We're Home! At Old Key West ...

[jdg345]

We just arrived at OKW this weekend! It's been a fun filled trip and so far everyone has been wonderful. The only gripe we have is Parking for the Villas near the Hospitality House. Why does everyone seem to have the need to drive from their assigned Villa Lot and take up someone else's parking space just to get to the Main Pool? Is there anything that can be done about this?

I mean, we pulled in behind 2 cars (there were two empty spaces) in the 'pod'. Those two cars took the empty spaces, passengers unloaded (all in swimwear) and just walked across the street! While we were waiting for someone to leave, another car pulled in, saw there was no parking and proceeded to park on the curb of the 'island' in the middle. They too were all in swimwear and just walked across the street. And *THEN*, after we parked and were unloading our bags, another car pulled in, waited for a spot, took it, and *THEY* went across the way to board the buses!

We need to run and pick up some groceries and the like ... when we get back, what are we supposed to do if the lot is full?

 

[Chuck S]

I think that was one of the concerns expressed by members when the slide was first announced. I wish they would post a sign near the check-in area, "Because of limited parking in the area, we request that when visiting the main pool and hospitality areas from other parts of OKW that you use resort bus transportation or walk, if possible."

 

[jdg345]

I don't think that people care though ... that's the sad part ... I think they know they shouldn't be parking here, but they do anyways. I wonder if the front desk cares?

 

[Sammie]

It could be people driving from their units up to the main pool and it could be pool hoppers, both DVC and non.

If the lot is full go to the front desk and ask where is your parking space. Only when members complain will it ever get fixed. Ask to speak to the on duty manager and I would check the dash board of these guests and see where they are actually staying. If they are not staying at a DVC resort I would really be upset.

 

[jdg345]

It could be people driving from their units up to the main pool and it could be pool hoppers, both DVC and non.

If the lot is full go to the front desk and ask where is your parking space. Only when members complain will it ever get fixed.

I just called the front desk ... they said they would have someone look into it ... Maybe WDW is different, but where I'm from, that means, "blah blah, go away, deal with it".

I would imagine that there would be enough spaces for each of the rooms, right? IOW, if there are 12 studios, there should be 12 parking spaces? At a minimum? I can even see where 2BR's and 1BR's might even have 2 cars per.

 

[Sammie]

I just called the front desk ... they said they would have someone look into it ... Maybe WDW is different, but where I'm from, that means, "blah blah, go away, deal with it".

You did not get the Front Desk, you got the Call Center. Go in person, ask to speak to the on duty Manager, be polite but firm. Even offer to walk out there with him or her and show them the problem.

 

[Mary Anne]

That is one of the main reasons we no longer request any villas near the main entrance. One trip dealing with the parking and we now specifically request some other area.

If we want to deal with parking problems we can stay at our non-DVC home in NY and fight with neighbors who like parking in front of our house not theirs

I would not only say something to the front desk, I'd also go to the Wednesday member meeting and say something there. I know we have.

 

[paults]

all cars parking in these spots should have a resort parking pass on the dash. and I can't remember but might have the building # also. Or even what resort they belong too.

If no pass then ask Manger to get cars moved so you can park. People who shouldn't be there should expect to be towed.

 

[JimMIA]

I wish they would post a sign near the check-in area, "Because of limited parking in the area, we request that when visiting the main pool and hospitality areas from other parts of OKW that you use resort bus transportation or walk, if possible."

Or maybe..."Parking for Bldgs xx, xx, xx, and xx. All others will be towed, crushed, and burned!"

 

[Olaf]

Perhaps they could spray paint the room numbers of those units on those parking places? It probably wouldn't deter the obnoxious one's, but it would make most people think twice.

 

[byoung]

all cars parking in these spots should have a resort parking pass on the dash. and I can't remember but might have the building # also. Or even what resort they belong too.

If no pass then ask Manger to get cars moved so you can park. People who shouldn't be there should expect to be towed.

I agree.

 

[canwegosoon]

Perhaps it could also be recommended at a meeting that some of these buildings have a heavier % of flyers(those using ME-60/40) over drivers, when possible...that way at least your odds will be better for finding a spot. I doubt a sign will stop this type of person.

 

[dianeschlicht]

It could be people driving from their units up to the main pool and it could be pool hoppers, both DVC and non.

If the lot is full go to the front desk and ask where is your parking space. Only when members complain will it ever get fixed. Ask to speak to the on duty manager and I would check the dash board of these guests and see where they are actually staying. If they are not staying at a DVC resort I would really be upset.

So why didn't they just take the bus from their area?

 

[dianeschlicht]

If they have an OKW parking pass, I don't think it says which building they are staying in. If they don't have an OKW pass, go to the front desk and tell them you can't park at your building because there are lots of non-OKW guests there. I doubt it will help, but it's worth a try. I would probably aproach folks myself and ask what unit they were in. I'm not shy that way.

 

[spiceycat]

even before the slide - I didn't like this area. It is too busy. cars coming and going all the time.

when we stayed there and tried to walk across the street to the pool - it took us 15 minutes - non-stop traffic....

I have stayed in 11 and 14 - and unless I am with younger people - if they ever put me there again I will ask for other villa.

I just wish the snack shop at Turtle pond had better hours...

 

[Donna]

Well, you could always drag out a dining chair from your villa and SAVE your space when you leave, if DVC doesn't seem to want to help you!
Maybe THEN, management would listen!!!

 

[paults]

see that's why they shouldn't allow you to bring your cars to Disney it just causes more problems. They should just rent golfcarts to us , that way we can more then triple the parking spots

 

[jdg345]

So why didn't they just take the bus from their area?

I guess it was easier for them to do it this way since the stop at the HH is the 'last one' before heading to the final destination ... or maybe they were a ltitle further from the bus stop? Dunno.

It's really quite sad ... we checked and most of the folks had permits for OKW, only one car did not. But even then, just because they had an OKW permit doesn't mean they were authorized for that bldg. I wonder why they don't include Building Numbers on the Permits?

 

[jdg345]

If they have an OKW parking pass, I don't think it says which building they are staying in. If they don't have an OKW pass, go to the front desk and tell them you can't park at your building because there are lots of non-OKW guests there. I doubt it will help, but it's worth a try. I would probably aproach folks myself and ask what unit they were in. I'm not shy that way.

I actually did that! As I arrived at the villa and parked, someone looking for parking asked if I was leaving. I apologized and said sorry that I had just arrived myself. I then proceeded to inform them that the reason for the parking problem appeared to be individuals parking in our lot for the purposes of an easier walk to the Pool or Olivia's. They responded with a "Yah, yah, okay" that I thought was rather odd. A few moments later, I realized why I received the response I did ... they found a spot, hopped out in their bathing suits, and crossed the street. Silly me ... I had assumed they were staying there and were looking for parking. I checked and they had an OKW pass ... guess they were staying further away.

*sigh*

 

[jdg345]

even before the slide - I didn't like this area. It is too busy. cars coming and going all the time.

when we stayed there and tried to walk across the street to the pool - it took us 15 minutes - non-stop traffic....

I have stayed in 11 and 14 - and unless I am with younger people - if they ever put me there again I will ask for other villa.

I just wish the snack shop at Turtle pond had better hours...

We were in Building 14, I really liked the location ... there was traffic, but it wasn't too bad getting across the street, and we had little ones with us that don't walk very quickly. The proximity to the store, Olivias, the Pool ... everything ... was just great ... and the fact that the bus stop was literally across the street and a direct run to our destination wasn't terrible either.

The only down side was that the ride back from the park was the last stop ... but ... I can't say I minded the extra few minutes of air conditioned rest.