Parking "Hacks"

[mousermerf]

I give up. There's so much misinformation.

Disney will not let you into the lot if they're going to tow you out of it. If they don't tell you there's a time limit - there is no time limit.

 

[LaurenT]

If you do, don't forget your alligator repellent and a snake bite kit. Ok I'm kidding about the alligator repellent they would probably just run away, but not about the snake bite kit.

Actually, I do remember a report of an alligator chasing a CM up a tree or something at storm along bay. He had found is way into the pool and the CM had come out in the morning to do whatever they do before opening the pool.

But in general, they're not supposed to be aggressive toward humans the way crocs are.

 

[larryz]

...you just tell them you have a friend staying there...

Which is perfectly acceptable as long as it's a true statement.

I think it's still considered socially unacceptable to lie to get access to perks to which you otherwise wouldn't be entitled -- isn't it?

Or am I being naïve/old fashioned/judgmental?

Actually, I do remember a report of an alligator chasing a CM up a tree or something at storm along bay. He had found is way into the pool and the CM had come out in the morning to do whatever they do before opening the pool.

But in general, they're not supposed to be aggressive toward humans the way crocs are.

Who -- the CMs or the alligators?

 

[Alesia]

New to WDW...we are staying off site and planning to pay for parking. But, can someone clarify...

Paying to park is $14 or you can pay for valet at a resort and pay $15? Four a $1 more would it make sense to pay for valet? I am looking at the commuting times to and from Disney Resorts to the parks and often it's quicker to go from the resort using Disney Transportation vs. your own car. Is the $15 valet for the whole day or just the 3 hours they give you to look around the resort.

You also need to tip both when you drop off and pick up, so add another $10.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

I give up. There's so much misinformation.

Disney will not let you into the lot if they're going to tow you out of it. If they don't tell you there's a time limit - there is no time limit.

I believe you need to update your info.....

1. Last year Disney started towing, there have been photos of it being done....not alot.....but they are starting to do it....This is especailly true at the CR, where people were parking and walking to the MK.

2. The TIME LIMIT for just visiting the resorts..ie having a meal is 3 hours. I was given the slip with the 3 hour limit clearly marked, last may during a visit.

In my way of thinking, its not worth the chance and expense in time and money to find your car gone and paying to go get it and pay the towing fee.

AKK

 

[goofy4tink]

I haven't read the entire thread...no need to. I know what the things being said are. Long story short???
Can you park at DTD and take buses to the parks? No, there are none. But sure, you can take a bus to a resort and then to a park. Have at it. But, the buses don't start running to the resorts, with any frequency, until close to 10am. And even then, it's a long time between buses. You could spend 90 mins getting to a park in order to save $14. Up to you.

And parking at a resort? It's a no-no. Can you get away with it? Probably. But you can probably get away with tucking a small item into your pocket at the Emporium as well. Does that make it right? Didn't think so.
The people staying at these resorts are paying a premium to stay there....usually for easy park access. It just isn't right, or fair, for someone to park there just to avoid paying the parking fee.
Now...if you're really desperate??? Driver over to one of the value resorts, and park there. No one seems to have an issue with that. But...then again, no one wants to have to take a bus to a park. they would rather just park at, say, the CR and walk to MK. But, if you have to do it, then go to an AllStar resort, or to Pop, and park there and take their buses. Doubt that will ever happen.

 

[Bob NC]

I give up. There's so much misinformation.

Disney will not let you into the lot if they're going to tow you out of it. If they don't tell you there's a time limit - there is no time limit.

Thinking logically, I believe I would have to agree with mousemerf here.

If they give you a 3 hour pass, maybe they will tow you after 3 hours.

If they won't let you in, they won't let you in.

I really can't picture them letting you in to park, putting no time limit on it, then towing you.

 

[Robo]

 

[Bob NC]

That's a lot o' lots.

 

[Robo]

That's a lot o' lots.

.......Lots o' lots........................................Lotso' Bear




.

 

[WDSearcher]

OK ... Lots o' Lots / Lotso Bear

That's a Robo Classic for the ages.

As for the parking question and the back and forth re: what you can get away with and what's "right" and what's "wrong". Here's my way of thinking.

