point and tell us you got two free GF stays! How cool!

So you are saying if a restaurant is running behind they call out to the guard booth? Or then to the towing company en route? Ok then....

 

[BSmithington]

That's not the point. The crux of the discussion is whether it is okay to have a meal at a deluxe resort, then leave one's vehicle in the resort lot while you head off to a theme park. Signage clearly states that it's not allowed.

I've parked in the employee lot before even though signage says "Employees Only" bc wait for it - I was instructed by real employees, really working that day, who guided my car.

 

[aaarcher86]

So you are saying if a restaurant is running behind they call out to the guard booth? Or then to the towing company en route? Ok then....

Uh, no. I'm pretty confident the resort employees have a heads up on the goings in in other areas; particularly around meal times when the areas work together. It's not rocket science.

In the same fashion they turn people away when parking is limited. How would they know there's limited parking? Communication? Or magic?

No one is saying they ALWAYS tow. Just that they do. I go in the off season and I've seen it, so I have no reasoning behind what forces it. If someone wants to risk it, risk it. It doesn't change my vacation.

 

[BSmithington]

Uh, no. I'm pretty confident the resort employees have a heads up on the goings in in other areas; particularly around meal times. It's not rocket science.

In the same fashion they turn people away when parking is limited. How would they know there's limited parking? Communication? Or magic?

Just following your logic here...

Whispering Canyon is running behind
WC chef lets manager and servers know
WC Mgr notifies Wilderness Lodge General Manager
WL General Manager notifies guard booth
Guard calls towing company en route (because they tow every day right?)
Towing company waits until green light from guard

 

[wdwrich]

I've parked in the employee lot before even though signage says "Employees Only" bc wait for it - I was instructed by real employees, really working that day, who guided my car.

Well aren't you the lucky one! The point remains that under the vast majority of circumstances, resort lots are posted that they are not for theme park access unless one is staying at that particular resort. If one chooses do do otherwise, then one must accept the possibility of negative consequences. Do folks do it and get away with it? Certainly. Does that make it right? In my view, no.

 

[aaarcher86]

Just following your logic here...

Whispering Canyon is running behind. K
WC chef lets manager and servers know NO. WHY WOULD THE MANAGER NEED TOLD BY THE CHEF?
WC Mgr notifies Wilderness Lodge General Manager NO
WL General Manager notifies guard booth NO
Guard calls towing company en route (because they tow every day right?) NO
Towing company waits until green light from guard NO

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.

 

[BSmithington]

Well aren't you the lucky one! The point remains that under the vast majority of circumstances, resort lots are posted that they are not for theme park access unless one is staying at that particular resort. If one chooses do do otherwise, then one must accept the possibility of negative consequences. Do folks do it and get away with it? Certainly. Does that make it right? In my view, no.

I'm not lucky, I was following instructions. No one is getting away with something if they are instructed to do so.

Are you cutting the line if a CM tells you to fill in all available spots or are you following instructions?