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

[jdg345]

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!!!

:lol: Funny you mention that ... there was a Disney Wheel Chair out in the parking lot the whole week ... and it seemed to migrate from place to place. I wonder if that was someone's intention? If it was, it didn't work ... it was too easy to move and always seemed to be pinned up on a curb, in the grass, or leaned up against the bushes.

 

[jdg345]

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

Now that would be cool!

We stayed at FW in the past and found tht the Golf Carts are invaluable. The place is just too massive otherwise.

 

[vonpluto]

Another problem is for those of use that drive to WDW. We usually arrive at OKW around noon, and I can't remember the last time I didn't have to make a few circuits of the HH lot.
Last time down, at SSR, we just pulled in and parked. No problem.

 

[DBBN]

I'm sorry to hear you had difficulty parking near your villa.

This has been a problem for quite some time - even before the new water slide was added. I've always thought a foot bridge over Trumbo Canal from Peninsular Road, near building 28 to the volley ball court area would contribute to reducing the problem by encouraging more guests to walk rather than drive to the main pool. It's either that or add more parking spaces because I doubt we'll see any kind of enforcement or see a change in behavior from guests who want to use the feature pool.

 

[jdg345]

Another problem is for those of use that drive to WDW. We usually arrive at OKW around noon, and I can't remember the last time I didn't have to make a few circuits of the HH lot.
Last time down, at SSR, we just pulled in and parked. No problem.

Yup ... SSR is defintely more 'empty' ... we arrived pretty early in the morning and got our room quickly. The other members of our traveling party didn't arrive until early afternoon and wound up not getting their room until after 5pm. In fact, there were some rumors about OKW being over-booked ... I thought this was impossible due to the 2% holdback ?

 

[jdg345]

I'm sorry to hear you had difficulty parking near your villa.

This has been a problem for quite some time - even before the new water slide was added. I've always thought a foot bridge over Trumbo Canal from Peninsular Road, near building 28 to the volley ball court area would contribute to reducing the problem by encouraging more guests to walk rather than drive to the main pool. It's either that or add more parking spaces because I doubt we'll see any kind of enforcement or see a change in behavior from guests who want to use the feature pool.

That's a great idea ... have you submitted it to Member Services? It's unfortunate that we simply cant rely on people to do the right thing.

It just simply amazed me to walk outside everyday to a packed lot by 11am which was only half full by the time dusk came around.

 

[Ziggy]

I'm a bit worried now, I 'm staying there in a few weeks time and have requested these villas as DD has mobility problems. Do people take the disabled parking spaces too? - if so this is going to make things really difficult for us

 

[DBBN]

That's a great idea ... have you submitted it to Member Services?

Yes, years ago it was sent to the GM of DVC. I never did get a reply or even an acknowledgement of receipt. In all fairness it really is impossible to tell how much it would help, if at all and I would think the cost would be prohibitive. The expense associated with such an improvement might have to be paid by OKW owners through their dues and that would be fine with me even though all our points are at OKW. Yet I'm certain it wouldn't make things any worse than they already are.

 

[jdg345]

I'm a bit worried now, I 'm staying there in a few weeks time and have requested these villas as DD has mobility problems. Do people take the disabled parking spaces too? - if so this is going to make things really difficult for us

In Building 14, I think there was only one Blue Space. Building 13 might have had a few more, but I didn't venture that far. The space at Building 14 was occupied on and off ... it did have a permit, but I'm not sure if they were staying in the building as the vehicle seemed to only be there during the day and I saw folks walking to it in swimsuits, pulling stuff out of the back, and then going back to the pool.

Most of the time, I ended up just parking along the curb around the middle 'island' of the parking lot. If there was an empty space when I went back downstairs, I'd just move the car. I simply got frustrated and figured that if they weren't going to enforce the parking rules, then why would they give me a hard time about parking on the island. And if they did, I'd simply point out the reason I had to park there [again] and would offer to happily move my vehice.

It's really a shame that people are so lazy.

 

[jdg345]

Maybe the same crew that 'polices' the HH Lot can 'police' the lot for Buildings 11-14?

