How Does Somebody Get an EV Parking Space at Disney World?

[DryerLintFan]

No. But from a practical standpoint it depends where you are charging. If you're at TTC - it isn't very appealing to get a text at 1pm saying your car is charged - then be put in a position where you need to take an hour to move your car

walking out of the MK > Monorail or Ferry to TTC > walk to your car > move your car > walk back to the TTC > Go through security again > Monorail or Ferry to the MK > walk into the park to meet up with your family.

They could solve this by offering an EV valet service. We’ve been to a couple hotels where the valet service charged us up. They were able to juggle the cars, the vallets were specifically trained on driving EVs, and we were happy to leave with a fully charged battery.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

They could solve this by offering an EV valet service. We’ve been to a couple hotels where the valet service charged us up. They were able bAt Epcot to juggle the cars, the vallets were specifically trained on driving EVs, and we were happy to leave with a fully charged battery.

Well one way to solve it would be bit putting the changing spots in the best parking spots. I know early on many places have good parking spots to EVs to encourage adoption, but I don't think it's really needed noe. At Epcot the charging spots are right in the front row, folks with EVs would probably want to park there even if not charging. Put them further away and you will have people use them that really need to.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Well one way to solve it would be bit putting the changing spots in the best parking spots. I know early on many places have good parking spots to EVs to encourage adoption, but I don't think it's really needed noe. At Epcot the charging spots are right in the front row, folks with EVs would probably want to park there even if not charging. Put them further away and you will have people use them that really need to.

I agree with this. It’s unfair. I imagine they’re up front because it’s expensive to run the lines further back, but it’s this way at the zoo here and you hear a lot of hate about that too. It feels preferential.

I never use those spots because the veteran parking at the zoo is closer lol, but when that’s full I just park like a peasant and charge at home.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Well one way to solve it would be bit putting the changing spots in the best parking spots. I know early on many places have good parking spots to EVs to encourage adoption, but I don't think it's really needed noe. At Epcot the charging spots are right in the front row, folks with EVs would probably want to park there even if not charging. Put them further away and you will have people use them that really need to.

The proximity is driven more by the cost of running the power and data to the space. It’s extra work and materials to put the charger further away.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Which is easier, finding a charging station when you have half hour to spare to wait for the charge in a city you don't know or a gas station?

Again, not sure of the specifics of your situation, but I don't generally find myself in that situation.


At WDW, finding the charging stations is easy 1.) ask the guard where it is. 2.) the theme parks actually have a stripe painted directly on the roadway!
3.) Use GPS to locate charging stations in 3 clicks:
1. Press Navigation button
2. choose Destination
3. choose the charging station icon to show charging stations along my route.


But more than that, and I'm not sure how to explain this in a forum: gas car = having to search for gas stations on a regular basis. EV =the reverse, your home or the hotel parking lot usually = your filling station. It is a paradigm shift. EV usually = start every morning with a 'full' tank of range. Gas car= start your day w/however much gas is in your car from the night before.

Mind, I'm not saying EV's are ideal for very long road trips/full day of driving, they aren't.

Another small point is that while gas prices are somewhat consistent, charging stations vary. Some public chargers cost less than charging at home, and most cost FAR less than the current price of gas. Rapid chargers tend to be the most expensive. Time is $.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Again, not sure of the specifics of your situation, but I don't generally find myself in that situation.


At WDW, finding the charging stations is easy 1.) ask the guard where it is. 2.) the theme parks actually have a stripe painted directly on the roadway!
3.) Use GPS to locate charging stations in 3 clicks:
1. Press Navigation button
2. choose Destination
3. choose the charging station icon to show charging stations along my route.


But more than that, and I'm not sure how to explain this in a forum: gas car = having to search for gas stations on a regular basis. EV =the reverse, your home or the hotel parking lot usually = your filling station. It is a paradigm shift. EV usually = start every morning with a 'full' tank of range. Gas car= start your day w/however much gas is in your car from the night before.

Mind, I'm not saying EV's are ideal for very long road trips/full day of driving, they aren't.

Another small point is that while gas prices are somewhat consistent, charging stations vary. Some public chargers cost less than charging at home, and most cost FAR less than the current price of gas. Rapid chargers tend to be the most expensive. Time is $.

Last time we hit the super charger we paid just under $10 for about $175 miles.

In a car that gets 30 mpg at current gas prices in my area that would run you $30.

It did take a LOT longer than it would have at a gas station, and in this instance we didn’t need food or anything so we just sat in the car and played Pictionary on the iPad looking thing in the center console.

Pros and cons. I enjoyed the chipotle charger near Disney more. My favorite charger was in Florida next to a Wawa. Juice up and WAWA!! What could be better?

 

[Kingoglow]

I drove off-site at night and charged at a Supercharger station for 20 minutes then went back to my hotel. I had to do this only once before I drove home.

