Parking for Trader Sams

[Maistre Gracey]

This could just as easily be posted on the resorts board, but I opted for here...

We came to the Poly for some warm up drinks before heading into MK for Tony's.
The guard asked as if we had a reservation, and we said no that we were headed to Trader Sams. He said no parking for Sams unless we valet. Huh?? What kind of hose job is that??

MG

 

[smcabee]

Pretty typical response from the guard. Resorts such as Poly, Contemporary, Beach Club etc want you to use the Valet to keep general parking open to resort guests unless you have a reservation for one of their restaurants. Not saying this was your intention but, unfortunately, many people try to get away with not paying to park so they try to park in a resort close to their park of choice to avoid that fee.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Pretty typical response from the guard. Resorts such as Poly, Contemporary, Beach Club etc want you to use the Valet to keep general parking open to resort guests unless you have a reservation for one of their restaurants. Not saying this was your intention but, unfortunately, many people try to get away with not paying to park so they try to park in a resort close to their park of choice to avoid that fee.

We have done this dozens of times... Never an issue. We have AP's so parking fees are a none issue. He also offered us free parking at MK lot. A bit confused on that though....

We opted for valet and get drinks at Tambu. The TiW will cover the valet.

MG

 

[21stamps]

We have done this dozens of times... Never an issue. We have AP's so parking fees are a none issue. He also offered us free parking at MK lot. A bit confused on that though....

We opted for valet and get drinks at Tambu. The TiW will cover the valet.

MG

Next time you should park at the TTC and walk. It isn't very far at all!

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Next time you should park at the TTC and walk. It isn't very far at all!

Good point... I always thought that was restricted parking.

MG

 

[21stamps]

Good point... I always thought that was restricted parking.

MG

I had a friend (Orlando local) come spend our resort day with us, spend the night, and do MK the next day. I had called in advance of my trip to make sure this was ok, and was told it would be, but I would have to add her to my reservation- that was a nightmare. After I got off the phone I checked my MDE and realized the price had gone up ridiculously!!! After about an hour on the phone with another cm she figured out a way to add her as a guest without changing the price of the vacation. My kid and I were staying 9 nights, with the dining plan and tickets, and at first it had charged the dining plan and tickets to her as well- for all 9 nights.

So anyway, getting to the point of that long story- when she arrived with her car, they wouldn't let her park- said she had to valet. I went to the front desk and spoke with them for several minutes- I did not have a car, so why couldn't she use "my spot" for only 1 night...especially since she was listed on my reservation prior to my arrival. They finally agreed and we went about our day. I loved Poly, and I'm glad they have parking restrictions for non Poly guests, but that was a momentary annoying hiccup.lol.

The TTC is an easy walk though, we were in the farthest building from the TTC, on the other side of the marina, and it still wasn't a bad walk on our Epcot day.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I had a friend (Orlando local) come spend our resort day with us, spend the night, and do MK the next day. I had called in advance of my trip to make sure this was ok, and was told it would be, but I would have to add her to my reservation- that was a nightmare. After I got off the phone I checked my MDE and realized the price had gone up ridiculously!!! After about an hour on the phone with another cm she figured out a way to add her as a guest without changing the price of the vacation. My kid and I were staying 9 nights, with the dining plan and tickets, and at first it had charged the dining plan and tickets to her as well- for all 9 nights.

So anyway, getting to the point of that long story- when she arrived with her car, they wouldn't let her park- said she had to valet. I went to the front desk and spoke with them for several minutes- I did not have a car, so why couldn't she use "my spot" for only 1 night...especially since she was listed on my reservation prior to my arrival. They finally agreed and we went about our day. I loved Poly, and I'm glad they have parking restrictions for non Poly guests, but that was a momentary annoying hiccup.lol.

The TTC is an easy walk though, we were in the farthest building from the TTC, on the other side of the marina, and it still wasn't a bad walk on our Epcot day.

I have stayed probably 30 times at the Poly as a guest... I agree, I certainly do appreciate them holding the limited parking.
That said, I was looking to spend money at that resort... It's just TS doesn't take ressies so I'm SOL.
Doesn't make sense to me. I would be willing to show my receipt on the way out.... Which as it turns out will be exactly what I do with TiW.

MG

 

[21stamps]

I have stayed probably 30 times at the Poly as a guest... I agree, I certainly do appreciate them holding the limited parking.
That said, I was looking to spend money at that resort... It's just TS doesn't take ressies so I'm SOL.
Doesn't make sense to me. I would be willing to show my receipt on the way out.... Which as it turns out will be exactly what I do with TiW.

MG

The only guess I can make, and this stinks, but maybe too many people were taking advantage of it. I've read in threads here that people will stay parked all day at Poly to avoid the TTC. I know you weren't doing that, but if several others did then they must have been forced to take action. Given your TiW and AP there should be "exceptions" though, for limited time parking, which is what you were trying to do.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Not a guess. Too many people take advantage of it, even with a Table Service ADR. The number of people who try to do Ohana breakfast and leave the car all day is ridiculous, and they're enforcing parking pretty seriously now.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Not a guess. Too many people take advantage of it, even with a Table Service ADR. The number of people who try to do Ohana breakfast and leave the car all day is ridiculous, and they're enforcing parking pretty seriously now.

We are willing to show an AP to prove we are not dodging the fee... In addition they did offer us free parking at MK.
As a side note, we only live 20 minutes away so Disney transport is unrealistic.

