Parking at a resort. Do we need to stop at the desk?

[eeyoresmom]

What is the procedure now that there is a charge to park at the resorts? Do we have to stop at the desk to get a parking permit?We made a reservation before the parking charges went into effect so shouldn't be charged. I was listening to a podcast about this and its so unclear. Do they scan your magic bands coming in AND going out now?

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

There is no change in actual parking procedure. If you have a car, booked after the fee start date, you will simply see the charge added to your portfolio.

 

[eeyoresmom]

We are staying at ASsports and plan on doing online check in arriving at the resort after park closing. Can we just scan our band or do we go through the manned guard shack that first time? We don't usually have a car so I'm rusty.

 

[dansdad]

We are staying at ASsports and plan on doing online check in arriving at the resort after park closing. Can we just scan our band or do we go through the manned guard shack that first time? We don't usually have a car so I'm rusty.

Either way, it's up to you.

 

[Haley R]

We don't normally drive, but I'm curious. Do they use your magic band when you come through the gate to track if you have a car or not?

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

We don't normally drive, but I'm curious. Do they use your magic band when you come through the gate to track if you have a car or not?

I'm not sure I understand exactly what you are asking but yes, if you come through the resort gate, you (or the guard will) scan your MB (or keycard, if you don't do MB). That has always been the policy and hasn't changed. They can tell when they scan if you are a guest of that resort or not.

 

[HopperFan]

Question? To work, they have to change the procedure for parking.

If they are not requiring cars have a parking pass on display ... how do they know what cars are legal or not in the lot? They can't just bill everyone's room for parking, and they can't go by the MB on the gates because many folks use Uber (we sometimes ride with friends or drive friends to their resorts) and we will use the MB without having a car.

If they have changed nothing, why would I tell them I have a car?

 

[Haley R]

Question? To work, they have to change the procedure for parking.

If they are not requiring cars have a parking pass on display ... how do they know what cars are legal or not in the lot? They can't just bill everyone's room for parking, and they can't go by the MB on the gates because many folks use Uber (we sometimes ride with friends or drive friends to their resorts) and we will use the MB without having a car.

If they have changed nothing, why would I tell them I have a car?

This is essentially what I was asking. I just couldn’t put into words as clearly lol

 

[dansdad]

Question? To work, they have to change the procedure for parking.

If they are not requiring cars have a parking pass on display ... how do they know what cars are legal or not in the lot? They can't just bill everyone's room for parking, and they can't go by the MB on the gates because many folks use Uber (we sometimes ride with friends or drive friends to their resorts) and we will use the MB without having a car.

If they have changed nothing, why would I tell them I have a car?

This is essentially what I was asking. I just couldn’t put into words as clearly lol

I posted this in the "What's it like to Resort Park now?" thread and it might explain some things.

I will start by saying I have no actual information as to how WDW is planning on using the License Plate Reader systems they have installed. I work for a company that sells and installs these systems. I don't work directly for that division, but I do know how they CAN work. But again, I have no idea how WDW is planning on doing this.

Scenario #1 - Non resort Guest arrives for an ADR. While guard is checking ID, license plate is read. Time stamp is added to the License number in the database. When car goes to leave license plate is read again and the total time in the lot is calculated. Day guest may be charged for how long they were there.

Scenario #2 - Resort Guest with rental car/Uber gives guard ID, and/or MB is scanned and License plate is read with time stamp and gets connected to Guests MB in the system. Guests unload luggage and one guest goes to return the rental Car or Uber leaves. System reads License plate leaving. That license plate does not get scanned again with the same MB entering parking lot. Guests are not charged for parking upon check out.

Scenario #3 - Resort Guest with rental car gives guard ID, and/or MB is scanned, License plate is read with time stamp and gets connected to Guests MB in the system. Guests return rental car 4 days into their 7 night trip, System reads License plate leaving. That license plate does not get scanned again entering parking lot. Guests are charged for 3 nights of overnight parking when they check out.

Scenario #4 - Resort guest with car (owned or rental) gives guard ID, and/or MB is scanned, License Plate is read with time stamp and gets connected to Guests MB in the system. Guests have car for their entire 7 night trip. Upon check out, guests are charged for 7 nights of overnight parking.

