Disney Resorts to start charging parking fees....

[DISNEY1975]

- Those who rent a car at the airport ... am sure the majority don't do it because they hate the free bus,

I do it because I hate the free bus! We always have the dining plan, deluxe at that, and mostly stay at a Deluxe resort. We go to character breakfasts every morning of out 11 - 12 day trip. Getting up even earlier to catch a bus, if they are running when we need it, would be a hassle.

We then go to a park, one of the 4 theme or waterpark. When at the theme parks, we typically stay until around 2 - 4, then head back to the resort for a swim/shower/change of clothes before heading to dinner anywhere in the bubble. On waterpark nights, we leave at 5, go back to resort to shower and change and usually have a dinner at Epcot. After dinner, if a park is open, we might head back for a parade/light show etc... or we will be at a dinner show, or head to POR to catch the pianoman or over to Disney Springs for some shopping. If I had to wait 20 - 45 minutes for a bus 6+ times a day, I would waste A LOT of time. The $300 ish bucks it costs me to rent a car is well worth not wasting 3 hours a day waiting for a bus, plus the transit times and stops it might make along the way. Paying another $300 just to park it is ridiculous.

When I go back to Disney, Ill be forced to pay it, but Disney will not get any additional money from me as it will be $300 less I have to shop. I will make sure I purchase my Disney products that I love so much outside of Disney. No more earrings, phone cases, Dooney and Bourke handbags, TShirts, Sweatshirts etc.. I will by stuff from JCPenney and Hot Topic before I go.

I will only go on my next trip because I promised my nieces I would take them on their first trip. After that, Im done.

 

[vinotinto]

Well after a day of thinking I’m cancelling my reservations. Although I was already booked it didn’t affect me. I’m not mad. It’s called it’s their business and they can do what they want. We have been repeat customers for a long time. Time to move on and explore more of our great nation. They will replace me with someone else and I doubt they even notice. I just decided to spend my yearly 6-10,000 elsewhere. Expensive habit anyways.

I’m not making threats of staying off property. Y’all have to realize you are still giving them money going to the parks and eating the food. I’m completely not going to Disney.

Good for you! I am a loyal Disney fan, but I am making a cost-benefit analysis of my experience against the costs, and that experience includes the parks and how crowded they have been. I have also been thinking about this, and I am not one to visit the parks and stay offsite. I have two upcoming trips booked, and I am evaluating our options. We love Europe, the Caribbean and Mexico, so it's not like I would not be looking forward to other trips.

 

[amylevan]

I agree to a point, but I believe the mall closings are due more to Amazon and the like. I do not see a significant competitor to Disney’s product in the near future, not to say it will never happen, where as Amazon has the exact same product for a lesser charge. Did the online markets such as Amazon come into existence on its own or in direct response to the overpriced shopping malls? I don’t know. My comment was sarcastic to a point, but it seems every time Disney raises it’s prices, everyone here says they are never going again, changing their future vacation plans, etc. I am saying unless a significant competitor emerges, families like mine who can only sit and stare at a beach for 5 minuets before being bored out of our minds will keep coming back to Disney for vacations. Unfortunately, Disney knows this. The only significant competitor for this market is Universal, and they charge for parking at resorts.

I'm always amazed at the people who never seem to vacation anywhere else. We are not beach people either, but by gosh there's a whole world out there to see. There is more to the world than theme parks.

 

[Kevin355]

I have seen speculation that there are goals of this charge in addition to just the increased profit.
One suggestion is that they want to reduce traffic onsite.
Another is that they want to make guests dependent on Disney for transportation, which will keep them onsite.
Among travelers who fly, I can see where this new fee may deter them from renting a car.

We, however, almost always drive. But we don't usually drive around much once we are on property. Typically, we depend upon Disney transportation and we always stay "in the Disney bubble." So our vacation behavior is currently what Disney supposedly wants. We neither add to traffic congestion nor spend money outside of WDW.
For our family, the new fee will change this. We will most likely stay off-site, and will use our car the entire vacation. We will add to the traffic tie-ups, and it will be easy to eat and shop once we leave property.

It would make more sense, in my opinion, for Disney to charge a fee to use your car on site; but parking it in a long-term lot once you get there would be free.
This way folks who drive still have a choice whether or not to use their car and pay a "car use conveniece/hotel-adjacent parking fee" or park in a less-convenient long-term lot, further away. If it meant no parking fee, I know my family would be willing to do this. Obviously, free resort parking would be better, but at least this would keep drivers on property.

And they upped the cost of rooms as well. And the cost of park admission.

And your last lines sums it up very well...

 

[Tink-osophy]

And they upped the cost of rooms as well. And the cost of park admission.

And your last lines sums it up very well...

