Parking for free

[grnflash]

I'm pretty sure I stated that I didn't do my research as well as I should have... And you shouldn't judge the actions of people without knowing the reason behind them. I'm not in a mentally healthy state right now, a trip to Disney would be something that can fix that.


$72 is enough for food for an entire day. My thing is if it is any way possible to save $72 that I'd like to save it. That's a lot for me.


There are no value resorts available for the dates of my trip, and last time I tried to stay at a cheap hotel on a trip to Universal, we had bed bugs, roaches, and no door to the bathroom. (Don't stay at The M Hotel)

There is not a refundable cancellation option. So there's not a "back out" option.

If the advice was "No that's not possible" then thats all anyone really needed to say.

If someone could just stop this thread I'd appreciate it. @The Mom

Holy moly your excuses are ludicrous. And now that you aren't getting the help you want to scam the system, you resort to insults and want the thread closed. FYI, your emotional state has nothing to do with implementing a parking scam nor failure to properly research your trip.

As for playing innocent as if you were just trying to save a few bucks instead of outright scam, since your original post asked where you " could get away with...." it's pretty clear what your intent is.

Just own it and move on.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I'd suggest calling Expedia and telling them you were unaware of the ancillary charges. See if they'll transfer you to another hotel near Palm Parkway (which should run you about the same - without the resort or parking fees) and try to get them to waive the cancellation fee. Not saying that will work but depending on various factors...they may be willing to work with you. Chances are the penalty is an Expedia cancellation charge - not a hotel one (unless you are within 48 hours of checking in).

That's a good idea. I've done that with Priceline even though they say they won't cancel anything. "I made a mistake" can go a long way, especially if you are immediately rebooking something else with them.

 

[21stamps]

That's a good idea. I've done that with Priceline even though they say they won't cancel anything. "I made a mistake" can go a long way, especially if you are immediately rebooking something else with them.

Unless it's Groupon.

I'm a huge Groupon fan..last month noticed a special for tickets to see Chicago. Went to check if my 20% off discount code worked on it.
Accidentally clicked the "buy" button instead. (On my phone). Called immediately. Apparently you can not talk to live people at Groupon, they direct you to their online chat. Immediately did that. "Sorry, tickets are non refundable."
"But it was a mistake! I can't even go on the date I was looking at. Just checked to see if my discount code worked! Now I have a $360 charge!"
"I'm sorry, the tickets are non refundable. Is there anything else I can assist you with?"
"No thanks, I'll call my bank and dispute it."
Closed Groupon and Called my bank.

It was unbelievable.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Unless it's Groupon.

I'm a huge Groupon fan..last month noticed a special for tickets to see Chicago. Went to check if my 20% off discount code worked on it.
Accidentally clicked the "buy" button instead. (On my phone). Called immediately. Apparently you can not talk to live people at Groupon, they direct you to their online chat. Immediately did that. "Sorry, tickets are non refundable."
"But it was a mistake! I can't even go on the date I was looking at. Just checked to see if my discount code worked! Now I have a $360 charge!"
"I'm sorry, the tickets are non refundable. Is there anything else I can assist you with?"
"No thanks, I'll call my bank and dispute it."
Closed Groupon and Called my bank.

It was unbelievable.

Yikes. Good to know.

 

[21stamps]

Yikes. Good to know.

I've been telling everyone.lol. I've been using Groupon for years but never had to contact them before.. every single phone number listed on google directs you to their online chat.
So weird. And it's a one click charge when you buy something, no confirmation etc to protect you.. I'll be sure to be extra,extra careful from now on.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I'm pretty sure I stated that I didn't do my research as well as I should have... And you shouldn't judge the actions of people without knowing the reason behind them. I'm not in a mentally healthy state right now, a trip to Disney would be something that can fix that.

Spending money you don’t have for what amounts to self medication is not a fix and can be the start of a path of bad justifications. If you are in an unhealthy state then you should seek real help to get healthy again and not avoid it by trying to convince yourself that a vacation will be a valid, lasting substitute.

 

[larryz]

You could buy an Annual Pass. Parking is free at all parks with an AP.

That works, right guys?

He'd still have to pay to park at the Hilton.

 

[AshaNeOmah]

He'd still have to pay to park at the Hilton.

Don't the Springs resorts have a shuttle to the parks? I'm sure they do.

 

[larryz]

Don't the Springs resorts have a shuttle to the parks? I'm sure they do.

He's staying at the Hilton, and if he drives to the hotel, he'll be charged a parking fee.

Edit: in case it refers to Disney Springs resorts...

 

["El Gran Magnifico"]

Don't the Springs resorts have a shuttle to the parks? I'm sure they do.

If you're asking about the Disney owned DS resorts (OKW, POFQ, POR, and Saratoga)....yes. The Hotel Plaza hotels also have bus service but there is some variance...as an example...the Hotel Plaza buses will not take you to the Magic Kingdom. They'll go to TTC instead. But yes, you can get to the parks from those hotels.

