The Parking Issue

[imthatgirl]

Use Disney Transporation. So much easier!

Not easier at all. this past vacation was the first time we used the bus system, never again!! The boats and monorails are great. I won't step foot on a bus ever again!

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

EXACTLY - It amazes me the amount of people who stay on-site who drive themselves to the resorts and parks.

Time it takes me to drive myself to a park

Leave my room at CSR and walk to car in the parking lot: 5 minutes
Drive to Epcot: 7 minutes
Walk to Epcot Entrance: 3 minutes

TOTAL time: 15 minutes

Time it takes to use Disney Transportation to get to a park

Leave my room at CSR and walk to Bus Stop: 7 minutes
Wait at Bus Stop: 0-20 minutes
Bus leaves my stop, and stops at 2 more stops before leaving resort: 10 minutes
Bus drives to Epcot: 7 minutes
Walk to Epcot Entrance: 1 minute

TOTAL time: 25-45 minutes

Not easier at all. this past vacation was the first time we used the bus system, never again!! The boats and monorails are great. I won't step foot on a bus ever again!

ITA (see above lol)

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Not easier at all. this past vacation was the first time we used the bus system, never again!! The boats and monorails are great. I won't step foot on a bus ever again!

There is nothing worse than waiting for the 4th bus to finally get on at the end of the night when you are exiting the magic kingdom. Then again, it can be just as hard getting onto the monorail at the end of the night too If I am going to to the MK, & staying onsite, sometimes I drive, sometimes I use the bus, but for all the other parks, I take my own car. I am not going to stand online, then wait 40 minutes at the end of the night to get standing room only. nope.. I agree with you.. it is not easier, but to each it's own
and when going to the resorts to eat, you have to take a bus to a park, then transfer to another bus.. no way in the world is that easier.. and no pun intended either.. in "world"

 

[morethananyonex]

i love your son.

focus!!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Time it takes me to drive myself to a park

Leave my room at CSR and walk to car in the parking lot: 5 minutes
Drive to Epcot: 7 minutes
Walk to Epcot Entrance: 3 minutes

TOTAL time: 15 minutes

Time it takes to use Disney Transportation to get to a park

Leave my room at CSR and walk to Bus Stop: 7 minutes
Wait at Bus Stop: 0-20 minutes
Bus leaves my stop, and stops at 2 more stops before leaving resort: 10 minutes
Bus drives to Epcot: 7 minutes
Walk to Epcot Entrance: 1 minute

TOTAL time: 25-45 minutes



ITA (see above lol)

You forgot to do your time to get back to your room when the park closes... how many buses go by before you can get onto one? OR do you have to leave before the "crowds" do so you "avoid" this..

now get me to AKL, or to the GF to eat dinner by taking the bus????? not easier at all.

Or did I just post this to the wrong person...????

 

[TinkerBelle_325]

You forgot to do your time to get back to your room when the park closes... how many buses go by before you can get onto one? OR do you have to leave before the "crowds" do so you "avoid" this..

now get me to AKL, or to the GF to eat dinner by taking the bus????? not easier at all.

Or did I just post this to the wrong person...????

LOL very true! I did one trip without a rental and it nearly killed me. We braved the buses for the first day and then it was taxis lol.

 

[imthatgirl]

There is nothing worse than waiting for the 4th bus to finally get on at the end of the night when you are exiting the magic kingdom. Then again, it can be just as hard getting onto the monorail at the end of the night too If I am going to to the MK, & staying onsite, sometimes I drive, sometimes I use the bus, but for all the other parks, I take my own car. I am not going to stand online, then wait 40 minutes at the end of the night to get standing room only. nope.. I agree with you.. it is not easier, but to each it's own
and when going to the resorts to eat, you have to take a bus to a park, then transfer to another bus.. no way in the world is that easier.. and no pun intended either.. in "world"

We've decided we'll stay at a MK resort from now on. We stayed at Wilderness Lodge this time and found it so easy to get back to the resort at the end of a MK night. Other then that you're right there is no easy way out. But I would still rather use the monorail out then stand on a bus, it just moves more people quicker. Same with the boat. It's just quicker then waiting in line to finally get a bus.

 

[stargazertechie]

I know, right??????

I just got it up to $58,501.38

14 nights, 8 adults dates 9/2 -9/16 GF Outer Building CL 2 BR.
10 day hoppers wpf&m no exp
platinum dining with wine add-on

so that's the number to beat, if anyone else is playing.

I came so close- I was at $58,200.00 give or take at AKL with the same options over the two weeks Christmas to New Years (Week before christmas---- New Years Day).

