What is the rumored change for resort parking?

[lockedoutlogic]

What's to stop an AP holder from using the theme park parking and then going over to the resort using Disney transportations. Nothing, I don't think Disney is going to cut off guests spending money at the resorts No matter where they come from

If they don't want AP holders than maybe there should be not discounts at the Resorts. And I hope they don't do that.

Who said they ever didn't want people at the hotels? Like AP holders?

Nobody...the more the merrier. They just don't want your car there.

The prices of the hotels are ridiculous...they HAVE to have the parking mostly reserved to support/help to justify those prices

 

[DavisVacationer]

IMO this whole thing is a terrible idea for fans of WDW... I'll be going down to WDW in 4 months, and it will be our family's 3rd trip in 2 years. We always stay off-site, but not far, next time we'll be at Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort in a timeshare rental. We also rent a car. So we're only a stone's throw from evey Disney resort and Disney Springs. For every meal and activity we do outside our resort (which is only going in the pool) we're driving and parking at a hotel parking lot (for ADR's) or at Disney Springs or the Boardwalk for shopping, or just to explore. This new parking fee, if it takes shape, will drastically change that for our family. That's hundreds of dollars worth of dining dollars and shopping dollars that Disney will be missing out on. Think of the restaurants you can't get ADR's for? More quick service places, or bars, or lounges- how does that work? Will they validate for parking if you're parking at the Poly's parking lot, going into Trader Sam's for a cocktail and leaving? That's not worth $20.00 to me!

You also have to wonder if the $20.00 parking price that you pay for a day at the parks (let's say Magic Kingdom) will also work for the resorts if you wanted to resort hop, or visit a bar or lounge? Yes, you could always park, take the tram to the TTC, and take the monorail to one of the 3 Seven Seas Lagoon hotels- but think of all the wasted time in that, just for a drink?

This is Disney being money hungry yet again- it wasn't bad enough that parking had to go from $17 to $20... Come'on Disney!

 

[lockedoutlogic]

IMO this whole thing is a terrible idea for fans of WDW... I'll be going down to WDW in 4 months, and it will be our family's 3rd trip in 2 years. We always stay off-site, but not far, next time we'll be at Wyndham Bonnet Creek Resort in a timeshare rental. We also rent a car. So we're only a stone's throw from evey Disney resort and Disney Springs. For every meal and activity we do outside our resort (which is only going in the pool) we're driving and parking at a hotel parking lot (for ADR's) or at Disney Springs or the Boardwalk for shopping, or just to explore. This new parking fee, if it takes shape, will drastically change that for our family. That's hundreds of dollars worth of dining dollars and shopping dollars that Disney will be missing out on. Think of the restaurants you can't get ADR's for? More quick service places, or bars, or lounges- how does that work? Will they validate for parking if you're parking at the Poly's parking lot, going into Trader Sam's for a cocktail and leaving? That's not worth $20.00 to me!

You also have to wonder if the $20.00 parking price that you pay for a day at the parks (let's say Magic Kingdom) will also work for the resorts if you wanted to resort hop, or visit a bar or lounge? Yes, you could always park, take the tram to the TTC, and take the monorail to one of the 3 Seven Seas Lagoon hotels- but think of all the wasted time in that, just for a drink?

This is Disney being money hungry yet again- it wasn't bad enough that parking had to go from $17 to $20... Come'on Disney!

I understand all your reservations/concerns...but I gotta be honest - you are exactly the type of traveler Disney wants to regulate.

The problem? Is that while you're spending a lot of money at Disney locations...you are not purchasing their rooms. And that is strategically what they feel is important to secure their profits and your business.

The good news is nothing is set in stone/has happened.

But it is a real two sides argument.

 

[ColoradoDreamin]

I have to say, I actually agree with Lockedoutlogic (I don't often but I definitely do here). Also I don't think most will stop spending at Disney. Maybe some would redirect their spending, but some would just find another way. Heck, I think a few strategically placed walkways could go along ways with that too (but I may be in a minority in that thinking). Also, no matter what one says, there is an issue with parking at some resorts due to this, and if Disney had their way of filling their resorts at all times, parking would be a huge issue.

 

[DavisVacationer]

I have to say, I actually agree with Lockedoutlogic (I don't often but I definitely do here). Also I don't think most will stop spending at Disney. Maybe some would redirect their spending, but some would just find another way. Heck, I think a few strategically placed walkways could go along ways with that too (but I may be in a minority in that thinking). Also, no matter what one says, there is an issue with parking at some resorts due to this, and if Disney had their way of filling their resorts at all times, parking would be a huge issue.

