On site guest parking

[sam_gordon]

I do. I also usually have the card of the person I'm visiting with so the guard can give them a heads up. It has never been an issue.

Presumably if the guard said it WAS a problem, you would either park somewhere else or move your car when leaving the resort.

Personally, I wouldn't want to take the chance the guard says I'll have to move the car, OR the chance 'Guard A' tells me 'OK', but then I find out my car is towed when I return 12 hours later and Guard 'B' is on duty. Yes, Disney is usually pretty good about "making things right", but that doesn't necessarily help if I have a tired family with me and no transportation.

 

[mom2rtk]

Probably. The whole argument from others is that they are spending money to stay at the resort so they deserve a parking space. I am also spending money at the resort and in most cases more than the average guest so shouldn't I have a parking space as well?

Hopefully they have space enough if they can just keep people from parking there to visit a theme park. Or visit a theme park after doing something at the resort.

But I do happen to agree that guests staying there should have priority on parking spots. I've paid what it takes to stay at the Contemporary and had to circle and circle. And circle some more...... to find a parking spot. And it was so frustrating. I have also circled the parking lot at the GF when we were about to go in and spend $85 on breakfast for 2. I thought it was nuts that I was about to spend that much on breakfast and they had nowhere for me to park, but I never once thought I should have a higher priority than people paying to stay there.

 

[supersnoop]

Probably. The whole argument from others is that they are spending money to stay at the resort so they deserve a parking space. I am also spending money at the resort and in most cases more than the average guest so shouldn't I have a parking space as well?

Or course you should. While you're at the resort. Nobody is arguing otherwise.

 

[BSmithington]

Or course you should. While you're at the resort. Nobody is arguing otherwise.

Not really. The argument is that I am a guest at the resort and need a place to park my car. I also want to be able to leave my car and head to the parks at will, bc I paid to be here. So assume I spend $45,000 for a conference (about average), why couldn't I also use the parking spot for the conference and head to the parks at will. I'm also paying for the privilege to use the resort.

 

[mom2rtk]

Not really. The argument is that I am a guest at the resort and need a place to park my car. I also want to be able to leave my car and head to the parks at will, bc I paid to be here. So assume I spend $45,000 for a conference (about average), why couldn't I also use the parking spot for the conference and head to the parks at will. I'm also paying for the privilege to use the resort.

Because they don't base parking privileges on how much you spent.

And if you want to park there to go to a park, so would a few tens of thousands of your closest friends.

 

[supersnoop]

Not really. The argument is that I am a guest at the resort and need a place to park my car. I also want to be able to leave my car and head to the parks at will, bc I paid to be here. So assume I spend $45,000 for a conference (about average), why couldn't I also use the parking spot for the conference and head to the parks at will. I'm also paying for the privilege to use the resort.

Sounds like a classic case of "DYKWIA."

If you just dropped $45k on a conference, you can spring for valet.

 

[sam_gordon]

Not really. The argument is that I am a guest at the resort and need a place to park my car. I also want to be able to leave my car and head to the parks at will, bc I paid to be here. So assume I spend $45,000 for a conference (about average), why couldn't I also use the parking spot for the conference and head to the parks at will. I'm also paying for the privilege to use the resort.

Where do you work that you have to pay $45K for a conference? Doesn't your employer pay for your trip?

 

[kaytieeldr]

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.

Do you see the common denominator here? Maybe it's not the people you're with...

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.

Possibly, just possibly, they might pay for the tow. Two vacations? Seriously?

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?

All available spaces indicates a waiting area, not a line. So, no.

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?

Again, not a line. A waiting area. And CMs communicate, and know how to control their attractions.

Parking...I'm not going to get into it.

I'm shocked that you are always at the front desk at the right time. Lucky you.

They'd only had to have seen it twice for the statement you're critiquing to be valid.

No. I'm not saying park there for the sake of parking. I'm saying that if you are spending $ in the resort via food, merchandise or a conference chances are they will not care if you eat and head to the park.

Were that true, there would be no signs prohibiting parking at resorts for theme park access.

But what the person attending a conference? Or those spending $ at a restaurant? Do they not deserve a spot as well?