There are a LOT of things you can "get away with" at WDW. You can by pass parking booths, you can park in lots at resorts you're not registered in, you can wrangle your way into pools and beaches you're not allowed at, you can cut into a line or squeeze in front of someone who's been waiting longer than you for food or a parade spot, you can talk loudly in attractions, you can take flash photos in dark rides, you can lie about your kids' ages ... there's no limit to the number of things you can get away with at WDW with a fairly small likelihood of someone actually catching you, and a smaller likelihood of the person who catches you actually pursuing it and having it affect your day or your wallet.

WDW has always trusted its guests to do the right thing. They do not ask for proof of your child's age, they likely won't bump you from the park if you cut in line, no one will drag you off a beach you don't belong on. Disney trusts you. In return, they are asking that you follow their rules. One of their rules is that -- unless you have ticket media that covers it -- parking is $14 at the theme parks. They provide you with the option of valet parking at any of the resorts (which will run you about the same amount). And they ask you not to park at the resorts for park access because those parking spots belong to the people staying in the resorts.

It is totally up to you whether you want to do what Disney asks you do.

My opinion? I get a lot out of Disney when I go there on vacation. Yes, it's a really expensive vacation, but I always come out feeling I got my money's worth. So I'm good paying for parking those trips that I've had to. There are a lot of places I go -- theater, sports events, malls, other attractions, etc -- that have parking fees. I have to say that I have never seen any sort of organized website that discusses how to beat Universal's parking fee, or how to avoid paying to park at the Citrus Bowl, or asking if it's okay to sneak in the back way in order to park at an arena for a concert. We all just pay those fees without a problem. Why is it that Disney is the one place that people think it's okay to not?

I just do not get it.

 

[HeatherLassell]

OK ... Lots o' Lots / Lotso Bear

That's a Robo Classic for the ages.

As for the parking question and the back and forth re: what you can get away with and what's "right" and what's "wrong". Here's my way of thinking.

There are a LOT of things you can "get away with" at WDW. You can by pass parking booths, you can park in lots at resorts you're not registered in, you can wrangle your way into pools and beaches you're not allowed at, you can cut into a line or squeeze in front of someone who's been waiting longer than you for food or a parade spot, you can talk loudly in attractions, you can take flash photos in dark rides, you can lie about your kids' ages ... there's no limit to the number of things you can get away with at WDW with a fairly small likelihood of someone actually catching you, and a smaller likelihood of the person who catches you actually pursuing it and having it affect your day or your wallet.

WDW has always trusted its guests to do the right thing. They do not ask for proof of your child's age, they likely won't bump you from the park if you cut in line, no one will drag you off a beach you don't belong on. Disney trusts you. In return, they are asking that you follow their rules. One of their rules is that -- unless you have ticket media that covers it -- parking is $14 at the theme parks. They provide you with the option of valet parking at any of the resorts (which will run you about the same amount). And they ask you not to park at the resorts for park access because those parking spots belong to the people staying in the resorts.

It is totally up to you whether you want to do what Disney asks you do.

My opinion? I get a lot out of Disney when I go there on vacation. Yes, it's a really expensive vacation, but I always come out feeling I got my money's worth. So I'm good paying for parking those trips that I've had to. There are a lot of places I go -- theater, sports events, malls, other attractions, etc -- that have parking fees. I have to say that I have never seen any sort of organized website that discusses how to beat Universal's parking fee, or how to avoid paying to park at the Citrus Bowl, or asking if it's okay to sneak in the back way in order to park at an arena for a concert. We all just pay those fees without a problem. Why is it that Disney is the one place that people think it's okay to not?

I just do not get it.

 

[Suellen]

Seriously.... if the 14$/day (let's say for 7 days) the extra $98 makes it unaffordable to go to WDW then maybe it is just not in your budget for the trip.

I've seen a lady on the bus from DTD --> walked to SSR --> got on bus --> stopped at three other internal stops to pick guests up --> complained the entire way to MK that the bus system sucks and this was wasting half her day, all the while freely admitting she parked at DTD to avoid the parking fee.

I didn't have the heart to tell her it would be way, way, way worse after a long day at MK. OR maybe I was delighting in her finding out on her own.

