Will Disney tow your car away?

DisneyDefenders

DisneyDefenders

Active Member
Original Poster
After many visits to WDW, it seems the only time I have ever seen a tow truck on property has been when a vehicle broke down, so I got to thinking, would Disney tow a car away that is parked in one of the theme park lots overnight?

I specifically thought of the scenario where someone drives to one of the theme parks, but is not in the condition to drive after leaving the parks, and just takes a bus to their resort. Not sure if anyone has ever come across this situation or something like it, but I'm curious to know what the general policy on cars that are left in the theme park lots overnight is?
 
dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
I suspect they would at some point. Why bother charging for parking at a resort if you can just drop your car at the theme park for the week? That said though, I'm pretty sure I've seen random cars in various spots in the parking lots in the early am on the bus to runDisney events, well before anyone who be a) at the park b) parking at a random spot halfway to the back. Maybe they note what cars are there each night and on night 2 or 3 they tow it?
 
DisneyDefenders

DisneyDefenders

Active Member
Original Poster
BoarderPhreak said:
Why would they drive to a lot and take a bus back? Why not just take the bus both ways... 🤔
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There are quite a few scenarios where this could be possible, but just consider, you drive in on your first day, and don't want to lose valuable time in the parks, so you drive directly there and park in one of the theme park lots, but at the end of the day, are not in a condition to drive, so you take a Disney bus to your resort where you check-in and rest until you are better the following morning to go pick up your car. Can't imagine that something like that has never happened.
 
John park hopper

John park hopper

Well-Known Member
We stayed at POFQ in May upon entering the resort we told the gate guard we had a reservation and he let us in never asked for any further information. When we checked in guest services asked if we drove and said there was a parking fee, We were honest and said yes we drove and once at POFQ we never moved my truck until we checked out. If we were dishonest and said no we did not drive how do they know whether we drove or not.
 
Dead2009

Dead2009

Horror Movie Guru
CaptJackSparrow said:
There are quite a few scenarios where this could be possible, but just consider, you drive in on your first day, and don't want to lose valuable time in the parks, so you drive directly there and park in one of the theme park lots, but at the end of the day, are not in a condition to drive, so you take a Disney bus to your resort where you check-in and rest until you are better the following morning to go pick up your car. Can't imagine that something like that has never happened.
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If they paid for parking and Disney noticed the car never moved, they're going to think that it was either abandoned or the person doesn't plan on paying again the next day so it's gonna be removed.
 
Cmdr_Crimson

Cmdr_Crimson

Well-Known Member
Luckily Disney has some Connections in the Tow Industry.....
IXXI-Disney-Cars-Tow-Mater.jpg
 
KBLovedDisney

KBLovedDisney

Well-Known Member
I've been curious about this myself but more so in regards to parking at the resorts without having a parking pass on your car's dashboard. The last time we went, they said you didn't need one because they track your vehicle...?

Do they seriously?
 
Jedi Stitch

Jedi Stitch

Well-Known Member
Well apparently after reading some of the other sites. There is a strict 3 hour policy at the MK resorts, where many of the other drivers over the years have used resort parking on MK days. Some basic reading came up that if you enter for an ADR you have actually 3-4 hours to park. If your checking in again 3 hours to park. Apparently some people have been towed after they have returned after fireworks. Now, that you pay to park regardless, I doubt their is a strict 3 hour policy, well maybe the MK resort parking their could be if you are not in the system somewhere.
 
dreamfinder

dreamfinder

Well-Known Member
KBLovesDisney said:
I've been curious about this myself but more so in regards to parking at the resorts without having a parking pass on your car's dashboard. The last time we went, they said you didn't need one because they track your vehicle...?

Do they seriously?
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It's not that surprising. There are a lot of parking garages at airports and other venues that track where your car is. Then when you go to pay your ticket at the automated machine, it tells you where exactly your car is on the stub. Helps for all the people who are rushing to make their flight/already in vacation mode and forgot where there car is, but also for payment tracking for people who lose their parking tickets. Lets them be accurate, and also provides a quick customer service win by helping you locate your car.

Disney just tracks ins and outs at the gate, and matches the plate pics to the magic band scanner when you scan in/security clears you based on your reservation. No idea if that is how they actually do it, but it's not that hard.
 
John park hopper

John park hopper

Well-Known Member
dreamfinder said:
It's not that surprising. There are a lot of parking garages at airports and other venues that track where your car is. Then when you go to pay your ticket at the automated machine, it tells you where exactly your car is on the stub. Helps for all the people who are rushing to make their flight/already in vacation mode and forgot where there car is, but also for payment tracking for people who lose their parking tickets. Lets them be accurate, and also provides a quick customer service win by helping you locate your car.

Disney just tracks ins and outs at the gate, and matches the plate pics to the magic band scanner when you scan in/security clears you based on your reservation. No idea if that is how they actually do it, but it's not that hard.
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As I posted Disney never made a connection between me and my truck --let me in no band scan or anything, same at guest check in ----you pay for parking at time of check out, if I said no I did not drive how do they know. parking and airport parking operate on you pay as you drive out.
 
danyoung56

danyoung56

Well-Known Member
John park hopper said:
We stayed at POFQ in May upon entering the resort we told the gate guard we had a reservation and he let us in never asked for any further information. When we checked in guest services asked if we drove and said there was a parking fee, We were honest and said yes we drove and once at POFQ we never moved my truck until we checked out. If we were dishonest and said no we did not drive how do they know whether we drove or not.
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In your case you probably could get away with it. Most people would drive to the parks and back, and in using their MB to open the gate would announce to the Disney computers that you indeed had a car.
 
Bullseye1967

Bullseye1967

Is that who I am?
Premium Member
I can't speak to current rules, but a few years ago the policy was no towing, unless a vehicle had been there for a long time. I believe it was then 21 days. Towing a "Guest" vehicle is very bad PR. There are many reasons someone may leave a vehicle overnight. Most involve some adult beverages but plans change and people do odd things. The policy at Disney Springs is no overnight parking without notification. That changed 2 years ago, but if you let them know it is fine.
 
nickys

nickys

Premium Member
I saw three cars being towed from the Contemporary over New Year back in 2016/17. We came back at around 5pm and there was a crowd of people watching as they picked them up; the security guards said the cars had been there since early in the morning and the owner’s weren’t staying at the resort.

So they do occasionally tow cars.
 

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