While attending the conference or spending dollars at a restaurant they do. Not while first or subsequently visiting a theme park. Disney provides theme park parking lots for theme park parking.

I do. I also usually have the card of the person I'm visiting with so the guard can give them a heads up. It has never been an issue.

You have the card of the person you're visiting at a theme park so the guard at the resort where you're parking can give that person a head-up? How? Why?

 

[goofy4tink]

But what the person attending a conference? Or those spending $ at a restaurant? Do they not deserve a spot as well?

Are you deliberately missing the point here? Those people paying to stay at a resort get to park there and head to a park for the day. Those people that are eating, or attending a conf or otherwise spending money, at that resort, are entitled to park there, while they are at the resort. No one has said they shouldn't park there.

Not really. The argument is that I am a guest at the resort and need a place to park my car. I also want to be able to leave my car and head to the parks at will, bc I paid to be here. So assume I spend $45,000 for a conference (about average), why couldn't I also use the parking spot for the conference and head to the parks at will. I'm also paying for the privilege to use the resort.

And you can park your car there...while you are enjoying the amenities of that resort. You most certainly did not pay to be there. You paid to go to a conference. And if you're paying $45,000 to be at a conf, as others have said, you can pay to valet park for the day. Unless it is stipulated, in the convention details, that attendees can leave their cars there, self-parked, and head to a park for the day, you most certainly are not entitled. By your thought process you can also change into your swim suit and hop into the pool if you so choose.....again, not allowed.

None of us are particularly impressed with your 'numbers'....number of trips, number of times you've parked in a resort lot, amount you've spent at go to a conference. It makes little to no difference. At WDW, everyone is pretty much equal. You get what you pay for. Unless you are 1. staying at the resort, or 2. are valet parking, you have not paid for park access.

Long story short...can you park at a nearby resort and go to a park.....yes, most likely. Are there going to be times it is absolutely not allowed? Yes. Will you get towed if the guard tells you it's okay to park? No. Should everyone just assume it's going to be fine to self-park at a resort and head to a park for the day? No, they should not.

 

[BSmithington]

Are you deliberately missing the point here? Those people paying to stay at a resort get to park there and head to a park for the day. Those people that are eating, or attending a conf or otherwise spending money, at that resort, are entitled to park there, while they are at the resort. No one has said they shouldn't park there.

And you can park your car there...while you are enjoying the amenities of that resort. You most certainly did not pay to be there. You paid to go to a conference. And if you're paying $45,000 to be at a conf, as others have said, you can pay to valet park for the day. Unless it is stipulated, in the convention details, that attendees can leave their cars there, self-parked, and head to a park for the day, you most certainly are not entitled. By your thought process you can also change into your swim suit and hop into the pool if you so choose.....again, not allowed.

None of us are particularly impressed with your 'numbers'....number of trips, number of times you've parked in a resort lot, amount you've spent at go to a conference. It makes little to no difference. At WDW, everyone is pretty much equal. You get what you pay for. Unless you are 1. staying at the resort, or 2. are valet parking, you have not paid for park access.

Long story short...can you park at a nearby resort and go to a park.....yes, most likely. Are there going to be times it is absolutely not allowed? Yes. Will you get towed if the guard tells you it's okay to park? No. Should everyone just assume it's going to be fine to self-park at a resort and head to a park for the day? No, they should not.

I kinda think you are missing the point and overall operations of a WDW Resort. But first:

• I do not advocate parking at a resort for the sake of theme park access
• I do not advocate overnight parking at a resort
• I own a design management firm and often HOST conferences/workshops at WDW (hence the $45k is the average fee I've paid)

Now for the signs

• The parking lots (and pool) say that their use is exclusively for X Resort Guests (paraphrasing)

As a conference organizer I am a registered GUEST of the resort. And as a GUEST of the resort I have the same exact access that an overnight guest would have. The only difference is that I am getting use of a conference space instead of a hotel room. In addition, I must provide the list of attendees/speakers to the resort as those people are also registered GUESTS of the resort and are also allowed the privileges of a GUEST of the resort.

Since I am GUEST of the resort I can also leave my car parked and head to a theme park just like any other GUEST of the resort. I most certainly paid to be there, just like you did.

