Parking "Hacks"

[larryz]

Disney does NOT tow vehicles from their lots which do not have parking passes for the day from the autoplaza, because they do not issues parking plaza tickets for Annual Passholders, CMs, and hundreds of other reasons.

I guess you could sort of call this the "honor" system -- as in trusting that people will do the honorable thing, and not lie about their destination for the day, and pay to park in the TTC parking lot like the sign at the front of the parking plaza states.

I suppose that since this flaw in the "system" has been exposed, WDW will have to start generating Annual Pass, CM, and miscellaneous reason parking plaza tickets, which will likely result in higher parking fees next year to cover that cost.

 

[mousermerf]

And for the record, you're allowed to visit the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, or Contemporary at any time if you want to. They're not off limits or anything.

Disney encourages guests to visit other resorts and shop and dine. They don't want you using the pools - but shop, dine, rec-create (is that a word?) all you want.

And transportation within the Walt Disney World resort is open to all guests - period. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong.

 

[mousermerf]

I guess you could sort of call this the "honor" system -- as in trusting that people will do the honorable thing, and not lie about their destination for the day, and pay to park in the TTC parking lot like the sign at the front of the parking plaza states.

I suppose that since this flaw in the "system" has been exposed, WDW will have to start generating Annual Pass, CM, and miscellaneous reason parking plaza tickets, which will likely result in higher parking fees next year to cover that cost.

They don't care though - Epcot doesn't typically charge for parking after 6pm. They just let people self-park anywhere in the lot and don't bother even manning the booth. They don't charge several hundred cars each night because of that.

During Food and Wine when it's busier from 6pm onward they sure as heck man the booth, but not during the off season.

They know exactly where the holes are and aren't plugging them.

 

[Art 1]

Also, in reply to those who suggesting an annual pass, thank you. That might be a very legitimate solution. It looks like it would be less than a $70 difference versus a 6-day pass, plus then I would get the benefit of park-hopper, which we weren't planning on buying, and it would help in the trip I am trying very hard to plan for next year.

So, annual passes include parking then, is that right?

Yes.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Also, in reply to those who suggesting an annual pass, thank you. That might be a very legitimate solution. It looks like it would be less than a $70 difference versus a 6-day pass, plus then I would get the benefit of park-hopper, which we weren't planning on buying, and it would help in the trip I am trying very hard to plan for next year.

So, annual passes include parking then, is that right?

yes an annual pass includes parking it also includes a pretty large discounts on rooms 30% - 40 % some dinning 10% and merch 10%.. i know you are looking at staying off site now is that set in stone for a reason?? because buying 1 annual pass staying onsite with an annual pass rate, while not having to pay for parking and getting other disney benfits might offset the savings of staying offsite

 

[blainekyle]

Again, thanks mousermerf. You're like my personal Robin Hood in the midst of adversity.

 

[blainekyle]

yes an annual pass includes parking it also includes a pretty large discounts on rooms 30% some dinning 10% and merch 10%.. i know you are looking at staying off site now is that set in stone for a reason?? because buying 1 annual pass staying onsite with an annual pass rate, while not having to pay for parking and getting other disney benfits might offset the savings of staying offsite

The only reason I am staying off-site on this trip is because it is my mother-in-laws timeshare. We aren't paying anything for the room, because she owns it. Well, we might throw in on the annual maintenance fee, but that get's cheap when you divide it out.

Every other Disney trip I have ever taken has been with my parents, and we stayed onsite (Pop Century all but the first time, which was Port Orleans Riverside). I want to try to plan an onsite trip for just me and my wife sometime next year. I'd like to go for Valentine's Day because I know the crowd levels are low, but we may have to plan around her class schedule--she instructs photography at a university. But whenever it is, knowing that we would get a discount on the rooms (plus not needing to buy park tickets--unless we are trying to qualify for a free dining offer) is making this sound more and more like the right plan.

 

[DRDISNEYMD]

~All of this hassle over $84 dollars?!? Just pay for the parking and be done with it, this is no way to vacation. I'm all for saving a buck and there is nothing wrong with finding a cheaper alternative but if I had to travel like this, I'd rather stay home. If its any consolation, we pay an outrageous rate of $20 a day to park at the airport, $30 at the ball park and football stadium!

~In your defense, I've seen your posts and I don't think you're a troll. And there was a thread not too long ago with a poorly written article on how to avoid paying for parking from an otherwise reputable source, so you are not alone in your quest for cheaper parking. Have a great trip!

 

[dtum]

The only reason I am staying off-site on this trip is because it is my mother-in-laws timeshare. We aren't paying anything for the room, because she owns it. Well, we might throw in on the annual maintenance fee, but that get's cheap when you divide it out.

Every other Disney trip I have ever taken has been with my parents, and we stayed onsite (Pop Century all but the first time, which was Port Orleans Riverside). I want to try to plan an onsite trip for just me and my wife sometime next year. I'd like to go for Valentine's Day because I know the crowd levels are low, but we may have to plan around her class schedule--she instructs photography at a university. But whenever it is, knowing that we would get a discount on the rooms (plus not needing to buy park tickets--unless we are trying to qualify for a free dining offer) is making this sound more and more like the right plan.

What timeshare? WBC has a free shuttle. Some others may also.

