alternates to theme park parking lots?

[slappy magoo]

Hello again, all.

Going to WDW late August/early September. Most likely staying 5 nights at PO-FQ, and 5 nights at the Carribbean. Even though we're staying on-site, we plan on renting a car, mainly so that we can try some restaurants at other resorts. Which is where my question comes in.

Are we allowed to leave a car in other hotel parking lots? For example, if we wanted to have breakfast at the Cape May Cafe, we could walk or ferry to Epcot afterwards without having to go to the Epcot lots. Or if we intend to have dinner at the Contemporary resort one night, it'd be great to park the car there during the day, monorail to the MK, come back, have dinner and leave from the hotel, rather than deal with re-parking the car or going back to the park to pick up the car.

Of course, the paranoaic in me figures they have ways to combat people using the parking lots of resorts near the parks, or else EVERYONE would park at the resorts and use the monorails or ferrys to get over. Is there a system like that? Or does staying at one hotel give you the OK to park your car anywhere on-site?

Thanks in advance,

slappy magoo

 

[STGRhost]

I would assume they would tow you if you try to abuse it.

No, they won't.

 

[mkt]

Originally posted by STGRhost
No, they won't.

they can, but they seldom do. They don't want the liability of damaging your car. I think I've only seen a car towed once or twice EVER... and it was for parking in handicapped.... in which case, was very deserved

 

[mkt]

heres a concept for most of you guys...

Why not park in the theme park parking lots or take the transport from your parks? People who abuse resort parking are the ones who ruin it for me when I want to go into a resort to hang out or take pictures...

"nice photo equipment in the car... you going to the parks?"

"nope... taking photos of the resort"

"tough... I think you're going to the park"


and if you're gonna cheat and park in a resort, at least Valet it... geez. pay the $6 and tip the valet $1. You'll still save a buck, and at least you KNOW a CM is getting your money, instead of Eisner.

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by Billy6
Heres a senario simliar to the original question?

Could you, if you were staying at an outside hotel/resort, off disney property, park at DwnTwn Disney, Marketplace, or WestSide( which is free parking) and take a Bus to a resort, or t-and-t center and transfer to any park and not have to pay for parking at the parks????

this has crossed my mind several times, cause my fam has a condo off property and 7-8 bucks a day can be a little much??

Any thoughts??

I thinks lots of cheapskates do this - which is why you can never find a parking spot at Down Town Disney.

If you get an Annual Pass (break even point on entry alone is eight days) you also get free parking.

 

[Billy6]

I wouldnt say it was a case of being a cheapskate...Have you seen gas prices over here?..a few dollars saved is good...

Plus, like I said..more money to spend in the parks...

 

[Jon_in_NC]

Originally posted by Billy6
Heres a senario simliar to the original question?

Could you, if you were staying at an outside hotel/resort, off disney property, park at DwnTwn Disney, Marketplace, or WestSide( which is free parking) and take a Bus to a resort, or t-and-t center and transfer to any park and not have to pay for parking at the parks????

this has crossed my mind several times, cause my fam has a condo off property and 7-8 bucks a day can be a little much??

Any thoughts??

Well I know the bus drivers have the authority to ask riders to show their resort ID to prove that they are resort guests and are actually the ones using the busses, but I've never been checked the times I've gone from DTD back to my resort. So, it CAN be done. SHOULD it be done? I don't think so and don't really agree with the ones that do. You could tie the argument to the resort mug debate (using old mugs to get free drinks). As usually happens, the ones that cheat make the honest ones pay.

"But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong" - Dennis Miller

 

[JaSnake16]

That you could definitely do. You could park in Dtown Disney and take the bus over to the MK. Just be prepared for a LLLOOOOONNNNGGGGGG bus ride there and a LOOOONNNNGGGG crowded bus ride back. Remember most buses dont go directly from the parks to Dtown so you would probably have to bus to a resort than bus to the MK. Is it really worth all that time?

T-minus 9 days

 

[barnum42]

Originally posted by Billy6
I wouldnt say it was a case of being a cheapskate...Have you seen gas prices over here

Yes - it was brilliant getting gas for so little. Try filling up in the UK. I worked it out on another thread - we pay the equivalent of $5.25 for one of your gallons over here!

Happy though I am to deprive Eisner of another $8, I prefer the time saved at driving straight to the parks, plus it has become a problem at DTD that people using it as a free car park prevent DTD visitors from parking there.

Actually, I have an annual pass, so I don't have to pay to park. If you know anyone with an annual pass you can borrow it to park for free. Just don't try to use it to get into the park itself.

 

[STGRhost]

they can, but they seldom do. They don't want the liability of damaging your car. I think I've only seen a car towed once or twice EVER... and it was for parking in handicapped.... in which case, was very deserved

Yeah, same here. I only saw one car towed, ever, and it was because it was parked in such an odd spot in the lot that people couldn't get around it (halfway into the lane, or something like that.)
My understanding is that it's more effort to have cars towed for parking "illegally" than it's worth (time and money wise), so they don't do it unless it's neccessary (parked in a fire lane, for example, or handicapped parking, like you said.)

That said, I don't advocate parking where they ask you not to, but you won't get towed (most likely)...