Disney Resorts to start charging parking fees....

[kittyab]

When will Disney resorts start Free Breakfast? Just because many other hotels offer this.

Disney really couldn’t have made a worse move.

Yes they should, it is a Industry Standard!

 

[Colleen27]

Right, they WANT less vehicles coming in. That's the thing. What they REALLY want is for you to take magical express and not rent a car so you'll spend all your money (food primarily) on property and will be less inclined to go off property to eat or visit Universal, Sea World, etc. The goal is always to keep you on property, so this way if you do want the flexibility, you now have to pay a bit more.

And they probably do want to push locals out a bit, because they're lower-spending category of guest than the once-in-a-lifetime types.

Just for a comparison. We are staying at The District by Hilton Club timeshare in November. Parking fee is $50 a day.

In D.C. Where parking is extremely limited, public transit is more convenient than driving most places, and good, business-class rooms can be had for less than the price of a Disney moderate resort. Not exactly an apples-to-apples comparison.

Cabins - where they GIVE you a parking pad. Where you are pretty much required to drive due to the vast amount of property and supplies needed to grill, bike, etc.

I’m incensed.

Yeah, that one gets me too. We've had several "almost" stays in the cabin and invariably it is not having a car and/or a way to bring all our camping-related gear along that stops us. There is no comfortable way to camp without a great deal of stuff, even when renting a cabin (something we do all over the country when we're road tripping). And from what I understand, there's no good way to get from Ft Wilderness to the parks on Disney transportation, since you have to take a bus to catch the bus to get anywhere. I would have thought those cabins would be subject to the same rules as the rest of the resort, rather than to the 'moderate' category to which they officially belong.

And aren't they going to have upgrade bus service under this new model anyways, what with presumably fewer people driving?

Good one! It took us two hours to get to the MK last week, and that was only because after well over an hour of too-full buses leaving us behind and with the next bus 40 minutes away according to the board, we finally threw in the towel and did the drive/monorail dance that I despise. If they can't/won't meet current demand for buses, why would anyone think increased demand will be met with an adequate response?

I may have missed this, but I would assume WDW will do this like other hotels and just tack on the per night parking fee to your reservation at check-in. By doing this, they would just take the fee x however many nights you are there, and apply it if you booked after 3/21/18. It would show up on your folio like any other charge. Do we know if they are doing it differently than this? I haven't read too closely on it because it doesn't apply to us.

Assuming that is how they will do it, I do wonder what they will do for the people who don't keep a card on file and don't set up charging privileges. I'm sure they will just have to pay at check-in, but it defeats the purpose of a package having everything paid in advance.

That seems like the simplest approach - either mode of transportation will be added as a check-in question, or if you don't book ME it will simply be assumed that you're driving in and you'll be charged for parking accordingly. There's no need to make it complicated or even involve resort staff in the process; just add it to all reservations with some form of sorting mechanism to keep from charging those who fly.

 

[Krandor]

This. So day visitors (who consistently suggest people park at hotels to avoid parking fees at the parks) still get in free, and there's nothing in place to change that. Guests actually staying at the hotels have to pay for parking, but scammers can fill up the parking lot. Who's to say if a car has been there for an hour or 9? Disney is going to do what other hotels that charge for parking do and just add the parking to your bill at the end, they're not going to actually check your car in & out every day.

They could go back to paper passes or for day visitors give you a ticket like parking decks to that you present when you leave.

 

[OneinThree]

And they probably do want to push locals out a bit, because they're lower-spending category of guest than the once-in-a-lifetime types.

Not so sure. We're somewhat local (within ~200 miles), and the expense for just my wife and myself is typically $700-$1000 per day, all inclusive.

 

[DisneyAsh32]

I just received a call back from Disney (I do not remember her name) but she was calling on behalf of George Kalogridis. Her excuse for this decision was again the same that others mentioned, "Industry Standards", which I had already addressed in my e-mail. She admittedly felt bad about even bringing up industry standards as I had already addressed that, but I again mentioned (in the nicest way possible) why I thought their "reasonings" were BS. But to sum it up, she was very apologetic, but couldn't do anything about it and hoped that we didn't stop visiting. DVC was mentioned multiple times.

However, on the positive side, she did mention that of all the decisions that have been made by Disney during her tenure, she had never seen such an overwhelming response like this one. She also mentioned that she had received calls and e-mails from other guests that like me, would not really be affected by this change (We always fly and take DME), but were upset by the principle of the matter. I don't know if this will result in any change, but I'm just happy that guests are making Disney take notice. For us, we won't be going back to Disney for a while once our September trip is up. I think it's time to see what my money can get me for "industry standards" in other places.

 

[Duckburg]

Here is the full information:

Resort Hotels
Registered Guests:

Overnight Self-Parking

• Effective for reservations made March 21, 2018 and thereafter, standard overnight self-parking is available to registered Guests for a fee that will be applied to their hotel folio upon check-out. All parking fees include applicable tax.