Scenario #4 - Non resort guest arrives for breakfast ADR, gives guard ID, License plate is read, time stamp is added to the License number in the database. Guests hop on monorail/boat/bus or walk to park until 10PM. Golf carts with the License plate reading tech is driving around checking how long each vehicle has been in the lot against those registered to guests. If vehicle is over a certain limit, a notice can be placed on vehicle or vehicle could be towed away, etc.

I am sure there are more possible scenarios, but these are the ones I have seen mentioned the most here on the DIS. Again, I have NO information as to how WDW will be handling this. I just wanted to illustrate a very common way properties use this technology for parking control.

 

[Anthony1971]

if you are dropping someone off or using Uber the driver and car would be considered a visitor to the resort... so therefore they stop at the gate and get a visitor pass if you choose to use your magic band for this reason you will likely be charged as that says I am a resort guest have a car and I am parking here... or at the very least you will have to go to the front desk and explain and hope they remove the charge. I would assume you will be asked with online check in if you have a car.. in the past or if you did not use online check in the bands would not work until you checked in and informed the front desk you have a car.

 

[HopperFan]

I posted this in the "What's it like to Resort Park now?" thread and it might explain some things.

I will start by saying I have no actual information as to how WDW is planning on using the License Plate Reader systems they have installed. I work for a company that sells and installs these systems. I don't work directly for that division, but I do know how they CAN work. But again, I have no idea how WDW is planning on doing this.

Scenario #1 - Non resort Guest arrives for an ADR. While guard is checking ID, license plate is read. Time stamp is added to the License number in the database. When car goes to leave license plate is read again and the total time in the lot is calculated. Day guest may be charged for how long they were there.

Scenario #2 - Resort Guest with rental car/Uber gives guard ID, and/or MB is scanned and License plate is read with time stamp and gets connected to Guests MB in the system. Guests unload luggage and one guest goes to return the rental Car or Uber leaves. System reads License plate leaving. That license plate does not get scanned again with the same MB entering parking lot. Guests are not charged for parking upon check out.

Scenario #3 - Resort Guest with rental car gives guard ID, and/or MB is scanned, License plate is read with time stamp and gets connected to Guests MB in the system. Guests return rental car 4 days into their 7 night trip, System reads License plate leaving. That license plate does not get scanned again entering parking lot. Guests are charged for 3 nights of overnight parking when they check out.

Scenario #4 - Resort guest with car (owned or rental) gives guard ID, and/or MB is scanned, License Plate is read with time stamp and gets connected to Guests MB in the system. Guests have car for their entire 7 night trip. Upon check out, guests are charged for 7 nights of overnight parking.

Scenario #4 - Non resort guest arrives for breakfast ADR, gives guard ID, License plate is read, time stamp is added to the License number in the database. Guests hop on monorail/boat/bus or walk to park until 10PM. Golf carts with the License plate reading tech is driving around checking how long each vehicle has been in the lot against those registered to guests. If vehicle is over a certain limit, a notice can be placed on vehicle or vehicle could be towed away, etc.

I am sure there are more possible scenarios, but these are the ones I have seen mentioned the most here on the DIS. Again, I have NO information as to how WDW will be handling this. I just wanted to illustrate a very common way properties use this technology for parking control.

So looks like a big investment on cameras, software etc and the ongoing maintenance/fees.

if you are dropping someone off or using Uber the driver and car would be considered a visitor to the resort... so therefore they stop at the gate and get a visitor pass if you choose to use your magic band for this reason you will likely be charged as that says I am a resort guest have a car and I am parking here... or at the very least you will have to go to the front desk and explain and hope they remove the charge. I would assume you will be asked with online check in if you have a car.. in the past or if you did not use online check in the bands would not work until you checked in and informed the front desk you have a car.

Well, if it's set up like dansdad says it should all work out. But charging someone just because they enter the property to drop/pickup someone would likely become a big mess as it happens often. We do it all the time with friends who live in Orlando, friends who stay at other resorts from us but we go out together off property etc. Am sure we are not unusual. Last they need is guests lining up at the desk asking for charges that should have never happened be removed from their account.

Their best bet may be to add gates prior to entry to guest parking areas like CSR has so that the rest of us can utilize the general parking lot/drive in front of the lobby. If they do it that way, less scanning or investment needs to be made. In order for a guest's MB to open the resort parking lot gate, the must have "checked in" a car on their account along with the fees.

 

[Haley R]

I posted this in the "What's it like to Resort Park now?" thread and it might explain some things.