 

[Raxel7851]

No. But from a practical standpoint it depends where you are charging. If you're at TTC - it isn't very appealing to get a text at 1pm saying your car is charged - then be put in a position where you need to take an hour to move your car

walking out of the MK > Monorail or Ferry to TTC > walk to your car > move your car > walk back to the TTC > Go through security again > Monorail or Ferry to the MK > walk into the park to meet up with your family.

Although not very “appealing”, it would be the right thing to do. Although I do not own an EV, if I did I would realize my “refueling” habits would change and be respect of the person driving around looking for a charging station. It’s kind of like the people that fill up at the pump with a CC, then leave their car parked and head inside for something to eat. Just Sayin.

 

[DryerLintFan]

Although not very “appealing”, it would be the right thing to do. Although I do not own an EV, if I did I would realize my “refueling” habits would change and be respect of the person driving around looking for a charging station. It’s kind of like the people that fill up at the pump with a CC, then leave their car parked and head inside for something to eat. Just Sayin.

Agreed.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Again, not sure of the specifics of your situation, but I don't generally find myself in that situation.


At WDW, finding the charging stations is easy 1.) ask the guard where it is. 2.) the theme parks actually have a stripe painted directly on the roadway!
3.) Use GPS to locate charging stations in 3 clicks:
1. Press Navigation button
2. choose Destination
3. choose the charging station icon to show charging stations along my route.


But more than that, and I'm not sure how to explain this in a forum: gas car = having to search for gas stations on a regular basis. EV =the reverse, your home or the hotel parking lot usually = your filling station. It is a paradigm shift. EV usually = start every morning with a 'full' tank of range. Gas car= start your day w/however much gas is in your car from the night before.

Mind, I'm not saying EV's are ideal for very long road trips/full day of driving, they aren't.

Another small point is that while gas prices are somewhat consistent, charging stations vary. Some public chargers cost less than charging at home, and most cost FAR less than the current price of gas. Rapid chargers tend to be the most expensive. Time is $.

You do know that not every hotel at WDW even has chargers? And as was the OPs question, what to do if the few at the park are in use. I think we all agreed that you can use the one in your home...we know that we are talking about using one on property.

 

[wdwmagic]

The answer to the issue with people occupying a charger for the entire day is to adopt the Tesla supercharger model. First they full charge in 10 - 20 mins, so really no need to leave the car there all day. And Secondly, they bill you for idle time if you are not charging and just taking up a spot.

The slow Level 2 chargers at WDW are just a temporary thing that is not the way it will ultimately be handled.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Yeah its a very token effort so far.

What is needed is something like this by the TTC.

Tesla unveils its largest Supercharger station in the US — and it kind of looks like a truck stop

Gee, I wonder why?

www.theverge.com

View attachment 643170

Except a Tesla-only station would be useless for every non-Telsa EV owner visiting WDW. That's the downside of Tesla stations.

Also, without getting into a debate, adding a Tesla station would be controversial right now. Parkgoers might see that as endorsing Musk. WDW should add a bank of charging stations, but they'd do better to add a more universally compatible and less controversial brand.

I do like the idea of the chargers being solar-powered though!

 

[DryerLintFan]

Except a Tesla-only station would be useless for every non-Telsa EV owner visiting WDW. That's the downside of Tesla stations.

Also, without getting into a debate, adding a Tesla station would be controversial right now. Parkgoers might see that as endorsing Musk. WDW should add a bank of charging stations, but they'd do better to add a more universally compatible and less controversial brand.

I do like the idea of the chargers being solar-powered though!

Yeah,… I don’t think he was saying Tesla only charging station,… I think he was just saying a massive solar powered charging station with a lot of spaces. You might have been focused on the wrong thing lol.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

You do know that not every hotel at WDW even has chargers? And as was the OPs question, what to do if the few at the park are in use. I think we all agreed that you can use the one in your home...we know that we are talking about using one on property.

huh?

You might try re-reading this thread before you post further, like post #17.

I also recall there being charging stations at Coronado Springs near Gran Destino Tower. They were located roughly near the tower in the parking area that is located towards the convention center. A few other WDW hotels have charging stations, but I'm not sure which ones. I think Wilderness Lodge is one, and likely the Swan reserve.

Many offsite hotels have charging stations. Notably, the Universal hotels have quite a few charging stations. I can't say exactly where all are located, but I know Hard Rock and Royal Pacific have them. Citywalk might also have some. I know I have seen stations listed at other Orlando hotels, but I don't recall exact locations. I want to say: Marriott World Center, one of the Bonnet Creek hotels, and one (or more) of the new Flamingo Crossing hotels. I apologize that is not very specific.

In good faith, I shared my experience of driving and charging an EV at WDW, Universal and beyond. I have also tried to address the concerns you raised, but your most recent post is just an attack that doesn't make any sense.

