Parking - An Old Complaint

[SteveS]

As I sit looking out my window at a Blizzard of 14" of new snow I thought I would take a few minutes to vent about an old comolaint that never seems to be resolved,

I recently returned from a stay at Boardwalk. As my DVC home resort I stay there a lot. My complaint is in regard to all of the people that seem to think that it is a good idea to park at Boardwalk and head off to the parks for the day. This isn't a new problem but a problem that seems to get worse every trip.

These aren't people that are visiting Boardwalk for a few hours but individuals that think they can scam the system and have a right to park there and go to EPCOT for the day. They are very easy to spot by simply watching and observing. Look at the lot at 6:30 in the morning and see all the open spots from people that used the lot the night before.

The same thing happens at other resorts as well but Boardwalk seems to take the biggest hit. I have seen a lot of people get off the bus at the Wilderness Lodge and head straight to the parking lot. It is obvious to any sane person what is going on.

I can't understand why Disney ignores this problem. They are loosing money on parking fees and getting the paying guests at the resort mad and frustrated.

Aa a paying resort guest I shouldn't have to fight for a parking spot at my own resort. This is getting worse each trip and my frustartion grows each trip.

I would like to hear from you if you are one of these people that seem to think this is a acceptable practice.

 

[TravelinGal]

How do you know that the people parking there are not using BW facilities... such as Jellyrolls which is open until 2am (I believe) ? That place gets downright packed! What about all the places to eat on the Boardwalk? And the dance club?

Personally, when I park at a deluxe resort, I pay for Valet parking, so Disney is getting MORE money from me, since, as an onsite guest, I am able to park "free" at the theme parks. But, if I'm at a resort, it's because I have dinner or something at that property planned. I MAY walk over to a close theme park for a couple of hours, but I don't park there all day.

 

[rudy7696]

I know this was a huge problem a few years ago especially for Down Town Disney. Locals and people staying offsite would park at DDT then take a bus to the park of their choosing. This is why buses no longer go to any park from DDT. People who wanted to actually do some shopping at DDT could not find a parking space since the lot was full by 7:00AM.

 

[SteveS]

"How do you know that the people parking there are not using BW facilities... such as Jellyrolls which is open until 2am (I believe) ? That place gets downright packed! What about all the places to eat on the Boardwalk? And the dance club? "


Beacuse they are usually dragging an exhausted kid and the stream of people leaving the patking lot corresponds to the time the parks are closing. It is obvious what is going on. As Rudy said it is often locals or people staying off the grounds.

 

[Traveliz]

Well if it makes you feel any better a couple of weeks ago -- my daughter (local) went to the Boardwalk JUST to go to ESPN to buy something (present) so she would have been there less than an hour and they would not let her park there. They told her she could valet but not just park to run into the shop.

She ended up shopping elsewhere.

Liz

 

[disnut8]

Any day guests at the Boardwalk should be parking across the street in the overflow lot. While a guest at the Boardwalk, I parked over there because I knew I wasn't going to be using the car. It's a heck of a long walk. If that isn't happening, your complaint is not with the people parking in the resort guest lot, it's with the security guards who are allowing this to happen. If you don't have a valid Boardwalk guest parking pass, you should not be allowed into that parking lot. That's a very simple solution.

The truth is Disney cannot do that much about the parking at the Boardwalk. They want people to visit it at night. The ESPN Club, Big River Grille, Jellyrolls and the Atlantic Dance Company all need somewhere for their patrons to park and to park for free.

Be careful of what you ask for. The next step would be for Disney to start charging a parking fee for all resort guests just like many of the major upscale hotels do (try staying at the Gaylord Palms at their $15-$20 PER DAY fee even if you are a registered guest).

 

[lulugirl]

I understand your frustration and I'm quite sure people violate the rules but honestly how much time do you spend observing parking lots while on vacation?

