Overnight Self-Parking at Disney Resort Hotels at Walt Disney World® Resort

[sgtdisney]

Day parking people have gotten a pass, there apparently is still a way to bypass any parking fees, by booking a meal, leaving a car at that resort, picking it up at the end of a Disney day, and that adds to people’s frustration.

I think that is the biggest issue here. Disney has problems with parking, we've discussed this recently about BW and also with the monorail resorts. Something needs to be done, every one has said. So what does Disney do. They target the people who are paying lots of money to stay at the resort. People paying 200.00 for a room that would command 100 or less if it wasn't within the Disney bubble. Then on top of it, the very people who have, in one way or another, caused the issues with parking, get a "free" pass. They can come in, park for free and, hopefully spend some money at Disney. These are the people who aren't paying the 800 a night for a hotel room at a monorail resort. They are off-property or locals and Disney wants to capture some of their $$$. In my opinion, Disney's logic is, we've already got those resorts guests, they spend, spend, spend and they are here and they love us. We can do anything and if it's magical they will pay. We'll either keep them here hostage, or charge them to have the ability to leave. However we need to get more money for day guests so invite them in. I've said that for years, any time I told a guard at a gated property, particularly the monorail resorts that I wanted to go in and spend money, the gate was open and I was welcomed in. I know Disney needs to make money and they should make money. The way this is being done, was poorly planned out to put it lightly.

I get it, Resorts around the world sometimes charge money for parking. However I have yet to find one that charges their overnight guests, ostensibly their "best" customers a parking fee, but opens up the lot, for free for anyone who chose NOT to stay there. People in one thread or another mentioned hotels in Washington, etc. Do they let people who aren't staying in the hotel park for free. They usually will, like "Industry Standard" Universal, charge them more to park there. This doesn't make sense. And to top it off. you've got your highest spending customers, being charged to park in a lot in a hotel you're already paying 2-10 times more to just be there.

At the end of the day, this parking fiasco has got people to lift their rose colored glasses and see things a little more clearly. This is just the start, Disney in recent decades has been known to test the waters like this to see what other once free things can be paid for because it's magical. Eventually the smoke dissipates and the mirror clouds up.

 

[CarolMN]

Every change that ends up costing guests more money or is a change from the past "norm" (pets, ticket prices, daily trash, minimums for ME, etc.) seems to bring out posts of "outage" and "I will take my business elsewhere". They often include "dire warnings" and assumptions that turn out NOT to be true. So far, none of these changes have resulted in lower crowds, so either people are not taking their business elsewhere or there are lots waiting in the wings to take their place.

Eventually, it will die down and the boards (and guests) move on. We will all get used to this change as well and it will become the norm.

 

[jarestel]

As easily as people can get into the habit of vacationing at WDW, they can get out of the habit. If the Disney company adopts the short sighted mission statement espoused by some folks on these boards - "Who cares if we lose one customer, there are 10 others waiting to take their place" - the future will definitely not be bright for them.

 

[sgtdisney]

Every change that ends up costing guests more money or is a change from the past "norm" (pets, ticket prices, daily trash, minimums for ME, etc.) seems to bring out posts of "outage" and "I will take my business elsewhere". They often include "dire warnings" and assumptions that turn out NOT to be true. So far, none of these changes have resulted in lower crowds, so either people are not taking their business elsewhere or there are lots waiting in the wings to take their place.

Eventually, it will die down and the boards (and guests) move on. We will all get used to this change as well and it will become the norm.

This is very true, but there will come a breaking point for people eventually. Will this be it? Who knows? I do know if I was not a DVC member, I would pretty much never be staying on property, it's too expensive (for me). I could afford it but won't budget that high for a hotel room. Also, what was a value in 1992, an incredible value actually, when we bought our DVC. I don't know if I would buy it again at today's prices and how the whole experience at WDW, as been structured. But for every disheartened and disillusioned guest, I am sure there will be new ones who think nothing of spending 100 for cupcakes and a "good" spot to watch fireworks or 800 for a hotel room with a view and less than magical service.

 

[Chuck S]

[QUOTE="Ben E N, post: 58957178, member: 604936" That mall in San Antonio is trying to get a cut for people leaving cars on their private property while spending money elsewhere. [/QUOTE]

If that were true, the stores in the mall would validate for a couple hours of free parking, as they used to do. But this is not the case. The convention center and other venues have their own parking facilities, and are rarely full. Their target is the customers and movie goers in the mall.

