Orlando - Sneaking into the Parking lot at Disney

Well folks, some of you may recall there was conversation here, and also on other Disney centric BBS, about the backway to bypass the parking lot toll boths and park for free in the Magic Kingdom.

Well, as of last weekend when I was there, I can tell you there is now a gate at the parking lot turnaround that needs a key access to get to open.

We all knew it would happen once word started to spread about it - just like everything else that allowed someone to get somewhere faster or save a buck or two. It's been there for years and years, and they finally had to lock it.

Oh, and FWIW - since I always stay on property and can park for free if I'm crazy enough to use the general parking lot, I can't say I ever took advantage of it. My concern was that they would gate off the road leading to it, making it difficult for those of us staying on that side of the lagoon to get turned around an on our way. Thankfully, they left the rest of us alone to go about our business and only made it impossible for the cheaters to continue to cheat.

There are still several other ways to park for free... :X

Funny you should mention that :) I happened to get on a boat to Ft. Wilderness with a scruffy looking family. He kept asking if he could get to Downtown Disney from FW, so I said yes. It was obvious he was parked there :)

What I didn't tell him that it was about a half mile walk from the boat dock to the internal bus system, and then he would have to wait at the entrance to the resort (at midnight) for a bus to take him to Downtown Disney. All in all, it probably took him well over an hour, probably longer, to get his family back to the car. All to save $14.

I chuckled as I got into my golf cart and road off to my cabin :) No way was I going to tell him anything besides what I did :D

The toll booths people don't even check the employee IDs.. just buy one on ebay or sumtin.

I really can't see how saving $14 a day when a family has spent $2K dollars to get to WDW. It is not worth the hassle to hop on a bus at closing to try and get to a resort. At Park closing the BUS area is chaotic and lines to almost all resorts are long even during the "value" season as Disney calls it. Our family was there last Aug/Sept and we had to wait for the second or even third bus back to our resort (AoA) at closing. Other resort lines were just as long. The buses are full to the gills. If you are staying off site, it's easier to hop on a tram / walk to the car and be headed by to your hotel in minutes.

btw. The Art of Animation Resort is a great resort for familes. http://images.ibsrv.net/ibsrv/res/src:www.flyertalk.com/get/forum/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif Very good food court with more than the std fast food chicken fingers, pizza & burgers. Most of the food is made to order. Huge!!! pool. Family suites are well themed and will sleep 6 so you don't have to book two rooms at some of the other Disney resorts.

You simply have to go to one of the hotels, tell them you are eating at X restaurant, show them your ID, and then park the car and take the bus/monorail to the park. Simple.

I really can't see how saving $14 a day when a family has spent $2K dollars to get to WDW.

The loopholes are used more often by those of us who can get there for $10 in gas rather than $2k in plane tickets.

That's what I don't get... why even bother. Everyone I know living within driving distance usually gets one of the resident seasonal passes which includes free parking.

As I noted, my concern was that people were spreading around the way into the parking lot that could have affected those of us staying in one of the hotels around the lot and making it more difficult for us to get around the area.

At least all they did was put up a gate to foil the people stealing the parking.

I agree Mary, Resorts are starting to use the new RFID cards for room keys, Admission tickets, and charging cards. There should be plenty of space available on the card for a digital field to indicate if a guest has a car or not. This could also be used to give resort guests a "fast" lane to use for parking at the resorts. I think this is true for the old cards that are mag stripe based.

Not sure on ways around the booths, but through the booths for free, done that.

If you turn up after 5ish or on a wet afternoon they often don't charge to park

Not sure on ways around the booths, but through the booths for free, done that.

If you turn up after 5ish or on a wet afternoon they often don't charge to park

Also if you get there really early like 6 am when waiting in line for autographs at Star Wars Weekends.

Ask me how I know this...

This thread is too funny..

I've booked both WDW and DL this year and the annual pass for both parks includes parking for both parks. Plus the dining savings with Tables at Wonderland, and the built in dining discount at DL far exceeds any benefit once everything is costed out. Not sure the logic of obtaining free parking when there's hotel shuttles offering convenience.

We also booked Aulani on Oahu later in the summer.. but what's with the chintzy discount offered for annual passholders? The discount currently is the same for AAA members.

We also booked Aulani on Oahu later in the summer.. but what's with the chintzy discount offered for annual passholders? The discount currently is the same for AAA members.

I think you answered your own question. Even with the so-called chintzy discount, you still booked. Aulani is such an amazing place that Disney doesn't have to discount to fill the rooms. So why would they?

Coming back from Disney World and for the three weeks we were down there, the secret entrance is still open for business.

For us it doesn't matter, as I purchased the premier passport for both Disney World and Disneyland and parking is free for us. Plus with Grandma with us, its nice to park in the handicap stalls at all of the differing park entrances. Locals be happy and have a great Mickey day!