Parking at DVC home resort without reservation?

[hakepb]

We also received a paper parking pass when we were at SSR mid July

I didn't get a paper parking pass at VWL in July (they looked me up because my Magic Bands were packed back in the car)

Since we went to DTD on our check out day, I "visited" my home, SSR (I did get a mug refill, does that count as dining?). I just pulled up to the guard shack, I said "hello!" And showed the guard my Magic Band, the guard scanned it, his device made the pleasant chime noise, and the guard said "Welcome Home!" And let me right in. (I never had to explain my reason for a visit)

 

[skateshome]

the guard said "Welcome Home!" And let me right in. (I never had to explain my reason for a visit)

Hmmmmm......

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

Hmmmmm......

Scanned the band.......and SSR. Just pointing that out. Welcome Home is a generic greeting used.

But of course anyone can visit a resort whether onsite or off site. BLT and CR have long been stricter on allowing this though because people would use it as a free parking lot for MK. It doesn't mean you wouldn't luck out but being an owner there does not give you the right to park if they start asking why.

 

[tidefan]

I know this isn't really the topic of the thread but until somebody at Disney figures out a practical way to do away with parking passes and still be able to effectively police lots like BLT, parking passes aren't going anywhere. It was a great thought... until somebody had to implement it in the real world.

We checked into SSR on July 18th for a 7-night stay and did not receive a parking pass. I asked the CM checking us in about it and she said that they just used the magic bands now.

 

[spiceycat]

ya

I know this isn't really the topic of the thread but until somebody at Disney figures out a practical way to do away with parking passes and still be able to effectively police lots like BLT, parking passes aren't going anywhere. It was a great thought... until somebody had to implement it in the real world.

hey if sun passes can help you by pass their toll booth - Disney can do it. especially for guests like us who will be back, and back and back and back.

can understand the one time trip - or even the guest who only comes every 3 to 5 years.

 

[freediverdude]

Bell services only transfers luggage once per day (around 2 pm), so your luggage will not be available at the next resort until 4 pm or later.

Well the 4pm would be ok with me, although it turns out I won't need it on this trip after all! I couldn't believe it, my waitlist for VGF for a Friday night during F&W came through! So I guess I will be staying at VGF both nights now, no tranferring. I guess I should never say never on a waitlist should I, I was sure that would never open up, lol.

 

[pachelbel9]

Bell services only transfers luggage once per day (around 2 pm), so your luggage will not be available at the next resort until 4 pm or later.

When we transferred from PoP to BLT in May, our luggage was so late we gave up and went to dinner. It was there when we came back at 10 pm. Don't go through Bell services if you're hoping to access your luggage that day.

Edit- I should read all responses before posting!

 

[supersnoop]

I didn't get a paper parking pass at VWL in July (they looked me up because my Magic Bands were packed back in the car)

Since we went to DTD on our check out day, I "visited" my home, SSR (I did get a mug refill, does that count as dining?). I just pulled up to the guard shack, I said "hello!" And showed the guard my Magic Band, the guard scanned it, his device made the pleasant chime noise, and the guard said "Welcome Home!" And let me right in. (I never had to explain my reason for a visit)

Yes, the guard at SSR tried to just wave me through until I asked how to get to the DVC sales showroom. There's not much need for parking security there.

 

[hakepb]

Yes, the guard at SSR tried to just wave me through until I asked how to get to the DVC sales showroom. There's not much need for parking security there.

parking security had always been a bit more about appearance and customer service vs "security". Back in the "old" parking pass days, I had the impression security was there to log guests entrance and provide directions.
Magic Bands make it easier to log those guests.

I really appreciate what security does. It is much nicer seeing an attempt at security after staying off-site and having a police patty wagon show up next door
And, "Welcome home" always makes me smile

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

parking security had always been a bit more about appearance and customer service vs "security". Back in the "old" parking pass days, I had the impression security was there to log guests entrance and provide directions.
Magic Bands make it easier to log those guests.