I bet if there was availability at GF, I could have topped it!

 

[goofy4tink]

I am trying to understand this as I have never heard of it anywhere but the DIS. So if I am going over to the CR for dinner and drinks. When I pull into the lot etiquette would dictate that I find the spot furthest from the resort as I am not a paying guest? I'm just curious of people do this in "real life." If you only need a gallon of milk do you park far away to save spots for those doing normal shopping?

Maybe we have been rude all these years.

That's what I thought! But that is exactly what other posters with high post counts were telling us "newbies" to do. And it was presented in a this is known etiquette for parking.

I am not going to comment on how much anyone spends on a vacation. Why? Because it has no bearing on parking. You get what you pay for...as far as resort amenities and such. Parking is the same for all the resort guests. Unless you pay to valet park, it is a level playing field.

BUT...here's where that so called 'etiquette' comes in. Parking at resorts is not provided for park access. There is signage at times that states this. You will see this signage at the monorail resorts during busy times of year. You will see it at the Epcot resorts during Flower and Garden time as well as during Food and Wine....especially during Food and Wine Festival. Why? Because people like to park at these resorts for easy access to the special stuff that is going on in that particular park. Or, as is the case with BW, people head there late afternoon and park so as to eat dinner and watch IllumiNations and then drive away. I have seen the massive numbers of cars leaving the BW guest parking area 15-30 mins after IllumiNations.

So...the issue isn't if you are eating or shopping at a resort and want to park there. That's no problem. It is only a problem when you park there for the entire day and head to a park. Those that are staying there, and usually are paying a lot of money to do so just to get that park access, tend to get nudgy when they can't find a close parking spot and have to park in the nether regions of the parking lots. Only to find an empty lot early in the morning. I have been on my balcony at BLT and watched the people getting into their cars after the fireworks show at MK. It amazed me to see how many non-BLT guests were parking there.

So, this is where you probably saw the whole 'park further away' etiquette come up. A lot of us said that if you were going to head to the CR, for instance, and self park your car there for the day at MK, be considerate and park a bit further away so as to leave the 'better' parking spots for those who have paid to stay there.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I came so close- I was at $58,200.00 give or take at AKL with the same options over the two weeks Christmas to New Years (Week before christmas---- New Years Day).

I bet if there was availability at GF, I could have topped it!

now that it is proven you can spend $30k on a vacation in the world, are we going to get to park in the bus lane only since we can top maybe $60K I mean come on now.. if I spent that much, doesn't that entitle me to my own bus lane to leave my car in?

Why should I have to park my car where Tite Waud is going to park his. We would be going to the same resort to have dinner at. Neither of us is staying at that resort. I am at (say) AKL and Tite is at Motel 6 on 192, but we are both going to Chef Mickey to eat???? Why do I have to park where he does??? Get the drift of OP's point now...

 

[Balt ravens fan]

How did this become a thread about buses vs parking - but since it did - I totally agree - driving is so much better than the bus! I only do Disney with a car now. And since I would have a car if I was onsite or offiste, I usually stay offiste to save on the ridiculous hotel rates Disney offers.

And someone posted they don't do laundry on vacation, I could not disagree more - I love coming home with all my laundry done, and I love being able to wash clothes throughout my vacation - saves me from over packing. How hard is it to do laundry? You throw it in, then come back later and throw it in the laundry. Same with dishes.

Don't knock having a washer and dryer and dish washer until you try it!

 

[A Mickeyfan]

So, this is where you probably saw the whole 'park further away' etiquette come up. A lot of us said that if you were going to head to the CR, for instance, and self park your car there for the day at MK, be considerate and park a bit further away so as to leave the 'better' parking spots for those who have paid to stay there.

but is that really etiquette or just down right wrong.. you are not suppose to park your car there for the day so it is easier for you when you do go there to eat later in the day, or leave it there after your breakfast. The parking is for while you are dining there, not for before or after.. so there is no "park further away" etiquette for that really.. is there? That is promoting parking illegally as long as you park far enough away.

 

[tony609]

I get that home feeling at home, I'd rather be spoiled on vacation, especially if I had the dollars to support it. I don't see not buying a condo or DVC as weird, they're very different from spending the money on CL suites. Don't think its comparable at all or reason to question the OP (assuming they're being honest).

I have stayed CL, didn't care for it, for the $$ spent. Thought it was a BIG waste of $$. If I had the $$ I wouldn't be doing my own laundry either in a condo. Different people like different things.

 

[Ramsfan28]

I'm not a big fan of others driving my baby. I have some valets take a few joy rides. Also it doesn't kill us to walk.

