Apparently it is stealing now to park at Springs to take a bus to the resorts?

[ajollyholidaywithjo]

I commented on someone’s post in a Disney Facebook group, who was asking how to park at a Disney resort, so they could eat at a quick service and ride the Skyliner.

Since they don’t let you park at resorts anymore unless you have a dining reservation, I suggested that they park at Springs, and take a bus over. One of the moderators in the group, deleted my comment and messaged me to tell me that “that’s stealing” and I would be removed from the group. The moderator told the OP that they should pay to park at the parks, and then bus to the resorts.

This seems absolutely insane to me. What do y’all think?

 

[cdh]

I commented on someone’s post in a Disney Facebook group, who was asking how to park at a Disney resort, so they could eat at a quick service and ride the Skyliner.

Since they don’t let you park at resorts anymore unless you have a dining reservation, I suggested that they park at Springs, and take a bus over. One of the moderators in the group, deleted my comment and messaged me to tell me that “that’s stealing” and I would be removed from the group. The moderator told the OP that they should pay to park at the parks, and then bus to the resorts.

This seems absolutely insane to me. What do y’all think?

I would have never considered that to be stealing. Disney doesn’t check magic bands or anything like that when people get on the buses. Ugh.

 

[Her Dotness]

Huh? I don't see the problem at all when much DS parking is free.

No reason at all to pay theme park lot rates when the plan is eating resort QS and riding the Skyliner, not going to a park.

Now, on the other hand, if the intent is to go into EP or HS afterward, then I definitely agree with the FBK moderator.

That may have been how the moderator perceived the intent even if it wasn't stated.

 

[SteveH]

It's their rules they do as they wish, hence one reason I don't do FB for Disney groups.

As for parking at Disney Springs to go the park, they've put up numerous obstacles to prevent users from doing just that. However they do go to the resorts. What you are doing is approved by Disney they even state so here, "All Guests have complimentary access to our network of monorails, buses and boats."

If Disney wanted to stop that they could, but they don't.

 

[ajollyholidaywithjo]

Huh? I don't see the problem at all when much DS parking is free.

No reason at all to pay theme park lot rates when the plan is eating resort QS and riding the Skyliner, not going to a park.

Now, on the other hand, if the intent is to go into EP or HS afterward, then I definitely agree with the FBK moderator.

That may have been how the moderator perceived the intent even if it wasn't stated.

The original poster was going to Florida for other reasons, and just wanted to visit a resort, so no intentions to visit a park from what I gathered.

 

[DeeBee3]

Yeah, I think that was that particular person's FB group rule. Definitely not illegal or stealing to park at Disney springs. Many people do it. You do not need a theme park ticket to ride a bus, monorail, or skyliner at Disney. Have done it just for fun!

 

[OKW Lover]

While I think "stealing" might be the wrong word to use here, I can understand the Mod's position. Doing this is not something that Disney approves of and promoting the way around it isn't in the best interests of everybody else. Abuse of a loophole quickly gets that loophole closed.

FYIW, I'm a Mod/Admin on a couple of DIS associated FB pages.

 

[Mrs.AMC]

Seeing how riding the bus is free I am not sure who or what that is "stealing" from.
Disney themselves says their buses are available for all to use, not just park or resort guests. Any and all.
I'd say, that's a group you are good to have been booted from. Who needs advice from folks like that?

 

[Mrs.AMC]

While I think "stealing" might be the wrong word to use here, I can understand the Mod's position. Doing this is not something that Disney approves of and promoting the way around it isn't in the best interests of everybody else. Abuse of a loophole quickly gets that loophole closed.

FYIW, I'm a Mod/Admin on a couple of DIS associated FB pages.

What loophole?
Disney approves of folks using their buses
They state that any and all are welcome to use their buses
So I'm not sure what you are talking about.

 

[MillauFr]

Seems like the problem could easily be solved if they charged for parking at Disney Springs.

 

[FreeTime]

Here is my take on it, parking at DS is for people visiting the businesses at DS. Doing so to take a resort bus for QS and to ride the skyliner (taking up space for guests that need it for transportation from the parks) is not acceptable. I am okay with riding transportation for activities or making it the activity in itself for resort guests (my definition is staying at a hotel).

