I don't think the new building at DHS is a theater after all...

[WhatJaneSays]

The lots over garages decision was made because initially there was no need for garages, while flat lots were easier and more cost effective to build the assumption was made that there would not really be an increase of parking areas needed for visitors or cast members because mass transit (either Disney run or not) would be more of an option.

Those choices continued for DHS partly because there was still not an increased need for space at the time and there were still some holdouts at the company that wanted to extend the monorail to the then MGM and Village Marketplace.

Flat lots can be re-purposed for staging, events, large or irregular vehicles, storage, almost anything. Whereas garages are generally not as easily used for the same. Having options was probably weighed at a higher value than saving the space.

 

[DocMcHulk]

When WDW was built, Disney brought in the world's best civic engineers and transportation experts to design the roadways. Disney sought those skills again for Epcot's construction. That's why the classic parts of WDW are easy to navigate and get around, whereas the newer parts are messy (unless you really like the string of red lights at DTD).

I've always thought that if the people who built the most efficient roadways in WDW chose lots over garages, they must have had a convincing reason for doing so. Back then, Disney spent whatever money was necessary to be the best. Lots probably weren't chosen just to save the budget.

In my experience, it's always been easier to exit a parking lot. Parking garages can easily become clogged and backed up.