MG

 

[_auroraborealis_]

We are willing to show an AP to prove we are not dodging the fee... In addition they did offer us free parking at MK.
As a side note, we only live 20 minutes away so Disney transport is unrealistic.

MG

As an AP, MK parking is always free.

Walking from the TTC to Poly is 5-10 minutes. If parking was largely already full, they are required to hold it solely for ADRs and those staying at the resort. Even APs have been known to try to abuse near-park resort parking.

 

[DebbieB]

I stayed there last month. We went one night to Trader Sams and had a really good time. I was surprised how small it is.

My bet is too many people were saying "I'm going to Trader Sam's" and then heading to MK.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

As an AP, MK parking is always free.

Walking from the TTC to Poly is 5-10 minutes. If parking was largely already full, they are required to hold it solely for ADRs and those staying at the resort. Even APs have been known to try to abuse near-park resort parking.

So... A local guy cannot visit TS without remote parking..?? We did see the TTC parking, but it was blocked with a restricted sign.

MG

 

[21stamps]

So... A local guy cannot visit TS without remote parking..?? We did see the TTC parking, but it was blocked with a restricted sign.

MG

If the abuse is as bad as people are saying, then they have to care more about the people staying there than locals or anyone else. Imagine if you were a hotel guest, and came back from a long day unable to find a parking spot. You'd probably be frustrated...more than frustrated. The rules also probably help with people not being able to park and watch fireworks on the beach etc.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

If the abuse is as bad as people are saying, then they have to care more about the people staying there than locals or anyone else. Imagine if you were a hotel guest, and came back from a long day unable to find a parking spot. You'd probably be frustrated...more than frustrated. The rules also probably help with people not being able to park and watch fireworks on the beach etc.

I get that.... But as a local I probably spend a lot more money there per year than most guests.
That is, if I can find parking....

MG

 

[baler31]

If the abuse is as bad as people are saying, then they have to care more about the people staying there than locals or anyone else. Imagine if you were a hotel guest, and came back from a long day unable to find a parking spot. You'd probably be frustrated...more than frustrated. The rules also probably help with people not being able to park and watch fireworks on the beach etc.

We have received free valet parking on our last 3 visits to the Poly due to being unable to park our car.

People are not trying to get out of the fee they are trying to avoid TTC and the time sink parking there involves so they park at Poly and monorail to MK. They had been to lax with enforcement of this decades long policy and are finally enforcing it.

 

[baler31]

I get that.... But as a local I probably spend a lot more money there per year than most guests.
That is, if I can find parking....

MG

I am AP, most AP's spend far less than the average first/only time visitor. The policy on parking is even pointed out when visiting the website, in bright red for the Epcot resorts as Food and Wine creates a nightmare over there. Parking is reserved for resort guests and those with confirmed reservations.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I am AP, most AP's spend far less than the average first/only time visitor. The policy on parking is even pointed out when visiting the website, in bright red for the Epcot resorts as Food and Wine creates a nightmare over there. Parking is reserved for resort guests and those with confirmed reservations.

Perhaps that's true for the average, but not true for us.

Anyway, we drive to Sam's for a night out and basically are told no, you can't come because we won't allow you to park. We are not trying to sneak a freebie parking to get to the MK, we are trying to purchase goods & services at that resort. It just does not make sense.

In a side note, I have noticed plenty of parking since the second parking lot opened.

MG

 

[21stamps]

We have received free valet parking on our last 3 visits to the Poly due to being unable to park our car.

People are not trying to get out of the fee they are trying to avoid TTC and the time sink parking there involves so they park at Poly and monorail to MK. They had been to lax with enforcement of this decades long policy and are finally enforcing it.

Yeah, I didn't say it was just because of the fee. People staying on property and APs can park for free anyway, I've seen people post it because it is less crowded and easier than the TTC.

I get that.... But as a local I probably spend a lot more money there per year than most guests.
That is, if I can find parking....

MG

I doubt that. You would have to be going to Trader Sam's weekly- with more than $150 at the very minimum bar tab each time.

So, taking the park tickets and dining plan out of my 9 nights this past fall, with 30% room only was just @ $5k. Then add the drinks at the pool, dining, room service, water craft rentals, resort store shopping etc. Now we're well over 5k..only at the Poly, still no park tickets or anything else.

Bottom line though, it has nothing to do with that. It has to do with being a paying guest at that resort. Being an Orlando resident doesn't make you a priority at a Disney resort. The same way that being a Palm Beach resident didn't give me a priority when I go to HMF at The Breakers, if I'm not staying there. And I actually did go to HMF weekly, I still can't expect "better treatment" because I'm a "local".

 

[Maistre Gracey]

Yeah, I didn't say it was just because of the fee. People staying on property and APs can park for free anyway, I've seen people post it because it is less crowded and easier than the TTC.

I doubt that. You would have to be going to Trader Sam's weekly- with more than $150 at the very minimum bar tab each time.

So, taking the park tickets and dining plan out of my 9 nights this past fall, with 30% room only was just @ $5k. Then add the drinks at the pool, dining, room service, resort store shopping etc. Now we're well over 5k..

Bottom line though, it has nothing to do with that. It has to do with being a paying guest at that resort. Being an Orlando resident doesn't make you a priority at a Disney resort. The same way that being a Palm Beach resident didn't give me a priority when I go to HMF at The Breakers, if I'm not staying there. And I actually did go to HMF weekly, I still can't expect "better treatment" because I'm a "local".

Trust me.... I don't want to go through the accounting, but we spend way, way more annually than the average guest.
I know. Before we moved here we were average guests for 20+ years.

MG