 

[Her Dotness]

Doing this is not something that Disney approves of and promoting the way around it isn't in the best interests of everybody else. Abuse of a loophole quickly gets that loophole closed.

FYIW, I'm a Mod/Admin on a couple of DIS associated FB pages.

I'd agree with you for those intending to go to a park while parking free at DS. That's gaming the system without a doubt, IMO.

But, when someone truly wants to eat (let's say) Riviera QS and ride the Skyliner route for the experience, how can that be something Disney would discourage? That person might love RIV based on this encounter and decide to book a cash stay or even be going there to look it over, considering buying a RIV contract.

As much stricter as Disney has become about admittance to resorts without a room ressie or ADR, there's no longer a way to simply visit a near-park resort when coming from off-site--unless I'm ignorant as to how you could without either.

 

[ajollyholidaywithjo]

Here is my take on it, parking at DS is for people visiting the businesses at DS. Doing so to take a resort bus for QS and to ride the skyliner (taking up space for guests that need it for transportation from the parks) is not acceptable. I am okay with riding transportation for activities or making it the activity in itself for resort guests (my definition is staying at a hotel).

Y’all do realize that locals park at DS all the time to do this, right? Influencers especially. If Disney would bring back letting people park at resorts for mobile ordering, it would be a different story. But by your logic, if I pay to park at a park, like the FB mod suggested, I’m taking that parking away from guests as well.

 

[OKW Lover]

Y’all do realize that locals park at DS all the time to do this, right?

Doubting this. Most locals I know (and I am one) have an AP so they aren't charged to park in one of the parks.

 

[sam_gordon]

Here is my take on it, parking at DS is for people visiting the businesses at DS. Doing so to take a resort bus for QS and to ride the skyliner (taking up space for guests that need it for transportation from the parks) is not acceptable. I am okay with riding transportation for activities or making it the activity in itself for resort guests (my definition is staying at a hotel).

So how do you do it if you want to "experience" a resort (to include eating QS) if they don't let you park unless you have a dining reservation? SOL?

 

[ajollyholidaywithjo]

Doubting this. Most locals I know (and I am one) have an AP so they aren't charged to park in one of the parks.

Never said that wasn’t an option. You can do both. And I’ve seen locals, especially influencers, do both.

 

[Skip Coffee for Rope Drop]

What loophole?
Disney approves of folks using their buses
They state that any and all are welcome to use their buses
So I'm not sure what you are talking about.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that in order to get to the bus depot at Disney Springs, you have to go through metal detectors in the parking garages, therefore anyone entering the resorts via Downtown Disney busses, oops, Disney Springs busses should not be a danger to the resort guests. They also most likely will spend money in the resorts if just for a coke.

The hassle of parking in the deck, going through security, then walking all the way to the bus depot, waiting for the bus and taking the bus to the resort, than walking to skyliner. You are talking at least an hour to get to Hollywood Studios/Epcot to avoid the parking fee. Getting back would even take longer and you end up having to pay for a cab or an uber to get you back to the Springs.

It is ok for a person to go to Disney Springs and take a boat to Port Orleans/Riverside/Key West so I am assuming it would be ok to take a bus to the the resorts.

 

[jo-jo]

Wasn't there complaints of the buses at SSR always being so busy because of this?

 

[raidermatt]

Here is my take on it, parking at DS is for people visiting the businesses at DS. Doing so to take a resort bus for QS and to ride the skyliner (taking up space for guests that need it for transportation from the parks) is not acceptable. I am okay with riding transportation for activities or making it the activity in itself for resort guests (my definition is staying at a hotel).

While I certainly respect your right to have a take, the only take that really matters regarding this question is Disney's. From everything I have seen quoted in this thread, Disney is absolutely fine with doing what the OP suggested. If there is anything in their policies to the contrary, it would change the situation.

 

[raidermatt]

While I think "stealing" might be the wrong word to use here, I can understand the Mod's position. Doing this is not something that Disney approves of and promoting the way around it isn't in the best interests of everybody else. Abuse of a loophole quickly gets that loophole closed.

FYIW, I'm a Mod/Admin on a couple of DIS associated FB pages.

Is there a policy somewhere that states Disney does not approve of this? I know its the case regarding the parks, but everything I have seen is specific to the parks.