 

[chartle]

Wow, thanks to those with helpful answers. I didn't realize that my question was against policy, and I'm sorry for that, but I definitely didn't expect to make anyone angry by asking. ....

A lot of the was bad timing there have been a few posts just like yours in the past few days.

Also titling this thread Parking "Hacks" didn't help.

 

[minnie mum]

That said, I feel no remorse in stating some "facts" that have nothing to do with gaming the system but rather everything to do with how parking works.

Magic Kingdom parking toll plaza is also the gateway to Magic Kingdom resorts. Guests visiting Magic Kingdom resorts do not pay to park, because they are not parking. Those guests are supposed to stay to the far right, while guests going to the parking lot are to stay to the left.

There are lanes in the "middle" that service both.

That is a fact. There is no debating it, it is a fact. It is not against any policy or rule or anything to know that information.

Once parked in the Magic Kingdom lot you can get to any of the 4 main theme parks at WDW quickly and easily via Disney transportation which is allowed free of cost as a "guest" of the Walt Disney World resort. Disney does NOT tow vehicles from their lots which do not have parking passes for the day from the autoplaza, because they do not issues parking plaza tickets for Annual Passholders, CMs, and hundreds of other reasons. They would be towing countless hundreds of cars that are validly parked in their lot with permission without paying if they even considered doing such a thing.

Not gaming the system? Your definition is certainly different from mine. Your mother must be so proud, and what a fine example you are setting for your children.

And for the record, you're allowed to visit the Grand Floridian, Polynesian, or Contemporary at any time if you want to. They're not off limits or anything.

Disney encourages guests to visit other resorts and shop and dine. They don't want you using the pools - but shop, dine, rec-create (is that a word?) all you want.

And transportation within the Walt Disney World resort is open to all guests - period. Anyone who says otherwise is wrong.

Everything you said about parking at the resorts in this post is absolutely true. What you have omitted to say is that guests are given 3 hours to park and shop, dine and 'rec-create' (recreate). Surely a sufficient amount of time for a legitimate visit to the resort. Parking for free at resorts in order to cheat the system so they can then spend a day in the parks is not a legitimate visit. If someone wants to park for an entire day at a resort (and are not a guest of the resort) then they can pay for valet parking.

And who said that Disney transportation wasn't open to all guests?

 

[mousermerf]

Edit: Not worth it. Delete at will.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

how come people get so upset about this parking issue? if someone wants to go through the hassle of it let them how does it affect someone to the point they get angry about it?

 

[mjohnson96]

Well all I can think of is that there is a reason Universal Charges for onsite parking at their hotels. I wouldn't be surprised to see Disney one day charge to park onsite because of issues like these.

 

[heyitsmejosh]

Well all I can think of is that there is a reason Universal Charges for onsite parking at their hotels. I wouldn't be surprised to see Disney one day charge to park onsite because of issues like these.

yeah they want to make more money. has nothing to do with people getting around paying for parking.

 

[blainekyle]

A lot of the was bad timing there have been a few posts just like yours in the past few days.

Also titling this thread Parking "Hacks" didn't help.

I guess I'm used to the broad definition that word has taken on thanks in part to one of my favorite websites, LifeHacker.com, where "hacks" are any creative tricks for increasing efficiency or effectiveness in any area of life.

 

[evcollins]

Wow...Exactly!! Just answer the question and leave out your sarcasm. It's an information board.

Enjoy your trip, whatever you decide!!
ec

 

[Polydweller]

how come people get so upset about this parking issue? if someone wants to go through the hassle of it let them how does it affect someone to the point they get angry about it?

I don't care if they want to go through the hassle of DTD but I definitely care about parking at the resorts. Those lots simply aren't big enough to handle that and still have sufficient space for those who are staying there. I ask those who think its ok to do that to think about how'd they'd feel about coming back tired to their home resort and being unable to find parking. Yeah, it's very,very bad. If you wouldn't want that to happen to you at your home resort then why would you feel it is ok to do that at someone else's resort.

And if you think it doesn't happen, think again. It does and it's awful. It's why they have security checking the lots and it's why they do tow. And they do tow, I've seen it several times.

So, it's not wrong because you aren't paying Disney for parking, it's wrong because of the unnecessary inconvenience you are causing others. It's just plain inconsiderate.

 

[blainekyle]

What timeshare? WBC has a free shuttle. Some others may also.

It's called Orange Lake; I believe it is now a Holiday Inn property. It shares a border with Animal Kingdom. Just out of curiousity, I've looked at it on Google Maps, and looks like a brief hike through the trees surrounding the resort golf course could give a view of parts of Kilimanjaro Safari. Not that I would, since I can just go to the park and ride the ride, but I did think that was neat.

They do offer a shuttle service, too, but it looks like it would be a hassle. You have to request their shuttle service, which means that we would have to schedule a specific pick up time, which I would say is not ideal, although from a practical standpoint, if we don't get parkhopper, there's no reason that shouldn't work for us. At this point, though, after some advice from others on this thread, I'm leaning toward just getting an AP, which would render all of this moot.

 

[LaurenT]

If you're coming back within a year, you should definitely get the annual pass! And run the numbers on getting the Table in Wonderland card. It may be worth it if you're eating TS more than a few times.