Either way ~ it really, really isn't worth it to go this route.

As far as lying your way into a resort parking lot to go to a theme park? If you are going in July there WILL be signs at most resorts stating they do NOT provide for theme park parking.... so it really is out and out lying to get around a POSTED sign that is between you and what you believe is right.

FWIW ~ some resorts may not allow that "walking around" thing at all during certain times so you should have a backup plan. Say an extra $98 in your budget.

 

[blainekyle]

I have to say that I have never seen any sort of organized website that discusses how to beat Universal's parking fee, or how to avoid paying to park at the Citrus Bowl, or asking if it's okay to sneak in the back way in order to park at an arena for a concert. We all just pay those fees without a problem. Why is it that Disney is the one place that people think it's okay to not?

I just do not get it.

I can't speak to the football game stuff, but I don't think I've had to pay for parking at concerts. I don't go to many concerts, though, and when I have they've been in the city where I live, and I know how to find legal street parking, plus I'm not afraid to walk a few blocks. The only other thing I can think of to relate to that is the parking fee at my local theme park (where I also worked for three summers). They built an outlet mall (same ownership as the park) right next to the park. Visionland, the theme park (now called "Alabama Adventure"), is a pretty lame place, all-told, but they still charge more for parking than Six Flags does. Anyway, my point is, I would sometimes park at the outlet mall, which had about six stores and 25 empty spaces, and walk over. I even did this when I was an employee, because they would only let us park for free when we had a shift scheduled, unless we parked in the employee lot which was by the admin offices which were a good 10 minute hike up a steep hill.

I think I lost track of my point. But I guess what I'm saying is, I don't think, at least in my case, that I'm treating Disney differently from other places that charge for parking.

And I have to say again, in general here (not just in reply to WDSearcher), I posted this question in all innocence here, and have been fairly off-put by the nature of some responses. This is kind of like when I asked some of my buddies whether they prefer using the rocket launcher or sniper rifle in Halo, and they all chastised me for even thinking of using the rocket launcher, because it's a cheap way to win, using such an overpowered and unsophisticated weapon. Long story short, I kick butt with the rocket launcher. Sorry, this paragraph got off track again. Don't misunderstand me to be threatening anyone with violence in my Halo metaphor--I'm just writing from what I know.

 

[sleeperclan]

OK ... Lots o' Lots / Lotso Bear

That's a Robo Classic for the ages.

As for the parking question and the back and forth re: what you can get away with and what's "right" and what's "wrong". Here's my way of thinking.

There are a LOT of things you can "get away with" at WDW. You can by pass parking booths, you can park in lots at resorts you're not registered in, you can wrangle your way into pools and beaches you're not allowed at, you can cut into a line or squeeze in front of someone who's been waiting longer than you for food or a parade spot, you can talk loudly in attractions, you can take flash photos in dark rides, you can lie about your kids' ages ... there's no limit to the number of things you can get away with at WDW with a fairly small likelihood of someone actually catching you, and a smaller likelihood of the person who catches you actually pursuing it and having it affect your day or your wallet.

WDW has always trusted its guests to do the right thing. They do not ask for proof of your child's age, they likely won't bump you from the park if you cut in line, no one will drag you off a beach you don't belong on. Disney trusts you. In return, they are asking that you follow their rules. One of their rules is that -- unless you have ticket media that covers it -- parking is $14 at the theme parks. They provide you with the option of valet parking at any of the resorts (which will run you about the same amount). And they ask you not to park at the resorts for park access because those parking spots belong to the people staying in the resorts.

It is totally up to you whether you want to do what Disney asks you do.

My opinion? I get a lot out of Disney when I go there on vacation. Yes, it's a really expensive vacation, but I always come out feeling I got my money's worth. So I'm good paying for parking those trips that I've had to. There are a lot of places I go -- theater, sports events, malls, other attractions, etc -- that have parking fees. I have to say that I have never seen any sort of organized website that discusses how to beat Universal's parking fee, or how to avoid paying to park at the Citrus Bowl, or asking if it's okay to sneak in the back way in order to park at an arena for a concert. We all just pay those fees without a problem. Why is it that Disney is the one place that people think it's okay to not?

