Parking at DTD=Madness!

[rjvose17]

We love to go shopping at DTD but really hate the struggle of finding a parking spot. It's been so bad at times that we have given up and went elsewhere. I know some park here and take the busses to the parks, other days it's full of locals...it just seems to me that Disney could figure out a better policy for parking. Maybe like a ticketed system similar to a parking garage....you get a ticket upon entering, then unless you purchase something you have to pay by a fee...and store/restaurant receipts could have a bar code on them to scan once you spend a min. Of 20.00 or something. I know it's a long shot but it's just a thought. What do you all think of the parking madness there?

 

[Dznefreek]

If you don't mind walking park down by HOB/Cirque. That is what we always do.

 

[mesaboy2]

The Marketplace end is crazy crowded most of the time, but it usually gets better the closer you go to the Westside with the AMC and Cirque. I am not in favor of any system that complicates the current one and includes the potential for parking fees.

 

[Shir Kahn]

If your set on parking within the first 10 or so rows, yeah the parking situation is nuts. But we always just head straight to the outside rows and find a spot easily. You walk a hundred miles a day anyway, what's a few hundred extra feet?

 

[DebbieB]

I always park near the Lego store or Pleasure Island, never have a problem finding a space.

 

[neffernie]

If you don't mind walking park down by HOB/Cirque. That is what we always do.

Don't forget the boats that travel from one side of DTD to the other. They are a real lifesaver if you get to tired to walk back to the side you parked on. The docks are behind House of Blues, Capt Jacks, and Paradiso 37.

 

[goofy4tink]

I seldom have an issue parking at DTD....especially if it's early in the day. Later in the afternoon and into the evening it gets nasty though.
My ds heads there frequently...they love to just walk around the area, get a bite to eat and see a movie. They always park down by Cirque...never have an issue parking.

 

[skater]

I think its even more nuts to wait for a bus back to your resort at night. I have vowed to never do that again .

 

[brookmey]

I think its even more nuts to wait for a bus back to your resort at night. I have vowed to never do that again .

Yes, same with us. I'll deal with the long walk or with finding a parking space over having to use the bus system. We usually park by Planet Hollywood and never have a problem finding a space.

 

[ppony]

Don't forget the boats that travel from one side of DTD to the other. They are a real lifesaver if you get to tired to walk back to the side you parked on. The docks are behind House of Blues, Capt Jacks, and Paradiso 37.

DUDE! REALLY???? DANG! I've been going there how many years and I didn't know this? I guess until this trip last week, I didn't actually NEED it so much so I never paid attention but bow, I could have used it this last weekend! One can only limp so far. Anyone have a mallet for my head!?!?!?!?

That said though, I can feel the OPs pain, often literally. We never go looking for a close spot. I'm actually REALLY averted to it (it's a phobia). I just need to park and be done w/ it or my anxiety level rises exponentially. But some days, it can be hard and you do end up way in the back 40. WAY back. But it is what it is. We went last weekend on Saturday night and Monday night. Boy was there a difference in crowds in the lots! HUGE difference!!! The weekend was madness, Monday night? you saw a ton of blacktop.

 

[ppony]

Don't forget the boats that travel from one side of DTD to the other. They are a real lifesaver if you get to tired to walk back to the side you parked on. The docks are behind House of Blues, Capt Jacks, and Paradiso 37.

DUDE! REALLY???? DANG! I've been going there how many years and I didn't know this? I guess until this trip last week, I didn't actually NEED it so much so I never paid attention but wow, I could have used it this last weekend! One can only limp so far. Anyone have a mallet for my head!?!?!?!?

That said though, I can feel the OPs pain, often literally. We never go looking for a close spot. I'm actually REALLY averted to it (it's a phobia). I just need to park and be done w/ it or my anxiety level rises exponentially. But some days, it can be hard and you do end up way in the back 40. WAY back. But it is what it is. We went last weekend on Saturday night and Monday night. Boy was there a difference in crowds in the lots! HUGE difference!!! The weekend was madness, Monday night? you saw a ton of blacktop.