Standard Overnight Parking charges per Resort Category:

• Disney Value Resorts: $13 per night
• Disney Moderate Resorts: $19 per night
• Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: $24 per night

Complimentary standard parking is available to Guests staying at the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Each campsite provides parking space for one (1) motorized vehicle.

Valet Parking
Valet Parking is available at select Disney Deluxe Resorts and Disney Deluxe Villas for $33 per night (sales tax included).

Guests with Disabilities
Designated parking areas are available throughout Walt Disney World Resort for Guests with disabilities. A valid disability parking permit is required.
Learn more about services for Guests with disabilities.

Disney Vacation Club Members
Members will not be charged for standard overnight self-parking when staying at a DVC Deluxe Villa, regardless of whether they use vacation points or another form of payment. Members also will not be charged to park when using vacation points to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

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



OK, I get it, must pay for parking now. Other resorts charge for parking and they are just bringing WDW resorts to industry standards, blah, blah, blah...

The one thing that absolutely infuriates me is that a non-guest can get free "day guest" parking. If they were to charge a per-hour parking fee to day guests (like other hotels do), I would be fine paying to park my car overnight at the resort we are staying.

But, non-WDW guests have been coming to park at the resorts to avoid park parking fees, and non-resort guests have been parking at the monorail/Epcot resorts to "dine" and "shop," to avoid busing. I am going to be pissed if they get free parking and I don't, or if they are using a spot that I could be parking in.

 

[OneinThree]

Her excuse for this decision was again the same that others mentioned, "Industry Standards"

"Industry standards" huh. Maybe we should start a comprehensive list of photos and documentation which reflects what industry standards look like at given price points, because obviously someone at Disney is either entirely inept or completely ignorant in their response here.

 

[lambdabeta]

Right, the idea is not make prices look low, but just artificially lower than what they are. This is simply a disguised price increase. That's all it is.

Disney has decided that people are more likely to book at $450 plus $30 for parking, then to pay $480.

Now, of course, I'm way oversimplifying. It's not really a straight across-the-board price increase. It only affects you if you drive, just as baggage fees only affect you if you check bags, and so Disney will no doubt market it as providing customer choice. But segmented pricing works. And they know it.

Also, there is a lot going on here. Disney is also trying to create a disincentive to people driving, just as with Magical Express. Even if only 1 out of 100 fewer people rent cars and drive, that's 1 out of 100 people who have more trouble going to Harry Potter. The disproportionate effect on Floridians who drive is lame, but actually may also be intentional.

I get what you are saying. I don't think most people are that stupid. Most people factor all of that into their vacation costs. It is only people who don't care that don't. When I buy anything I factor in everything before making a decision. I know people in marketing think this works but it really doesn't for most people. I don't say oh look it only cost $19.99, I actually say it costs $20 because I round up for the penny. When I buy online I factor in shipping before making a decision. I don't think I am in the minority.

I also don't think this is supposed to be a disincentive to keep people from driving. I don't think they really care about that. Many people who rent cars because the bus system is horrible and takes too long. If I am already paying to save time then the parking fee won't deter me from renting a car. Like PP's have said how do they know who drives and who rents a car?

As far as keeping people on property that is also a myth. There are plenty of ride share services and taxis that will gladly take you to the other attractions in Orlando for less than the cost of a rental car. Many people already do this.

This is just another up charge to be greedy. It is that simple. Everything else Disney says is just BS. Don't let them fool you. They don't fool me.

 

[KrazeeK120]

I may have missed this, but I would assume WDW will do this like other hotels and just tack on the per night parking fee to your reservation at check-in. By doing this, they would just take the fee x however many nights you are there, and apply it if you booked after 3/21/18. It would show up on your folio like any other charge. Do we know if they are doing it differently than this? I haven't read too closely on it because it doesn't apply to us.

Assuming that is how they will do it, I do wonder what they will do for the people who don't keep a card on file and don't set up charging privileges. I'm sure they will just have to pay at check-in, but it defeats the purpose of a package having everything paid in advance.

A lot of people do online check-in. Will there be a question during online check-in that asks if you’re bringing a car?

 

[KrazeeK120]

That seems like the simplest approach - either mode of transportation will be added as a check-in question, or if you don't book ME it will simply be assumed that you're driving in and you'll be charged for parking accordingly.

That’s a horrible assumption to make, though. There is a segment of people who Uber/taxi from the airport, hire a car service, etc.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Okay, one last question/observation from me on this topic and then back to work!

Reservations made before March 21, 2018 are exempt from the new parking fee. But we can presently make resort reservations to the end of December 2018.

