Paperless Parking - No more 3 hour rule?

[Jarmo]

With the move to magic band parking, is there no longer any "3 hour rule" when parking at a resort for a dining reservation, etc?

At a Cape May breakfast, there server even told us just to walk to Epcot for the day. I understand that might not be a representation of official Disney policy, but it had me wondering if the resort parking for visitors was now the honor system.

 

[Alesia]

There'a still nothing preventing them from giving you a 3-hour parking pass.

 

[Allison]

Nothing has changed about the fact that resort parking is not to be used for parking to go to the parks.

 

[supersnoop]

Just because they didn't hand you a piece of paper doesn't mean they didn't capture your license plate number and know exactly where you parked. Disney takes security very seriously.

 

[Jarmo]

I'm not trying to advocate skirting the rules, it was a genuine question.

I couldn't understand how they would differentiate cars that are parked for a reservation from cars from resort guests. I wouldn't expect that the license plate would be captured, but I suppose that is possible.

 

[wilkeliza]

We still got a paper last time and were told that although the paper wasn't needed for parking we should keep it in our window to show our car was for a resort guest. That was a few months ago. They told us the band was just to open the gate with out having to have security do it.

 

[Jarmo]

We still got a paper last time and were told that although the paper wasn't needed for parking we should keep it in our window to show our car was for a resort guest. That was a few months ago. They told us the band was just to open the gate with out having to have security do it.

I think it's being phased in. I asked about the parking pass when we checked into AKL and we were told they no longer use them.

 

[wilkeliza]

I think it's being phased in. I asked about the parking pass when we checked into AKL and we were told they no longer use them.

That would make sense. I wonder if we got them because we were at Beach Club during Food and Wine last year. Makes sense if it was phased out since then or if they were just doing it due to the heavy traffic at Epcot and knowing people would try to park with out paying. This was the one time our party was also forced to valet for dinning. Our friend came to visit and was on our reservation and security told her that since the resort was maxed out she would have to valet and ask for a refund after dinner.

 

[goofy4tink]

I don't drive a lot when I'm in WDW, but in the past, when I did drive, I was never, ever given a paper three hour parking pass. But, especially at busy times, the parking lot guards do roam the lots, noting what cars are there, and for how long. I've watched them while sitting on my balcony at BLT.
It's really the honor system. I stay at BW a lot...it's my home resort. And I have to tell you I really resent having to take a distant parking spot if I return to the resort later in the afternoon. Why does that happen? Many people will drive to the Epcot resorts, eat there, and then head to Epcot for the evening. Then, about 30 mins after IllumiNations? The parking lot empties!!
It's really not very fair to those who pay high rates to stay at these resorts to have the better parking spots taken by non-resort guests.

 

[Unas]

Goofy4tink . . . just their way of incentivizing you to use valet.

 

[n2mm]

We just got back 5 days ago from our stay at bwv and was given a paper parking pass by the guard. We also got a paper parking pass in August from BLT. However, we did not get one for our stay at okw 2 weeks ago.

 

[GreatLakes]

In my experience they enforce the parking when it is busy or during special events like The Boardwalk and F&W. If you are there at a slower time they are less strict.

 

[bumbershoot]

Given that I have never once been told of a time limitation by anyone at Disney*, I'm not sure how to answer the question. Maybe you can just ask about any time limits when you are going through the guard shack area?


*like you I was told to just stay parked and go to mk, though it wasn't a server but all the lobby concierges behind their counter at the Poly.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I don't drive a lot when I'm in WDW, but in the past, when I did drive, I was never, ever given a paper three hour parking pass. But, especially at busy times, the parking lot guards do roam the lots, noting what cars are there, and for how long. I've watched them while sitting on my balcony at BLT.
It's really the honor system. I stay at BW a lot...it's my home resort. And I have to tell you I really resent having to take a distant parking spot if I return to the resort later in the afternoon. Why does that happen? Many people will drive to the Epcot resorts, eat there, and then head to Epcot for the evening. Then, about 30 mins after IllumiNations? The parking lot empties!!
It's really not very fair to those who pay high rates to stay at these resorts to have the better parking spots taken by non-resort guests.

My DD worked at BLT/CR and spent a good bit of time out of doors. In all of the time she worked there, she never once saw a tow truck on the property. The reality is Disney doesn't tow cars from its resorts unless they seem to have been "abandoned".
Can you imagine how easily tow mistakes could be made??? Disney has much bigger fish they want to fry.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

I had a waitress at Kona tell us one day to just leave our car in the lot and grab the monorail to the MK. Now we were Disney guest, but I really didn't think I was doing anything wrong at the time. But yes, the paperless parking will encourage others to do this all the time.

 

[goofy4tink]

My DD worked at BLT/CR and soent a good vit of time out of doors. In all of the time she worked there, she never once saw a tow truck on the property. The reality is Disney doesn't tow cars from its resorts unless they seem to have been "abandoned".
Can you imagine how easily tow mistakes could be made??? Disney has much bigger fish they want to fry.

I have no idea about towing. Never said anything about towing.
I have watched, from my balcony at BLT, as CMs drove around the BLT parking lot. They would stop at a particular car, make a note on a clipboard, and continue on. This was repeated later in the day. I loved sitting out on the balcony in the morning, with a cup of coffee. And again later on, enjoying a glass of wine.
Whether or not they did anything? No idea. And I don't much care. Many times there is signage up, by the guard area, stating that parking at this resort is not for park access. Sometimes signage isn't there. If there is no signage up, then have at it.

 

[bumbershoot]

My DD worked at BLT/CR and soent a good vit of time out of doors. In all of the time she worked there, she never once saw a tow truck on the property.

Isn't that funny, since it's those resorts where people talk about seeing tow trucks.

