Disney Resorts to start charging parking fees....

[deserrai]

I called this morning and had the Summer Room discount applied to my reservation. The CM assured me that I would still not be charged for parking since I had made my reservation before today. I kept the same confirmation number.

 

[BillyRay_Omaha]

Ok some people need to calm down just a little. It's a parking fee, I have paid parking fee's for years at the Swan Dolphin and various Disney Springs hotels + resort fee's. Disney is not some free vacation resort it's a Large company that is expected to make a profit. For the people who think Walt is turning over in his grave, I doubt that he was a business man, they like money. I would like to see the fee eliminated at say the ALL STAR Hotels to help the affordability for lower income people. But I have seen quite a few people in this post complaining about the fact that now on top of the say $400-600 Room rate now they must pay $24 dollars more, stop just stop, if you can spend that on a room you sure as hell can pay $24 a day to park a car.
You have options on where to stay, or simply don't come, they keep raising prices and people keep coming, I for one would like to see people stop coming, parks are crowded all the time now, slow times are now a thing of the past, it's busy or really busy no slow times.

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

I called this morning and had the Summer Room discount applied to my reservation. The CM assured me that I would still not be charged for parking since I had made my reservation before today. I kept the same confirmation number.

Thanks for the details of your update. Glad you get both! The discount and the free parking.

 

[cckp72]

Well about 10 minutes ago I received an email from Disney with what I refer to as Big Lie Version 2.0 It said we appreciate your business but we moved to parking fees to be in alighnment with Aulani and Disney Land. I have to admit form letters tend to annoy me more than about anything on this planet. I just sent them another email and said referencing your form letter why don't you just tell us the truth. Since Bob Iger voted himself a bonus/incentive contract that was so large it annoyed even the stockholders the board had to find the money for him somewhere and faced with taking money from stockholders and guests it was an easy decision. I really really hate form letters.

I am going to refernce this exact same thing. I sent my note off last Friday and nothing back yet. Thanks for the inspo!

 

[shh]

I may book more through third party sites, if there are codes available. If I can get a cheaper rate than Disney offers, plus cause Disney to pay a commission, I may not feel quite so bad about paying the parking . . .

Love it. That's exactly what I did...almost always book directly w/WDW. This time, used Orbitz a day before parking fee took effect. So they don't get their extra $13/day. And they earned less profit on my room. I even got a lower price than the WDW site using a code. So Win-win-win. HA!!! (I'm actually both an AP holder and a company stockholder - but I'm tee'd off at the greed. They are plenty profitable already - this is a pure money grab.)

As for future visits, it's 100% offsite for me. Won't pay resort fees or parking fees - especially not for a value motel-6 style room. (Only exception I make is Universal hotels, which I believe offer the value that justifies it.)

It's getting harder, but you can still find nice places without either. Just gotta do the research.

 

[Fldisneyfamily4321]

i am so sorry to rant, but this has been building for days!

What bothers me more than anything is for myself it would add an extra $350 for our upcoming trip in October! That is doubling the cost of our rental car and we we're already paying $11,000 for our hotel alone!

I have been coming to WDW since 1993 and for all the changes and charges they have made i can normally make an excuse or see the reasoning behind it but this is the thing that will push me off site, not because i cannot afford it but its a matter of principle.

People who want to just pop in for food don't have to pay, but the chumps paying over the odds for these hotels are stuck paying for something that should be included?

I just don't get it!

(*also, i understand this charge doesn't apply to me this time as i have already booked)

Holy cow ! Does that include someone feeding you grapes in a tub ?? Lord .. yeh .. Disney has lost their marbles

 

[gina2000]

Ok some people need to calm down just a little. It's a parking fee, I have paid parking fee's for years at the Swan Dolphin and various Disney Springs hotels + resort fee's. Disney is not some free vacation resort it's a Large company that is expected to make a profit. For the people who think Walt is turning over in his grave, I doubt that he was a business man, they like money. I would like to see the fee eliminated at say the ALL STAR Hotels to help the affordability for lower income people. But I have seen quite a few people in this post complaining about the fact that now on top of the say $400-600 Room rate now they must pay $24 dollars more, stop just stop, if you can spend that on a room you sure as hell can pay $24 a day to park a car.
You have options on where to stay, or simply don't come, they keep raising prices and people keep coming, I for one would like to see people stop coming, parks are crowded all the time now, slow times are now a thing of the past, it's busy or really busy no slow times.