 

[Luv2Roam]

Or how about the very nearby Swolphin who has charged for parking for at least a few years now? I would dine at S/D more often but I refuse to pay to park. (You would think they at least would validate parking for those who shop and dine there. )
I know there are guests who do as the OP posted, and don't even need to as they are AP-ers. Personally I don't get it either. But that's just me.
I agree the steps should be taken at the security entrance, and I would think they would if this were an issue.
I do park there if I am not at Epcot or DHS, and am shopping/dining at the Boardwalk.

 

[SandrA9810]

There's enough ways of getting around parking for free. And at one time they did give you tag to stick in your window that was time/dated that gave you 3hrs to be in the parking lot. I've gotten it at the Poly before. I definatly think there should be a seperate lot for the evening guest. Even at the Grand you still have to park across the street, because the main lot is for valet now.

And I don't think Disney is getting your money for valet, the last I heard it's an OP that does it.

For me, I parked in the open lot at Ft wilderness when we were only epcot after 4 passholders. And then took the bus to Epcot from there. It was a bit extra of a drive, but it was much easier getting on the Fort bus and leaving from there than out of the Epcot lot.

 

[Feralpeg]

Actually, they have really cracked down on parking at the Boardwalk. I went there awhile back to have dinner with a friend. They asked for her name so they could check to see if we had an ADR. We didn't. We planned on just hitting Spoodles. I had to valet park. Not a big deal to me because I had my DDE card, but they are not just letting every one in.

 

[fall08CP]

Any day guests at the Boardwalk should be parking across the street in the overflow lot. While a guest at the Boardwalk, I parked over there because I knew I wasn't going to be using the car. It's a heck of a long walk. If that isn't happening, your complaint is not with the people parking in the resort guest lot, it's with the security guards who are allowing this to happen. If you don't have a valid Boardwalk guest parking pass, you should not be allowed into that parking lot. That's a very simple solution.

This is where the cast members are supposed to park and as we saw during F&WF, when they put guests there then the cast members are late to work because there are no spots left! I do believe that there should be seperate parking for day guests vs. resort guests.. I guess they just didn't build properly for that

 

[TDC Nala]

My friend (a local) was not permitted to park at BW last year to meet us for lunch. We got in her car and went to House of Blues.

 

[Traveliz]

This is where the cast members are supposed to park and as we saw during F&WF, when they put guests there then the cast members are late to work because there are no spots left! I do believe that there should be seperate parking for day guests vs. resort guests.. I guess they just didn't build properly for that

I have heard more than one cast member make that complaint - so if you are a resort guest DO park in the main lot to make room for the cast members.

Liz

 

[anonymousegirl]

As I sit looking out my window at a Blizzard of 14" of new snow I thought I would take a few minutes to vent about an old comolaint that never seems to be resolved,

I recently returned from a stay at Boardwalk. As my DVC home resort I stay there a lot. My complaint is in regard to all of the people that seem to think that it is a good idea to park at Boardwalk and head off to the parks for the day. This isn't a new problem but a problem that seems to get worse every trip.

These aren't people that are visiting Boardwalk for a few hours but individuals that think they can scam the system and have a right to park there and go to EPCOT for the day. They are very easy to spot by simply watching and observing. Look at the lot at 6:30 in the morning and see all the open spots from people that used the lot the night before.

The same thing happens at other resorts as well but Boardwalk seems to take the biggest hit. I have seen a lot of people get off the bus at the Wilderness Lodge and head straight to the parking lot. It is obvious to any sane person what is going on.

I can't understand why Disney ignores this problem. They are loosing money on parking fees and getting the paying guests at the resort mad and frustrated.

Aa a paying resort guest I shouldn't have to fight for a parking spot at my own resort. This is getting worse each trip and my frustartion grows each trip.

I would like to hear from you if you are one of these people that seem to think this is a acceptable practice.

Was it possible they were heading for their rooms? I know that at Port Orleans Riverside the South Depot is on the other side of one of the big parking lots and we would cut through there to get to our room each evening.

