Can You Still Resort Hop??

Kman

Kman

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
I seem to remember this being discussed some time ago but I don't recall what the final situation was. My parents were recently at WDW and wanted to do some resort hopping the one day same as they always do. When they went to FW they were not permitted to park their car in the lot.

I found this somewhat concerning because we often do the same thing at various resorts and we are going next week for a couple of days and would like to do this.

Maybe there was something I am not aware of with their situation but can anyone verify this? How tough are they being when it comes to parking at various resorts to "look around"?

Any help would be appreciated
 
LuvtheGoof

LuvtheGoof

DVC Guru
Premium Member
It makes no sense that they wouldn't be allowed to park in the lot, as many people go there for the Circle D Ranch, or a beverage at Crockett's Tavern. I wonder if they were trying to go through the main entry, as you cannot park back near the Hoop-De-Do and all. I wonder if they went to the correct entrance for the actual parking lot that you are always allowed to park in. It is a different entrance.
 
DisneyPrincess5

DisneyPrincess5

Well-Known Member
Don't quote me, but I believe reading a while ago that Disney has been slowly cracking down on when and if guests can park in resort lots just to look around or eat QS because they figured out that people were parking for fee and taking spaces away from hotel or dining guests and then taking Disney transportation services instead of paying for parking at the parks. I think they're stricter when it's busy (when isn't it though...) like Xmas and other times, and you can only park if you have a reservation.
 
msboyd89

msboyd89

New Member
I just returned form a short trip a couple of weeks ago and had a 50% success rate with being able to park at various resorts to look around. I tried 6 resorts on a Tuesday and could park with no issue at 3. It was pretty busy on the roads and in the car parks so I would assume it now completely depends on congestion levels in each resort.

I noticed at all resorts I visited that day that there was a temporary-looking board saying that only resort guests or those with reservations could park there (I would imagine these were only up because it was a particularly busy day?).

Even though I'd parked no questions asked at Wilderness lodge in the morning,at one point I tried parking at the Boardwalk and was told that the only option I had was Valet parking. I said no thanks and so tried the Beach Club. Before I even opened my mouth at the gate, the security guy with a bit of a bad attitude said "Can't let you park here sir" and pointed to the sign and then just told me to turn back around at the gate there.

Perhaps someone else can answer if my experience was just because it was a busy period or is it now simply discouraged for people to just resort-hop. I completely understand that resort guests and guests with reservations should take priority but it definitely wasn't a consistent experience as whilst all resorts had the no parking sign up, some were pretty empty when I went to park and others were nearly full.
 
MichWolv

MichWolv

Born Modest. Wore Off.
Premium Member
It is a congestion thing that they do sometimes when things are crowded, or when there is construction limiting the availability of certain areas of the parking lot. Even when the sign is up, the guards seem to be permitted some discretion -- I was allowed to park at the Wilderness Lodge a couple weeks ago when the sign was up after telling the guard I was hoping to check out the new Geyser Point bar.
 
Kman

Kman

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
MichWolv said:
It is a congestion thing that they do sometimes when things are crowded, or when there is construction limiting the availability of certain areas of the parking lot. Even when the sign is up, the guards seem to be permitted some discretion -- I was allowed to park at the Wilderness Lodge a couple weeks ago when the sign was up after telling the guard I was hoping to check out the new Geyser Point bar.
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Just an update on this. We stopped by Fort Wilderness yesterday and thought we would go for a walk. As is typical at that resort the parking lot was huge and basically empty. We were told however that they were fully booked and unable to allow us to park. I found that very strange especially at a resort where everyone parks their vehicle at their camp/cabin site. We have stayed there many times including at fairly busy times and have NEVER seen the parking lot anywhere close to full. We were kind of disappointed but ended up parking at the Polynesian as we had dinner reservations there. No questions asked at the gate. Anyhoo...just an update
 
