Parking at a monorail resort and ultimately going to park??

[dvczerfs]

Seen it many times. Oh, they don't walk around the lot but security does drive around and looks for passes. Oh, and you might want to know that there are cameras and people at the entrances recording cars entering and they do know when a car had entered and thus if they are there too long. If they need to move one because the lot is too full it's pretty easy to locate a car to tow. But more importantly the lots are posted as not for theme park parking and for a reason. The lots are too small to accommodate all the people who'd want to do this. The resort's own guests need to find a space because they really don't have any other place to park. Visitors do have other places. It's absolutely horrible to come back to your home resort and there is no place to park and it does happen. The most important thing is to try think of others and to show courtesy to the resorts own guests and don't stay too long.

Exactly. There are more cameras then most people think. There a very few places you can go that you are not camera.

 

[Polydweller]

We just returned home today after ten days and they scanned by wrist band anytime I entered a resort. I pulled up to the Polly, we had a ADR at kona, I figured I was going to get the third degree, asked me what he could do for me, I told him a had the ADR at kona and scanned my band. He looked at the scanner and directed to to the parking lot.. Same way at the grand Floridian with our narcoossees ADR. They scanned by band coming in at the beach club.. They didn't even look at the parking pass.

The ADR is linked to your band do they are checking. They wouldn't care at all about a parking pass from another resort. That has no meaning at another resort only at the parks and your home resort. It gives you no privileges at a resort you are visiting. The important thing is to have and ADR and stay only for the time required to do that. They know when you arrived.

 

[vicki_c]

I don't know what they see on your MB now, but in the past at the CR, the guard checked a paper list on his clipboard for our ADR and even asked our name again before he found it and let us in. This year, we were using valet anyway, but it was Easter weekend and the self parking lot was closed except for resort guests and those with ADRs. They had a sandwich board up at the entrance of the parking lot stating that.

 

[nugov2]

I don't know what they see on your MB now, but in the past at the CR, the guard checked a paper list on his clipboard for our ADR and even asked our name again before he found it and let us in. This year, we were using valet anyway, but it was Easter weekend and the self parking lot was closed except for resort guests and those with ADRs. They had a sandwich board up at the entrance of the parking lot stating that.

There were no mb's when we went in june '13. I wonder what they do if you don't have mb's? They never checked a clipboard...what if you snagged a last minute adr?

 

[dvczerfs]

The ADR is linked to your band do they are checking. They wouldn't care at all about a parking pass from another resort. That has no meaning at another resort only at the parks and your home resort. It gives you no privileges at a resort you are visiting. The important thing is to have and ADR and stay only for the time required to do that. They know when you arrived.

sorry about that....... I was talking about when I was coming into my home resort after returning with my car. they give you a paper pass that they no longer look at to get into your home resort. they just scan your band. the beach club has a separate gate where you can scan your band and the gate will open without waiting for he guard to scan you in.
not sure how it is now but at one time the dvc member parking permit allowed you parking at any resort unless it was a black out period.if the resort was busy, they would give you a 3 hour pass.

 

[dvczerfs]

sorry about that....... I was talking about when I was coming into my home resort after returning with my car. they give you a paper pass that they no longer look at to get into your home resort. they just scan your band. the beach club has a separate gate where you can scan your band and the gate will open without waiting for he guard to scan you in.
not sure how it is now but at one time the dvc member parking permit allowed you parking at any resort unless it was a black out period.if the resort was busy, they would give you a 3 hour pass.

you don't need an adr to go to another resort. when stopped at the guard and asked what they can do for you and you tell them you just want to do some shopping..... its up to them if your getting in. if you run to a park and let your car there all day it may not be there when you get back.
we stopped over at okw to do some shopping and talk to a few cms and they scanned my band and off I went. I stayed for an hour and left.

the bands are just making the people follow the rules. in the parks, the parking lots, the stores, the fp lines. (wait till the scanners show up on the busses) if everyone followed the rules, there wouldn't be any magic bands heck even any law enforcement. I had five fps this past week and half for mine train. I waited at the most five minutes to get on the ride. why, people are being forced to follow the rules. the system is going to start growing in other aspects on property including the parking lots.
I don't have a problem with any of it.... I think its great.

