Disney Resorts to start charging parking fees....

[Skippyboo]

Just wondering because I have no idea. Do you not have to pay to park at the parks if not staying on property?

Not if you are AP.

 

[Stitch_Is_King]

No point in being upset with her. She does not make these decisions.

Apparently I needed to be more specific. She called me back after getting my email. She wanted to discuss the issue.

 

[Mom2Stitch]

We have always flown and never rented a car so this has no bearing at all on the bottom line to the cost of our trip. But you know what-it still makes me mad. I can't stand to stay at a hotel that costs $100's a night and have any additional fees added, it's nothing more than a money grab. Even when looking for hotels for a weekend or a work trip I will avoid one with a parking fee if I can.

I've never said much about extra hour mornings/evenings that cost $ or the ridiculous amount of parties and extras that can now be paid for to "enhance" a guest's vacation. Heck I'm paying for a dessert party myself this May. They are all *optional* extras. Parking in many cases is not optional and a necessity and to me this is line that they shouldn't cross. What's next?

 

[NYCgrrl]

Haven't read all 299 posts prior to this one but here's my 2 cents for what it's worth.

I recall renting a car to visit Great Adventure in NJ and having to pay extra for parking. Oh right and the closer the lot was to the park entrance the more you had to pay.

Is this a money grab?
Sure but keep in mind Disney still has to pay the tax bill for that under developed land and I'm sure the taxes only go up.

 

[Nazran]

I went ballistic when I read this... fired off a crappy email to guest services, tweets, etc. This affects me because we drive to WDW each time and I use that money saved on flying 5 people doing more at the parks or upgrading a room. In the grand scheme of things I can afford it however its just more of the nickel and diming stuff. I can't do a damn thing about it other than not go. My next planned trip is 2019 and we are too far in to planning with multiple families to put my foot down on this so likely this lemming will make one more trip.

This one just leaves a sour taste in my mouth....

 

[OneinThree]

I recall renting a car to visit Great Adventure in NJ and having to pay extra for parking. Oh right and the closer the lot was to the park entrance the more you had to pay.

Were you already being charged an inflated room price which had included the cost of parking? Market for market, the accommodations at Disney are inferior to similarly priced rooms elsewhere. Part of the justification has always been the fact that you're on-site. Being able to park your vehicle there is part of that equation, and price structure.

 

[gillep]

Disney: Everyone else does it.

Me: You USED to be better than everyone else.

Also to this point, I have stayed in multiple properties of well known hospitality chains that offer free parking at their properties that have ample parking and no space constraints, similar to the setup at WDW. So although, yes, there is industry precedence, it is not universal across all properties, and you can still find many name brand hotels, that offer free parking.

 

[DisBuckMan]

Haven't read all 299 posts prior to this one but here's my 2 cents for what it's worth.

I recall renting a car to visit Great Adventure in NJ and having to pay extra for parking. Oh right and the closer the lot was to the park entrance the more you had to pay.

Is this a money grab?
Sure but keep in mind Disney still has to pay the tax bill for that under developed land and I'm sure the taxes only go up.

How, oh how have they managed to pay that tax bill in the past?

 

[famsen]

The call center is getting lots of calls on this.

Send your comments to:

guest.services@disneyworld.com

I am!!!

Yep. My email was sent a couple of hours ago.

 

[deserrai]

I think this may have pushed me over the edge finally. I'm completely fine paying upcharges when I get something extra, but I am not fine with this. I think I'll be taking a break from Disney for a while after this trip. I may change my mind after I calm down, but I guess we will see.

 

[dcibrando]

if some Disney Resorts weren't already way overpriced and not much more than a motel 6 with less square footage and a giant bowling pin or coke cup closer to the parks it would be different. I am DVC so I am exempt.. but I still don't think this is right. Doesn't Disney want to encourage guests to stay on property? This just seems too much like another way to make $. You can say all day long other resorts are doing it so this is normal... but to me this "fee" was included in the resort rates already. Time will tell if they raise resort prices as well or keep them stagnant for awhile... we'll see.

