Paid parking is coming to WDW resorts March 2018

[UncleMike101]

It seems to fall on deaf ears, but maybe not. Do I think they will reverse this parking fee? No. But I do think they were unexpectedly hit with a big backlash and they'll think twice before hitting us with any additional fees like this in the near future. At least I hope so.

My feeling is that the only way they can extricate themselves from this tar pit they've created would be to offer discounts, equal to, or better than, the onerous parking fees to prior Disney Resort patrons.
At least that way they could smooth some of the ruffles feathers caused by this money grab.

 

[Arielfan98]

I really wish people would stop saying "most hotels charge for parking" that is demonstrably false. Most Orlando hotels ? Perhaps. But not most hotels.

I will admit I am ignorant mostly when it comes to travel, but any hotel I have stayed at in Massachusetts, California, NJ, NY, does not generally charge for parking. If they have charged us it was a one time fee that was reasonable, not per night.

 

[disneydreamer1980]

In a few years there will be a “official countdown to free parking” thread on here, where everyone is excited about and counting down to Disney’s biggest and most sought after discount of the year, lol. In all seriousness though, I bet they will offer this as a “deal” at some point.

 

[rteetz]

I really wish people would stop saying "most hotels charge for parking" that is demonstrably false. Most Orlando hotels ? Perhaps. But not most hotels.

I would have to guess it depends on the location of the hotel. Most hotels in cities like Orlando, New York, and Chicago charge for parking. A hotel in Nebraska probably won't.

 

[bluecastle]

But that's what people are saying, you can't compare Disney to other tourist places because Disney gets money out of you for all parts of the vacation. You can get to Vegas and pay $150 for a nice hotel, easily. Then it's up to you what you want to pay to do. You can go to another hotel and gamble or stay and play at your resort and watch shows. You can walk the strip for free or hang out by the pool or pay for tours. At Disney, for the most part, on top of your room where most are over $150, you're also having to pay Disney for a park ticket for every day you are there, not even counting the money you spend in the parks. And you're definitely not getting free drinks in the parks like sitting at the penny slots!

Now, if we want to use Vegas as the example, and assume all of Vegas is controlled as one entity like WDW, imagine you had to start paying to even get into a casino or to pay to get on the strip and see the Bellagio fountains or Pirate show. And then add to that, let's say they started doing special events in the casino or on the strip so that even if you did pay you'd get less hours to tour/play. And let's say they made all $5.00 tables into $20 tables and penny slots all became $1.00 slots. And let's say Vegas decided to upgrade 1/2 of the strip and so 1/2 was under construction but the prices all went up as well.

Add to that, in most places like Vegas, you get loyalty points for staying and playing at the property to use for future trips. Not so at Disney. I can spend $5k there every year and that never can be used for points for future stays.

I didn't ever believe parking at Disney was free but part of the high priced resort costs. So adding parking has just angered people because it is on top of many, many changes over the last 5 years that have led to more money for less value.

If someone visits Disney every 5 years these changes probably wouldn't even be noticeable, but for people who have been going to Disney regularly for years it's like death by a thousand paper cuts.

Thank you for putting the time and thought into this well-crafted response! I feel so emotional about this and my emotions are blocking my ability to sound reasonable.
We have been driving to WDW every 1-3 years since 1990. We save up and then we go. We drive to save money and for the convenience of being able to pack any way we want. Now that our DD is in her early 30's, we treat her and her husband to sharing a 2 BR villa with us. These have been cash reservations at WLV or BWV. We park the car and don't get in it again until we check out a week or so later. Even with the unpredictability of WDW transportation, we love being in the Disney bubble. We have always been willing to pay more for a Disney hotel because of everything that contributes to that bubble: theming, transportation, restaurants on site, recreation on site, and yes-free parking!
People who fly get DME for free. We drive to save money and so that we can afford to stay in a villa. We have accepted higher ticket prices, higher resort costs, and ridiculously high food prices. Now this. I feel like WDW has targeted those of us who drive and I honestly don't understand why. If we fly, we will stay less days and spend less money there! How are they getting more money from us? First they changed the ticket policy- I always bought tickets a couple of years in advance to save money. Now I can't do that anymore. You know what I did last night? I checked out the Universal hotels! Even with paying for parking, they are cheaper. I also plan to check out DS hotels. But my bubble is gone. The prices people are quoting are not accurate. It's 24.00 plus applicable taxes added to your hotel bill. For an 8 night stay, that's over 200.00, so that my car can sit in a parking lot in the FL sun. At least in the city it's in a garage!
I want to write to them, but, like I said, right now I am taking this personally.

