Annual Passholder Parking Issues

[prberk]

i feel so stupid. i'm an AP holder and pay for parking everytime. sooo mad right now!

If you have the seasonal AP, you have to pay for parking. If you have no blackout dates, you get free parking. There are many other discounts, too. If you didn't get a little booklet with it, ask for one next time you're there.

Yes, check out your discounts. You get a LOT of discounts, especially on hotels. Food and merchandise also, thought not as steep.

I use the discount on the boat rentals and Hoop-De-Doo Revue (last show only). Also good on tours (Keys to the Kingdom, etc.).

Check out www.disneyworld.com/passholder

 

[Timekeeper]

Maybe someone can help answer this for me -

What's the point of all this (cracking down on fraud) when paying for parking is essentially based on the honor system? Why go through the trouble of purchasing/using unauthorized passes when the driver can simply indicate to the parking attendant that they are either dropping someone off (and cannot be directed to make a u-turn on the one-way parking booth street), or visiting one of the many resort locations (at the MK for example), in order to avoid paying for parking?

 

[asianway]

Maybe someone can help answer this for me -

What's the point of all this (cracking down on fraud) when paying for parking is essentially based on the honor system? Why go through the trouble of purchasing/using unauthorized passes when the driver can simply indicate to the parking attendant that they are either dropping someone off (and cannot be directed to make a u-turn on the one-way parking booth street), or visiting one of the many resort locations (at the MK for example), in order to avoid paying for parking?

Even better, what controls are in place so the parking attendants dont pocket every other $15? I bet theres a few CM making a healthy living off of a little skimming.

 

[Timekeeper]

Even better, what controls are in place so the parking attendants dont pocket every other $15? I bet theres a few CM making a healthy living off of a little skimming.

Maybe there are video cameras in each booth and the CM's have to clap their hands and show their palms empty after each transaction like a dealer in a casino...

Skimming is a big problem, and is prevalent in the fast food industry. It's virtually common practice for an employee to charge the customer the proper amount for their food, like 3 burritos, and deliver 3 burritos, but only ring it up as 1 burrito, and pocket the difference (if customer pays in cash). Thus, the register will not show any shortage.

 

[djlaosc]

I honestly don't see what the big problem is. If you're in Orlando and have passes to Universal or SeaWorld, you have to show your ID there, so no biggie. In the past at Disney, if using your pass to make a purchase with your discount, I'd always have to show ID. They even asked for ID of my four year old when she was using her allowance and her AP to buy a small toy! I laughed at the CM then and asked, "really? Does she look like she's old enough to have ID?" I then had to show her my pass and my ID so my four year old could get her Sofia the First charm.

I do miss the old days when the AP had your picture printed on it. That seemed the easiest way to combat this, but yes, I know it was costly for the parks but afterall, isn't Magic+?

That's my two cents... Start bashing me..... NOW!

I don't think people are complaining about having to show ID for parking, they are complaining that they weren't told (and still haven't been told) by Disney that they would have to show ID for parking.

If Disney had sent an email, or a letter, or a booklet out to passholders informing them of the change, then people would be happy enough, and be ready at the gate with their ID in easy reach - the problem is if they haven't been told and their ID is in the bottom of their bag behind their car seat and isn't easy to get to and holds up everyone else.

It's more about communication between Disney and passholder, than the new rule itself.

 

[Timekeeper]

It's more about communication between Disney and passholder, than the new rule itself.

Sounds like something that some simple signage (for cars approaching the booths) could help with.

 

[PhotoDave219]

Y'all... is it really that big of a deal to present your photo ID?? Do you want someone to take advantage of your pass?? I can't believe this is even an issue...

You're missing the point.

The point is that Disney had a major policy change and didnt bother to tell the guests its going to affect. I have no problem with them scanning my AP or asking for a photo id. I'd just prefer not to be surprised by the change when I'm in a hurry.