 

[Missyrose]

They won't turn you away if you are using valet, unless you are at one of the most crowded days of the year and the parking lot is closed. We were there peak season and the parks were mobbed, we had zero problem. They can't tell you you aren't allowed to be at a hotel. What if you just wanted to tour it for a future visit? Seems like that would be a bad PR move if they did that. We went to a ton of different resorts while we were on vacation and used the valet service a lot. Never once were questioned.

I agree that parking in the lot is a huge risk especially during peak season. I don't think is happens a lot, but I would never risk being towed. Just not worth trying to save a few $$.

And we've been turned away during non-peak season.

And also, for the people questioning towing, we've seen them tow cars at CR. They'll walk through the lot using chalk marks on the tires to mark how long a car has been there.

The ADR is linked to your band do they are checking. They wouldn't care at all about a parking pass from another resort. That has no meaning at another resort only at the parks and your home resort. It gives you no privileges at a resort you are visiting. The important thing is to have and ADR and stay only for the time required to do that. They know when you arrived.

No chance that's true. My dad was the primary driver on our trip in August and his band was the one scanned at the security gate each time. But his MDE account didn't have a single ADR linked to it.

Them scanning the MBs is just to replace taking your driver's license and writing down the basic info.

 

[nugov2]

And we've been turned away during non-peak season.

And also, for the people questioning towing, we've seen them tow cars at CR. They'll walk through the lot using chalk marks on the tires to mark how long a car has been there.



No chance that's true. My dad was the primary driver on our trip in August and his band was the one scanned at the security gate each time. But his MDE account didn't have a single ADR linked to it.

Them scanning the MBs is just to replace taking your driver's license and writing down the basic info.

What was the reason they turned you away It makes no sense unless the valet is packed. They are getting money...the valets get business and tips making them happy vs denying paying customers and making less money. I can see denying access to just parking, but valet is revenue...why wouldn't they want paying customers. Plus I'd think it odd to not want guests shopping and eating at a resort, why deny guests this option? We visited a ton of resorts to shop and eat and just meander around. We are offsiters though who have no desire to sleep in any of the resorts, but we do enjoy touring them. We plan lots of activities and ADR's at the resorts too.

 

[n2mm]

We have been turned away from parking at a resort several times. We were turned away at the contemporary unless our name was on the clip board the security dude was carrying. We wanted to see if we could get a walk in at concourse steakhouse (back a few years) and told nope. Same thing for the beach club. Wanted to do beaches and cream before they took ADRs and told only if you had a booked adr, no exceptions. We were staying at OKW and had a parking pass. However it was during food and wine, so parking was extremely strict. We stay at bwv a lot and have seen security tight there during F&W on the weekends and requires 2 security checks to park. We have also seen cars towed while staying at bwv too. But we don't know the reasons, other than there was only security there during the towing and no one else (didn't see an owner/driver), so can't assume the reason they were towing. However, we have also been allowed to park at resorts too during other times, except BLT/contemporary, they are one of the strictest, along with poly. We always valet park at the grand floridian because their self parking is the worst. We are tiw cardholders so use valet when we can while there to eat.

 

[goofy4tink]

Everyone always says the 3hr. rule do you really think Disney is going to have you towed if your there longer than 3hrs. Theres no one walking around the parking lot looking for how long you have been there...

While I agree that there may not be a hard and fast 3 hr rule, I have sat on my balcony at BLT and watched CMs roam the parking lot, checking out cars. And I have seen them pull out clipboards and write something down before moving on. I can only think that they are keeping track of those parked in these lots without the dashboard slip.