 

[FaMulan358]

Thank you for putting the time and thought into this well-crafted response! I feel so emotional about this and my emotions are blocking my ability to sound reasonable.
We have been driving to WDW every 1-3 years since 1990. We save up and then we go. We drive to save money and for the convenience of being able to pack any way we want. Now that our DD is in her early 30's, we treat her and her husband to sharing a 2 BR villa with us. These have been cash reservations at WLV or BWV. We park the car and don't get in it again until we check out a week or so later. Even with the unpredictability of WDW transportation, we love being in the Disney bubble. We have always been willing to pay more for a Disney hotel because of everything that contributes to that bubble: theming, transportation, restaurants on site, recreation on site, and yes-free parking!
People who fly get DME for free. We drive to save money and so that we can afford to stay in a villa. We have accepted higher ticket prices, higher resort costs, and ridiculously high food prices. Now this. I feel like WDW has targeted those of us who drive and I honestly don't understand why. If we fly, we will stay less days and spend less money there! How are they getting more money from us? First they changed the ticket policy- I always bought tickets a couple of years in advance to save money. Now I can't do that anymore. You know what I did last night? I checked out the Universal hotels! Even with paying for parking, they are cheaper. I also plan to check out DS hotels. But my bubble is gone. The prices people are quoting are not accurate. It's 24.00 plus applicable taxes added to your hotel bill. For an 8 night stay, that's over 200.00, so that my car can sit in a parking lot in the FL sun. At least in the city it's in a garage!
I want to write to them, but, like I said, right now I am taking this personally.

We’re in the same boat as you. The cost of flying is equal to 4-5 nights in a moderate so we drive. Besides that, it’s a tradition in our family now to drive, we enjoy it! Last week we were talking about doing a family reunion trip so that we could be there when our younger cousins first experience Disney. Plans were being laid for 8-day tickets and character dining. Those plans are now on hold indefinitely. We can afford the extra parking fee but for them it’s an extra expense on a trip they’re already pinching pennies for. Like you, I’m too involved emotionally to compose an email yet (and a little afraid of stating my case on the phone). I feel like I can’t in good conscience recommend a Disney vacation anymore. I can’t rationalize staying on property to them and now because that part of the bubble is broken for me, the rest is starting to crumble. I feel like walking away, maybe walking right to Busch gardens. Momma in fact did raise a quitter!

 

[Doug M]

But it is an overreaction if 91-168 dollars is far too much for people. How do they cope with places like Las Vegas or other large tourist location that charge almost as much per night and have higher parking fees?

The amount of the parking fee isn't the issue. They are claiming it sets them equal to "industry standard" but at the same time charge double roughly of area hotels, have smaller or less attractive rooms, don't give free breakfast, and don't have microwaves, all of which are industry standard. They also are charging people that are actually staying while not people there for a few hours so it doesn't solve any perceived parking lot issues at several resorts.

We would always compare onsite to off by adding the total cost then seeing if the added perks were worth the extra cost. Getting free parking at the parks was always included, now its a wash or a slight savings. Another perk gone, and that double cost a night is getting paper thin. The 60 day FP remains the only reliable perk since EMH have been slashed in recent years.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I go to Disney every year as well, I just take it as it is. If people want to pay their premium prices they do and if they don't they don't. Same goes for the parking. If complaining didn't stop Disney from rising prices year after year, why do people think it will change now? Its just complaining to complain at this point. It falls on deaf ears of the Disney execs.

Will this New change hurt them? probably not. But only time will tell.

