Parking !!

[Sleepfairy]

If your staying at a property off Disneyworld like a Sheraton..is it possible to park at a Disneyworld Resort property such as the Swan or Dolphin as a "interested guest/visitor" without incurring a parking fee as I think guests and visitors park free at the resorts.....and make use of the transportation system such as the buses or canal boats to save on parking at whatever theme park your headed for the day ? Just curious and look forward to everyones experience or input !

 

[Disney845]

Oh my.....Sleepfairy I would duck and run right now if I were you!!

Ok the reason why this is inappropriate is because part of the perks for on-site guests is that they receive free parking/use of WDW transportation. If you are not a Resort guest and are not actually at a resort to "look around" or eat in a restaurant than you should not be parking there. WDW theme park parking is actually reasonable compared to some of the parking for theme parks up north. AP holders also receive free parking as a perk for the cost of the tickets they purchase. To put it bluntly it is unfair of you to try to get something for nothing. If you have not paid for the perk (by having certain passes/staying onsite) than you need to park in the regular lots and pay the parking fee.

This is exactly one of the reasons why you can no longer take direct buses from the parks to DTD. People would park in DTD without paying and then spend the day at the theme parks. Because of a few rotten apples, now resort guests, as well as people who would never think of trying to "rip-off" Disney, have now been inconvenienced.

Is it possible for you to get away with what you are suggesting?? Perhaps, but now you have to show ID in order to get into a resort parking lot. More importantly I would hope that you wouldn't have children with you, because your actions would be showing that it is ok to lie (pretend you are visiting) and steal (cheat WDW out of parking money) in order to save a few dollars.

 

[Sleepfairy]

thank you for your reply. My question was based on a fact of friends of ours are staying at the Westin on Disney property while we are staying off property. We wanted our children to go to the parks together and also meet at their hotel for breakfast or lunch everyday. My question had to do with parking there and not having to leave again to go to a theme park while Iam at a hotel that offers transportation and we could all go together. Nobody is gettin ripped off and actually Iam probably being overcharged to eat at a hotel thats only virtue may be that of a free ride to the park. If that was a such a big deal paying $7.00 to park is alot cheaper than paying 20-40$ a day for my family to dine with friends at their hotel, sheeeeeeeeeeesh !

 

[Disney845]

If your staying at a property off Disneyworld like a Sheraton..is it possible to park at a Disneyworld Resort property such as the Swan or Dolphin as a "interested guest/visitor" without incurring a parking fee as I think guests and visitors park free at the resorts.....and make use of the transportation system such as the buses or canal boats to save on parking at whatever theme park your headed for the day ?

Sorry if I mis-read this. I took it to mean that you wanted to park at a hotel you were not paying to stay at and use the "free" transportation provided to specific guests of that hotel (as a perk for staying at that hotel) in order to save yourself money.

Actually you are still "ripping-off" someone here.

Take this for example: I am staying at the Howard Johnsons in Kissimmiee. They do not have bus transportation to WDW theme parks. I happen to notice that the Days Inn down the street does have a shuttle bus. I decide to drive down to Days Inn every morning to use their shuttle even though I am not staying at their hotel. I justify this to myself by saying that I am buying a bottle of suntan lotion in the Days Inn gift shop for $8. I figure that since I could buy that same bottle for $3 at Walmart that Days Inn is overcharging me, so I should be able to use their shuttle for free. What I am obviously overlooking is the fact that those people who are staying at the Days Inn are paying a rate which includes the transportation costs. Say the cost of a room at a Days Inn without transportation is $35 a night, but a Days Inn with transportation costs $40 a night. One could make the assumption that the $5 a night difference could go towards things such as employing bus drivers, buying a bus, maintenance on the bus, gas...etc.

No matter how you look at this you are trying to get something that you are not entitled to for free.

The swan (which I assume is the hotel you are referring to) has what one might call "prime real estate" at the WDW resort. Its location makes it a highly sought after reservation for many people staying there. Since normal rack rates of a standard room during value season at this hotel begin at $325, you can see that those who choose to stay in this hotel are paying a premium for this hotel and all that it includes. The transportation to the parks happens to be one of those perks that people are paying for in their room rate. The same applies to all other on-site resorts. The cost of the room undoubtedly includes the cost of transportation. You can not compare eating in the resort to staying in a room, becuase the cost of a meal does not include a transportation allowance.

 

[packy]

A poster on another thread said if you are not a resort guest, you will only get a three hour parking pass - enough time to eat a meal or look around but not enough time to go to a park.

 

[DMRick]

A poster on another thread said if you are not a resort guest, you will only get a three hour parking pass

We have only gotten the 3 hour passes at the Comtemporary and Poly..they may give them at the GF, but we haven't parked there.