Here's the thing.....anyone should be able to park at a resort in order to eat, shop, or just look around. The issue comes when people self-park there, then head to a park. As long as you aren't leaving the resort itself, then fine. If you want to head to a park after eating, then valet park the car.

Those in the guard shacks are asking to see MBs and they scan them...if you say you are staying there, or are just dropping someone off. Then they want to see the guests MB. That's what we experienced earlier this month. If you are just going to check it out or to eat there? They won't have an issue..unless there is something going on at that resort that prohibits self-parking for non-resort guests.

 

[kneedeep]

The CR seems to be the strictest because it is walking distance to MK. In July, even when driving and valet parking there only for an ADR, our magicband was scanned to verify our reservation. Also, we have stayed at CR during peak times and seen signs posted that only registered guests were allowed to park there for a certain range of dates. (Even those with ADRs were asked to park at TTC and take the monorail.) That seems to be rare, but they are within their rights to limit parking to CR guests when their parking lot is likely to be packed.

 

[ice cube]

Lol. Plenty of people have witnessed cars being towed.

You're darn tooting right I think Disney will tow cars left if the people paying the big bucks complain about the lack of parking spots. You think they'd rather peeve off a deluxe guest or enforce a rule?

Yes people have probably seen cars being towed but for what reason. I doubt those people knew exactly why the cars were being towed.....oh maybe it didn't start and the owner/renter called to have it towed. Just like when at home cars do break down even at the magical place...Disney doesn't tow vehicles if they go over the 3 hr limit. There isn't some Disney police going around and checking cars in the resort parking lots for the 3hr time limit....it just doesn't happen....

 

[aaarcher86]

Yes people have probably seen cars being towed but for what reason. I doubt those people knew exactly why the cars were being towed.....oh maybe it didn't start and the owner/renter called to have it towed. Just like when at home cars do break down even at the magical place...Disney doesn't tow vehicles if they go over the 3 hr limit. There isn't some Disney police going around and checking cars in the resort parking lots for the 3hr time limit....it just doesn't happen....

I find it highly illogical to assume anything different when there are several tow trucks lined up taking cars away. A bunch of people had their cars towed at the same time? Doubtful. A bunch of people had their cars towed at the same time while not present anywhere near their vehicle? Super doubtful.

And again, more than enough people have seen cars getting towed or checked out. I don't see what seems so unbelievable? It's not as if Disney has an issue upsetting guests. There are plenty of things they do that really tick people off when they enforce a rule.

Hell, I've seen a family irate at the front desk of POR because they got caught with more people allowed in a room and had the option of ponying up the dough for a second room or leaving.

If you don't want to believe it happens that's totally up to you. But to act like you know that 'because reasons' is ridiculous, and kind of comical.

 

[sotoalf]

Disney doesn't tow vehicles if they go over the 3 hr limit. There isn't some Disney police going around and checking cars in the resort parking lots for the 3hr time limit....it just doesn't happen....

I'm not sure why you keep insisting on this easily disprovable point.

 

[Polydweller]

Yes people have probably seen cars being towed but for what reason. I doubt those people knew exactly why the cars were being towed.....oh maybe it didn't start and the owner/renter called to have it towed. Just like when at home cars do break down even at the magical place...Disney doesn't tow vehicles if they go over the 3 hr limit. There isn't some Disney police going around and checking cars in the resort parking lots for the 3hr time limit....it just doesn't happen....

Keep on deluding yourself if you like. But read all the posts showing you how wrong you are. There are Disney police (the cars are labelled security ) that go around and check cars. It does happen.

I guess you must think all the rest of us on this thread are lying. Give it up, it does happen!