The other point is ALLEGEDLY someone stole a box of unactivated APs and put them on eBay.

As for @Timekeeper & people getting around parking? He's right, anyone who does any research or has some semblance of creativity can get around parking.

 

[marni1971]

Sounds like something that some simple signage (for cars approaching the booths) could help with.

Just what I was going to say. If not on the approach, in big letters on the booth windows or similar so each next car can see it. "Photo ID may be requested" or similar.

 

[Tim_4]

Even better, what controls are in place so the parking attendants dont pocket every other $15? I bet theres a few CM making a healthy living off of a little skimming.

There are security cameras in every booth and they're monitored by Advisory and Assurance. Parking cast are fired all the time. The cameras aren't the herkey jerkey kind that show one frame every two seconds. You'd have to be VERY slick to get away with anything.

 

[JeffH]

I was at DHS this morning (9:45) and entered through the Buena Vista Dr gate. The traffic was so backed up they were waving people through the gate & not collecting the parking fee. They must have lost thousands of $'s on that. Anyone know if this is standard practice?

I've seen this many times when the line is backed up, and on May 4th (May the 4th be with you day) the line was SO backed up at the entrance gate (where you enter the park), they just let everyone straight through...so if you had a daily pass you got a free day...and ALL passes could get fast-passes (since they had no way of knowing who was in, or not in the park).
Considering how criminally outrageous parking costs are (in Orlando and Miami, in particular), you'd think they'd re-engineer the entrance to DHS (finally) in order to stop losing all that ill-gotten money...
...Close the back/north entrance to guests, making it 1 of 2 exits.
...Route traffic from Buena Vista to Victory Way to enter the park (they just modified this intersection)Close the front/south entrance from World Drive.
...Divert traffic from World Drive to Osceola then Victory Way to the new single entrance.
...Move ALL the front/south gates to the back of the parking lot (east side), or rebuild if easier.
...This would make room for a wonderful Star Wars expansion, which should bring DHS out of the cellar in regards to theme park attendance (AK ranked higher)
...Add a south exit back to Victory Way
This would provide 2 exits to 2 different ways back to I-4, World Drive, and Downtown Disney, compared to the madhouse of funneling ALL the exiting traffic out one TINY exit with POOR 1-lane access to I-4 that cars fight over.
This would provide 8 gates for ALL entering traffic, and direct access to the parking lot...and the potential of parking 4 lanes of traffic at the same time.
And creating some employee parking near the old original entrance would free up additional guest parking in the main parking lot as it overflows from all the guests piling in to explore the Star Wars Universe...

 

[PhotoDave219]

Yes. Parking at the studio this is been an issue since 1989.

 

[JeffH]

As far as AP discounts go, between them and the new (even better) DVC discounts, it makes NO sense at all to buy the Tables of Wonderland discount...when you consider the 10% AP and/or DVC discount you get most of the places that the ToW is honored, you'd have to spend $1000 just to break even on the discounted $100 cost of ToW. Most people who would eat there enough to take advantage of ToW would almost have to be AP holders and most likely DVC members as well.
When the price went up this year I passed on ToW after almost 2 decades of having it, since it no longer made any financial sense....now if they boosted the discount up to 30 or 40% then maybe it would be worth it.

 

[luv]

I've said this before, but I think a DHS entrance off Victory Way is a bad idea. Osceola Parkway would be much better, IMO.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I've seen this many times when the line is backed up, and on May 4th (May the 4th be with you day) the line was SO backed up at the entrance gate (where you enter the park), they just let everyone straight through...so if you had a daily pass you got a free day...and ALL passes could get fast-passes (since they had no way of knowing who was in, or not in the park).....

*snipped for length*

You are familiar with TWDC that seems unwilling to spend any money they dont actually have to, right?

I also HIGHLY recommend anyone going to SWW or a special event at DHS to take the World Drive toll plaza.