I will start by saying I have no actual information as to how WDW is planning on using the License Plate Reader systems they have installed. I work for a company that sells and installs these systems. I don't work directly for that division, but I do know how they CAN work. But again, I have no idea how WDW is planning on doing this.

Scenario #1 - Non resort Guest arrives for an ADR. While guard is checking ID, license plate is read. Time stamp is added to the License number in the database. When car goes to leave license plate is read again and the total time in the lot is calculated. Day guest may be charged for how long they were there.

Scenario #2 - Resort Guest with rental car/Uber gives guard ID, and/or MB is scanned and License plate is read with time stamp and gets connected to Guests MB in the system. Guests unload luggage and one guest goes to return the rental Car or Uber leaves. System reads License plate leaving. That license plate does not get scanned again with the same MB entering parking lot. Guests are not charged for parking upon check out.

Scenario #3 - Resort Guest with rental car gives guard ID, and/or MB is scanned, License plate is read with time stamp and gets connected to Guests MB in the system. Guests return rental car 4 days into their 7 night trip, System reads License plate leaving. That license plate does not get scanned again entering parking lot. Guests are charged for 3 nights of overnight parking when they check out.

Scenario #4 - Resort guest with car (owned or rental) gives guard ID, and/or MB is scanned, License Plate is read with time stamp and gets connected to Guests MB in the system. Guests have car for their entire 7 night trip. Upon check out, guests are charged for 7 nights of overnight parking.

Scenario #4 - Non resort guest arrives for breakfast ADR, gives guard ID, License plate is read, time stamp is added to the License number in the database. Guests hop on monorail/boat/bus or walk to park until 10PM. Golf carts with the License plate reading tech is driving around checking how long each vehicle has been in the lot against those registered to guests. If vehicle is over a certain limit, a notice can be placed on vehicle or vehicle could be towed away, etc.

I am sure there are more possible scenarios, but these are the ones I have seen mentioned the most here on the DIS. Again, I have NO information as to how WDW will be handling this. I just wanted to illustrate a very common way properties use this technology for parking control.

That makes sense. They could do what airports do when you take a ticket to get into the parking lot and then when you leave you insert that ticket or give it to a ticket booth to leave. Idk if this would work completely but they could see what time/day you entered and when you are leaving.

 

[eeyoresmom]

OP here. My main concern is that we made our reservation before the parking fee went into effect. They MUST somehow be connecting info at the gate to your MDE which is why I asked if I had to physically check in with the guard at least on arrival. It's not a huge deal but if we go through the unmanned gate as we should be able to do with online check in how do they know its "our"car. I'm just curious at this point but I was reprimanded at the Poly in January for being a registered guest and going through the guard shack at arrival.

 

[buzznina]

It is billed at checkout and they will have it in the system that your reservation was made prior to the fee date, and this will (should) override any parking fees. If they were smart (sorry, I had to stop typing to laugh) they would have added a code to all reservations made after the parking fee went into effect, to easily distinguish them from earlier reservations.
SO, the bottom line is to carefully check your bill at checkout, like I plan on doing in June

 

[sponica]

Their best bet may be to add gates prior to entry to guest parking areas like CSR has so that the rest of us can utilize the general parking lot/drive in front of the lobby. If they do it that way, less scanning or investment needs to be made. In order for a guest's MB to open the resort parking lot gate, the must have "checked in" a car on their account along with the fees.

Almost every hotel I've stayed at has requested make, model, license plate number of the car in the lot. Granted Disney hotels don't operate like normal hotels when it comes to check in and registration. They could redo their reservation system/online check in to the following options: using DME to arrive, using own vehicle (provide make/model/license plate), renting car (provide info upon arrival) but that would make too much sense and probably make their IT explode even more....

 

[eeyoresmom]

Aren't the parking charges already in effect? I guess we have to hope someone with actual experience chimes in.

 

[HopperFan]

Almost every hotel I've stayed at has requested make, model, license plate number of the car in the lot. Granted Disney hotels don't operate like normal hotels when it comes to check in and registration. They could redo their reservation system/online check in to the following options: using DME to arrive, using own vehicle (provide make/model/license plate), renting car (provide info upon arrival) but that would make too much sense and probably make their IT explode even more....

Lots of hotels do it different ways but I guess I'm wondering how they will transition this since so many are saying nothing is changing from what they are doing now. It has to change .... and yes, my fear is another "disaster" move.

Here is hoping someone impacted chimes in.