 

[dvczerfs]

It's kind of hard arguing over the parking lots when disney security controls the parking lots. There is only one group of people who know how,what,where and why. Same way with bag check, do you know what there looking for? When you plop your finger on that scanner, do you know what they are looking for? We can all guess and talk about what our experiences are and as you can see, there all different. Why??? Disney has one of the best security systems ever developed. People worry about there kids getting kidnapped, assaulted in the restrooms. If it happened don't you think it would be on every news station around the world? They have reasons for everything they do. Very guarded reason. When you see the fragile retiree walking around with the badge,that is not all disney has to offer as far as security. There are many forms,people in all different places. Unless you work in security, you really don't know what,why,when or how. They don't tell the bus drivers, they don't tell the ballon vendor, they don't tell the guy at the turnstile what they are and are not doing. You parking at the poly and running to the mk is no secret, I'm sure they watch people do it all the time.next time you at at the contemporary, glance up, all the way up and you will see a big orb mounted to the building pointing towards the parking lot and that is just what is in plain sight. Are they looking for you trying to cheat your way into a parking spot? Maybe. Are they looking for something that shouldn't be? Maybe. The lady washing her hands in restroom next to you, mrs. Jones from Indiana on vacation? Maybe. My point is you can argue all day on this and some other issues and you will never find the answer because we don't know what,why,when and how. Only disney security knows those answers and there not talking. Thankfully! You can ask and I would be willing to bet the answer you get won't be the correct answer. All done in protecting there property and the people who come to visit there property and the people who work for the company. There are a lot of sick people in this world and they protect thousands every day without you knowing for very good reasons.

 

[Chelley00]

Yes people have probably seen cars being towed but for what reason. I doubt those people knew exactly why the cars were being towed.....oh maybe it didn't start and the owner/renter called to have it towed. Just like when at home cars do break down even at the magical place...Disney doesn't tow vehicles if they go over the 3 hr limit. There isn't some Disney police going around and checking cars in the resort parking lots for the 3hr time limit....it just doesn't happen....

We checked into the Poly behind a family who was telling the CM that their car was stolen. A Disney security officer was called in and he had a clipboard and handed the guy a paper and the guy read it and screamed "What the f(** do you mean my car got towed?" The officer told them they were given a 3 hour pass at 8:00am and it was 8pm when the car was towed and that the number to call to get their car back was on that slip of paper. The guy was livid and threatening to sue Disney. The security guy said the pass they were given said on it the expiration time and that he was also verbally told about the 3 hour limit.

So, yes it does happen. We saw another tow truck while we were staying at the Poly. People park there ALL the time for breakfast and then go to MK. we had a horrible time trying to find parking almost every time we drove in the lot.

 

[goofy4tink]

Yes people have probably seen cars being towed but for what reason. I doubt those people knew exactly why the cars were being towed.....oh maybe it didn't start and the owner/renter called to have it towed. Just like when at home cars do break down even at the magical place...Disney doesn't tow vehicles if they go over the 3 hr limit. There isn't some Disney police going around and checking cars in the resort parking lots for the 3hr time limit....it just doesn't happen....

Ok...let me make this as simple as I can. I sat out on my BLT balcony, on multiple occasions (early morning, early evening), and watched as security people either walked or putt putted in their little cars, around the BLT lot. They wrote something down on their clipboards, especially in the late afternoon. I 'imagine' that they take note of cars without those dashboard placards and then check to see if they're still there later in the day. In addition....I have asked security (in my capacity as a moderator for this board, in an effort to get good info) if they take note of cars without resort id on the dash. Yes, was the answer. And that they will take action if it's a busy time of year! So, while you may get away with it in late August, you may not get away with it during a holiday season.

I also own DVC at BWV. If you want to watch something entertaining, sit out and watch the parking lot at 9:45ish. What was a fairly full lot becomes a ghost town..with a ton of close up parking available. Why? IllumiNations just ended! There are a ton of people that drive to BW, self park and then head to Epcot. The line of cars seen exiting the lot is incredible on some nights. Of course, people will tell you that 'Oh, I just want to avoid the huge numbers of cars exiting the Epcot lot'...well, so does everyone! And when you pay a lot of money to stay at a resort, with park access, and you can't find a place to park when you return around dinnertime? Yep, it's frustrating...because you know those spaces are taken by guests who are not staying at the resort.
Sure would be nice if there were to be smaller lots available to the public, with the larger lot key access only. That way, those wanting to eat/shop at a resort could do so. They would get free parking for up to 3 hrs. After than, there's a charge to park! You could even do that without blocking an area off. Everyone that went in, without a room key/MB access, would get a parking stub. Then they would have to stop and 'check out' at the guard shack upon exiting. Disney would probably make some extra money on it. It also might cut down on pool usage by non-guests!

