Parking and other stuff

[blueiis99]

I'm not sure if this where this question should be but..... here goes.

My daughter and I are taking a quick trip to FL to check out the College she wants to attend. We decided that since we were not able to stay at our favorite place on earth, we could at least do Dinner at Disney Springs and The Poly while we were there. (no we will not be buying park tickets)
I have made reservations for the Spirit of aloha. I was told by the CM that the security will check to make sure we have a reservation to park for free at the hotel.
After dinner, I was hoping to get on the monorail to go to the Grand Floridian, to see it, because we had discussed stay there the next trip that we make to Disney, on vacation.
My question is, will they allow me to do this? and will i have an issue with parking too long?
I was told also that after the Spirit of Aloha show has ended, they invite all to watch wishes from the beach. Does any one know if this is allowed too? If i had to pay to park to do these few extra things I am willing.... but was wondering since we are not staying on property if this is allowable.
Any help is greatly appreciated!! TYIA.

 

[MickeyHereWeCome!]

You will definitely be able to watch Wishes from the beach afterwards.

I was under the impression you could only park for 2 hours for free, but I don't know how that is enforced. Spirit of Aloha is just about 2 hours, or even a little longer, so I'm sure they are used to guests staying longer. When we have driven to resorts for dining reservations, nobody told us we had a time limit. I have only read about it here.

 

[blueiis99]

I know I had read stuff about parking at the hotels years ago, but couldn't really find an answer to my question. Thank you so much!
I was thinking that I had to tell the security that we wanted to stay a little later. We also wanted to check out trader SAMs too I heard is a lot of fun...

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Generally speaking, the free courtesy parking is for activities on-site at the resort -- so Trader Sam's, yes, GF not really. Enforcement is variable depending on the needs for guests staying AT the Poly.

 

[blueiis99]

I was told that they didn't mind anyone checking out the hotels, as it was a way for them to get people to book there. We were planning on planting our selves in there just looking at the Hotel and going back to go to trader SAMs and then see wishes.
Like I said in my original post. I would gladly pay to park if needed.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Generally, it's a matter of a couple things -- first, the parking situation for the resort as a whole (if it's full, they'll route you to TTC) and second, it's to use the facilities at the resort you're parked at. Once you go off the grounds, they can't tell if you're at GF or a park or whatever, and the monorail resorts see a LOT of abuse.

 

[disnut8]

I believe it's three hours for parking at a resort. However, the OP is attending an event at that resort. Not just a dinner, but a dinner show and then she's been told she can view Wishes after that show. So, the two hours for the event gets greatly increased just by the Wishes viewing.

OP - I would suggest getting to the Polynesian an hour before your seating and checking in for parking. Then go to the Grand Floridian (use the walkway since it's right next to where the show will happen), enjoy the show and Wishes and then go back to your car.

 

[RedOne3781]

I like the PPs idea about getting to the Poly early and then going to GF before your reservation.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would gladly pay to park if needed.

If you wanted to just avoid all questions or concerns, pay for Valet parking.


I've parked at some resorts for ADRs and I've never once been told *anything* about a 2 or 3 (or any) hour time limit. And I was actively encouraged by the staff at the Poly to stay parked and go to MK for a couple hours (when I went to ask them, on our first visit, how to move the car from the lot, after our ADR at Kona, to park to go to MK). I'm not advocating that, and we wouldn't do it again; but it's funny how different peoples' ideas are vs what actually happens at the parking lots.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I've definitely seen lot attendants turn away even people with ADRs, so as I say: enforcement and availability ca vary quite a lot.

 

[blueiis99]

I believe it's three hours for parking at a resort. However, the OP is attending an event at that resort. Not just a dinner, but a dinner show and then she's been told she can view Wishes after that show. So, the two hours for the event gets greatly increased just by the Wishes viewing.

OP - I would suggest getting to the Polynesian an hour before your seating and checking in for parking. Then go to the Grand Floridian (use the walkway since it's right next to where the show will happen), enjoy the show and Wishes and then go back to your car.

Thank you. I will try and do that. I booked this ADR fr the day we fly in and it may be possible (plane gets in a 12:30 pm, and i figure by the time i get the car and to our hotel and check in, that this just might give us enough time to freshen up, and head over. I have the 5:15 pm show) Thanks for understanding my question and helping out.

