My apologies to the entire board

[LittleBuford]

The sandwich boards that say “parking is for registered Hotel guests and confirmed dining reservations” directly disagrees and has the Mickey cop standing behind it.

Good job on the Disney IT deep dive though

I simply Googled “Disney resort day parking”!

If WDW’s official website (the first place most people would think to check) disagrees with the signs outside the hotels themselves, that’s on Disney, not the fault of confused guests or any of us here.

 

[Chi84]

I don’t think you have failed. I think it’s just a matter of crossed wires.

On the specific issue of parking, I believe you are correct and @Sirwalterraleigh is mistaken, because Disney’s official policy (though vaguely stated) is:

“Complimentary standard self-parking is available while enjoying select dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreation experiences at Disney Resort hotels.”

Parking

Be our guest! Your wish is our command, as you enjoy this Walt Disney World service.

disneyworld.disney.go.com

May I ask when you last parked at WDW? The policy does say “select,” which gives them an out.

In any case, it’s been several years since parking has been unrestricted at many of the hotels, especially the deluxe hotels. There are signs when you approach the security shacks that say parking is restricted to registered guests of that hotel and those with dining reservations.

We usually go twice a year and the guards at some of the hotels will not let you park there without a dining reservation. It is somewhat discretionary though, so at slower times they may allow it. Now that CBR has the Skyliner, parking is restricted there also.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I simply Googled “Disney resort day parking”!

If WDW’s official website (the first place most people would think to check) disagrees with the signs outside the hotels themselves, that’s on Disney, not the fault of confused guests or any of us here.

and that’s just my point.

Sure…you can park places. But it’s variable almost To the person/day. That’s why it shouldn’t be given here as advice. Too inconsistent.

One day it’s slow and a 25 year vet who “remembers” cracks a joke and waves you through.

Next a CP on a run Disney day is instructed to make no exceptions.

No sense chasing a goose.

 

[LittleBuford]

May I ask when you last parked at WDW? The policy does say “select,” which gives them an out.

In any case, it’s been several years since parking has been unrestricted at many of the hotels, especially the deluxe hotels. There are signs when you approach the security shacks that say parking is restricted to registered guests of that hotel and those with dining reservations.

We usually go twice a year and the guards at some of the hotels will not let you park there without a dining reservation. It is somewhat discretionary though, so at slower times they may allow it. Now that CBR has the Skyliner, parking is restricted there also.

I don’t drive at WDW, so I’m not speaking from experience. I thought the whole point of this mini-discussion was to focus on Disney’s official policy! If the policy as stated on the website doesn’t quite match what one is told at the hotels (and that does indeed seem to be the case based on what you and @Sirwalterraleigh are saying, as well as the information I just found on TouringPlans), Disney should address the inconsistency. I realise “select” gives them an out, but the on-the-ground policy sounds much more restrictive than what the website would prepare a visitor for.

 

[Chi84]

I simply Googled “Disney resort day parking”!

If WDW’s official website (the first place most people would think to check) disagrees with the signs outside the hotels themselves, that’s on Disney, not the fault of confused guests or any of us here.

It’s terribly confusing and unfair to guests who don’t know to visit sites like this. Disney just doesn’t want to box itself in in case it’s not busy and they decide to allow parking for guests to come in and look around.

 

[Br0ckford]

 

[Chi84]

Oh, sorry, we were just keeping it alive until you could join in.

 

[LittleBuford]

It’s terribly confusing and unfair to guests who don’t know to visit sites like this. Disney just don’t want to box itself in in case it’s not busy and they decide to allow parking for guests to come in and look around.

Agreed. They should be able to come up with wording that strikes a better balance between conveying the actual policy and providing some wiggle room.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I don’t drive at WDW, so I’m not speaking from experience. I thought the whole point of this mini-discussion was to focus on Disney’s official policy! If the policy as stated on the website doesn’t quite match what one is told at the hotels (and that does indeed seem to be the case based on what you and @Sirwalterraleigh are saying, as well as the information I just found on TouringPlans), Disney should address the inconsistency. I realise “select” gives them an out, but the on-the-ground policy sounds much more restrictive than what the website would prepare a visitor for.

I’m guess that’s parking policy on the website is a relic written long ago…pre-bobs likely…and it’s not technically inaccurate so nobody messed with it.

But bobs do what they want with little if any notice too…including operational moves To save or generate money.