 

[disnut8]

We love to go shopping at DTD but really hate the struggle of finding a parking spot. It's been so bad at times that we have given up and went elsewhere. I know some park here and take the busses to the parks, other days it's full of locals...it just seems to me that Disney could figure out a better policy for parking. Maybe like a ticketed system similar to a parking garage....you get a ticket upon entering, then unless you purchase something you have to pay by a fee...and store/restaurant receipts could have a bar code on them to scan once you spend a min. Of 20.00 or something. I know it's a long shot but it's just a thought. What do you all think of the parking madness there?

Never had a problem with finding a space. But then again, I will initially just go to the last row and park. I do that anywhere. My favorite spot at my local grocery store is out by a handy shopping cart return and almost no one parks near me. I am out of my car and into the store while others who entered the parking lot behind me are still looking for a space.

And why have someone pay for parking if they just didn't find what they were looking for? I could go to Downtown Disney intending to buy a $400 watch but if it just didn't fit or wasn't what I expected, why should I pay for parking? It's not Disney fault or my own.

I really don't believe there is "madness" with parking at Downtown Disney. Madness would be absolutely no spaces available and that doesn't happen.

 

[baler31]

Never had a problem with finding a space. But then again, I will initially just go to the last row and park. I do that anywhere. My favorite spot at my local grocery store is out by a handy shopping cart return and almost no one parks near me. I am out of my car and into the store while others who entered the parking lot behind me are still looking for a space.

And why have someone pay for parking if they just didn't find what they were looking for? I could go to Downtown Disney intending to buy a $400 watch but if it just didn't fit or wasn't what I expected, why should I pay for parking? It's not Disney fault or my own.

I really don't believe there is "madness" with parking at Downtown Disney. Madness would be absolutely no spaces available and that doesn't happen.

There are times where absolutely no spaces are available but I admit it is not the norm. I know of four nights we went during our Dec/Jan. holiday trip that people were just waiting for ANYONE to leave anywhere.

I don't believe it should all be fee parking but a valet would be nice. Valet would offer those willing to pay ease of access and still allow free parking for those that do not want to pay/are not going to be there long.

I do agree over the holidays it was madness. We were far more frustrated at DTD than in any of the parks over the holidays.

 

[rjvose17]

I never said I think we should pay to park there but my idea was just that...an Idea...if things were to get worse. We are young and healthy and workout on a regular basis so close parking isn't an issue for us either. The "madness" I'm speaking of is on several occasions we have looped around and around looking for any sort of parking and had to dodge around people who double park or wait behind people who stalk others as they come out hoping to steal a spot. Just this passed December we got stuck between two cars for over 10 mins because neither car would move because they were waiting for a space, and we're parked so we couldn't go around them. Finally security had to come and make them move. I was just wonder what others were thinking. Thanks for the replies.

 

[JimS4210]

We always park down near Pleasure island. We always seem to end up at Raglan Road anyway...

Jim

 

[ppony]

Just this passed December we got stuck between two cars for over 10 mins because neither car would move because they were waiting for a space, and we're parked so we couldn't go around them. Finally security had to come and make them move.

Wow! That's amazingly rude and self-centered of them! I'm glad you got security but SAD you had to! And just to bolster your experience, we too have seen even the back 40 of the lots FULL. My DH has some luck so SOMEHOW, if he drives, he finds spots. if I drive, forget it, I'm screwed. ALWAYS!

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

When I go alone, I take the bus to DTD but have started taking a cab back to my resort. So much better.

When it's the family there, we'll drive and park at the Cirque end. And we will go in the afternoon instead of the evening. The parking is much better.

 

[walkdmc]

We've visited in the Summer and Fall and never had any problems with parking. We usually park in "A" (or 1, whatever it's being called, near The Basin). When we've been there, the parking near Planet Hollywood was plentiful.

I never drove to DTD in the Pleasure Island days but I've read here that parking used to be a real hassle when PI was open but that's no longer true. IDK but I do know I never have any problems. We usually go at lunchtime but sometimes for dinner.

 

[ppony]

I know PI isn't open like it used to be but some parts are still open and you see tons of couples out on dates at night when you are in the vicinity of PI. Some places are open there now that they are going to.

 

[walkdmc]

Oops, I meant to say Adventurers Club. I tend to think of PI as synonymous with AC.