 

[timeman]

I have passes to Disney, Universal and all the Busch parks. I have never once been asked for an ID when parking. The one thing that all the parks do differently that Disney doesn't do is they scan the Pass when you go thru the toll booths. This is to make sure that it is an active pass and also to check what kind of parking you get. I get either free Preferred Parking or free Valet Parking at Universal, and even though the Busch parks in Florida aren't my home parks I usually get free Preferred Parking at them since I am a Platinum Passholder even though I am only guaranteed free regular parking at them since my home park is Busch Gardens Europe. Disney is the only park where I have seen them just wave Passholders thru the toll booths. One thing I do have a problem with is unless Disney scans the ticket there is no way for them to match the new pass to me, since within 2 days of converting to the new pass at the end of April the so called permanent marker had already rubbed off, so my name and expiration date are no longer on the pass.

I am very seldom asked for ID for discounts at Universal or even the Busch parks in Florida and never at my home park in Virginia. I have been asked for my ID for the discounts at Disney and have no problem with that..

 

[luv]

I've been asked for ID when parking at Uni. I usually do the valet parking, but sometimes park in the garage and have absolutely been asked for ID, which is why I always have it ready.

I'm asked for ID when buying stuff at all the Orlando parks - sometimes. Sometimes they want it, sometimes they don't...but I don't think one asks more than the other.

 

[Skywalker]

I agree. When I first heard this new i.d. check I assumed Disney was trying to catch every dollar, but if this is the case I agree with you. Catching them at the gate seems a lot more practical especially when security is right there close by.

Not that I'm in the market, but sold as de facto "parking passes"? Otherwise, seems easier to catch (and question) people who attempt to use them at the gate.

 

[JeffH]

I also HIGHLY recommend anyone going to SWW or a special event at DHS to take the World Drive toll plaza.

I agree, but because of the present road layout, this is very difficult unless you are coming up from the south (arriving) or from west 192, which is why this (lavish 8 gate) entrance is barely used.
And since they regularly just let the cars drive straight through for free on the back side entrance, I've never seen a backup past the curve there...the only backup you have to worry about is on Buena Vista Dr, and if that's the case then you simply right turn onto Epcot Resorts Blvd., do a u-turn and enter the park on the next light (bypassing the backed up cars on Buena Vista Drive.)

 

[RandomPrincess]

I agree. When I first heard this new i.d. check I assumed Disney was trying to catch every dollar, but if this is the case I agree with you. Catching them at the gate seems a lot more practical especially when security is right there close by.

They can't get into the park with them because they aren't activated. With Disney's allowing people to just flash their AP and keep driving they could get really cheap parking though.

 

[JeffH]

You are familiar with TWDC that seems unwilling to spend any money they don't actually have to, right?

But in this case, they are losing $300 (20 carsx$15) for each wave of cars (i.d. each light change) they let through EVERY morning when the traffic gets heavy, and that's a LOT of money to burn, and Buena Vista Drive is busy enough as it is.
...oh, and the fact is that TWDC (The Walt Disney Company) is FAMOUS for spending money that they don't actually have to, otherwise we wouldn't have such silly and superfluous things such as lights in the pavement, well-kept beautiful landscaping, subtly themed music as you pass from area to area, fast-pass, and all the other "little" things WDW is famous for that keeps us coming back.
In cases such as this there are many other pressing concerns that this solution would address...
1-the traffic congestion on Buena Vista Drive
2-the poor 1-lane access access to I-4 (via Epcot Center Drive), that cars fight over
3-the constant loss of money as a result of congestion at the north gate
4-the lack of expansion space for Disney Hollywood Studios
5-the poor execution of parking from BOTH entrances where cars are directed through and around the parking lots to the back to THEN be finally parked, or in the case of the NE parking lot, cars coming in from 2 directions.
1 short new road and some minor road improvements and signage would solve the entrance problem
1 short new road would drastically improve the exit flow from the park.