Por parking for DTD?

[Sophie_2003]

hello,

Since DTD seems to be a big mess, we are staying offsite, is it possible to park at POR and take a boat to DTD? I really don't mind paying, just looking for hassle free...plus I loved our stays at POR, would be nice to visit the old place!

 

[PrincesCJM]

We did this in April but with one difference - we were staying on-site. I was prepared with a story that we were going to visit friends who were staying there (I really did know someone who was staying there) but we weren't questioned other than asking for an ID.

 

[cluvsdisney]

No, resort parking lots are for guests of the resort or people visiting/eating at the resort.

 

[POOHsie]

Tell the gate guard you are having a meal at the food court. Should be no problem with be allowed in.

 

[goofy4tink]

My ds and his wife drove over from Tampa to have dinner with us when we were at POR last year. We took the boat to DTD. He asked me where he should park. I gave him directions to our building, then had him park in the far reaches of the lot. Because this isn't a huge issue at the resort, I don't have a huge issue with telling someone they can leave their car there. I routinely stay at BWV and BLT, where non-resort guests park for access to the parks....these lots aren't the largest, and these folks can tend to take up spots closer to the buildings...which takes away spots for those of us staying there. I have always said that if you want to park at a resort you aren't staying at, even for park access (if the guard says it's okay), it shouldn't be an issue if you take a spot that is further removed...you know, a not so convenient spot.

The values and moderate resorts tend to not have an issue with people parking there for park access. Now, if the time comes that Disney charges for parking in DTD? You may see parking at POR and POFQ become an issue.

 

[Traveliz]

DTD is a mess...I will give you that but honestly I have had no problems at all parking in the parking garage. Sometimes there is a line but still...one time at POR (when I was staying there so nobody get their panties in a wad) our group had to wait three boats (over 45 minutes) to get a boat downtown and then the boats were down (rain) when we wanted to leave so we had to take a bus back. As much of a hassle as the road is around DTD the longest it has ever taken me to park was 20 minutes (last Sunday night I was a crawl from the Village to the Deck) but once there no problem.

Liz

 

[wdw4rfam]

We did this last year and it backfired on us big time. We drove over from CSR and parked at POR and ate in the food court because we got sick of the food at our resort. We thought we'd take the boat to DTD, which was great. But it started raining and they shut down the boats for the rest of the night. Then of course there were 2 CSR buses and still no POR bus. So it ended up taking forever to get a POR bus to get back to our car. My DD and DS took the CSR back to our resort, and we waited for a POR bus to get our car, and they beat us by over an hour.

 

[HopperFan]

DTD is a mess...I will give you that but honestly I have had no problems at all parking in the parking garage. Sometimes there is a line but still...one time at POR (when I was staying there so nobody get their panties in a wad) our group had to wait three boats (over 45 minutes) to get a boat downtown and then the boats were down (rain) when we wanted to leave so we had to take a bus back. As much of a hassle as the road is around DTD the longest it has ever taken me to park was 20 minutes (last Sunday night I was a crawl from the Village to the Deck) but once there no problem.

Liz

Had this same experience. Very frustrating to have long line - would have been made worse if I found out they were not Disney guests. And I've had the boat be stopped midstream due to rain, had to get off at another resort and get back to ours via land = we were soaked.

Also agree the parking garage has made things much better down there. Even found last trip the road was not as jammed up either.

 

[goofy4tink]

I truly don't think that very many non-POR guests park there for boat access, so I wouldn't think any long lines for the boats were because of that. I know that when we stayed there, we had to wait for the second boat to come and barely made it onto that boat!! Just depends on the time of day.
And yes, weather sure can change things around. We were eating dinner at OKW once, Olivia's. We took the bus from BWV to DTD, then planned on taking the boat over to OKW. Yes, I completely forgot about the the dock being closed by the Marketplace bus stop, so had to walk all the way over to the far end..by DQ. Got there, and what happens? No boats. The water is too rough. I was really shocked...hardly a wave to be seen. But, perhaps they saw some weather coming in and didn't want to have any boats out when it hit! But, that meant a long walk to the OKW bus stop....where it took 40 mins for the bus to come. We barely made it on-time for dinner. And people ask why I leave so much 'wiggle room' in my times.

 

[Sue M]

From what I've heard the new parking garage has made parking a lot better. Another thought is to park at SSR then you can walk over.

 

[bumbershoot]

I would just park at DTD. Head to the parking garage and give yourself time, just in case getting to the stage takes a little time.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you are coming from the DTD Hotels, you can turn right into the DTD parking. BUT, if you are coming from World Drive/Buena Vista Drive (like from CBR, DHS, etc), you have to park across the street at Disney Casting Center. There isn't any way to cross the road with the road construction.

 

[Traveliz]

Last weekend the barriers were down and you could turn left into the garage. Actually I know this was true as recently as Tuesday.

Liz

 

[Deb & Bill]

Last weekend the barriers were down and you could turn left into the garage. Actually I know this was true as recently as Tuesday.

Liz

Ah, good to know. We were there just over a week ago and the barriers were still up.

 

[Traveliz]

Yes they were up just days before but this appears to be a new normal. So makes it a bit easier.

Liz