...And that's with no evening parade; reduced ride capacity; more MK parties reducing regular guest admission; fewer EMH; construction work (I know, I know! TSland opens soon, but still...); and more ride breakdowns!

I'm depressing myself now.

 

[Kevin355]

That will only last until they have to close WDW due to lack of patronage.
A look at the past history of US businesses shows that when the patrons become jaded by price increases, quality drops, and perceived poor return for the dollars spent, those businesses close down.
A good example are the malls in the US.
They are shutting down over exactly those issues.
WDW is nothing more than a business that provides entertainment to the Public and when the Public feels ripped off they stop patronizing.

Here is the conundrum, though. Disney doesn't care if their money comes from USA or foreign travelers. And I agree 100% with what you posted. And as for malls, DtD seemed like nothing more than an overpriced, non-Disney shopping area. But they are not catering to American residents, they are trying to make it a more international flavor. The overpriced fashion stores at DtD have replaced the traditional Disney merchandise. I can travel 30-40 miles in any direction from WDW/DtD, and find an outlet mall with similar merchandise and much cheaper prices. The fleecing of the consumer by WDW and their CEO, COO, and other high ranking members of the customer really doesn't bother them. They underpay their staff, they offer less and less in way of expectations, and they know that no matter what, they can get people visiting WDW from overseas to spend more money than we are willing to.

 

[MiniMN]

Yep, and that is precisely why I stayed at a time share resort that had no parking or resort fees instead of the big casino resorts when I was in Vegas this past January. I avoid staying places that nickel and dime me if at all possible. I feel it is a shady business model and it rubs me the wrong way. BTW, the place I stayed in Vegas was called the Desert Rose Resort if any of you are ever in Vegas and are as sick of all these fees as I am. It was a great place.

I loved the Desert Rose Resort too! Stayed for the same reasons.

 

[tiggerunner]

I do it because I hate the free bus! We always have the dining plan, deluxe at that, and mostly stay at a Deluxe resort. We go to character breakfasts every morning of out 11 - 12 day trip. Getting up even earlier to catch a bus, if they are running when we need it, would be a hassle.

We then go to a park, one of the 4 theme or waterpark. When at the theme parks, we typically stay until around 2 - 4, then head back to the resort for a swim/shower/change of clothes before heading to dinner anywhere in the bubble. On waterpark nights, we leave at 5, go back to resort to shower and change and usually have a dinner at Epcot. After dinner, if a park is open, we might head back for a parade/light show etc... or we will be at a dinner show, or head to POR to catch the pianoman or over to Disney Springs for some shopping. If I had to wait 20 - 45 minutes for a bus 6+ times a day, I would waste A LOT of time. The $300 ish bucks it costs me to rent a car is well worth not wasting 3 hours a day waiting for a bus, plus the transit times and stops it might make along the way. Paying another $300 just to park it is ridiculous.

When I go back to Disney, Ill be forced to pay it, but Disney will not get any additional money from me as it will be $300 less I have to shop. I will make sure I purchase my Disney products that I love so much outside of Disney. No more earrings, phone cases, Dooney and Bourke handbags, TShirts, Sweatshirts etc.. I will by stuff from JCPenney and Hot Topic before I go.

I will only go on my next trip because I promised my nieces I would take them on their first trip. After that, Im done.

I plan on letting Disney know that I will be going outside the parks for meals from now on. Won’t break them, but I won’t waste time by using the buses. I will put my money elsewhere.

 

[Winnie-ther-Pooh]

Also invalid is the comparison to universal hotels. Yes, you pay for parking there; but can walk or boat to the parks (no waiting for busses that might arrive on schedule and might have room for passengers at your stop). AND you also get free front of the line passes which cost a pretty penny if you stay offsite and have to buy them.

Disney is following Universal's lead. Apparently, Universal is now the "Industry Standard". Nevermind, most of the time Universal Hotels are priced a little lower than comparable Disney Hotel. Who would have thought that Disney would be following Universal...

Funny thing is they are not even following Universal ‘s lead as Universal charges everyone to park. In fact, they charge day guests MORE to park.

 

[Kevin355]

...And that's with no evening parade; reduced ride capacity; more MK parties reducing regular guest admission; fewer EMH; construction work (I know, I know! TSland opens soon, but still...); and more ride breakdowns!

I'm depressing myself now.

Yup, paying more, getting less. And I really didn't mind paying for being in the bubble, but the recent fleecing of the guests is finally making me re-think any trips to WDW. And as for depressing you, the memories and pictures of my wife and sons and I on Splash Mountain, on the CBR Beach, getting our family pictures taken before park opening at MK, the Rock N Roller Coaster at EMH...and just the time that we spent there...it seems that profit over patronage is the new WDW motto.