 

[fla4fun]

I understand your frustration and I'm quite sure people violate the rules but honestly how much time do you spend observing parking lots while on vacation?

You don't have to sit and observe to notice a problem. There's nothing worse as a paying resort guest to have to circle the parking lot numerous times looking for a space, and then when someone does come to get in a car, they have the obvious trappings of being in the park (Mickey balloons, etc.) and it would be right at park closing. CR and BW are two of the worst for this. I can't tell you how many times I have driven all over the CR parking lot looking for a space (and that was before BLT, when the lot was much bigger). When I stayed at BWV, I didn't even take my car out once I had it parked, for fear I wouldn't find a space when I returned. It shouldn't have to be that way.

As to the pp who mentioned cutting through parking lots - yes, at some of the moderates or values, that may be the case. But the poster was referring to WL, and there is no reason to be in the WL parking lot other than to enter or exit your car. There's nothing to cut through for. That is pretty much the case at all the deluxe resorts.

 

[goofy4tink]

It really is a problem with an easy solution. If you are a resort guest, you get a parking permit. It goes on your windshield. If you are checking in, you should be on the daily checking in list at security. If neither of those apply, then you could be given a parking ticket. You get it validated at your shop or restaurant, within that 3 hr period. Show it at the security booth upon departure. No charge for parking. Otherwise, you pay $15 to park at the resort. Or valet park.
Or, just make the resort guest parking lot accessible by room key only. You have to have a room key for the gate to go up. Non-resort guests would soon get the message..no parking in the guest lot.

The problem is that Disney security does nothing to prevent non-resort guests from parking in the guest lot. It is beyond aggravating to have to park in the way back of the parking lot at BW (or any other resort) because day guests have taken the closer spots. All you have to do is go out to the lot early in the morning and see the results from the day before.
Every car in that lot should have a parking permit on the dashboard...every single one.

 

[DebbieB]

I understand your frustration and I'm quite sure people violate the rules but honestly how much time do you spend observing parking lots while on vacation?

I've done some observation as I went round and round looking for a spot. I don't like to valet.


Did they ask where you were going? If people are honest and say they are going to Epcot, I would hope they would say no. I have seen cars turned around. When I stayed in standard views at BWV, if I was sitting out on my balcony in the morning there were alot of people pushing strollers up the hill. I kind of doubt they were all going to Spoodles for breakfast or to the store, that is all that is open at that hour. And then after Illuminations there is a steady exit out of the lot.

On my last trip Oct 18 to 24, the parking situation was good because they had baracades up for the Food & Wine Festival. During the day the entrance to the main lot had baracades and if you were a resort guest you could go around to the entrance across from the convention center where they had a guard checking permits. I didn't have to hunt for a space once.

 

[Trekker]

This is a reminder that open discussion of this and many other issues is allowed here on the disboards, what is not allowed are any comments that encourage the breaking of well established and well known rules at Disney.

Nor will any comments directed at another poster, instead of about the topic of this discussion be considered acceptable.

Please stay within these guidelines or we will have no choice but to close the discussion.

Thanks!

 

[ShellyLynn3630]

Wow, this is interesting. We have ate on the boardwalk during both of our trips and we did park in the parking lot of the Boardwalk, but it was in the evening and we did leave after about two hours or so. I really don't remember have a hard time finding a parking place, but was this considerd wrong? Also, why do some places charge thier guest to park? I wonder what they do with that money? I've never heard of that.

 

[Traveliz]

Wow, this is interesting. We have ate on the boardwalk during both of our trips and we did park in the parking lot of the Boardwalk, but it was in the evening and we did leave after about two hours or so. I really don't remember have a hard time finding a parking place, but was this considerd wrong? Also, why do some places charge thier guest to park? I wonder what they do with that money? I've never heard of that.

It isn't considered wrong (by Disney's standards) IF they let you through the guard gate. Don't worry about it.

Liz