Disney Resorts to start charging parking fees....

[evilqueenmindy]

The more I think about it the less sense it makes. I mean, at this point, would anyone notice if they raised resort rates by $25 a night?? Id just roll my eyes, make a joke about selling organs for my trip and move on. But to take something that's been free for a million years and charge? The optics are terrible.

 

[Disneylover99]

Aren't they having trouble finding/hiring bus drivers? Won't this parking fee encourage more people to rely on Disney transportation and not bother renting a car?

This doesn't sound like a smart move.

 

[VFL]

Didn't they just raise resort prices? Now this? Sadly I may be rethinking my upcoming WL stay and move offsite.

 

[HopperFan]

The more I think about it the less sense it makes. I mean, at this point, would anyone notice if they raised resort rates by $25 a night?? Id just roll my eyes, make a joke about selling organs for my trip and move on. But to take something that's been free for a million years and charge? The optics are terrible.

IF TRUE .... I think this is it in a nutshell.^ And by entering into this territory it is likely only the first with more to follow.

They have always charged us to park or use ME and other assortment of things by overcharging for their rooms. In the real world NO ONE would pay close to $200 to stay at POP or an AllStar in rooms worth $80 at best .... but Disney gets away with it because they don't nickel and dime you with parking fees, resort fees, shuttle fees ...... and you are "in the bubble".

But once you move to outside the bubble mentality of the fee on fee on fee system ............... the bubble is gone, and you might as well pay that money offsite and get a WAY WAY nicer room and just pay the $22 to park each day. Imagine, the parking lots cost them virtually nothing once built (which by law they have to) so this is pure cash grab ............ ME costs them dearly, expect that to have a fee next. Everyone expected it to after the first year but they didn't ... now they have folks hooked, that could be next.

If this is true, the resorts outside Disney need to be hunkered down coming up with promos, special deals, great PR of their offerings etc. There are way nicer offerings offsite for much less that many will be open to now that the fee fairy has decided to retire.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Although as a DVC member this won't affect me, I'd much rather Disney do away with some of the large discounts like Free Dining and such, rather than make resort guests pay for parking. Disney has gotten WAY too crowded during all times of the year to offer such crazy discounts.

 

[sbd78]

I haven't read through all the posts so I apologize if this has been mentioned, but people who drive in aren't using Magical Express. And lets face it, Magical Express isn't really "free," it is rolled into the cost of the room. So by charging to park, people who drive and stay on site are essentially being double charged. Charged for the Magical Express service they aren't using by flying in, and charged to park by driving in. Disney resorts aren't cheap, and by adding all the typical hotel fees they make staying onsite less and less appealing. What's next, resort fees?

 

[pattyw]

I really WANT to still love Disney, but with all the upcharge events, resort price and ticket increases, hotel "security" checks, etc....... and now this it's really difficult! They do seem to want to eliminate the frequent visitor who wants a more relaxing vacation. They want the once in a lifetime rope drop to close visitor who will pay any price for a Disney vacation.

 

[HopperFan]

I have 4 trips scheduled this year. I have already paid all of them off, but I plan to take four trips a year for the next 3 years as well. My money after this year will be going to someone else if this happens. There are much nicer places to stay for less money. I stay a Disney and pay the premium pricing because I love to be in the bubble, but 1000 extra dollars just to park for the year seems like overkill.

I have over 135 stays at this point ON Disney property and LOTS off site as well. Offsite I have stayed at hotels deluxe and moderate, one and two bedroom suites, condo/timeshare units ....... eaten on property, off property, eat in room/suite/condo ............ there are MANY wonderful options minutes to the parks that cost much less than Disney. Spending much less means I have more cash for special events, tours, dining, shopping and more trips.

After our experience with the new security in January (probably 6th trip ON-site in last year, I think 2 offsite) we decided to book our next three trips offsite. Hotels, regular rooms and suites, depending on how many of us. Spring break I am in a nice suite with wonderful breakfast buffet with cooked to order, evening receptions, no extra adult fees, 10 minutes to parks for HALF what it cost at POP. If this happens, onsite will be a rare event for us.

