Sticky parking situation

[jmcalister]

Dear fellow DISers,

We are going to be "in the World" next week and have some relatives that would like to visit us one morning. We have a reservation at one of the resorts one morning. We are planning to eat breakfast at one resort and then tour several more with them while we visit. If they just get a parking pass for the meal, I'm afraid we won't have enough time. Should they park at Downtown Disney and take the first bus to the resort, or park at the TTC, or at the resort itself? Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[RobInBigKC]

Are you only touring the monorail resorts? If not, how are you planning on getting from resort to resort while you're touring? If you're planning on using Downtown Disney as a hub between each resort, that will require quite a bit of time and you might want to ride along in their cars from one resort to another.

-- Rob

 

[fla4fun]

OK, here's how I'm understanding the OP. The OP is staying on property and is having off property guests meet them, to visit, dine, and tour the resorts. The easiest way to tour the resorts is by car, so why not use their car for touring purposes. You can always offer a little toward the gasoline bill if it makes you feel better. You will probably just need to park once for the monorail resorts (it's easiest at the Poly), and once for the Epcot Resorts, and then drive individually to the others. If you are using their car, then you won't be staying in any one place longer than the parking pass allows, so there shouldn't be an issue.

 

[DaisyD]

You will only be given a 3 hour pass at the Poly whether you are staying onsite or not. Your best bet and really only option is for everyone to park at the TTC and then take the monorail around to all the resorts and have breakfast.

 

[disnut8]

It would help to know which resort you are staying at.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Rules, regulations and parking passes aside, which resort you are talking about (and which resorts you want to tour from there) makes a big difference. Elaborate and someone might be able to provide you a practical suggestion as to what might actually happen if you do this or that, all while attempting to stay as close to within the rules as possible .

 

[karibritt01]

My family came to the resort we were staying at, and told the guard they were visiting us. The guard looked us up, directed them to our building/lot, where they parked all day. They rode the bus with us for the resorts and to MK for Mickey's Halloween Party. They never had a problem.

 

[RobInBigKC]

They rode the bus with us for the resorts... They never had a problem.

Except for there isn't direct resort-to-resort transporation excluding the resorts that are connected by monorail. To get from one resort to another, you'd have to go through some type of hub (Downtown Disney, one of the theme parks, the TTC) and do a switch there. That is why people are asking for specifics so they can help the OP in more detail.

-- Rob

 

[fla4fun]

Do you really think it would take more than three hours to see the decorations at the three monorail resorts? I don't think so. The OP just said they would be having breakfast together, not that they would have breakfast as part of the tour. They could be having breakfast at the resort they are staying in. The only reason I said the Poly is the easiest is that self parking for GF is across the street and a long walk from the resort, and the CR is very strict because of the proximity to the MK. I would think it shouldn't take more than 45 minutes max (and I usually can do it in 30 minutes) to see the decorations at each resort. If they want to dine at a resort other than the one they are staying in, perhaps they could make it one of the resorts like AKL or WL, where you would have to drive to that specific resort and park to see it. It's not against the rules to park at a resort under normal circumstances - it's against the rules to stay longer than allowed.

 

[DisneyKidds]

Too much to speculate on so I'll wait to see where the OP is actually staying, where they plan to eat, and what they want to see. Easier to provide a recommendation once we know that.

That said, assuming they are going to meet at a monorail resort, and they get saddled with a 3 hour pass (something they didn't give me at the GF a couple of weeks ago), and the 3 hour pass, if provided, is enforced.......3 hours isn't that big a window. Arrive and get pass, park car, check in at restaurant, get table and actually eat......that is likely to take an hour and a half. I can't imagine stopping and touring the GF, Poly or CR without spending at least a half hour in each one, most likely more time. Add monorail riding and waiting time and you will most likely take more than three hours. And that is if you rush.

Bottom line is there is probably little need to worry and fret, or judge, unless they intend to use a monorail resort as a parking place for going to the parks, which it seems they don't. WDW and the resorts are there to be seen, and I've never seen a car towed at one of the resorts because they went over the 3 hour limit on a pass, if they even are given one. Not saying one shouldn't follow the rules, but taking four hours to tour the area (and spend your money) when you only have a 3 hour pass is not an egregious violation, and not one that is likely to have any consequences.

 

[jmcalister]

Thanks for all the replies. We are going to be staying at the Contemporary. The plan is to eat at the Poly, walk around a little bit, tour the GF, and maybe hangout at Contemporary and/or WL. We are not strictly touring, the slow pace is to give us adequate time to visit with our relatives. I was thinking maybe they can arrive at Downtown Disney before 9 am and catch the first bus to the Poly. Does this sound good? Any other suggestions? Thanks for your helpfulness.

jmcalister

 

[Deb & Bill]

Parking at DTD is for shoppers at DTD, not to go to the resorts or theme parks. Do you have a car yourself? If not, you could get a parking pass for them and maybe have them pick it up from the guard shack. Or you could meet them with the pass.

Or they could park at the TTC.

 

[Sammie]

During the holidays due to crowds, the monorail resorts are much stricker with parking in the resort lots and they do tow.

I would suggest they park at the TTC, and monorail or walk over to Polynesian to meet you for breakfast and then you will have no concerns over the time limit and no fear of them being towed.

 

[mickaholic4077]

If you are eating at the Poly,have them valet park and it won't matter how long you guys take to go around the monorail resorts. Just make sure the reservation is in your relative's name.

 

[fla4fun]

If you are staying at CR, their best bet would be to park at the TTC and meet you at the Poly for breakfast. CR is very strict about non-guest parking, and if they will be visiting with you at your own resort for a while after touring the other resorts, then parking at another monorail resort won't work because of the time limits. Less stress all the way around if they're in regular parking.

Have a great time!

 

[mickaholic4077]

If you valet park,there are no time restrictions,so as long as they are going to be dining at the Poly,they can valet park there and leave their car for as long as they want.

 

[cherylclt]

This is very simple. Have them VALET park at the CR. They can tell the guard they are visiting someone who is a registered guest. It will cost them $7 to Valet and they can spend the entire day with you with no worries. From the CR you can take the monorail to the POLY and the GF and then do whatever else it is you want to do for the day. There is no time limit when you Valet park and the Valet parkers will tell you just that.

 

[Lucky4me]

This is very simple. Have them VALET park at the CR. They can tell the guard they are visiting someone who is a registered guest. It will cost them $7 to Valet and they can spend the entire day with you with no worries. From the CR you can take the monorail to the POLY and the GF and then do whatever else it is you want to do for the day. There is no time limit when you Valet park and the Valet parkers will tell you just that.

Ding ding ding! We have winner! This is the correct answer to the question.

 

[cherylclt]

Ding ding ding! We have winner! This is the correct answer to the question.

Do I win a prize?

 

[The Sweetness]

If your friends are meeting you at a resort that has valet, let them use that. It is REALLY worth the convenience, IMO