There are times of the year, actually starting now, that you can't park at the Epcot resorts unless you are staying there! During Food and Wine weekends, no one is allowed into the parking lots unless you are staying there. So, be advised.

 

[edbo77]

In the end, why would you want to take a chance on something like this? The last trip we stayed at BC during Food/Wine and it was always hard to find a spot b/c of "day-parkers". Pay the fee and you won't have this to worry about.

 

[dvczerfs]

Ok...let me make this as simple as I can. I sat out on my BLT balcony, on multiple occasions (early morning, early evening), and watched as security people either walked or putt putted in their little cars, around the BLT lot. They wrote something down on their clipboards, especially in the late afternoon. I 'imagine' that they take note of cars without those dashboard placards and then check to see if they're still there later in the day. In addition....I have asked security (in my capacity as a moderator for this board, in an effort to get good info) if they take note of cars without resort id on the dash. Yes, was the answer. And that they will take action if it's a busy time of year! So, while you may get away with it in late August, you may not get away with it during a holiday season.

I also own DVC at BWV. If you want to watch something entertaining, sit out and watch the parking lot at 9:45ish. What was a fairly full lot becomes a ghost town..with a ton of close up parking available. Why? IllumiNations just ended! There are a ton of people that drive to BW, self park and then head to Epcot. The line of cars seen exiting the lot is incredible on some nights. Of course, people will tell you that 'Oh, I just want to avoid the huge numbers of cars exiting the Epcot lot'...well, so does everyone! And when you pay a lot of money to stay at a resort, with park access, and you can't find a place to park when you return around dinnertime? Yep, it's frustrating...because you know those spaces are taken by guests who are not staying at the resort.
Sure would be nice if there were to be smaller lots available to the public, with the larger lot key access only. That way, those wanting to eat/shop at a resort could do so. They would get free parking for up to 3 hrs. After than, there's a charge to park! You could even do that without blocking an area off. Everyone that went in, without a room key/MB access, would get a parking stub. Then they would have to stop and 'check out' at the guard shack upon exiting. Disney would probably make some extra money on it. It also might cut down on pool usage by non-guests!

There are times of the year, actually starting now, that you can't park at the Epcot resorts unless you are staying there! During Food and Wine weekends, no one is allowed into the parking lots unless you are staying there. So, be advised.

wait, security told you exact info because of your capacity as a mod on the disboards wanting good info?
again, the info you obtained may or may not have been true. what security levels are disboard mods? all due respect, they don't share there security procedures with anyone.most cms have no idea. they will give you an answer to most questions but the answer may or may not be what they are doing.
the best advice you can give someone is to answer the guard truthfully and you will have nothing to worry about. if your going shopping, go shopping and leave. if your going to espn club, tell them what your doing. it makes every ones job easier. resort guest get to park at there resort. no need to worry if your car is going to be there when you get back.
I was listening to a pod cast one day, cant remember which one it was but I no longer listen to pod cast. the host made the statement that they give so many free ice creams away at ice cream cart every hour. they have a quota. now, just with that bit of misinformation, hundreds even thousands of people walk up to some college kid working on a cart and demand or ask when do you give free ice cream. when they are not given there free ice cream, popcorn what ever, some people get nasty. name calling even will threaten cms. ( I know someone with first hand experience with those cases and she don't know how but security took care of it in seconds)
unfortunately the world we live today.............its sad.
most likely read that some where on the internet and made the untrue statement on the pod cast. it is amazing what just a little misinformation can do.