 

[3 Hobbits 2 Disney]

It boils down to this — when you charge for something that has been free since the beginning, people feel robbed, abused. If, as Universal does, WDW had charged since the beginning, there would be grumbling but it would be seen as the price of entry. This approach raises th price of entry and takes away a privilege.

 

[Ben E N]

[QUOTE="Ben E N, post: 58957178, member: 604936" That mall in San Antonio is trying to get a cut for people leaving cars on their private property while spending money elsewhere.

If that were true, the stores in the mall would validate for a couple hours of free parking, as they used to do. But this is not the case. The convention center and other venues have their own parking facilities, and are rarely full. Their target is the customers and movie goers in the mall.[/QUOTE]

Unless that mall operates different from every other one in the US, it charges rent to its occupants. They do not directly make money off of each move ticket sold. They are still just taking their cut of people who are spending their money elsewhere. Disney has very few outsourced vendors on property. Starbucks, Swan and Dolphin, McDonalds, and Dole are all that I can come up with off the top of my head. Everything else goes directly to Disney. They are sticking it to their top customers, especially when they charge more for deluxe resorts than for value.

 

[hakepb]

It boils down to this — when you charge for something that has been free since the beginning, people feel robbed, abused. If, as Universal does, WDW had charged since the beginning, there would be grumbling but it would be seen as the price of entry. This approach raises th price of entry and takes away a privilege.

It was obvious that Universal didn’t have enough land since they have parking garages.

Personally, I think people hate parking fees because the vast majority of people hate parking.
Only 5% of people are happy they get a “good” parking spot. Why do I want to pay to be dissatisfied 95% of the time?

 

[Almondmilktea]

This is very true, but there will come a breaking point for people eventually. Will this be it? Who knows? I do know if I was not a DVC member, I would pretty much never be staying on property, it's too expensive (for me). I could afford it but won't budget that high for a hotel room. Also, what was a value in 1992, an incredible value actually, when we bought our DVC. I don't know if I would buy it again at today's prices and how the whole experience at WDW, as been structured. But for every disheartened and disillusioned guest, I am sure there will be new ones who think nothing of spending 100 for cupcakes and a "good" spot to watch fireworks or 800 for a hotel room with a view and less than magical service.

So true. At some point, people can only take so much and will look to vacation elsewhere at some point. Similar to me and Vegas...breaking point was when casinos started implementing resort fees.

 

[CarolMN]

Agree that everyone has a breaking point. However, so far those who have reached it make no more difference to Disney than it does to the ocean when you take a bucket of water out.

 

[jodybird511]

Agree with CarolMN. The fact is, Disney is going to have no shortage of customers. There will always be new folks to fill the spots of those who find that this is their breaking point. It's just a fact. We can complain for days, years....ultimately, it matters not.

 

[jarestel]

It wasn't that many years ago that WDW was begging people to come vacation with them. People (and corporations) have very short memories. Thinking that today is how it has always been and always will be is extremely myopic (for people and corporations).

 

[Ben E N]

Agree with CarolMN. The fact is, Disney is going to have no shortage of customers. There will always be new folks to fill the spots of those who find that this is their breaking point. It's just a fact. We can complain for days, years....ultimately, it matters not.

Many of the people who stay on property are repeat visitors. Disney risks either driving them to stay off property, or to keep them home altogether. They are doing this assuming there will always be someone else to take their place. In 8 years, once the luster of SW land has worn off, it is assuming quite a bit to think those new visitors will want to return. This is especially true with the worn out state that so much of the resort is in. If they are going to risk so much on impressing new customers, then they better be ready to actually impress them.

 

[Chuck S]

It wasn't that many years ago that WDW was begging people to come vacation with them. People (and corporations) have very short memories. Thinking that today is how it has always been and always will be is extremely myopic (for people and corporations).

Yes, but policies changed in the lean years. "Free" dining was introduced, construction projects were halted mid-build, packages were augmented with ticket specials, stay and play 5 days for the price of 3, and so forth. If times get lean, they'll simply re-introduce better discounts and hunker down...in the meantime, they will get their share of a fatter pie.