I have three words for you -

Stretch limo service.

 

[mom2rtk]

And someone posted they don't do laundry on vacation, I could not disagree more - I love coming home with all my laundry done, and I love being able to wash clothes throughout my vacation - saves me from over packing. How hard is it to do laundry? You throw it in, then come back later and throw it in the laundry. Same with dishes.

Don't knock having a washer and dryer and dish washer until you try it!

Not on a BET!

Part of the nice part of being on vacation is not being responsible for laundry and cleaning for a family of 5!

 

[DisneyFanUntilDeath]

I am not going to comment on how much anyone spends on a vacation. Why? Because it has no bearing on parking. You get what you pay for...as far as resort amenities and such. Parking is the same for all the resort guests. Unless you pay to valet park, it is a level playing field.

BUT...here's where that so called 'etiquette' comes in. Parking at resorts is not provided for park access. There is signage at times that states this. You will see this signage at the monorail resorts during busy times of year. You will see it at the Epcot resorts during Flower and Garden time as well as during Food and Wine....especially during Food and Wine Festival. Why? Because people like to park at these resorts for easy access to the special stuff that is going on in that particular park. Or, as is the case with BW, people head there late afternoon and park so as to eat dinner and watch IllumiNations and then drive away. I have seen the massive numbers of cars leaving the BW guest parking area 15-30 mins after IllumiNations.

So...the issue isn't if you are eating or shopping at a resort and want to park there. That's no problem. It is only a problem when you park there for the entire day and head to a park. Those that are staying there, and usually are paying a lot of money to do so just to get that park access, tend to get nudgy when they can't find a close parking spot and have to park in the nether regions of the parking lots. Only to find an empty lot early in the morning. I have been on my balcony at BLT and watched the people getting into their cars after the fireworks show at MK. It amazed me to see how many non-BLT guests were parking there.

So, this is where you probably saw the whole 'park further away' etiquette come up. A lot of us said that if you were going to head to the CR, for instance, and self park your car there for the day at MK, be considerate and park a bit further away so as to leave the 'better' parking spots for those who have paid to stay there.

I just want to make sure I understand your logic. I am staying at GF, so paying for parking is a null point. I am not going to any theme park and am visiting the hotel for an ADR. Let's say CR. When I pull into the CR lot since I am not staying there I should look for a spot further away? Because I am not staying there?

 

[KimK2006]

Why should I have to park my car where Tite Waud is going to park his. We would be going to the same resort to have dinner at. Neither of us is staying at that resort. I am at (say) AKL and Tite is at Motel 6 on 192, but we are both going to Chef Mickey to eat???? Why do I have to park where he does??? Get the drift of OP's point now...

I have read all of these pages and was confused with the point of the post. So, I am glad the above helped me out! I guess the posting the price of the trip and Nordstrom confused me. Didn't know what either had to do with parking. Realizing neither did, but OP wanted us to know he/she had a lot of money. Good for you!

 

[DisneyFanUntilDeath]

I have read all of these pages and was confused with the point of the post. So, I am glad the above helped me out! I guess the posting the price of the trip and Nordstrom confused me. Didn't know what either had to do with parking. Realizing neither did, but OP wanted us to know he/she had a lot of money. Good for you!

Um not the point. The point was that I should park further away because I am not a guest of the hotel and other guests have paid "big bucks" to stay there. It was to point out that even though I may not be staying at the WL I am still most likely spending 25k more than the average guest. So big bucks is a relative term.

 

[imthatgirl]

I just want to make sure I understand your logic. I am staying at GF, so paying for parking is a null point. I am not going to any theme park and am visiting the hotel for an ADR. Let's say CR. When I pull into the CR lot since I am not staying there I should look for a spot further away? Because I am not staying there?

Did you even read what goofy4tink wrote? Because the issue of parking at a resort to eat was addressed...and I think all that was said was "thats no problem".

 

[tony609]

How did this become a thread about buses vs parking - but since it did - I totally agree - driving is so much better than the bus! I only do Disney with a car now. And since I would have a car if I was onsite or offiste, I usually stay offiste to save on the ridiculous hotel rates Disney offers.

And someone posted they don't do laundry on vacation, I could not disagree more - I love coming home with all my laundry done, and I love being able to wash clothes throughout my vacation - saves me from over packing. How hard is it to do laundry? You throw it in, then come back later and throw it in the laundry. Same with dishes.

Don't knock having a washer and dryer and dish washer until you try it!

I do HATE coming home and spending 5 hrs doing laundry and thats just for 2 people and a weeks worth of clothes.......