I just do not get it.

Very well said

 

[mesaboy2]

OP, just know that your question is asked very frequently on here. The part of my answer you did not appear to like refers to a post from a nearly-identical one active only hours before yours.

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2919669

 

[Wadecool]

I give up. There's so much misinformation.

Disney will not let you into the lot if they're going to tow you out of it. If they don't tell you there's a time limit - there is no time limit.

If you don't like misinformation, then why do you keep spreading it? Just because you have never personally been towed or seen it with your own eyes, does not mean it won't happen.

 

[elleherself]

I'm with you, I HATE paying for parking. I don't care if it's just $10, it irritates me. It's one of my biggest pet peeves in life.

At Disney we have stayed onsite which covers parking. We also bought one regular annual pass in our family of seasonal passes to cover the parking. Something about pre-paying (and getting other added bonuses) made the whole thing more palatable.

I also just found out TODAY that a Tables in Wonderland card can cover parking if you dine in the park. Since we usually do, that's another way for me to get more for my parking dollars.

As far as parking at the resorts, that would just take way too much time out of my day. The whole point of driving my own car is the convenience factor.

 

[goofy4tink]

I can't speak to the football game stuff, but I don't think I've had to pay for parking at concerts. I don't go to many concerts, though, and when I have they've been in the city where I live, and I know how to find legal street parking, plus I'm not afraid to walk a few blocks. The only other thing I can think of to relate to that is the parking fee at my local theme park (where I also worked for three summers). They built an outlet mall (same ownership as the park) right next to the park. Visionland, the theme park (now called "Alabama Adventure"), is a pretty lame place, all-told, but they still charge more for parking than Six Flags does. Anyway, my point is, I would sometimes park at the outlet mall, which had about six stores and 25 empty spaces, and walk over. I even did this when I was an employee, because they would only let us park for free when we had a shift scheduled, unless we parked in the employee lot which was by the admin offices which were a good 10 minute hike up a steep hill.

I think I lost track of my point. But I guess what I'm saying is, I don't think, at least in my case, that I'm treating Disney differently from other places that charge for parking.

And I have to say again, in general here (not just in reply to WDSearcher), I posted this question in all innocence here, and have been fairly off-put by the nature of some responses. This is kind of like when I asked some of my buddies whether they prefer using the rocket launcher or sniper rifle in Halo, and they all chastised me for even thinking of using the rocket launcher, because it's a cheap way to win, using such an overpowered and unsophisticated weapon. Long story short, I kick butt with the rocket launcher. Sorry, this paragraph got off track again. Don't misunderstand me to be threatening anyone with violence in my Halo metaphor--I'm just writing from what I know.

I've always paid to park at concerts....as has my adult dd. But, I choose to park in a lit, attended garage vs on the street. And there have been instances where that just isn't an option..period.
Is it 'legal' to park at DTD and then take a bus to a resort and transfer to park transportation? Yes. Have at it. But, don't come back and complain about how long it took you and how much time you wasted getting to a park and how crowded the park was by the time you got there. These are all things that people have come back and complained about in the past. It's time consuming and not at all efficient use of time, but do it if you want.

As far as parking at a resort and heading to a park from there?? Go and park at an AllStar or Pop. Their parking lots are huge, so you're parking there isn't going to be a big deal. You will have to take a bus to a park but at least you can get on an early bus if you arrive at that resort early enough.
But parking at the CR, Polynesian, GF, BW, YC/BC or S/D?? Nope, not cool at all. I have had to take a distant parking spot upon return to BWV at the end of the day. Why? Because those not staying at the resort have driven there, parked in the parking lot, usually in closer to the front spots, and then there have been no nearby spots for those staying at the resort to use later in the day. And then, you can sit there and watch all the cars leaving the parking lot about 9:30...right after IllumiNations is done!! Wonder why that is???

 

[deegack]

I've never understood the whole issue with paying to park at Disney World. Its not like their fees are so out of whack with the other theme parks

Disney - $14 a day
Universal - $15 a day
Legoland - $14 a day
Bush Gardens Tampa - $14 a day
Great Adventure (six flags NJ) - $20 a day
Cedar Point - $12 a day
Hershey Park - $12 a day