 

[evilqueenmindy]

Well, I sent them an email. I know, it probably won't do anything, but this just irks me. As a person that's been staying onsite a long time, the point of diminishing returns was reached long ago. Having to budget extra for parking may be the final straw. (I live 90 min away. Flying and using ME is not an option.)

 

[HopperFan]

Although as a DVC member this won't affect me, I'd much rather Disney do away with some of the large discounts like Free Dining and such, rather than make resort guests pay for parking. Disney has gotten WAY too crowded during all times of the year to offer such crazy discounts.

Yes because Free Dining comes out of the resorts profits, why try to make up for it with fees. Eliminate it.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Yes because Free Dining comes out of the resorts profits, why try to make up for it with fees. Eliminate it.

Exactly. Same profit center.

Start trimming discounts before adding more fees. Fees hit everyone...discounts are selective.

 

[msk]

I have stayed onsite at AoA, FQ, AKL, WL and soon will be at YC in the last 11 months a total of 25 days. In fact, this news has me rethinking renewing my AP. It may be time to spend my vacation money in other places. So very sad!!

 

[patster734]

As others have said, staying off property just got a lot more attractive. Seriously, with the partner hotels receiving 60 day FP access, what is the benefit of staying at a Disney resort over a partner hotel now?

 

[VFL]

Thank you for this thread as it has made me rethink my upcoming trips in May and July. Regardless of whether this gets implemented I am cancelling my May WL and staying offsite at a Disney springs hotel. I will be saving between $1000 - $1200 depending on which room I book. This is our first time having AP but I seriously doubt we will be renewing given all of the upcharges of late. I cannot imagine what will happen when Toy Story and Star Wars lands open. Peace out onsite Disney it was fun while it lasted

 

[famsen]

We drive down more often than not- 18 hour drive to be exact; and already have my once in a lifetime dream stay at Poly booked for September. It's expensive and I am fully prepared to pay rack rate but if they add a few hundred dollars more in to charge for parking I sadly most definitely will cancel this trip. It is taking every penny I scrape to pay for this trip. We have been on over 25 Disney vacations and ALWAYS stayed on property from Contemporary to Saratoga Springs to Pop Century to Boardwalk Villas to name a few. Parking fees are the deal breaker for me. I will plan our vacations to new destinations and broaden our horizons.
This truly is a sad day. You let me down Disney.

 

[HopperFan]

As others have said, staying off property just got a lot more attractive. Seriously, with the partner hotels receiving 60 day FP access, what is the benefit of staying at a Disney resort over a partner hotel now?

And with Four Seasons just being added to EMH ........... many at the top end deluxe resort guests may want to consider a real top notch deluxe resort for less ........ but way more in amenities.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...s-will-now-receive-extra-magic-hours-benefit/

 

[Pooh2]

This will eliminate another reason to stay on-site. It will erase the savings that we get to park free at the resorts. Will be looking at cheaper, more plush accommodations off-site for our December trip.
What are you thinking Disney??

 

[msb578]

And with Four Seasons just being added to the 60 day FP+ and EMH ........... many at the top end deluxe resort guests may want to consider a real top notch deluxe resort for less ........ but way more in amenities.

http://www.wdwinfo.com/news-stories...s-will-now-receive-extra-magic-hours-benefit/

That article says EMH, but also says not 60-day FP+.

 

[FSU Girl]

Does anyone know if you get a discount or free parking for being an annual passholder? Since parking at the parks is free for that can I just leave my car there and bus to the hotel? I'm really annoyed by this change and have a trip this weekend so not much I can do about it now.

 

[Iya]

Will this mean that you can't park at the resorts for dining without paying? Or will they validate? I know from experience the Hard Rock hotel at Universal validates for valet(it costs $5) when eating at their restaurants when you aren't staying there.

Stupidly, the only ones having to pay the fee are overnight resort guests. People who want to come use the resort dining or shopping do it for free.