 

[BSmithington]

Where do you work that you have to pay $45K for a conference? Doesn't your employer pay for your trip?

I own the company and host conference/workshops in Orlando and Las Vegas. $45,000 is about average for a 2-3 day event at WDW.

 

[BSmithington]

Do you see the common denominator here? Maybe it's not the people you're with...

Possibly, just possibly, they might pay for the tow. Two vacations? Seriously?

All available spaces indicates a waiting area, not a line. So, no.

Again, not a line. A waiting area. And CMs communicate, and know how to control their attractions.

They'd only had to have seen it twice for the statement you're critiquing to be valid.

Were that true, there would be no signs prohibiting parking at resorts for theme park access.

While attending the conference or spending dollars at a restaurant they do. Not while first or subsequently visiting a theme park. Disney provides theme park parking lots for theme park parking.

You have the card of the person you're visiting at a theme park so the guard at the resort where you're parking can give that person a head-up? How? Why?

Since you have singled me out I'll be happy to respond...

Whether it's all available spaces or a line the common denominator is that you followed the instructions of a CM...

Access to resort amenities is restricted to resort guests. As a conference organizer I am a registered guest. As a registered guest I contractually have the same privileges as overnight guests.

I have the card of the person bc I usually am meeting with a GM or Event Mgr to go over details of a planned installation or sometimes just saying hello.

 

[PlutoPony]

Access to resort amenities is restricted to resort guests. As a conference organizer I am a registered guest. As a registered guest I contractually have the same privileges as overnight guests.

Are conference attendees also considered to be a registered guest of the hotel if they don't stay there? Do all people attending a conference have the same privileges at the hotel as those guests who are registered to be spending the night?

 

[BSmithington]

Are conference attendees also considered to be a registered guest of the hotel if they don't stay there? Do all people attending a conference have the same privileges at the hotel as those guests who are registered to be spending the night?

Typically yes. They are guests from X period to X. 99% of the conference guests stay at the hotel so normally it isn't an issue. But when we host a workshop and have local attendees they are listed on the registered guest roster.

 

[maxiesmom]

Are conference attendees also considered to be a registered guest of the hotel if they don't stay there? Do all people attending a conference have the same privileges at the hotel as those guests who are registered to be spending the night?

In my experience only if they are overnighting at that resort.

 

[BSmithington]

In my experience only if they are overnighting at that resort.

That's not what the signage states. For example the GF Pool Rules states: This Pool Area is for the exclusive use of Disney Grand Floridian Resort Guests.

It does not state overnight guest. And at every conference I have attended or hosted I was classified as a resort guest.

 

[PlutoPony]

That's not what the signage states. For example the GF Pool Rules states: This Pool Area is for the exclusive use of Disney Grand Floridian Resort Guests.

Is someone having dinner at V+A considered to be a GF resort guest? Are they guests of the resort when dining?

 

[wdwrich]

That's not what the signage states. For example the GF Pool Rules states: This Pool Area is for the exclusive use of Disney Grand Floridian Resort Guests.

It does not state overnight guest. And at every conference I have attended or hosted I was classified as a resort guest.

The vast majority of clear thinking people would interpret "Disney Grand Floridian Resort Guests" as those staying (overnight) at the GF.

 

[porschegrl]

That's not what the signage states. For example the GF Pool Rules states: This Pool Area is for the exclusive use of Disney Grand Floridian Resort Guests.

It does not state overnight guest. And at every conference I have attended or hosted I was classified as a resort guest.

Does the GF check room keys/MBs for admittance to the pool area? I don't know. I've never stayed there.

So let's say you're attending (or hosting) a conference at the YC but staying (overnight) at the Swan. As a conference attendee, do you have the necessary media to access SAB?

 

[BSmithington]

Does the GF check room keys/MBs for admittance to the pool area? I don't know. I've never stayed there.

So let's say you're attending (or hosting) a conference at the YC but staying (overnight) at the Swan. As a conference attendee, do you have the necessary media to access SAB?

Sure it can be easily arranged. Something to remember is that large conferences have multiple overflow hotels. So you may be attending a conference at the CR while staying at the GF. While most conference attendees don't hit the pool midday, you will see some out at the pool bar.