Yes…even an “exclusive parking lot” woujd be fuel to increase the rack price. Don’t put it past them.

It’s a battle to talk past security…some places come to mind as worse than others. But it also makes it a bad recommendation to try.

Contemporary, grand, DAKL and beach come to mind first

…any guesses why?

 

[Br0ckford]

Oh, sorry, we were just keeping it alive until you could join in.

Nothing to add. It's all been said.....a lot

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

And in the spirit of thread….I want to make sure @MickeyLuv'r that nothing you said is crazy or unreasonable…and indeed makes sense all things being equal. Modern Disney really isn’t an equal place - however

In my resort days…we kinda celebrated the different hotel levels as “quirky” and unique on their own. It mattered less what you paid.

Now? $200 at pop, $280 at caribbean and they knocked part of that down to slap a gaudy low themed concrete vacation club there.

The bobs are “shading” us…intentionally.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Nothing to add. It's all been said.....a lot

 

[WondersOfLife]

I enjoy a good debate. Arguing is another matter, and best avoided.

Debate is a better word.

 

[crazy4disney]

I was replying back to your complaint on stuck waiting for busses. I suggested Uber .

I dont take the buses bc i think they are awful… i rent a car.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I dont take the buses bc i think they are awful… i rent a car.

…but where do you park it?

 

[Vacationeer]

WDW chooses not to clarify official policy regarding day guest resort parking. They don’t want to get into specifics. Appears much of it depends on where you are staying, which resort’s lot, and how busy the lots are.

The only times they’ve asked me a bunch of questions was around ropedrop or special events at park resorts. The only time we were turned away was visiting Poly while staying AoA and they asked us to park at TTC. I’ve had a guard outright say it’s fine to park at Contemporary because we’re staying at GFV without bothering to see my Mobile Order. Not official policy, but I guess she was quickly satisfied wasn’t likely misuse. Similar has happened at Beach Club where it surprised me to just get waved through quickly after getting my MB scanned.

WDW does this with alot of messaging. It’s a balancing act between discouraging and accommodating different circumstnces, and not spelling it out to leave themselves the ability to adjust on the fly. They don’t clearly state all options regarding unused tickets. They didn’t offer all the particulars with FP+. DAS is intentionally vague. On and on…

The uncertainty helps discourage people taking advantage. Not foolproof but I guess they find it effective enough. And when it isn’t they do things like shut down road access to Contemporary before MNSSHP.

 

[LittleBuford]

WDW chooses not to clarify official policy regarding day guest resort parking. They don’t want to get into specifics. Appears much of it depends on where you are staying, which resort’s lot, and how busy the lots are.

The only times they’ve asked me a bunch of questions was around ropedrop or special events at park resorts. The only time we were turned away was visiting Poly while staying AoA and they asked us to park at TTC. I’ve had a guard outright say it’s fine to park at Contemporary because we’re staying at GFV without bothering to see my Mobile Order. Not official policy, but I guess she was quickly satisfied wasn’t likely misuse. Similar has happened at Beach Club where it surprised me to just get waved through quickly after getting my MB scanned.

WDW does this with alot of messaging. It’s a balancing act between discouraging and accommodating different circumstnces, and not spelling it out to leave themselves the ability to adjust on the fly. They don’t clearly state all options regarding unused tickets. They didn’t offer all the particulars with FP+. DAS is intentionally vague. On and on…

The uncertainty helps discourage people taking advantage. Not foolproof but I guess they find it effective enough. And when it isn’t they do things like shut down road access to Contemporary before MNSSHP.

It normally works the other way around, though: the official policy as stated on the website is less flexible than what you experience on the ground. In this instance, the website is doing nothing to discourage people trying their luck; it’s actually doing the opposite.

 

[crazy4disney]

…but where do you park it?
View attachment 671390

I make sure i always have a reservation at a monorail resort when i go to the MK. Check mate lol

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I make sure i always have a reservation at a monorail resort when i go to the MK. Check mate lol

…I enjoy citricos too

 

[Vacationeer]

It normally works the other way around, though: the official policy as stated on the website is less flexible than what you experience on the ground. In this instance, the website is doing nothing to discourage people trying their luck; it’s actually doing the opposite.

Very true. I think they don’t want to discourage guests from spending money at resorts. After all, people driving can eat and shop elsewhere. But they do want to leave that uncertainty for people less familiar, like is it possible to get towed after 3 hours.