Boondocking at Orlando Disney World

[jameshawk]

Has anyone had any experience spending a few nights in the parking lots of Disney World?

[BFlinn181]

Disney has very good security and an RV park on the property. I doubt very much that an RV would be allowed to 'freeload' in their parking lots. As I remember, the parking lots are emptied out each night for cleaning and maintenance. This from this link, "Some have wondered "Can I park overnight in one of the theme park lots or at the Disney Transportation Center?"The answer is no. We spoke with someone in Walt Disney World Security and they confirmed that your car will be towed if left overnight in a theme park lot and some visitors have been unfortunate enough to experience this for themselves. That being said, it never hurts to call Guest Servies at (407) 939-5277 and ask."

[swanson]

Disney has a great campground! It's not the cheapest, just like the hotels aren't the cheapest. You do get one of the best kept and cleanest campground that I have ever been at. Plus you get the benefits like you are staying at a Disney hotel. I will stay there again next time we go there.

Yes Disney does tow overnight parked cars from their lots, and I don't blame them.

[jameshawk]

I did call Disney Guest Services and asked if overnight parking was permitted and was told yes. My next question was is it OK to spend the night in your vehicle, say a motorhome, and was told no. I asked why and was told for security reasons, so I asked if the parking lots are patrolled and we are there then what, and was told that not all vehicle are searched for occupants.

[jameshawk]

Its called "Boondocking" Not Freeloading , that is the forum you are on right now . Looking for real world experiences not some saints 2 cents worth of piety trying to keep Disney in business.

[jondrew55]

Originally Posted by jameshawk

Its called "Boondocking" Not Freeloading , that is the forum you are on right now . Looking for real world experiences not some saints 2 cents worth of piety trying to keep Disney in business.

I ain't no saint. Try staying in the parking lot at Rainbow Springs for free. See how you make out.

You want to see the rat, you have to pay the rat.

[Dennis Dean]

Originally Posted by jameshawk

I did call Disney Guest Services and asked if overnight parking was permitted and was told yes. My next question was is it OK to spend the night in your vehicle, say a motorhome, and was told no. I asked why and was told for security reasons, so I asked if the parking lots are patrolled and we are there then what, and was told that not all vehicle are searched for occupants.

Seems like a big risk to take considering I doubt security will ignore a RV with lights on, Heater/AC running, generator running, etc. Your one day park pass probably cost more than one night stay at Fort wilderness where you have unlimited free transportation to every park at Disney, 2 restaurants, pool, store and a great quiet park to stay in.

[HicksRA]

If only it were that easy to just pull into FT Wilderness and pick a spot. Every time I check, they're full way into the future and short time reservations are impossible.
I personally, would make sure I had confirmed permission before trying to "freeload" (not my words) in the regular parking lot.

[BFlinn181]

I used the term 'freeloading' because that's what's intended, to stay somewhere and not pay. By the way, daytime parking for an RV is $22. The parking pass is good if you choose to move from park to park.

Boondocking to me is staying out in a National Forest or the like, camping in area that is not a campground.

I don't call it boondocking whether at Disney or Walmart. Freeloading isn't a pejorative term to me, it's a place to stop for the night when you're self contained (the reason for an RV) and don't need utilities or services. I'm no Saint and not even a little pious, I was just being realistic. Disney offers an RV campground, their parking lots are carefully monitored. The lots near the attractions are emptied when the parks close. The hotels have their own lots for guests only. An RV, known to have bed and bath, would stick out pretty obviously if you tried to stay in a lot after hours. You pay for parking when entering, how would they collect the next day's parking fee if allowed to stay?

Sorry, I know you didn't want to hear reality and facts, but don't attack the messenger.

[Murf2u]

I've spent many nights in the Orlando area while there attending to business.

The entire area is painfully aware of the cost of going to Disney and knows how to pick up some change themselves from the ones who don't want to give all their nickels to Disney. I've had more businesses and security guards ask me "How long do you think you're going to park there?" In that area than in all the other places I go combined.

You're not the first, and certainly won't be the last person to think of this idea, if it was allowed the parking lots would look like an RV show.

[dduerden]

In my experience the term "boondocking" means just that, staying out in the boondocks, not just the lack of a hookup. The lack of a hookup would be "dry camping", like at a racetrack or other facility. If you are staying at a WalMart, casino, Cracker Barrel or any such place where they welcome RV's and you have permission, that is certainly not freeloading. They are providing you a service in the hopes you will in turn provide them a little business. All that is good, we do it too. If you are trying to figure out a place you can sneak into without permission in hopes you can manage to stay the night without getting kicked out, then you are in fact freeloading. Any time you are staying on private property without specific permission (like a casino where they have you sign in) or implied permission (like a walmart that welcomes all rv's), you are freeloading, and legally you are also trespassing. Sorry if that ruffles any feathers, but that's the black and white.

On a side note, check out Casino Camper - Home they list info on all U.S. casinos and which ones allow overnite rv parking and which do not, a nice resource for free stays when you travel. In Florida only Miccosukee outside Miami allows overnite parking and we have stayed there several times coming and going from the Keys. It is a convenient spot to stop for the night and get a fresh start down the Keys in the morning and not fight Miami traffic.

They also have a very nice "parking etiquette" section which has some nice rules to live by no matter what lot you are dry camping in.

[jameshawk]

OK, so we are spending 2 days touring Epcots Food & Wine fest. Entry fee $380
Say 10 samplings each per day $400
Dinner and drinks each night $300
You can do the math.
I have stayed at locations that don't promote overnight stays, but in my searches have been informed that we shouldn't be bothered at that specific site. It sounds like at Disney this would not be the case. But if after these inquires I had determined that they look the other way then I would
go ahead and "Freeload"
As it has turned out , after being told by Disney's booking agents that there are no campsites available at their Fort Wilderness, I was been able to find one online.
So, no boondocking, freeloading or dry camping, I'm just a guest.

[Spada84]

Since it looks like Boondocking is difficult in the Orlando area and you need to camp, and don't mind a bit of a drive; I can highly recommend Lake Monroe park. It's a county campground right off of I-4 on US 17. Not sure about maximum size, but the sites are huge, it's clean, and it's a great value at $22.00/night. I think if you stay 6 nights you get the 7th free.
Lake Monroe Park

[pasdad1]

I just did a search on the Ft Wilderness website and picked today (11/4/15) and found a choice of several full hookup campsites available - cheapest was $79

Point is due to cancellations, etc there are frequently openings....just have to look