What's next... charge for wifi, magical express, or Disney transportation?

 

[LSUfan4444]

I haven’t been able to read every page as well but this appears to be a per night fee correct, regardless of whether you actually park or not overnight you’re going to be charged per nigh of your stay if you register a vehicle.

 

[DisneyArkie]

Also to this point, I have stayed in multiple properties of well known hospitality chains that offer free parking at their properties that have ample parking and no space constraints, similar to the setup at WDW. So although, yes, there is industry precedence, it is not universal across all properties, and you can still find many name brand hotels, that offer free parking.

I keep reading this that Disney has plenty of parking. I know sometimes when we drive and stay at WL I have (not exaggerating) drove around the lot 30 minutes waiting for someone to leave so I could get a free parking spot. Had the same problem with YC. No problem at all at POR though. With that said I’m not defending the decisions just stating what I have experienced that some places have limited parking.

 

[famsen]

Also to this point, I have stayed in multiple properties of well known hospitality chains that offer free parking at their properties that have ample parking and no space constraints, similar to the setup at WDW. So although, yes, there is industry precedence, it is not universal across all properties, and you can still find many name brand hotels, that offer free parking.

I can say with all honesty I have NEVER been charged for parking at any hotel I have stayed. Also, we stopped going to Las Vegas since their resorts on the Strip started charging for parking. Let me point out that a recent report was released showing that Las Vegas tourism is down which may be tied to the new resort and parking fees. So not everyone does it and those that do see a decrease in guests.

 

[LSUfan4444]

And while DVC appears to be exempt I 100% expect the annual maintenance fee per point to increase accordingly.

 

[NYCgrrl]

How, oh how have they managed to pay that tax bill in the past?

Same way everyone else who has rental or commercial property does: pass as much cost on to the end user as possible.

 

[gillep]

I keep reading this that Disney has plenty of parking. I know sometimes when we drive and stay at WL I have (not exaggerating) drove around the lot 30 minutes waiting for someone to leave so I could get a free parking spot. Had the same problem with YC. No problem at all at POR though. With that said I’m not defending the decisions just stating what I have experienced that some places have limited parking.

There are certainly some resorts that have more constraints than others however, I still wonder if they made these lots as for registered hotel guests only if people would still have issues finding parking.

 

[DisneyArkie]

if some Disney Resorts weren't already way overpriced and not much more than a motel 6 with less square footage and a giant bowling pin or coke cup closer to the parks it would be different. I am DVC so I am exempt.. but I still don't think this is right. Doesn't Disney want to encourage guests to stay on property? This just seems too much like another way to make $. You can say all day long other resorts are doing it so this is normal... but to me this "fee" was included in the resort rates already. Time will tell if they raise resort prices as well or keep them stagnant for awhile... we'll see.

What's next... charge for wifi, magical express, or Disney transportation?

You can almost bet that room rates will go up. Pretty sure ticket prices just did also didn’t they?

 

[tanyali26]

The unlimited express pass is a huge benefit of staying onsite at Universal. However, you still pay for parking at Cabana Bay, Sapphire Falls, and will pay for parking at Aventura, and none of those offer EP's.

Your right but the ameniies at Cabana Bay outweigh does of the budgets at Disney. Lazy River, Slide, and Bowling Alley. For years I justified staying on property at Disney because of perks such as free package delivery, free parking, and extra magic hours. Now most of those are gone but the nightly price stay the same prices higher then off property.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I can say with all honesty I have NEVER been charged for parking at any hotel I have stayed. Also, we stopped going to Las Vegas since their resorts on the Strip started charging for parking. Let me point out that a recent report was released showing that Las Vegas tourism is down which may be tied to the new resort and parking fees. So not everyone does it and those that do see a decrease in guests.

Sounds like you live closer to the west coast where land costs are cheaper. No idea if east coast casinos charge for parking since I don't go there either. Not a gambler or lover of buffets.