We did have visitors at the AllStars, and when they came in, I met them at the desk, and the desk gave me a parking permit for them for their car, since we were leaving in our car to go out to dinner. The CM did say they were welcome to use the bus transport to the parks with us (we were eating in a park..and they did have hoppers which the Dis site says entitles them to transport..prob meant from park to park, but not stated), but we passed, since we wanted to have a car. You might want to check with their hotel and see if they are OK with giving you a parking pass for their hotel parking lot. It was a little different from ours, and not meant to get free parking at the park, in case anyone is interested.

Parking is tight at the Swan/Dolphin (as we found out when we dropped off the stroller we were sitting for..unlike the Allstars the day we asked permission). I don't remember a guard of any type, but as common curtesy, I would ask permission, and be prepared for a no.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Sleepfairy
If your staying at a property off Disneyworld like a Sheraton..is it possible to park at a Disneyworld Resort property such as the Swan or Dolphin as a "interested guest/visitor" without incurring a parking fee as I think guests and visitors park free at the resorts.....and make use of the transportation system such as the buses or canal boats to save on parking at whatever theme park your headed for the day ? Just curious and look forward to everyones experience or input !

Nope, it is not possible. Parking is for guests of that hotel and a three hour permit will be issued and they can and will tow the car after that time frame. Better to pay the 7.00 parking and hop a bus, boat or monorail to your friend's hote.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by Disney845
Sorry if I mis-read this. I took it to mean that you wanted to park at a hotel you were not paying to stay at and use the "free" transportation provided to specific guests of that hotel (as a perk for staying at that hotel) in order to save yourself money.

Actually you are still "ripping-off" someone here.

Take this for example: I am staying at the Howard Johnsons in Kissimmiee. They do not have bus transportation to WDW theme parks. I happen to notice that the Days Inn down the street does have a shuttle bus. I decide to drive down to Days Inn every morning to use their shuttle even though I am not staying at their hotel. I justify this to myself by saying that I am buying a bottle of suntan lotion in the Days Inn gift shop for $8. I figure that since I could buy that same bottle for $3 at Walmart that Days Inn is overcharging me, so I should be able to use their shuttle for free. What I am obviously overlooking is the fact that those people who are staying at the Days Inn are paying a rate which includes the transportation costs. Say the cost of a room at a Days Inn without transportation is $35 a night, but a Days Inn with transportation costs $40 a night. One could make the assumption that the $5 a night difference could go towards things such as employing bus drivers, buying a bus, maintenance on the bus, gas...etc.

No matter how you look at this you are trying to get something that you are not entitled to for free.

The swan (which I assume is the hotel you are referring to) has what one might call "prime real estate" at the WDW resort. Its location makes it a highly sought after reservation for many people staying there. Since normal rack rates of a standard room during value season at this hotel begin at $325, you can see that those who choose to stay in this hotel are paying a premium for this hotel and all that it includes. The transportation to the parks happens to be one of those perks that people are paying for in their room rate. The same applies to all other on-site resorts. The cost of the room undoubtedly includes the cost of transportation. You can not compare eating in the resort to staying in a room, becuase the cost of a meal does not include a transportation allowance.

Nice post!!!! ITA.

 

[meandtheguys]

Do they really tow? That's impressive! We have APs this trip so it is a non-issue, please understand. I am just surprised that they tow!
Michelle

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by meandtheguys
Do they really tow? That's impressive! We have APs this trip so it is a non-issue, please understand. I am just surprised that they tow!
Michelle

From what I have heard, yes, indeed they do tow. The parking by offsite guests had become out of control and they had to do something. People who pay to stay on site should not have to search for a parking space.

 

[Minnie's Mate]

We have been staying on-site for years and going to different resorts for character breakfast (Chef Mickey's and O'hana's) and each time we are given a three hour pass...but only after they have confirmed our PS with their print-out. You can't get into the Disney resort parking lots without going through security and they seem to be more diligent since 9/11. Do they tow? I don't know because we have always left the resort after breakfast.

In regard to the Swan/Dolphin, they do not have a guard posted at the entrance to the property and they don't issue parking permits to their residing guest. We have stayed at Dolphin three times including July of this year and never received a pass that I can remember. I'm sure if it becomes a problem, they will start some control measure like the Disney owned resorts have.

I would say if you are ligitimately visiting a guest at the Swan, you would probably be ok to park there. If not, let your conscience be your guide. You are an adult and capable of deciding between right and wrong. Just don't get "POed" if you park there without getting the ok from the Swan and wind up having to pay towing fees and impound fees.