 

[blueiis99]

If you wanted to just avoid all questions or concerns, pay for Valet parking.

The reason I'm asking isn't to avoid or get away with anything. I'm looking for proper etiquette. I was told there were things i could do, and i am just asking if anyone else knows if that would be considered breaking the rules. I don;t want to break the rules, I'm just looking to have the best time my daughter and i can have in the limited (evening we are there).

I was never told either by anyone...that paying for valet is what i should be doing. This is why i am asking, and stated that if the things we wanted to do in the limited time, that i should pay to park then so be it.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

The reason I'm asking isn't to avoid or get away with anything. I'm looking for proper etiquette. I was told there were things i could do, and i am just asking if anyone else knows if that would be considered breaking the rules. I don;t want to break the rules, I'm just looking to have the best time my daughter and i can have in the limited (evening we are there).

I was never told either by anyone...that paying for valet is what i should be doing. This is why i am asking, and stated that if the things we wanted to do in the limited time, that i should pay to park then so be it.

I think you can go in and try to park, but be prepared for there to be restrictions or a need to valet. That way, if it all works out without, you're happy, and if they're in enforcement mode or traffic is too high to be permissive, you aren't angry or sad.

 

[goofy4tink]

Does Disney want you parking your car at the Polynesian, then heading to the MK for 6 hrs? No, if you ask them, they will say that isn't allowed.
But...if you're parking at the Polynesian so you can go to the dinner show, you're good to go...for awhile anyway.
I would agree...get there early, check out the other resorts, then have dinner and watch the fireworks after.
If you want to be really courteous? Take a parking space further removed from the front. It's always nice to leave those spots for those who are staying there.

 

[kandb]

I've definitely seen lot attendants turn away even people with ADRs, so as I say: enforcement and availability ca vary quite a lot.

I have never heard of this. If I go the Poly to have dinner at Ohana's which I have an adr for, and they don't let us park, what is one supposed to do? Leave and go park somewhere else and be 30 min late for the adr?

OP-I don't think you will have any problem parking and gong over to the GF to check it out. We have done this many times and never had a problem with it.

 

[kandb]

Why pay $25 for valet when parking is included in your reservation for Hoop de doo

 

[kandb]

I've definitely seen lot attendants turn away even people with ADRs, so as I say: enforcement and availability ca vary quite a lot.

Just wondering, when someone pulls up in their car and speaks to the security officer in the security hut, how do you know the person was turned away and had an ADR? I can't hear what the person in front of me is telling the guard in the guard shed. Wonder how you know this?

 

[goofy4tink]

I've definitely seen lot attendants turn away even people with ADRs, so as I say: enforcement and availability ca vary quite a lot.

I have to tell you...if I pulled up to a resort, with a valid ADR, and was told I couldn't park there? There would be 'heck' to pay!
There have been times that people 'might' be sent to a more distant lit...BW during Food and Wine weekends often has signage up that states only those staying at BW are able to park in the main lot, others have to go across the street, which is a bit of a hike.
But, normally, those with ADRs are welcome to park at that resort.

 

[blueiis99]

Does Disney want you parking your car at the Polynesian, then heading to the MK for 6 hrs? No, if you ask them, they will say that isn't allowed.
But...if you're parking at the Polynesian so you can go to the dinner show, you're good to go...for awhile anyway.
I would agree...get there early, check out the other resorts, then have dinner and watch the fireworks after.
If you want to be really courteous? Take a parking space further removed from the front. It's always nice to leave those spots for those who are staying there.

The ADR is for 515pm don't you think that getting there earlier and staying until wishes would be more likely taking advantage... i would be there a lot longer than if we went to look at the GF after dinner while we were waiting for wishes? it would still give us plenty of time to look and return and go to trader sams to wait. (we don't have park tix...so no worries of taking advantage of that.)

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Just wondering, when someone pulls up in their car and speaks to the security officer in the security hut, how do you know the person was turned away and had an ADR? I can't hear what the person in front of me is telling the guard in the guard shed. Wonder how you know this?

The screaming at them about it?