No... I understand Disney's point of view here and what they are trying to do, but I mean when it enough, enough?? Now you're going to penalize guests for not staying on-property when the on-property rates are so rediculously sky high as it is? We stay at Bonnet Creek in a 1 br luxury condo with a full kitchen for a week, for what it would cost us to stay at the Poly in a parking lot view, standard hotel room for 1 night! Its just crazy how the pricing has gotten out of hand... Wish Disney would come up with a better option that didn't invove paying $20 bucks just to see a resort. The real issue is the dishonest people who are using the resorts to get into the theme parks and not pay for parking.

 

[Ursula's Apprentice]

The real issue is the fact that the hotel parking is for guests staying in the rooms. Period. Not for going to the theme park, not for shopping, etc. If I'm paying for a room (Disney, or not) I expect to have a place to park, and that is not unreasonable. The one exception is ADRs, but even then, a time limit must be enforced. I get what everyone else is saying too, but there are other ways to get to the resorts that don't involve driving your car there.

 

[wilkeliza]

No... I understand Disney's point of view here and what they are trying to do, but I mean when it enough, enough?? Now you're going to penalize guests for not staying on-property when the on-property rates are so rediculously sky high as it is? We stay at Bonnet Creek in a 1 br luxury condo with a full kitchen for a week, for what it would cost us to stay at the Poly in a parking lot view, standard hotel room for 1 night! Its just crazy how the pricing has gotten out of hand... Wish Disney would come up with a better option that didn't invove paying $20 bucks just to see a resort. The real issue is the dishonest people who are using the resorts to get into the theme parks and not pay for parking.

Disney charges extra to Bonnet Creek because you are paying for the location and amenities. So they could in theory charge whatever extra they want to people off site compared to those onsite. They have to start making off site not as budget friendly if they want to drive people onsite.

 

[sachilles]

There are a lot of sides to the this. Resort guests use the bus. The Buses need to get to the parks and back. 20 gazillion cars cause traffic in the world. Do your best to reduce car traffic, so the buses can get to where they need to go. So do your best to ditch cars for the greater good. Charge for every car that enters the world. "Validate" parking for those you don't want to discourage, those you know are spending money. Already seems like it's the attempt to get folks to commit 100% to the world and to heck with the rest of Orlando.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

No... I understand Disney's point of view here and what they are trying to do, but I mean when it enough, enough?? Now you're going to penalize guests for not staying on-property when the on-property rates are so rediculously sky high as it is? We stay at Bonnet Creek in a 1 br luxury condo with a full kitchen for a week, for what it would cost us to stay at the Poly in a parking lot view, standard hotel room for 1 night! Its just crazy how the pricing has gotten out of hand... Wish Disney would come up with a better option that didn't invove paying $20 bucks just to see a resort. The real issue is the dishonest people who are using the resorts to get into the theme parks and not pay for parking.

Ok...I'm going to use "you" loosely. It's more of a discussion about your traveling demographic - which is large...than the websters definition.

The demo is "consistent, non Disney hotel patrons". To be clear.

You've answered the reasons why you will likely be "persecuted" - for lack of a better word...going forward. You are giving your lodging money to a competitor...which means you're not supporting the operational expenses of the Disney resorts you are patronizing. On another angle...if you Stay at Boardwalk or old key west instead of bonnet creek...Disney knows there's is even more potential for you to spend the "small" dollars on their products and services...and those add up too. Even if you eat a character breakfast at beach club every morning and pound Epcot till 9:15 pm daily...it still doesn't fit their model.

Second...wdw is big. But not EVERYTHING is big. Where did they cut corners? The parking lots. They have gotten smaller over time to avoid the expensive site work in the swamp. It's true that less people drive due to flying...but the pool is much bigger now. Long story short: they don't have enough parking with the increased overall numbers. Have to address it somehow and this makes the most sense.

Third...when will it stop? When you stop going - frankly.
And how much is enough? For a public company that's part of the Dow 30 index?
...I think you know the answer to that.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The real issue is the fact that the hotel parking is for guests staying in the rooms. Period. Not for going to the theme park, not for shopping, etc. If I'm paying for a room (Disney, or not) I expect to have a place to park, and that is not unreasonable. The one exception is ADRs, but even then, a time limit must be enforced. I get what everyone else is saying too, but there are other ways to get to the resorts that don't involve driving your car there.

They don't have enough parking to support "resort exploring" anymore. They once did...but that's over.

They won't expand parking lots beyond what is the minimum to support the hotel. That's not gonna happen.

There's several reasons why this issue has come to a head...but the simplest two are these:

1. Raw numbers are bigger
2. Parking price has gone up dramatically at parks. So not only is there money to be made/lost...but more people will try to get around it.

Disney has tightened up a ton...I don't like the feel of it but they have. Sad but true.

They've closed what I like to call the "beaches and cream loophole"

 

[Candlelady]

No issues with Disney closing the lots to non-resort guests or however they choose to limit parking. When we did use a car, returning to BCV during F&W in the evening, there was always parking available, but it was way out in the lot. We could watch the parking spots open up from 10pm on. There were a lot of empty spaces the next morning. BWV parking is ridiculous.