I really appreciate what security does. It is much nicer seeing an attempt at security after staying off-site and having a police patty wagon show up next door
And, "Welcome home" always makes me smile

Lots of people enjoy the Welcome Home. I just felt from the OP's response that they were reading more into it - like the guard saw you owned SSR and so waved you in and welcomed you home and might recognize them, as BLT owners, and do the same even though parking there is more restrictive.

 

[DenLo]

Paper parking passes are not longer used.

They were still being used for our May and June reservations at BLT and SSR respectively.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

ya


hey if sun passes can help you by pass their toll booth - Disney can do it. especially for guests like us who will be back, and back and back and back.

can understand the one time trip - or even the guest who only comes every 3 to 5 years.

Unless you can figure out an affordable and sightly way to put one over every 2-3 parking places at night...

Those are designed for entry/exit. That's already covered by MBs. The challenge is, "We're just going to the shops." and then parking for the day/night to take the monorail or whatever.

 

[Belle & Ariel]

We stayed at AKL in July and did not get parking pass.

 

[freediverdude]

If they really want to control it at certain resorts, they need to make the access similar to toll parking, where you must scan your magicband or insert a ticket given if you don't have a band, in order to exit the lot. Then they absolutely could tell how long you were there, and if it's past 3 hours and you're not a guest, then something like $10 for the next hour, and then after that the full $20 for a day's parking.

 

[WilsonFlyer]

If they really want to control it at certain resorts, they need to make the access similar to toll parking, where you must scan your magicband or insert a ticket given if you don't have a band, in order to exit the lot. Then they absolutely could tell how long you were there, and if it's past 3 hours and you're not a guest, then something like $10 for the next hour, and then after that the full $20 for a day's parking.

Won't work. Some people would gladly pay the "penalty" to the extent that you wouldn't be able to ever find a parking place. Besides, I'm sure Disney doesn't want those things sticking out all over property taking away from the show.

I will admit that the paper system is a deterrent at best. I don't know that I've ever seen towing enforced, though I'm sure it has been. It keeps honest people honest and that's what it's designed to do.

The paper system simply works and is affordable. In most resorts where parking can become an issue for whatever reason, I don't expect it to go anywhere anytime soon. Just my opinion. That and $10 will get you a cup of coffee at Starbucks.

 

[freediverdude]

Well, maybe make it more expensive than the theme park lot then, for more than 3 hours. The resorts at Universal already have this in place, and it seems to work.
At least one of the hotels right outside Universal even has it. And the Swan/Dolphin has this system too.

 

[chartle]

Do you give your licence plate number when you check in? If so they could use scanning technology instead of paper passes. A car just has to drive up and down the rows "reading" plates. The garage at our airport does it. Its also scans your plate as you come in and leave.

So if you lose your ticket they know how much to charge but they can also tell you where your car is if you forget after a long trip.

 

[supersnoop]

Do you give your licence plate number when you check in? If so they could use scanning technology instead of paper passes. A car just has to drive up and down the rows "reading" plates. The garage at our airport does it. Its also scans your plate as you come in and leave.

So if you lose your ticket they know how much to charge but they can also tell you where your car is if you forget after a long trip.

I have a feeling they already capture your license plate number when you enter at the guard shack. There's always a second person inside the shack watching the cameras. And they do drive slowly through the parking lots in golf carts, so they could be reconciling license plates then, too. But I imagine they keep all these security processes secret.

 

[n2mm]

Just returned last night. Stayed at bwv and BLT. Both times upon arrival we were given a parking pass from the guards at BOTH resorts. So you can see that some resorts are still using parking passes to monitor parking at their resorts. We ate at bcv twice and each time the guard verified our dining reservations. He scanned our magic band and said I see you have a 5:20 reservation.

 

[freediverdude]

Well the paper passes are pretty useless as far as the guards checking, so I think those are more for show. When you put them on your dash and park your car, the guards driving by can't see them, the dash is on the other side of your car. They would have to get out, walk around your car and look to see it. And that's IF the guest places it there like they're supposed to, lol. I think generally during non-busy times the guards just generally take note of which cars came in without a hotel reservation and kind of watch for those as they drive around, and take notice of cars that have been there for days that aren't guests. At least that's what I would do if I was a guard.