(Sorry to all if I seem rude or aggressive at all during my posts )

I think there are a few reasons why people are reacting to this differently than just a standard price increase

First, you are literally getting nothing more for your extra money. Park prices go up but you can see them building new lands, etc - this is just an extra fee for something that used to be included

Second (at least to some) it unfairly targets people that drive to Disney - if you live a 2 hour drive away you aren’t going to fly and others simply can’t fly in they have to drive

Lastly, and I think this is the big one, the response from Disney is they are “following industry standards” - but Disney is/used to be about providing a superior product not just “industry standard”. Yes Disney is expensive but you got more for you money so it was worth it. The resorts are much more expensive than comparable hotels in the area but more was included so you could justify it. Moves like this are making it harder for people to justify the cost now

 

[ChipnDale79]

But it is an overreaction if 91-168 dollars is far too much for people. How do they cope with places like Las Vegas or other large tourist location that charge almost as much per night and have higher parking fees?

For me its not the standalone 91-168 bucks, its another increase and another fee. I'm already paying more to stay in the "bubble" instead of driving 2 miles off property to stay at a much cheaper and much nicer hotel.

It's increase after increase. Some of us are tired of it.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

I talked to a representative from George’s office yesterday. I was belatedly addressing some specific issues from my January trip, but also wanted to add my two cents about the new parking fees. I really wanted to add my feelings about the parking because despite the fact that I’m a flyer that has never rented a car, I have always happily stayed in the gilded cage, but with the declining quality and increasing prices I have experienced, I just feel like it’s piling on at this point and a sign of things to come.

Like I said, we were covering a couple of different policies, and the conversation was rather frustrating, so I dropped the ball on some follow-up questions, but thought I’d share some things the CM said...

So, I personally think it adds insult to injury that they are charging overnight guests and then allowing day guests to park for free, especially with the vague wording and such, so I asked for specifics about how that will work. I used the Poly as an example, as I have stayed there and have seen people exit the monorail at night and go directly to the parking lot, and I know finding parking is an ongoing issue for guests.

Anyway, it does not sound like they are adding structures or “systems” to deal with charging day guests, like exit gates or a ticketed validation, although of course she wouldn’t really give me specifics. The CM stressed that the “system” for dealing with day guests would vary by resort. She repeated that multiple times. She said that they would scan magic bands or take ids to verify dining reservations. I forgot to ask about how they would track people that are just coming to check out the resort and eat at quick-service and how they would ensure sufficient parking for overnight guests.

Anyway, the reason I forgot these critical follow-up questions is because - here comes my favorite part - she told me that if a day-guest is scanned and then later found to be there for “8 to 10 or 12” hours, they would charge their guest folio. Eight to 10 to 12 hours! So either they’re taking into account the long waits at ‘Ohana, or they really want that day guest to enjoy the value in his/her select recreational experiences.

My question about how this would prevent someone from going to their Kona breakfast reservation and then heading to the parks for 10 to 12 hours was met with awkward silence. So rest assured, this new policy sounds like it will really crack down on parking abuses!

 

[Moliphino]

I will admit I am ignorant mostly when it comes to travel, but any hotel I have stayed at in Massachusetts, California, NJ, NY, does not generally charge for parking. If they have charged us it was a one time fee that was reasonable, not per night.

I can't think of any hotels that have their own parking lots that have charged me for parking. In Boston, Hartford, and DC we've had to pay to park in garages near hotels, but it isn't the hotel itself charging for parking. The hotels just don't have dedicated parking.

 

[Runner225]

Just a little FYI.... I reached back out to Chapek's CM that had called me Friday as I forgot to ask my follow up question where if they are imposing this parking fee and forcing many people to use Disney transportation, if they plan to amp up buses/boats etc....the answer I received: "Our Transportation teams will be monitoring each Resort and will be doing adjustments as needed. "

Can't wait for this maddness to begin...

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I already cancelled my booked trip, but to be fair I only booked it to have a bounceback booking to modify later... This plus the EMH and FP changes prompted me to look at the Disney Springs resorts, and once I started looking I am finding them very attractive. When I can get a suite for 40% less than a standard room at one of the construction zone moderates and the non-Disney resort comes with the perks that matter the most to us, it becomes very hard to justify the Disney premium. And when they want to tack another $100+ to that premium if I decide to drive rather than waste my park days waiting on buses, well, that's a deal breaker.