If you know me at all in this forum, I try hard to be civil. I would appreciate the same courtesy in return.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

huh?

You might try re-reading this thread before you post further, like post #17.


In good faith, I shared my experience of driving and charging an EV at WDW, Universal and beyond. I have also tried to address the concerns you raised, but your most recent post is just an attack that doesn't make any sense.

If you know me at all in this forum, I try hard to be civil. I would appreciate the same courtesy in return.

I am being civil. You just keep repeating most people will charge at their hotel or home. I don't live near WDW, and the hotels I am staying at The Polynesian and SSR do not currently have charging stations. So I think my concerns are legit as leaving for an hour to go to another hotel find a charger (hopefully not occupied) then wait for the charge at a hotel I am not staying at was not ideal for me personally. To each their own. For what is worth, I have a Tesla S reserved at Alamo! Couldn't resist especially since it was only $150 more than the standard gas car for the whole trip and with gas prices I might come out ahead. Plus it's a car worth around $70k more.

 

[JMcMahonEsq]

Although not very “appealing”, it would be the right thing to do. Although I do not own an EV, if I did I would realize my “refueling” habits would change and be respect of the person driving around looking for a charging station. It’s kind of like the people that fill up at the pump with a CC, then leave their car parked and head inside for something to eat. Just Sayin.

Except the person who just ran into the store from the pump has the option to just pull his car around to a parking spot in 2min and then walk in. There is no way anyone should be reasonably expected to take an hour to two hours to leave MK to go back to TTC to move their car.

Leaving the MK hypo aside I have been parking garages and parking lots that fill up completely for big events. Are you supposed to go and get your EV car and then move it hoping to find an empty spot? And if it’s full are you supposed to leave the lot? It’s just not practical. This also ignores many events and locations that don’t allow re-entry.

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

Yeah,… I don’t think he was saying Tesla only charging station,… I think he was just saying a massive solar powered charging station with a lot of spaces. You might have been focused on the wrong thing lol.

Actually, his post didn't specify. Just above that though, WDWMagic DID specifically post about the experience of owning a Tesla. (post #49, #51, and post #55.)

Since this thread was opened by someone who does not yet own an EV, I thought it might be helpful to explain non-Teslas can't use the Tesla chargers. People regularly stop me to ask me questions about EV ownership and this is one of the most common questions I am asked.

But I agree that a massive solar powered charging station should be added to WDW, which is what I said.

 

[wdwmagic]

Except a Tesla-only station would be useless for every non-Telsa EV owner visiting WDW. That's the downside of Tesla stations.

Also, without getting into a debate, adding a Tesla station would be controversial right now. Parkgoers might see that as endorsing Musk. WDW should add a bank of charging stations, but they'd do better to add a more universally compatible and less controversial brand.

I do like the idea of the chargers being solar-powered though!

Tesla is now opening up its superchargers to all EV's. Already done in UK, USA underway.

Tesla will add CCS connectors to Supercharger stations in the US, says Elon Musk

Tesla will add CCS connectors to its Supercharger stations in the United States to let non-Tesla EV owners access the...

electrek.co

 

[MickeyLuv'r]

I am being civil. You just keep repeating most people will charge at their hotel or home.

Except that isn't true.

I have provided many detailed answers in this thread - to the very questions you asked when you directly quoted me! You asked how to find charging stations, for example, and I provided two solutions.

I'm sorry you don't think I've been making an honest effort to answer your questions. But if you don't feel that's what I have bene trying to do, then please ask another forum member.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Except that isn't true.

I have provided many detailed answers in this thread - to the very questions you asked when you directly quoted me! You asked how to find charging stations, for example, and I provided two solutions.

I'm sorry you don't think I've been making an honest effort to answer your questions. But if you don't feel that's what I have bene trying to do, then please ask another forum member.

You have been helpful, but I am being truthful(see your words below) But you seem to take umbrage with me pointing out that one of things you said is so important and( you wrote it as if I didn't understand, which I did) is that charging at home or the hotel you are staying at solves most issues(see text below).
Again, on my vacation home won't be an option and neither will the hotels I am staying at! I truly hope it will be easy charging elsewhere, I'm really only concerned I'm Vero(provided it has a full charge when I pick it up at the airport), where again there isn't a charger at the hotel, but seems there are some options around the town.
Anyway I have found this very useful, and have appreciated all your input. No bad feelings, I am sure I am just being range paranoid, I actually think there is a another term for it.

But more than that, and I'm not sure how to explain this in a forum: gas car = having to search for gas stations on a regular basis. EV =the reverse, your home or the hotel parking lot usually = your filling station. It is a paradigm shift. EV usually = start every morning with a 'full' tank of range. Gas car= start your day w/however much gas is in your car from the night before.