What would you do about a hotel that encourages illegal parking?

[dtnrhi]

When we were in Anaheim two weeks ago, we stayed at the Super 8 on Disneyland Dr. Reasonable price, free parking, and walking distance for myself to use with my AP (only one in my family) after we got back to the hotel for the night from other places.

However, there were two nights on our trip where we were in Downtown Disney until about midnight with our car. (Parks closed at 11p) When we got back to our hotel, there were people parked everywhere. We searched for a handicapped spot, and found they had been taken by people without placards. Needing a handicap spot for my brother, we went into the lobby and complained about the situation, and they told us that the guests were told to park there by them (people at the desk). They did, however, clear up a 'reserved' spot for us in the back that were parked two deep, so that if you were the back car and needed to get out, you were out of luck because there is a car in front of you. (Not an issue, luckily, as my aunt and cousins shared a spot with us and their vehicle.)

However, when we got back up to our room on the 3rd floor, we discovered how unsafe the situation really was. Cars were not only parked illegally in handicapped spots, but the owners also had guests parking in the fire lanes. This made me feel scared and thinking of what would happen if worst came to worst, so I looked for the number to the Anaheim Police Station. I couldn't find it, but didn't think my call warranted a call to 911, so I dropped it. But now, after thinking of what an issue this is, I want to know what I can do, since I already complained to the hotel and was pushed away. How can they feel okay compromising the safety and security of their guests??

 

[Rubygoose]

I think you need to contact some sort of officials of the city of Anaheim. Maybe the fire department or police department. This is a real safety concern. You should also contact the Better Business Bureau of Anaheim. If they are offering free parking, it needs to be legal, safe parking.

 

[Freesia123]

Ill be honest. I'd have called 911!

 

[Mama Who]

Calling 911 is inappropriate and can cost lives as you pull services away from real emergencies. Don't do that, no matter how annoying this is. The non-emergency line is appropriate and they tend to respond promptly because the tickets for parking without a placard are whoppers. It's a nice revenue boost.

The non-emergency number is usually in the front of a phone book, or can be gotten by dialing 411.

 

[sonnyjane]

Calling 911 is inappropriate and can cost lives as you pull services away from real emergencies. Don't do that, no matter how annoying this is. The non-emergency line is appropriate and they tend to respond promptly because the tickets for parking without a placard are whoppers. It's a nice revenue boost.

The non-emergency number is usually in the front of a phone book, or can be gotten by dialing 411.

Goodness yes. Please never call 911 over something like this, and actually you can be charged with a criminal offense for abusing 911 in a non-emergency situation.

 

[Malcon10t]

For future reference: Anaheim Police - Non-emergency 714-765-1900

 

[DisneyMarvelStarWars]

I would contact Anaheim Fire or Police using their non-emergency numbers, even now just to let them know what you experienced. That is very scary! I wouldn't be able to rest well knowing that emergency crew couldn't reach the hotel in case of emergency.

 

[bcla]

Police or parking enforcement can issue citations for parking in disabled spaces on private lots. I speak from experience when my family was visiting Southern California and my mom was dropped off in a bank parking lot. The lines were in poor condition and we never noticed that we were partially on top of a disabled parking spot. It was also in the middle of the lot in an odd location.

So a city meter maid just swoops in and issued a ticket on the spot. I tried an argument that the lines were in poor condition and that the required signs didn't meet state requirements (they were too low and blocked by people standing in line for the ATMs). We has a relative take photos but we couldn't contest it in person because of the expense in money and time.

So if they were keen on collecting a fine, then a call to code enforcement would have at the least deterred the management from telling people to use those spaces.

http://www.anaheim.net/article.asp?id=1064

 

[krusty007]

Assuming you don't have a smart phone, just call 411 to get the police or fire department's phone number. The front desk probably would have helped you get their numbers, but would have led to an awkward confrontation.

Unfortunately, while I agree calling the police or fire department would have been the "right" thing, what would have been the result? Ideally, the hotel would be fined and told not to allow illegal parking. But that won't happen. Either the hotel staff would knock on doors and tell people to move their cars off property late at night, or worse, the cars of the innocent hotel guests might have just been towed or ticketed. The hotel likely wouldn't foot the bill.

Unfortunately, the only other alternative is to not guarantee parking and wish you luck finding street parking.

 

[ten6mom]

Goodness yes. Please never call 911 over something like this, and actually you can be charged with a criminal offense for abusing 911 in a non-emergency situation.

Thank you. 911 is for life threatening emergencies.

 

[sherilaine]

Wow - that is some bad advertisement for Super 8 - I already had a bad opinon and now this.

I am glad you are going to complain. I work in insurance and I hate it when people just toss care out the window thinking an emergency can never present itself.

Safety is the #1 thing to be aware of - clearly there are clowns running this joint and I think anyone booked to stay there should cancel!

 

[dawnball]

Either the hotel staff would knock on doors and tell people to move their cars off property late at night, or worse, the cars of the innocent hotel guests might have just been towed or ticketed. The hotel likely wouldn't foot the bill.

Parking illegally in a handicapped parking space or a fire lane isn't very innocent. Regardless of who told you to do it.

 

[Mom to 7]

I have had this happier the ONE time we stayed at the LaQuinta right by Disneyland. When we asked about it at the front desk.... We were told Anaheim police department doesn't enforce the handicapped parking on private property. Well it was pretty obvious by the 4 cars broke into that night that the front desk staff knew that the police defiantly didn't patrol. We have never stayed there again... So if it was a one time thing..... I don't know.... But I don't plan of finding out. Now the parking is just as important as the inside of the room. I would rather pay a little more and feel safe.

 

[Malcon10t]

In most cities, PDs will not patrol for handicap tickets, unless called by someone. If you call, they will usually come out (when there is time) and cite.

 

[markinmt]

of the half-dozen of hotels outside of the "bubble," I've stayed at, the Super 8 was the absolute worse, hands down.

from the foul, rude people at the desk to the lousy swimming pool and tainted water in the ice machines --this water gave two of our party food poisoning -- I would never stay there again.

Sorry to go off topic, but I'm not surprised by anything I read or hear about that particular Super 8.

 

[rentayenta]

For future reference: Anaheim Police - Non-emergency 714-765-1900

Calling 911 for non emergencies is even more annoying than people parking illegally.

 

[Disneyqueendenmark]

Wow! I'm sorry to hear about your experience at Super8! I would have been shocked, angry and surprised too! That is not at all okay, and encouraging people to park in the fire lanes are definately not okay and can lead to a dangerous situation...

That being said, I've stayed at that Super 8 a couple of times and have never expirienced that - thank god... Didn't want to go off topic, just wanted to say that my family and I have always had a plesant stay there. And we return every time we get the chance to visit DL.

 

[aliceindisneyland]

BWPPI made us park in the fire lane once and would not discount the parking fee when we complained that we got up to check that our car was still there several times throughout the night. I cannot believe it wasn't towed.

 

[Freesia123]

Sorry if I offended anyone. 911 is Theron line to the police fire and ambulance here. It is used for emergencies and non emergencies alike. (I have checked this with a police officer btw) I assumed it was the same there. Good to know!

 

[DarthMole]

What a terrible experience. I agree with others that you should still contact the Anaheim PD and FD and let them know your experience.

I almost booked a room there for our next trip. We had a bunch of points from our last HoJos stay and could get a free room for one night at this motel. We just need a place to crash for one night prior to moving to the DLH. After reading reviews, I knew it wouldn't be good. A lot of complaints about the parking situation. Trip Advisor reviewers even posted pictures of the terrible parking lot. So I paid a bit to buy some extra points and booked up HoJos for the one night.