nickys

nickys

Premium Member
Kman said:
Just an update on this. We stopped by Fort Wilderness yesterday and thought we would go for a walk. As is typical at that resort the parking lot was huge and basically empty. We were told however that they were fully booked and unable to allow us to park. I found that very strange especially at a resort where everyone parks their vehicle at their camp/cabin site. We have stayed there many times including at fairly busy times and have NEVER seen the parking lot anywhere close to full. We were kind of disappointed but ended up parking at the Polynesian as we had dinner reservations there. No questions asked at the gate. Anyhoo...just an update
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I think at FW you can only take your car to the cabins and certain loops for RV type vehicles. Not for the tented loops. That's why they have golf carts to rent, and an internal bus loop.

In general, some resorts, like the Beach Club have very limited parking. Others have more but they may restrict it at busy times. If you want to resort hop I would use the Disney transport, and I think that's what Disney want you to do. Look at it this way, doing it that way you can explore the bars too!
 
Kman

Kman

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
nickys said:
I think at FW you can only take your car to the cabins and certain loops for RV type vehicles. Not for the tented loops. That's why they have golf carts to rent, and an internal bus loop.

In general, some resorts, like the Beach Club have very limited parking. Others have more but they may restrict it at busy times. If you want to resort hop I would use the Disney transport, and I think that's what Disney want you to do. Look at it this way, doing it that way you can explore the bars too!
Click to expand...

Actually not true...if you rent a cabin or a tent/RV site you can park your car at your site. Done it many times in both situations
 
correcaminos

correcaminos

Well-Known Member
msboyd89 said:
Even though I'd parked no questions asked at Wilderness lodge in the morning,at one point I tried parking at the Boardwalk and was told that the only option I had was Valet parking. I said no thanks and so tried the Beach Club. Before I even opened my mouth at the gate, the security guy with a bit of a bad attitude said "Can't let you park here sir" and pointed to the sign and then just told me to turn back around at the gate there.

Perhaps someone else can answer if my experience was just because it was a busy period or is it now simply discouraged for people to just resort-hop. I completely understand that resort guests and guests with reservations should take priority but it definitely wasn't a consistent experience as whilst all resorts had the no parking sign up, some were pretty empty when I went to park and others were nearly full.
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There are some resorts like Boardwalk and Beach Club that they no longer allow you to regular park there because it is so full otherwise. We've stayed at each and the lots do fill up quickly. Same with the Contemporary and even Polynesian will do it too.

People try to use those to get into Epcot or MK without having to pay for parking. I find this to be true all year long. So if you want to visit, you need an ADR or do valet. Or if you want, Uber over and don't worry about parking at all.
 
LuvtheGoof

LuvtheGoof

DVC Guru
Premium Member
Kman said:
Just an update on this. We stopped by Fort Wilderness yesterday and thought we would go for a walk. As is typical at that resort the parking lot was huge and basically empty. We were told however that they were fully booked and unable to allow us to park. I found that very strange especially at a resort where everyone parks their vehicle at their camp/cabin site. We have stayed there many times including at fairly busy times and have NEVER seen the parking lot anywhere close to full. We were kind of disappointed but ended up parking at the Polynesian as we had dinner reservations there. No questions asked at the gate. Anyhoo...just an update
Click to expand...
Did you try going through the main entrance? The parking lot there does not have a gate to stop you from parking there, at least it didn't a few weeks ago when we were there. That entrance is located down the road from the main entrance.
FtWildernessEntrance.png
 
DisneyJeff

DisneyJeff

Well-Known Member
In the Parks
No
LuvtheGoof said:
Did you try going through the main entrance? The parking lot there does not have a gate to stop you from parking there, at least it didn't a few weeks ago when we were there. That entrance is located down the road from the main entrance.
View attachment 201739
Click to expand...

Actually, it doesn't look like you can get to the parking lot that way anymore without going through a gate. If you look at the picture below, there are barriers setup (yellow) and a gate (green).

upload_2017-4-28_15-44-22.png
 

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