Spin-off Parking fees... switching hotels

[Amy&Dan]

I'm curious what you & others are finding to enjoy for vacation. There is such excitement involved in a Disney vacation & sooooooo many things to see & do & eat, etc. that it's hard for us to find anything that matches that excitement. I'd really love to be able to considering all that's going on with Disney now....

We are going to Portland Oregon this summer and are really excited! We are just beginning our planning. Researching hikes, dining, a trip over to the coast and breweries.

We are hoping to meet friends in Nashville in 2019.

We have several trips planned this summer here in Colorado up in the mountains.

Europe is on my radar and I'm getting dh to at least consider it. Disney and their endless succession of price gouging is making it easier than I had hoped to convince him!

 

[Tksolomom]

So you are assuming it is just to line their pockets. Could it be it is also in part to discourage people from parking at resorts for theme park access? To lighten the load on the roads? Make less work for the parking attendants, letting the get away with fewer people? Or maybe to hire more security? Truth is, none us knows. It may very well be to add to their bottom line. And while I hate the new fee, I won't fault them for it.

It can’t be for discouraging people who are going to the theme parks since they aren't charging day guests.

 

[Farro]

I'm curious what you & others are finding to enjoy for vacation. There is such excitement involved in a Disney vacation & sooooooo many things to see & do & eat, etc. that it's hard for us to find anything that matches that excitement. I'd really love to be able to considering all that's going on with Disney now....

Hi!

We aren't a family in the traditional sense (two adults and two cats!), but here are some of the closer places we love to travel!

St. Thomas - the most beautiful beach I've ever seen. I actually cried when we arrived.

California - the coastal drive is amazing. So many sites. Go to wine country. Disneyland too!!!

Cruise - while we had not so great weather, the ship is still beautiful, good food and the islands...oh my. We did Royal Caribbean.

Arizona - love. Desert landscape, spas, hikes, love it.

DollyWood - oh my god. So much fun. Stayed at DreamMore. The park is beautiful - go in the fall if you can. Visit the Smokies and go on the trails.

 

[cdnusagurl]

I thought about switching to one of the Disney Springs hotels when they announced that they would now get EMH, but didn't. However the news of parking fees seriously has me re-evaluating things if we come back to WDW in the future. The only reason I haven't changed our hotel is because it's DH's first Disney trip and I really want to experience staying in the Disney bubble for at least once in my life. However next time I think we'll either just stay at a Disney Springs hotel and save some money or go over to one of Universal's hotels for the whole trip since it would be infinitely cheaper to do that compared to staying at Disney for two weeks.

 

[Haley R]

I thought about switching to one of the Disney Springs hotels when they announced that they would now get EMH, but didn't. However the news of parking fees seriously has me re-evaluating things if we come back to WDW in the future. The only reason I haven't changed our hotel is because it's DH's first Disney trip and I really want to experience staying in the Disney bubble for at least once in my life. However next time I think we'll either just stay at a Disney Springs hotel and save some money or go over to one of Universal's hotels for the whole trip since it would be infinitely cheaper to do that compared to staying at Disney for two weeks.

Are the Disney springs hotels cheaper than the values at Disney? We have a stay at all star sports booked for a week that’s $950.

 

[grannyminnie]

Are the Disney springs hotels cheaper than the values at Disney? We have a stay at all star sports booked for a week that’s $950.

Yes, sometimes they are. We have stayed in more than one of them. They are just as nice, but the biggest issue for us is the transportation.

 

[dachsie]

So you are assuming it is just to line their pockets. Could it be it is also in part to discourage people from parking at resorts for theme park access? To lighten the load on the roads? Make less work for the parking attendants, letting the get away with fewer people? Or maybe to hire more security? Truth is, none us knows. It may very well be to add to their bottom line. And while I hate the new fee, I won't fault them for it.

Since day guests park free, how does this discourage people from parking at the resorts for theme park access?

 

[dachsie]

Error

 

[mom2rtk]

Since day guests park free, how does this discourage people from parking at the resorts for theme park access?

It doesn't. All it does is further frustrate the people paying the high price of staying at the resorts close to the parks. Only now they're paying even more and competing with free parkers for spots they paid a premium for.