We stopped renting vehicles last fall. We drove to Publix in Celebration, dinners offsite, Disney Springs, drive to AKL for breakfast, drive to AK, drive to the Poly for window shopping or dinner, etc.

We did most of those things and utilized Uber instead. I.Love.Uber.

Next trip for F&G was booked just recently so only SSR was available. To us, a car is necessary at SSR. Not a problem, we'll use Uber more often. Will get dropped off and picked up at the BW when visiting Epcot, at Contemporary for MK, etc. Plus there is no long walk to a hotter than heck car when leaving a park. If there is surge pricing, we'll just use Disney transport or wait for the surge to end.

I spend less on Uber than renting a vehicle and I don't have to drive. Plus, I won’t have to be the designated driver. I enjoy having a few cocktails daily when vacationing.

This is Disney, they do what they want. You gotta go with the flow.

 

[Josh Hendy]

They've closed what I like to call the "beaches and cream loophole"

So the person who's responsible for Beaches and Cream's management and revenues ... how happy are they that the parent corp. is treating the 100 sq feet of asphalt their customers use for an hour as if it's a rare, precious and expensive commodity?

All I'm saying is, there are a lot more consequences and unforeseen knock-on effects to implementing unprecedented and fairly outrageous pricing and policy changes than the beancounters think.

Disney WANTS everyone to spend every minute and every dollar of their vacation on Disney property. Understood. But can you MAKE everyone do that by poking sticks into the eye of anyone who doesn't give you everything you want at whatever price you decide that the entire package deal should cost?

Treating day guests as if they're stowaways on the DCL ain't gonna work.

 

[wilkeliza]

So the person who's responsible for Beaches and Cream's management and revenues ... how happy are they that the parent corp. is treating the 100 sq feet of asphalt their customers use for an hour as if it's a rare, precious and expensive commodity?

All I'm saying is, there are a lot more consequences and unforeseen knock-on effects to implementing unprecedented and fairly outrageous pricing and policy changes than the beancounters think.

Disney WANTS everyone to spend every minute and every dollar of their vacation on Disney property. Understood. But can you MAKE everyone do that by poking sticks into the eye of anyone who doesn't give you everything you want at whatever price you decide that the entire package deal should cost?

Treating day guests as if they're stowaways on the DCL ain't gonna work.

Beaches and Cream takes reservations now so I don't think their management will have an issue

 

[beer dave]

So the person who's responsible for Beaches and Cream's management and revenues ... how happy are they that the parent corp. is treating the 100 sq feet of asphalt their customers use for an hour as if it's a rare, precious and expensive commodity?

All I'm saying is, there are a lot more consequences and unforeseen knock-on effects to implementing unprecedented and fairly outrageous pricing and policy changes than the beancounters think.

Disney WANTS everyone to spend every minute and every dollar of their vacation on Disney property. Understood. But can you MAKE everyone do that by poking sticks into the eye of anyone who doesn't give you everything you want at whatever price you decide that the entire package deal should cost?

Treating day guests as if they're stowaways on the DCL ain't gonna work.

I think the loophole in question is the one where you tell the guard shack you are going to one of the restaurants and spend the day at the park.

Not necessarily beaches and cream.

The truth is the parks are getting more traffic by the year and the resort parking can't support any more than the resort itself.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

Beaches and Cream takes reservations now so I don't think their management will have an issue

Yeah...that's what I was getting at.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

I think the loophole in question is the one where you tell the guard shack you are going to one of the restaurants and spend the day at the park.

Not necessarily beaches and cream.

The truth is the parks are getting more traffic by the year and the resort parking can't support any more than the resort itself.

The until recent no reservations policy at beaches was the crown jewel of loophole exploiting at wdw...

Prime spot, no tracking...but now it's epilogue so we can discuss

 

[wilkeliza]

I think the loophole in question is the one where you tell the guard shack you are going to one of the restaurants and spend the day at the park.

Not necessarily beaches and cream.

The truth is the parks are getting more traffic by the year and the resort parking can't support any more than the resort itself.

The new one is Trader Sam's.

 

[lockedoutlogic]

The new one is Trader Sam's.

They deserve That...

They built a tiny bar that attracts pounders and a dole whip booth for 300 studios and 20 floating bungholos

 

[fireman1]

We always stay onsite but do not use the buses. It's just not my thing. I like having my car handy.

 

[Eoghann]

How much resort hopping, restaurant eating by car driving people is really going on? Those are the "legitimate" customers who are being negatively affected so the counter argument goes. I find it hard to imagine it's that big a segment.

It's the sort of group that probably posts heavily to forums mind you.