IMO, it seemed that 13-14 are probably the most affected due to their proximity.

 

[Ziggy]

I'm a bit worried now, I 'm staying there in a few weeks time and have requested these villas as DD has mobility problems. Do people take the disabled parking spaces too? - if so this is going to make things really difficult for us

Can't anyone help me?

 

[vonpluto]

FWIW, we've had HC plates for three trips now (DW100% disabled), and I can't recall any problems with the HC spots. That being said, we have not stayed at the HH villas since beore DW's disability.
Since the HC spots are near the building entrances, I have seen folks use them for a quick load or unload (I have done that myself)
We normally use Disney transport almost exclusively, so once were all unloaded, I park in a regular spot.

 

[jdg345]

Can't anyone help me?

I replied ... ?

 

[Ziggy]

I replied ... ?

Sorry I missed it .

So when we check in which building would you suggest we request? Our T/A has put in a special request for us. DD can walk short distances before she experiences pain.

 

[dianeschlicht]

Sorry I missed it .

So when we check in which building would you suggest we request? Our T/A has put in a special request for us. DD can walk short distances before she experiences pain.

I am assuming you will have either a wheel chair or some other vehicle for your DD. Request a first floor or elevator building, and then you will be able to drive the wheelchair or cart right into your unit or directly to the bus etc.

 

[Nanajo1]

I'm a bit worried now, I 'm staying there in a few weeks time and have requested these villas as DD has mobility problems. Do people take the disabled parking spaces too? - if so this is going to make things really difficult for us

I have only once had a car at OKW. I had my HP placard. Mousekeeping laaundry cart would be parked in the HP space all morning while cleaning rooms. Once we pointed out that we needed the space they stopped but I am afraid it is a regular occurance. Also we saw some folks who did have an HP plate park in the only HP space in the lot then walk to their unit which was at the other end of the lot! And there were empty spaces right outside their door! Just because I have a placard doesn't mean I always have to use it.
I did not find other guests abusing the spaces. I would definitely request a manager come to your lot if you find an illegal parker.

 

[Ziggy]

Also we saw some folks who did have an HP plate park in the only HP space in the lot then walk to their unit which was at the other end of the lot! And there were empty spaces right outside their door! Just because I have a placard doesn't mean I always have to use it.
I did not find other guests abusing the spaces. I would definitely request a manager come to your lot if you find an illegal parker.

Thanks, that happens a lot here in the UK, it drives me mad Thanks for your advice too dianeschlicht

 

[jdg345]

I have only once had a car at OKW. I had my HP placard. Mousekeeping laaundry cart would be parked in the HP space all morning while cleaning rooms. Once we pointed out that we needed the space they stopped but I am afraid it is a regular occurance. Also we saw some folks who did have an HP plate park in the only HP space in the lot then walk to their unit which was at the other end of the lot! And there were empty spaces right outside their door! Just because I have a placard doesn't mean I always have to use it.
I did not find other guests abusing the spaces. I would definitely request a manager come to your lot if you find an illegal parker.

FWIW, the lots aren't very deep ... the HP space puts you right on the 'sidewalk' towards the villas, of course ... but most of the other spots aren't that far away (it's not like parking at the grocery store or the mall). In fact, in relation to the Mall or Grocery Store, even the 'far away' spots in BLDG 14 aren't really "far". The benefit, of course, is the wider space.

Not sure about 11-13 though.

 

[nzdisneymom]

We were in building 13 last week (Thursday - Sunday) and never had a problem parking - we arrived on Thursday around 3:30 p.m. and were able to park by HH for check-in, and then when we went over to where our building was, there were plenty of spots. We drove off property each day and never had a problem finding a spot when we came back, and even as we walked over to the pool / Community Hall, it seemed there were always a couple of open parking spaces.

We did comment that we'd prefer to stay in buildings 11 - 14 or else the ones just across the way for the convenience since there didn't seem to be an easy way to walk up to the feature pool / Community Hall area and that's where our kids wanted to be. I like the idea of a footbridge across the canal.

Anyway, just wanted to share our experience as a previous poster was asking about parking in that area. It sounds like it's a YMMV in terms of parking.