That means that between March 21 and December 31 (EIGHT months!!), resort employees are going to have to distinguish between cars in the lot entitled to free parking versus cars in the lot that must pay to be there. And they need a consistent transition strategy to manage this across 25 resorts!

So if they mistake your car for a post-March 21 resort reservation, do you get towed? Are they tracking license plates? So much opportunity to royally mess this up. I predict resort parking will be a very popular thread topic in 2018!

You can make room only reservations 499 days in advance, so this problem could continue into 2019.

 

[blbrodger1]

I'd like to send an email to someone at Disney. What is a good email address to use/contact? Thanks! I am strongly against this and am 100% considering a change of hotel. I'm an annual passholder and this is pushing me over the edge.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I'd like to send an email to someone at Disney. What is a good email address to use/contact? Thanks! I am strongly against this and am 100% considering a change of hotel. I'm an annual passholder and this is pushing me over the edge.

I used

guest.services@disneyworld.com

 

[blbrodger1]

I used

guest.services@disneyworld.com

Thanks!

 

[gratefulfred]

Industry standards is not true, I made reservations at Dollywood at the dream more resort (we are now going there instead) and there is no parking fee and checked a few other places. The breaker hotel at the entrance to cedar point doesn’t have one and lots of others the list goes on and on. I also don’t like the “industry standards” everybody else is doing it answer sounds like a seven year olds excuse. Well little Poly if everybody else is giving away free breakfast are you going to do it too?

 

[bobbiwoz]

Industry standards is not true, I made reservations at Dollywood at the dream more resort (we are now going there instead) and there is no parking fee and checked a few other places. The breaker hotel at the entrance to cedar point doesn’t have one and lots of others the list goes on and on. I also don’t like the “industry standards” everybody else is doing it answer sounds like a seven year olds excuse. Well little Poly if everybody else is giving away free breakfast are you going to do it too?

Enjoy! We have been AP holders at Dollywood for about 15 years. Our next stay at DreamMore is in April!

 

[DisneyAsh32]

I'd like to send an email to someone at Disney. What is a good email address to use/contact? Thanks! I am strongly against this and am 100% considering a change of hotel. I'm an annual passholder and this is pushing me over the edge.

robert.a.iger@disney.com
George.kalogridis@disney.com
guest.services@disneyworld.com

 

[DisBuckMan]

Geez folks....technology is an amazing thing. A couple of responses to a few points...

1. "How will they know when my reservation was made?" Simple...technology. As soon as your reservation pops up, their computer systems can tell EXACTLY when your reservation was made..right down to the minute/second. If it was made after March 21st, the IT system will know and will automatically assess a parking charge. This isn't even something the cast member will have to punch in...the computer will automatically have it on file.

2. "How will they know the difference between "overnight guests", "day guests", "uber/taxi", etc?" Simple...the same as nearly every other parking system works in the US. If you have a reservation, you check in at the gate when you enter (either by magic band, or manually with the gate attendant). If you have a reservation, your parking charge is automatically billed to your portfolio for the length of your stay. If you say you are being dropped off and you don't have a car, or you have a dinner reservation, or you're just there to shop and explore the resort, etc...the driver is issued a time-stamped ticket that he/she will have to present when leaving the resort. If your ticket shows you're over whatever allotted time, YOU ARE CHARGED FOR PARKING. If you lie up front about just being a day guest, you'll get busted when you attempt to leave the parking lot a few days later, and you'll pay for parking before you're able to exit. Again, this really isn't that hard to figure out.

 

[kc10family]

I'd like to send an email to someone at Disney. What is a good email address to use/contact? Thanks! I am strongly against this and am 100% considering a change of hotel. I'm an annual passholder and this is pushing me over the edge.

Postal Addresses for those wanting to send a paper letter.

Walt Disney World Guest Communications
PO Box 10040
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-0040

Robert A. Iger
Chief Executive Officer
The Walt Disney Company
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

Bob Chapek
Chairman
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
500 South Buena Vista Street
Burbank, CA 91521-4873

Karl L. Holz
President New Vacation Operations and Disney Cruise Line
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Mr. George Kalogridis
President, Walt Disney World Resort
PO Box 10000
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830-1000

 

[rdaky]

As frustrated as I am about all of this as everyone else, I really don't know that I think that any amount of calling or emailing is going to make a difference at all. Disney is going to listen to about 3 weeks worth of ongoing complaints. Then it will settle down. If people aren't canceling their vacations (and I doubt that most will cancel) then Disney is willing to listen to a few weeks worth of complaints, knowing that in the end, they're still getting all of the parking money. Money talks, and Disney doesn't care if 100 people who were going to stay at AllStars cancel their vacation because $14 Is going to tip them over their budget, when there are 1000 people staying at GF who are keeping their reservations.

Of course I always feel that if it's important, it should be said, and Disney should hear it. But do I think they are going to change their minds based on a bunch of negative feedback? No, not at all.