Just curious which DS hotel you're looking at? An offsite suite for a good price sounds like a great option right about now.....

 

[Sophie_inBflo]

I really wish people would stop saying "most hotels charge for parking" that is demonstrably false. Most Orlando hotels ? Perhaps. But not most hotels.

Even our go-to hotel up by Universal (Holiday Inn Express) doesn't charge for parking. With the exception of hotels in large city centers, we manage to always avoid parking fees.

 

[tlmadden73]

For me, it is how it just unfairly targets car drivers and charging for something that doesn't cost Disney anything.

The parking lots are built, there is plenty of room (I wonder what their capacity is? (Like is there 1 for 1 parking spots per rooms available?)), it was free and there is no additional "service" for this. There isn't a limit on parking spaces like there is in a big city hotel that often shares their parking lot with the public venues nearby.

Plus it feels that it oddly punishes PAYING overnight guests, but not charging "visiting" day guests. (Which seems backwards).
If you drive . you either pay to park at the them park (if staying offsite) or pay a slightly "less" fee for parking at the resorts.

It feels that Disney will now need to be in the parking enforcement business. They will need to build ticket booths, make parking passes, or hire people to "monitor" the lots that they didn't have before.

If not, it seems like they need to be or people will try and abuse this:
- "Visit" a resort for breakfast and park there all day while going to the MK
- Park at a theme park and leave the car there overnight while staying at the resort.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

What does the price of the room have anything to do with also paying for parking.

I think the % increase of any hike matters. While this can be as low as a 2% increase during high season at Grand Floridian, it’s an 11% increase in low season at a value resort. When planning for the total cost of a trip, this can matter, especially at the lower end.

And I won’t get into the “it’s not just about the dollar amount” argument — I see others have more than covered that POV.

You're certainly entitled to your opinion, but a majority of loyal Disney fans and customers are enraged by this and view this parking fee as a last straw.

I just can’t help but point out that we have absolutely no way of knowing this at all. I’d be willing to bet that it is not even close to true. Time will tell, of course.

(Sorry to all if I seem rude or aggressive at all during my posts )

You weren’t rude at all. You had the nerve to express a minority opinion on a DIS thread. It can be rough sometimes.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Anyway, it does not sound like they are adding structures or “systems” to deal with charging day guests, like exit gates or a ticketed validation, although of course she wouldn’t really give me specifics. The CM stressed that the “system” for dealing with day guests would vary by resort. She repeated that multiple times. She said that they would scan magic bands or take ids to verify dining reservations. I forgot to ask about how they would track people that are just coming to check out the resort and eat at quick-service and how they would ensure sufficient parking for overnight guests.

Just to share one example that I have seen, and actually was at the Poly, where we wanted to park there to go to Trader Sam's and they wouldn't let us park there as there wasn't space - said we had to go to the TTC parking lot and monorail over. They would have let us in if we had an ADR - so your scenario of someone with a breakfast ADR at Ohana and then going to MK for the day wouldn't be stopped but have seen a "system" in place where they scan magic bands for either staying at the resort or having an ADR booked

 

[disneydreamer1980]

I know every time I’ve stayed at BW I’ve had a very hard time finding a parking spot. Good to know that when I stay there again, I’ll still have a hard time finding a spot but I’ll be paying $24 per night for the privilege.

 

[ZuuL]

I just can’t help but point out that we have absolutely no way of knowing this at all. I’d be willing to bet that it is not even close to true. Time will tell, of course.


You weren’t rude at all. You had the nerve to express a minority opinion on a DIS thread. It can be rough sometimes.

I do know the DVC member page on Facebook doesn’t seem to worry about it or care. But that’s usually par the course for, I think, could be wrong, for most DVC members.

But I will say that the hotels like pop, art of animation aren’t worth their price.

 

[ifitzger]

It seems to fall on deaf ears, but maybe not. Do I think they will reverse this parking fee? No. But I do think they were unexpectedly hit with a big backlash and they'll think twice before hitting us with any additional fees like this in the near future. At least I hope so.

I'm guessing the parking fees will stay but will be waived with the purchase of a 3 day minimum package.