 

[Tink-osophy]

Yup, paying more, getting less. And I really didn't mind paying for being in the bubble, but the recent fleecing of the guests is finally making me re-think any trips to WDW. And as for depressing you, the memories and pictures of my wife and sons and I on Splash Mountain, on the CBR Beach, getting our family pictures taken before park opening at MK, the Rock N Roller Coaster at EMH...and just the time that we spent there...it seems that profit over patronage is the new WDW motto.

Love this - thank you!

 

[Iya]

That will only last until they have to close WDW due to lack of patronage.
A look at the past history of US businesses shows that when the patrons become jaded by price increases, quality drops, and perceived poor return for the dollars spent, those businesses close down.
A good example are the malls in the US.
They are shutting down over exactly those issues.
WDW is nothing more than a business that provides entertainment to the Public and when the Public feels ripped off they stop patronizing.

Toys R Us would be a great example.

 

[Iya]

Just a warning lol if you have only done DCL for a cruise you may be underwhelmed with another line ... I know I can’t do another line after DCL ... it’s like a deluxe resort with deluxe dining for one cost , I do love DCL does not nickel and dime as much as others.

Since they easily charge at least twice as much as a comparable line, they better not nickel and dime!

 

[Iya]

Not specifically talking about this forum although there are a few snarky people. I'm mostly referring to the brutal people on Facebook in the various Disney groups. They are just beyond obnoxious.

Yes, they are, esp the dis group on facebook.

 

[dansdad]

Not specifically talking about this forum although there are a few snarky people. I'm mostly referring to the brutal people on Facebook in the various Disney groups. They are just beyond obnoxious.

Gotcha. People really suck sometimes.

 

[Linkura]

I do it because I hate the free bus! We always have the dining plan, deluxe at that, and mostly stay at a Deluxe resort. We go to character breakfasts every morning of out 11 - 12 day trip. Getting up even earlier to catch a bus, if they are running when we need it, would be a hassle.

We then go to a park, one of the 4 theme or waterpark. When at the theme parks, we typically stay until around 2 - 4, then head back to the resort for a swim/shower/change of clothes before heading to dinner anywhere in the bubble. On waterpark nights, we leave at 5, go back to resort to shower and change and usually have a dinner at Epcot. After dinner, if a park is open, we might head back for a parade/light show etc... or we will be at a dinner show, or head to POR to catch the pianoman or over to Disney Springs for some shopping. If I had to wait 20 - 45 minutes for a bus 6+ times a day, I would waste A LOT of time. The $300 ish bucks it costs me to rent a car is well worth not wasting 3 hours a day waiting for a bus, plus the transit times and stops it might make along the way. Paying another $300 just to park it is ridiculous.

When I go back to Disney, Ill be forced to pay it, but Disney will not get any additional money from me as it will be $300 less I have to shop. I will make sure I purchase my Disney products that I love so much outside of Disney. No more earrings, phone cases, Dooney and Bourke handbags, TShirts, Sweatshirts etc.. I will by stuff from JCPenney and Hot Topic before I go.

I will only go on my next trip because I promised my nieces I would take them on their first trip. After that, Im done.

I like the stuff that Hot Topic and other stores sell BETTER than the park merch. Hot Topic in particular is great for Disney merch, glad someone else here is a fan.

 

[starry_solo]

I haven't been able to read the entire thread, so forgive me if this is buried in here somewhere...
Has anyone been able to get an answer from WDW about what happens if you book now for a trip that will take place after March 21 (so no parking fee), and then you change your reservation when (if?) discounts come out? Do we know if the reservation would be grandfathered in under the no parking fee terms, or would it be considered a new reservation booked after March 21 and subject to parking fees?

I suspect it will be considered a new reservation.

 

[iloverags2]

A little OT, but I gotta ask—which is the hotter topic? Dog friendly resort rooms? Or this one—free parking going away?

Free parking by far. Pet friendly rooms are only at 4 resorts...that leaves plenty of other options for those who would like to avoid them. In addition, pet-friendly rooms are a huge benefit to some people. (I know if our baby was still with us, we would jump all over this...and yes, we would be the ones constantly going back to the room to check on her and walk her. Back when Disney handled kennels, she stayed at Ft. Wilderness, and we checked on her all the time, and walked her. When Best Friends took over, and it wasn't necessary to check on her, we still did.)

Anyway, back to the topic...parking at resorts is definitely a hotter topic.

 

[WildMouser]

I sent an email to George Kalogridis and Bob Iger's mailboxes and Disney guest services. Someone reached out to me today from Mr. Kalogridis's office. He did state that they have received a wave of outreach. I implore to everyone that is frustrated by this change to make your voice heard. Change only happens when there is a reason.

 

[Jennasis]

This may be the first time Disney has announced a forthcoming change that hasn't been met by a chorus of the usual cheerleaders admonishing us to "wait and see how it plays out!" Or "we just don't know yet how it will actually work out".