Riding the Monorail

[kaytieeldr]

which is why I mentioned free parking being associated with dining, which for some strange reason people took issue with

"Included" and "associated" are not synonymous.

This was posted specifically because people have been arguing that they will not be able to park there even with an ADR

Posters have been stating (not arguing) that the OP (and others) may not (not will not) be able to... Similar to my first response, "will" and "may" are not synonymous.

In the meantime the only argument I'm trying to make is that it would be dumb to throw in the towel and pay to park elsewhere because you are afraid that a lot you are given free parking to may be too crowded.

Being prepared for a variety of conditions is sensible.

 

[Ben E N]

"Included" and "associated" are not synonymous.

Posters have been stating (not arguing) that the OP (and others) may not (not will not) be able to... Similar to my first response, "will" and "may" are not synonymous.

Being prepared for a variety of conditions is sensible.

While I agree that "included" may not be the best word, I cannot come up with a single word that would describe it better. I gave "associated" a shot, but don't like that either. The best simple definition I can come up with is "Is offered alongside" ADR's, which I guess would lean closest to "included".

I have absolutely no issue with people having differing opinions. That's the point of this board. I absolutely see the advantage of just paying for parking, as then there is no need to watch the clock on a very busy day. The issue I took is that people were trying to claim that my viewpoint was factually incorrect, not that it was impractical. Odds are strong that the OP could park at the Poly lot for free, even with it being busy. As was stated in a previous post, they hold spots for ADRs. Despite my pointing that out, I was responded to with posts such as "you're wrong", with nothing to support that stance. Even worse, I was told I was giving the OP incorrect and misleading information, with nothing supporting those claims.

Once again, I am completely comfortable with people questioning what I am saying, as perhaps what is clear in my mind is not communicated clearly in writing at times. I also fine with people picking my arguments apart, especially when there is some sort of evidence to support it. I took issue with the stonewalling of a perfectly legitimate point, though. I wish this thread had turned more to "I wouldn't recommend he park there" instead of "he's not allowed to park there", as one is open to discussion while the other is a statement of unsupported fact.

 

[maxiesmom]

Now I'm curious as to how they could "hold spots for ADRs". Especially during a time of year known to be busy, known to have resorts that are sold out or close to it.

Kind of wondering about how many parking spots there are, how many guests of that resort typically use them, and how many would be left over for any potential ADR guests. And if they do indeed have spots left over for ADR guests, how many? Enough to accommodate the resort guests and all ADR guests with no problem?

 

[Ben E N]

Now I'm curious as to how they could "hold spots for ADRs". Especially during a time of year known to be busy, known to have resorts that are sold out or close to it.

Kind of wondering about how many parking spots there are, how many guests of that resort typically use them, and how many would be left over for any potential ADR guests. And if they do indeed have spots left over for ADR guests, how many? Enough to accommodate the resort guests and all ADR guests with no problem?

I'm curious about that one as well. I based my comment on the information that goofy4tink shared. On the flip side of that, if the whole lot were to fill up, what would they do with the people that had ADRs and no way to get to their reservation? I made up that they would park them elsewhere, but that's admittingly just random speculation, as I have never heard of anyone being turned away.

 

[goofy4tink]

I strongly assume that dining on NYE at O'Hana, the OP has an ADR. You are correct about needing one, though, which is why I mentioned free parking being associated with dining, which for some strange reason people took issue with. The reason I recommended showing up early was in case the lot was full regardless and the OP needed to make backup plans and still make the ADR on time. This was posted specifically because people have been arguing that they will not be able to park there even with an ADR. If there is any confirmation out there that they will save spots for ADR people, I'm sure that would help end this discussion.
In the meantime the only argument I'm trying to make is that it would be dumb to throw in the towel and pay to park elsewhere because you are afraid that a lot you are given free parking to may be too crowded.

As for the ethics of hanging around and riding the monorail after, that's completely fair to bring up for discussion. I know the monorail loop takes 20 or so minutes just to loop around, and that is not including stopping at each resort, looking around, going back through security and then waiting for a new monorail to show up. Adding that to a dining reservation would easily bump the time the car is in the spot to close to three hours, if not over. It would be a shame if someone else couldn't park for their ADR because another is taking too long with theirs.
A more "fair" alternative may be to just walk over to the the Grand Floridian to take a look, then walking back. Others can feel free to take issue with that, as it is leaving the resort, even if just for a short time.

We take issue with it because parking has always been free to guests at the resorts. It is a recent change that those staying at the resort have to pay to park. So, if someone is driving over and has an ADR, of course they are getting free parking. I'm not sure who has said that guests will not be able to park there even if they have an ADR. Yes, it could happen, but it surely doesn't happen often.

I'm curious about that one as well. I based my comment on the information that goofy4tink shared. On the flip side of that, if the whole lot were to fill up, what would they do with the people that had ADRs and no way to get to their reservation? I made up that they would park them elsewhere, but that's admittingly just random speculation, as I have never heard of anyone being turned away.

Not sure what I said that makes you say this. There is usually plenty of parking for those staying at the resort as well as those with ADRs.

So, bottom line is...if you have an ADR, you will be able to park at the resort, unless there is some unforeseen issue. During extremely busy times of year (NYE, Christmas, July 4, for instance) you will have to have an ADR to be allowed into the resort lots. At other times, you may very well be able to park in the lots even if you don't have an ADR. As far as a time limit goes, there really aren't time limits anymore, at least none that are enforced. Now, that could change for these crazy busy days.

 

[Ben E N]

We take issue with it because parking has always been free to guests at the resorts. It is a recent change that those staying at the resort have to pay to park. So, if someone is driving over and has an ADR, of course they are getting free parking. I'm not sure who has said that guests will not be able to park there even if they have an ADR. Yes, it could happen, but it surely doesn't happen often.


Not sure what I said that makes you say this. There is usually plenty of parking for those staying at the resort as well as those with ADRs.

So, bottom line is...if you have an ADR, you will be able to park at the resort, unless there is some unforeseen issue. During extremely busy times of year (NYE, Christmas, July 4, for instance) you will have to have an ADR to be allowed into the resort lots. At other times, you may very well be able to park in the lots even if you don't have an ADR. As far as a time limit goes, there really aren't time limits anymore, at least none that are enforced. Now, that could change for these crazy busy days.

Thanks for taking the time to post this. I am still trying to work through how the whole zany discussion about "can/cannot" began. I think part of it may have been that people meant you could stay in the lot all day if you are parking for a meal, which we know to not be true. The "included" free parking is meant for the meal time, and perhaps a little time extra to browse the grounds (and hopefully shop, or so Disney wants). To me, I could see walking over to GF to view their gingerbread house as being more or less the same thing, as GF and Poly are about as far apart as parts of Jambo and Kidani, and they are in the same resort, and are certainly closer together than some buildings in more spread out resorts.

As for visiting other resorts on the loop, I can understand why people recommend the OP pay to park. Like you said, a time limit is not strictly enforced that we know of, but every car that is sitting in the lot takes the place of another potential parker.

Something I do not have a ton of experience with, having only taken the busses to the parks during the holidays, is how nasty busy the monorail will most likely be that day. If I remember correctly, MK reached full capacity by about noon last NYE, meaning there were thousands of people riding the monorail from the TTC to get there, and then thousands more who were turned away right around the time that the OP's breakfast would be wrapping up. Based on my experiences riding the monorail during regular crowds, I am willing to bet it is more similar to commuter trains in Tokyo than they are to a theme park ride on the busiest of days. Perhaps someone else can chime in on that experience.