 

[HookedOnDiz]

Just to share our experience... during our trip last November, we went to the GF for an early lunch on our last day (we had been staying at AKL)... we were able to park in a lot across the street from the main GF lot. There was no attendant in the lot or any signs indicating that we could not park there. We enjoyed our lunch at GF and then hopped on the monorail for a last few hours at MK before we left to make our plane.

 

[BurleyGirl]

Here's another situation I'd like to get an opinion on:

We are staying at the Poly. Our other party is staying off-site. We will be doing all things together. We are flying in and not renting a car, but they will have their car. So, will they be able to park in the Poly lot all day w/out paying? I'm thinking probably not, but didn't know if they could get a pass based upon our being guests of the Poly and not having a car.

Also, on one evening, I was thinking of doing an early PS at WL after AK and then making it to Spectro at 7:30p. In order to make this happen, I was thinking that using their car would be quicker than relying on the WL boat to Poly (and then transfer to MK monorail). Will we be able to use their car to do this without having to pay parking? I'm thinking maybe so, since from end of dinner to end of Spectro would not be more than 3 hours

I seriously don't want to get flamed.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by BurleyGirl
Here's another situation I'd like to get an opinion on:

We are staying at the Poly. Our other party is staying off-site. We will be doing all things together. We are flying in and not renting a car, but they will have their car. So, will they be able to park in the Poly lot all day w/out paying? I'm thinking probably not, but didn't know if they could get a pass based upon our being guests of the Poly and not having a car.

Also, on one evening, I was thinking of doing an early PS at WL after AK and then making it to Spectro at 7:30p. In order to make this happen, I was thinking that using their car would be quicker than relying on the WL boat to Poly (and then transfer to MK monorail). Will we be able to use their car to do this without having to pay parking? I'm thinking maybe so, since from end of dinner to end of Spectro would not be more than 3 hours

I seriously don't want to get flamed.

I seriously don't want you to get flamed. Your situation is sort of unique and I would ask the hotel management about this.

As to the park, well, you are onsite guests, but, you would need a parking sticker, again, I would ask management about this.

 

[C.Ann]

Okay - I'm confused...

Why would anyone take a chance on getting towed and paying those HUGE fees to get their vehicle back when it only costs $7 to park for an entire day - plus you can move from park to park on the same day without paying again?? Don't most people budget in the cost of parking when they're planning their vacations??

 

[figgy4me]

I know this is the budget board, and all of us like saving money.
BUT -- I would not have ever thought about parking at DTD, resorts, or anywhere at WDW to use the transportation to the parks. DH & I have been going to WDW for 18 years. Only once at a resort and one year with an AP. Every other time we stayed off-site and we paid the parking fees every day. Now I know why we always have such a hard time finding a parking space at DTD. What a shame!

Have you found a way to do that at Universal and SeaWorld, too?

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Ah, come on, the lady specifically asked not to be flamed. I doubt she is looking for a way around anything. It is not like she said, hey, I am staying offsite, can I get away with something. I think her situation is unique.

It is not easy to try to inform people of the rules when each and every time someone pipes up with a " gee, I parked here, there were no signs" stuff. It just invites people to try to get around the system. In the case of Burley Girl, she asked a very easy to answer question, that was, FINALLY, unique. I don' t think it very nice to hammer her. We all learn by asking.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by figgy4me
I know this is the budget board, and all of us like saving money.
BUT -- I would not have ever thought about parking at DTD, resorts, or anywhere at WDW to use the transportation to the parks. DH & I have been going to WDW for 18 years. Only once at a resort and one year with an AP. Every other time we stayed off-site and we paid the parking fees every day. Now I know why we always have such a hard time finding a parking space at DTD. What a shame!

Have you found a way to do that at Universal and SeaWorld, too?

Well, happily, they have stopped DD busses to the parks. One problem eliminated.
I have found a way around paying for parking at Sea World, I bought an annual pass.
Universal, well, you could not pay me to go there.

 

[Jaynerita]

If you pay for valet parking at a resort, are you still allowed three hours to park?

 

[BethR]

Originally posted by GAIL HAYDEN
Ah, come on, the lady specifically asked not to be flamed. I doubt she is looking for a way around anything. It is not like she said, hey, I am staying offsite, can I get away with something. I think her situation is unique.

It is not easy to try to inform people of the rules when each and every time someone pipes up with a " gee, I parked here, there were no signs" stuff. It just invites people to try to get around the system. In the case of Burley Girl, she asked a very easy to answer question, that was, FINALLY, unique. I don' t think it very nice to hammer her. We all learn by asking.

How very DIS-like, Gail! Thank you!