 

[sbd78]

Are the Disney springs hotels cheaper than the values at Disney? We have a stay at all star sports booked for a week that’s $950.

Often times, yes. I just checked and several are under $100/night for my dates. Values are much more than that for my dates. And in my case, I can't stay in a value anyway because we are a family of 5. (And I refuse to pay family suite prices. They are far from "value" priced IMO.) The Disney Springs hotels are not strict about room occupancy the way Disney is. I've stayed at the Doubletree in DS and it was very nice, all rooms are suites.

 

[sbd78]

Won't you still pay for parking at the parks though? That's really how I'm rationalizing it. If we stay off-site, I still pay parking.

You will, however, offsite is so much less expensive it more than makes up for the parking fee at the parks IMO.

 

[hertamaniac]

I know this is completely illogical, but in one scenario could part of these parking fees result in fewer guests staying at the resorts which would then result in a reduction in CMs? Is it even possible that this is a strategy that Disney is using to lower the labor costs of resort CMs? And, would those potentially effected CMs be union workers? Going one step further, could Disney be using this as a means to thumb it's nose at the union saying they can't afford to keep the staff levels status quo?

I know this is likely unrealistic, but sometimes I think that businesses actually extrapolate profit using a red herring approach.

 

[sbd78]

I had another thought - - the other reason we don't like off-site is because we don't want to stay in hotels that we can stay at in anytown USA. Part of the fun is the themed resorts (even if you don't like new room decor, resorts are still "themed"). Like I said, for us it's the entire WDW experience. I want to leave the park and go back to my hotel which feels like a continuation of the park. Not a hotel that looks like all the hotels around O'hare or out in the burbs (in my opinion).

Not saying I'm thrilled with fees or price increases or whatever, but just stating why even with all that, we won't stay off-site. We will just not go until we can go the way we want. And others feel differently and that's okay. It's all okay!

Like you said, others feel differently and that's o.k. I agree about not wanting your hotel to look like one in anytown U.S.A. Not sure if you've ever looked into home rentals, though? Places like Windsor Hills and the like. Many of them have amazing Disney theming.

 

[Haley R]

Yes, sometimes they are. We have stayed in more than one of them. They are just as nice, but the biggest issue for us is the transportation.

I’m assuming you mean getting to and from the parks? I don’t really want to rent a car because I don’t think we would use it so that’s one reason we haven’t switched yet.

 

[Haley R]

Often times, yes. I just checked and several are under $100/night for my dates. Values are much more than that for my dates. And in my case, I can't stay in a value anyway because we are a family of 5. (And I refuse to pay family suite prices. They are far from "value" priced IMO.) The Disney Springs hotels are not strict about room occupancy the way Disney is. I've stayed at the Doubletree in DS and it was very nice, all rooms are suites.

I’ll have to take a look. Thanks! It’s nice that you can still get the 60 days for FP if you stay at those hotels. Dh and I have never considered offsite but we were just at Disney about a week ago and want to make a return trip in October. We’ve never done two trips in one year before because we like traveling to other places, but mainly the cost is what holds us back.

 

[Haley R]

Like you said, others feel differently and that's o.k. I agree about not wanting your hotel to look like one in anytown U.S.A. Not sure if you've ever looked into home rentals, though? Places like Windsor Hills and the like. Many of them have amazing Disney theming.

Now I have to go look there too lol

 

[gratefulfred]

If you have a car the parking perk was the only reason to stay onsite. Now that it’s gone staying offsite will save hundreds and provide better accommodations. The money saved is hundreds more than theme park parking. It’s really a no brainer

 

[gratefulfred]

Won't you still pay for parking at the parks though? That's really how I'm rationalizing it. If we stay off-site, I still pay parking.

Yes but you save so much by staying offsite you will still have a couple hundred extra dollars in your pocket after paying for parking at the theme parks

 

[mom2rtk]

Yes but you save so much by staying offsite you will still have a couple hundred extra dollars in your pocket after paying for parking at the theme parks

Plus lots of people within driving distance have APs so get free parking at the parks anyway.

I bet the offsite hotels are loving all of this!

 

[Paul Rodgers]

Just keep in mind that if you booked your trip prior to the announcement of parking fees date (this past Wed), you will not be charged for parking. Only resort stays booked after the announcement.