At Poly that time, the lobby concierges said they have NEVER called a tow truck and I was not to worry about it. I had gone to them to ask directions to get from their parking lot to TTC. They never did tell me.


I will state firmly that (after the couple hours of MK post-Kona on our departure day) we don't use other hotel lots for themepark parking. We used Valet parking at Contemporary once, and went about our day after our TS breakfast, picking the car up after midnight. But not general parking.

But that's because it feels like the better thing to do, not because I have ever once been told by a CM on property about any 3 hour rule.

 

[stitchlovestink]

I have no idea about towing. Never said anything about towing.
I have watched, from my balcony at BLT, as CMs drove around the BLT parking lot. They would stop at a particular car, make a note on a clipboard, and continue on. This was repeated later in the day. I loved sitting out on the balcony in the morning, with a cup of coffee. And again later on, enjoying a glass of wine.
Whether or not they did anything? No idea. And I don't much care. Many times there is signage up, by the guard area, stating that parking at this resort is not for park access. Sometimes signage isn't there. If there is no signage up, then have at it.

I know you never mentioned tow trucks...
But it was like you were thinking MAYBE, they were noting tags to call to have towed.

Isn't that funny, since it's those resorts where people talk about seeing tow trucks.

At Poly that time, the lobby concierges said they have NEVER called a tow truck and I was not to worry about it. I had gone to them to ask directions to get from their parking lot to TTC. They never did tell me.


I will state firmly that (after the couple hours of MK post-Kona on our departure day) we don't use other hotel lots for themepark parking. We used Valet parking at Contemporary once, and went about our day after our TS breakfast, picking the car up after midnight. But not general parking.

But that's because it feels like the better thing to do, not because I have ever once been told by a CM on property about any 3 hour rule.

And if you know and talk to the people who work there and would be involved at this level, you would find out that it is a very rare instance that DISNEY has a vehicle towed. And it's not ones that are parked in regular spaces until they are concerned that they are abandoned.
The people who claim to have seen tow trucks don't know why the truck is there. A friend of mine had to have hers towed because they couldn't get it to start. So they made arrangements for it to be picked up and not to have to waste their time waiting. People love to assume the worst when they know absolutely NOTHING about a particular situation.
Sometimes we drive, not always but there are times where it works better because of dining, or we are going somewhere the buses don't go....we leave our vehicle at one place and hop all over property and come back and pick it up. We are not going to waste valuable time driving back to the resort, waiting for a bus....especially if we are 5 or 10 min from our next destination. NEVER EVER had a problem with our vehicle. NEVER!!!

 

[Polydweller]

Isn't that funny, since it's those resorts where people talk about seeing tow trucks.

At Poly that time, the lobby concierges said they have NEVER called a tow truck and I was not to worry about it. I had gone to them to ask directions to get from their parking lot to TTC. They never did tell me.


I will state firmly that (after the couple hours of MK post-Kona on our departure day) we don't use other hotel lots for themepark parking. We used Valet parking at Contemporary once, and went about our day after our TS breakfast, picking the car up after midnight. But not general parking.

But that's because it feels like the better thing to do, not because I have ever once been told by a CM on property about any 3 hour rule.

It's not the lobby concierges who call for a tow, it is security (which does tour the lots) and the gate people. And they do tow, seen it many times. The lots are posted as not for theme park parking so the length is less important than the reason you are parking.

But none of that matters, as I always say, it's courtesy toward the people staying at the resort. Show them the same courtesy you would expect at your home resort. That's the ability to park when they return just like you expect to be able to park. So don't abuse your parking privilege by going to a theme park or overstaying. Do that and you are potentially spoiling someone else's vacation.

 

[goofy4tink]

I know you never mentioned tow trucks...
But it was like you were thinking MAYBE, they were noting tags to call to have towed.



And if you know and talk to the people who work there and would be involved at this level, you would find out that it is a very rare instance that DISNEY has a vehicle towed. And it's not ones that are parked in regular spaces until they are concerned that they are abandoned.
The people who claim to have seen tow trucks don't know why the truck is there. A friend of mine had to have hers towed because they couldn't get it to start. So they made arrangements for it to be picked up and not to have to waste their time waiting. People love to assume the worst when they know absolutely NOTHING about a particular situation.
Sometimes we drive, not always but there are times where it works better because of dining, or we are going somewhere the buses don't go....we leave our vehicle at one place and hop all over property and come back and pick it up. We are not going to waste valuable time driving back to the resort, waiting for a bus....especially if we are 5 or 10 min from our next destination. NEVER EVER had a problem with our vehicle. NEVER!!!

Believe me...if I was thinking of cars being towed, I would have mentioned it!!! I don't sugar coat things. Yes, I've seen cars towed...but, I can't tell you why they were towed, so I'm not making any assumptions.

Here's my issue. I pay a lot of money to stay at a resort (or use many DVC points, which costs me a lot of money) that gives me park access...boat, monorail or by foot. I truly resent when other people come along and avail themselves of the 'perks' that I am paying for. My resort charges cover parking..if I choose to have a car. And I have in the past. And it is beyond annoying to sit and watch a parking lot empty at the end of the park day, when I had to find a more distant spot to park. I have watched the lot at BW empty after IllumiNations. A long line of cars waiting to get through the security bag. It's one of the things I like about getting a standard view villa at BW!!!! Then again, it only serves to annoy me.
I really wish Disney would regulate parking. They could easily make the resort lots keyed entry. We have that kind of entry to get past the security area. Then, they could have a special area for hourly parking. If you want to visit the resort, eat, shop, whatever, that's where you would park. You would get a ticket when entering. If you stay longer than, say, 3 hrs, that ticket would have to be validated, otherwise you would pay a minimal amount to park. A win win for Disney I would think!!! But, it won't happen.