maxairmike
Well-Known Member
Correct. I also found it extremely tight the one time I've been in there.
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WDW to Build New North Entrance to Property
- Thread starter The Visionary Soul
- Start date
Correct. I also found it extremely tight the one time I've been in there.
caseykasem99
Member
Ya the Animal Kingdom Lodge parking garage is quite interesting
maxairmike
Well-Known Member
Does it actually have more than one level? I thought it was just one level under the elevated "ground level."
flynnibus
Premium Member
We like it because you can get a room that is extremely close to your car
None of this 20min walk to my room BS caseykasem99
Member
No just one level but still technically indoor parking garage lol
maxairmike
Well-Known Member
Heh, never parked there and only walked past it once. I wouldn't consider that a parking garage in the context of this particular conversation (multi-level structures), but it is convenient, although thematically intrusive and abrasive to arriving guests.
Horizons1
Well-Known Member
Most likely it is. But I'm sure at one point in time since the opening of Disney it may not have been.
Horizons1
Well-Known Member
Disney hasn't cared about sight lines in years.
Unplugged
Well-Known Member
As a guest, I find a large low profile themed garage (<=5 stories as compared to cities with 5-20) to be less disruptive than acres upon acres of cars. Seeing such massive sprawling parking lots where all the asphalt absorbs heat, contain oceans of cars, and is so land invasive is less appealing than a clean lined, slightly themed garage. I'm talking about cost efficiencies, I get that as an engineer. I'm speaking strictly as a WDW guest expecting a balance between convenience (perceived value) and good land stewardship reflecting what Disney tells us in their many programs. Using modern technology as others have indicated and as Disney is using at the Springs, seems so much more pleasant than what's there now. Site lines seems like such a mute point knowing it can be integrated nicely into the landscape as
<arm-chair-Imagineering> Using Google Earth, I estimated that 3 parking garages the size of what are being built at the Springs, would be a parking equivalent of ALL the parking in the MK lots. Yet, these garages are a very tiny footprint in comparison. Building 3 along World drive would double capacity and allow for a new monorail terminal built right around the existing beam. If they only wanted to increase capacity by 50%, they could simply remove 1/2+ of the old asphalt lots for a new resort (yeah I know...DVC resort) and increase revenue yet again, justifying the garage costs.
</arm-chair-Imagineering>
<arm-chair-Imagineering> Using Google Earth, I estimated that 3 parking garages the size of what are being built at the Springs, would be a parking equivalent of ALL the parking in the MK lots. Yet, these garages are a very tiny footprint in comparison. Building 3 along World drive would double capacity and allow for a new monorail terminal built right around the existing beam. If they only wanted to increase capacity by 50%, they could simply remove 1/2+ of the old asphalt lots for a new resort (yeah I know...DVC resort) and increase revenue yet again, justifying the garage costs.
</arm-chair-Imagineering>
CaptainAmerica
Well-Known Member
One major difference: People trickle in and trickle out of Downtown Disney / Disney Springs.
At the Magic Kingdom, 98%* of the people show up between 8 AM and 10 AM and then leave immediately following the fireworks and/or parade. When we're talking about vertical parking, people arriving throughout the day and leaving throughout the day is much different than everyone showing up and leaving all at once. You want to be on the fourth floor of a parking garage 20 minutes after Wishes gets out? I imagine not.
*Yes, 98% is an exaggeration but my point remains.
lazyboy97o
Well-Known Member
Disney has been selling off peripheral land over the last several years. Why would they buy more?
There are similar traffic patterns of mass arrival and departure at Universal Orlando Resort and Tokyo DisneySEA.
freediverdude
Well-Known Member
Yea even though I don't like the idea of parking garages, I don't think they would turn into a traffic jam, because of the gradual flow of guests caused by the need to take the monorail or ferry to get to the parking lots. This tends to stagger the crowds descending on the parking lot. Granted they probably wouldn't need the trams anymore though, which might eventually pay for the garages just from the cost savings. I do think it would be hard to theme a parking garage so it didn't look like a huge square building looming over the Polynesian though.
flynnibus
Premium Member
The comparative lots dont have more exit points than a garage might. The difference in how unobstructed the egress is .... No stop signs, speed of ramps, etc. Keep 'em flowing...
Unplugged
Well-Known Member
Actually, to me there's no difference between being stuck in a sprawling parking lot or on the 4th floor of a garage. You're stuck in a traffic flow no matter what as it all comes down to exits, ramps, merging lanes, etc. This is the norm in cities, hotels & convention centers, other parks, etc. At least in a garage my car is protected during my visit from the beating sun and hail in Florida storms (unless parked on the top deck, though that can be handled with protective roofing as used in AZ & CA with solar energy options).
The only benefit to huge sprawling parking lots is the money saved by Disney. Guests still have to pay for parking and have fewer conveniences, including being redirected to other parks parking lots after sitting in some of the traffic you seem to prefer. The current parking methodology, if grown larger, would be absurd and a waste of natural resources. The right design of multi-lane ramps and roadways can make a garage very efficient, and Disney has the space to do it unlike many facilities.
Unplugged
Well-Known Member
As I was just responding to another, I was thinking the same thing you bring up. I thought about the roof style of the Poly and the thought popped into my head that the side facing the poly could use that design, with the remaining sides paneled as is being done at Disney Springs. Could be cool to see the sloped roofs, large scale tiki art work, palm trees, etc. I don't know. Just thinking of what will never or likely won't be.
mm121
Well-Known Member
maybe its outside the boundaries of the RCID, if so , I dont know how hard it is for them to get it annexed, as if its not in the RCID, it would mean dealing with a whole new set of governments in order to be able to use it for anything.
when they want to,
Universal has garages and people leave at the same time and arrive at the same time.
Its just a matter of proper garage design
why would they sell off land? rather than selling it they should use it.
ILOVEDISNEY
Active Member
You can also access the TTC parking lot by using the dedicated handicap entrance on Floridian Way. I have a handicap placard and I am a long-time AP, but I have seen many guests sneak in without paying the $17 fee. We live in Windermere and have used the Center Drive entrance for years. The sign at the entrance specifically states the road is for CMs and Disney Resort Guests.
CaptainAmerica
Well-Known Member
They've both bought and sold various parcels over the years, including very recent purchases. There are all sorts of games to play and loopholes to jump through with central Florida real estate, especially regarding taxation and environmental regulations/incentives.
Big C 73
Well-Known Member
Yes, indeed it is. In a theorotical stance, I believe they should personally purchase theland now before further housing or residential areas are constructed. I personally know that this is impossible now, but it would be wonderful if they could havepurchased the land on which the residential areas now encompass, previously utilized for agriculture. I wish that this could have been retained as it proposes external views from heightened places within Walt Disney World, such as the California Grill at the Contemporary Resort Hotel. Also, in a personal context I prefer the retained nature/agrictural aspect of the land as it retains the isolated aura of the property/control of area. These agricultural area (presumably orange groves) could be utilized by Disney for independent food production or the leasing of such property to other agrictural interest. In perspective, this land asset would lie in the generlized area between Fiquette Road and Winter Garden Vineland Road up to Overstreet Road.
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Horizons1
Well-Known Member
That's a great idea but you have to realize that's an idea in the vein of EPCOT and today's Walt Disney company doesn't like ideas like that. Now if they purchased that land to put frozen characters on, we are golden.