 

[GoofGoof]

Don't the Springs resorts have a shuttle to the parks? I'm sure they do.

They do but you can't park your car at a resort for free with an AP, only the parks. You also are not supposed to leave your car at the parks overnight. I have heard of people doing it and getting away with it (especially during food and wine at EPCOT) but you run the risk of being towed.

 

[daisyduckie]

Time is money at Disney World. You are going to waste a ton of time trying to save the parking fee. It simply is not worth it.

 

[Cmdr_Crimson]

Don't the Springs resorts have a shuttle to the parks? I'm sure they do.

They do...I stayed at Grosvenor in 2005 which is now the Wyndam directly across for DS...However their bus line is a bit different to the resort busses. Having a different schedule, Going to 2 parks to drop guests off and being in different bus sections than other busses are, And it may be a longer wait to get onto one since they have to also pick-up & drop off at Multiple hotels than just having a Dedicated bus for each....The Disney World Hotel Good Neighbor site also has this in regards to "said perks"

The Comfort of Convenience
Hotel perks, proximity to Walt Disney World Resort and ease of access make your vacation easier.

• Many hotels offer Disney Theme Park vacation packages. Visit the hotel website for more details on package offers, or call 407-W-DISNEY or (407) 934-7639 and ask about packages for your preferred Walt Disney World Good Neighbor Hotel.
• All hotels are close to the Walt Disney World Resort (ranging from 2 to 14 miles).
• All hotels offer transportation to the Disney Theme Parks. (A fee may apply.)
• Many hotels allow pets. (A fee may apply.)
• All hotels allow you to purchase your Disney Theme Park tickets on-site, in their lobby, at the Front Desk or Guest Services Desk

Here's what the Good Neighbor Resort Hotels Buses look like with their new Decals...

 

[disney4life2008]

I think its really disappointing to read the nastiness on this thread. People calling a young man they don't know, such awful names because he asked if anyone knew of somewhere he could park for free. The OP didn't ask for a way to "game" the system. I hope he has a good time and doesn't let this damper his vacation.

Multiply him by 100. And there is the problem. Its a ridiculous question.

 

[John park hopper]

In his original post he states "I could get away with parking free for 4 nights" I will let you draw your own conclusion.

 

[thomas998]

And why do you suppose there is one-way bus service from DS? Because other people "used the tricks" and tried to pay nothing. Why do resorts have cast members checking guest status more frequently at their pools? - Because other people "used the tricks" to get an amenity they didn't pay for. Disney began testing paid parking at resort hotels - I'm sure a lot of that had to do with generating extra revenue but it also had to do with some people "using the tricks" to park there and then get to a park.

Did you ever stop to think why the Hilton Lake Buena Vista charges for parking? Sure - ancillary revenue has something to do with it -- but maybe it also has something to do with them providing bus service to TTC and the other parks. Without the parking fee their lot would overflow with people "using tricks" to get free bus service. The paying guests would be inconvenienced, and the hotel would need to increase the supply to keep up with the demand. That would cost the hotel money and in turn they would recoup that by charging higher rates.

So let's go back and revisit the OP. He is obviously taking his car to Disney. Which means if he is staying at an "on property/non-Disney hotel" he is going to pay $20 if he drives his car to the parks and/or a parking fee at the hotel and will then use their bus service. But he doesn't want to pay all of the associated fees required to stay at the hotel, although he is going to rely on the hotel's (and/or Disney's) transportation service to cart him to and from wherever it is he is going. Cool "trick" isn't it? You might find that admirable - I don't.

You are assuming I ever park at DS to go to parks. I don't. There are park lots that are available at no charge and which you couldn't pay if you wanted to simply because of the parking booth locations. I may be cheap and more than willing to pay nothing to park but when I do I'm not going to go through lots of hoops of riding buses and boats to do it.

 

[raven]

Can't really be called a "cheapskate" when you are staying at a Hilton resort, eh?

 

[Jedi Stitch]

For those of you who have forgotten the collage years, I'm sorry for you. Those little fees add up when your on a budget. I wish I had some good info for you, but I don't.

 

[danyoung56]

I think it's rude to the point of loonytunes for people to jump on with their assumptions about the OP's motivations. Why can't the advice just be "you can try this but it's unethical, or you could try this but you might get your car towed", etc. The assumption that he's trying to beat the system is just ludicrous. He just asked a question about trying to save a bit of money. Very rude, very uncool.

 

[grnflash]

For those of you who have forgotten the collage years, I'm sorry for you. Those little fees add up when your on a budget. I wish I had some good info for you, but I don't.

Oh I remember my college budget days well. We'd go camping down in Mexico to get away, not spend 4 or 5 days at the Hilton. Geez, I feel ripped off. No one told me I was entitled to take stuff for free.