 

[jarestel]

Yes, but policies changed in the lean years. "Free" dining was introduced, construction projects were halted mid-build, packages were augmented with ticket specials, stay and play 5 days for the price of 3, and so forth. If times get lean, they'll simply re-introduce better discounts and hunker down...in the meantime, they will get their share of a fatter pie.

That's the hope, of course. The danger is once you've driven away the repeat customer, they may not care about coming back. Relying on first time visitors is iffy. I really don't know many younger people anymore who think or care about going to WDW to vacation.

 

[bwang123]

Relying on first time visitors is iffy.

Relying on first time visitors has been their model for a long time.

I did a quick search and found many different sources listing 70-80% first time visitors, 20-30% repeat (some of the reports were from 15 years ago). Most of the advertising I have seen is geared towards first time visitors so I would imagine those numbers are close.

I really don't know many younger people anymore who think or care about going to WDW to vacation.

I do and I know many parents who never went as a kid and are taking their kids for the 1st time now.

 

[Dean Marino]

Just us.... if DVC OWNERS? Review your contact, and fees, at the time you executed your CONTRACT.

Does your CONTRACT describe Shared Resources, or Shared Resource maintenance at the time of execution? Are PARKING LOTS included?

Now, be proud - this is why a CONTRACT provides value. We are reviewing OUR Contract, and Dues charges. Anything concerned with payment for "Shared Resources" is being examined in depth for anything related to PARKING LOTS. Any dues fees directed toward PARKING LOTS will be examined.

In general - a CONTRACT may not be altered unilaterally.

Oh - BTW - as we fly in from MI, twice per year? We NEVER bring a car. Not affected. But we GET that many of our DVC brethren ARE affected .

 

[jarestel]

Relying on first time visitors has been their model for a long time.

I did a quick search and found many different sources listing 70-80% first time visitors, 20-30% repeat (some of the reports were from 15 years ago). Most of the advertising I have seen is geared towards first time visitors so I would imagine those numbers are close.



I do and I know many parents who never went as a kid and are taking their kids for the 1st time now.

Well, all repeat visitors have to be first time visitors at some point. I'm not an amateur business mogul, but it just seems silly to build a business model around one time customers. Can we think of any other business that does this? I know many more one and done or none and done visitors to WDW than I do repeat visitors. Which I guess proves your point, but still makes no sense to me.

It's heresy to say it on these boards, but most "normal" people just don't care about Disney like we do. I imagine most of us are recognized as "Disney experts (fanatics) in our local spheres of influence so when folks ask for our opinions on WDW trips, if the narrative changes from "You should definitely go", to "The value just isn't there anymore" would, I should think, have some kind of impact.

 

[Simba's Mom]

Day Guests:
Complimentary standard self-parking is available while enjoying select dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreation experiences at Disney Resort hotels.

SELECTdining, etc. I’m concerned that that’s Disney-speak for “you have to spend X amount of money-no visiting the gift shop and just spending $5-$10 and getting free parking. No dining at the food court and expecting free parking from that. Spend X amount.”

 

[rcs]

I’m not sure why Disney is doing this.

If it’s additional revenue as some posters have suggested, it seems Disney will do just fine. Look at how many rooms are now on site… and with each are making a few bucks more now, every night. That’s got to be a sizable pile of cash over a year. And, as others have pointed out, there is already precedence of resort parking fees at Disneyland.

If it’s to discourage people from renting cars as others have suggested… I’m not so sure this will make any difference. I’d really like nothing more than to be sans-car for a week. For several trips, we tried Disney’s Magical Express to/from MCO and the resort monorails/buses to get to/from parks. We gave up. DME sounds great… stroll off of your plane, forget your luggage, and we’ll whisk you off to your resort. Reality is you sit on the bus waiting to leave for what seems like forever and then you’re the 5th resort stop for that bus. On-site we’ve waited up to 45 minutes for a resort bus headed to our destination to come. This is vacation and my time is limited. I’m not interested in wasting time standing around waiting to get to our destination, especially paying what we pay for a Disney vacation. If discouraging cars is the motivation, making cars less attractive is only going to (further) irk the customers. The real solution would be make on-site transportation (DME, busses/monorails/trams) efficient and respectful of our precious time there.