I think people are annoyed because the premium they are paying for rooms far outstrips perceived value. Adding a parking fee on top of premium room rates adds insult to injury. Couple that with rising ticket costs and specialty event costs, people are reeling from the continuous hikes. One can only accept and justify so many price hikes without questioning fair market value. It has nothing to do with the capability to pay the cost and everything to do with value. If a customer doesn't find value in a product, then the obvious answer is to rethink whether or not to purchase the product. Disney has the right to charge whatever they want. Conversely, customers get to decide whether they value the product.

 

[cckp72]

Ok some people need to calm down just a little. It's a parking fee, I have paid parking fee's for years at the Swan Dolphin and various Disney Springs hotels + resort fee's. Disney is not some free vacation resort it's a Large company that is expected to make a profit. For the people who think Walt is turning over in his grave, I doubt that he was a business man, they like money. I would like to see the fee eliminated at say the ALL STAR Hotels to help the affordability for lower income people. But I have seen quite a few people in this post complaining about the fact that now on top of the say $400-600 Room rate now they must pay $24 dollars more, stop just stop, if you can spend that on a room you sure as hell can pay $24 a day to park a car.
You have options on where to stay, or simply don't come, they keep raising prices and people keep coming, I for one would like to see people stop coming, parks are crowded all the time now, slow times are now a thing of the past, it's busy or really busy no slow times.

No, it's more than just the 'fee'. As discussed earlier in the thread, people would have been 'ok' with hotel price increases. All this is is a cash grab at the expense of people who have to/prefer to drive. It's also on top of all the other things which are adding to the cost of the 'magic' yet decreasing customer satisfaction. Ever hear of the straw that broke the camels back? Well Disney just may have gone too far this time.

 

[cdepauli]

I also called this morning before modifying my reservation to a completely different resort, AoA Little Mermaid to Kidani studio, to take advantage of the Summer Discount and was assured that any modifications to my existing reservation (even if I change the dates - we're still looking at airfare) would not add the parking fee, since my initial reservation was made prior to the 21st.

 

[mrswillson]

Well, we went to both Hawaii and Disneyland within the last 6 months and honestly the prices for food and gas in both is pretty much the same as where I live in New York State. Hotel across the street from Disneyland was reasonably priced and had free breakfast! I have found grocery prices in Florida in general to be higher than where I live, a large part of the increase is due to the sales taxes they put on groceries.

I just got a call from George's office regarding the Email I sent yesterday. I reiterated what I had said and was polite to the gentleman on the phone bearing in mind he was just the messenger. At least I feel like my opinion was heard. Now maybe if I speak with my feet running off-site they will listen.

Does anyone know if these calls are recorded?

As I work for a large corporation who records almost all incoming calls, especially those relating to customer service and/or complaints, I am interested to know if Disney is also recording their calls... if they do not, it is highly unlikely that any of the CMs working the phone lines would be providing accurate feedback to management on the calls they are taking. Thus, Disney would only see the complaints on social media and those that are submitted in writing, and all efforts made via phone for feedback would be in vain.

 

[SmithSmith]

Does anyone know if these calls are recorded?

As I work for a large corporation who records almost all incoming calls, especially those relating to customer service and/or complaints, I am interested to know if Disney is also recording their calls... if they do not, it is highly unlikely that any of the CMs working the phone lines would be providing accurate feedback to management on the calls they are taking. Thus, Disney would only see the complaints on social media and those that are submitted in writing, and all efforts made via phone for feedback would be in vain.

They are most definitely recorded.

 

[ShirikiUtundu]

No, it's more than just the 'fee'. As discussed earlier in the thread, people would have been 'ok' with hotel price increases. All this is is a cash grab at the expense of people who have to/prefer to drive. It's also on top of all the other things which are adding to the cost of the 'magic' yet decreasing customer satisfaction. Ever hear of the straw that broke the camels back? Well Disney just may have gone too far this time.

Agreed, has very little to do with the actual fee/cost at all. I would be willing to pay an increased cost IF service matched that cost. I would prefer the cost be raised across the board rather than the nickel and diming that has been going on...'take a little here, take little there.' Disney wants to command premium prices for a far less than premium product at this point. Four Seasons, Park Hyatt, etc., for example, commands $$$ per night rooms because they provide that level of service - Disney does not, and hasn't in a very, very long time (if ever). The prices are so far out of line with the service provided that it has now reached the breaking point for many.

 

[sandym718]

I also called this morning before modifying my reservation to a completely different resort, AoA Little Mermaid to Kidani studio, to take advantage of the Summer Discount and was assured that any modifications to my existing reservation (even if I change the dates - we're still looking at airfare) would not add the parking fee, since my initial reservation was made prior to the 21st.

Thank you for this, hopefully this is correct. We’re booked for November but at rack rate right now. Hoping for Free Dining, but at least some sort of discount. I don’t think our dates will change but there will definitely be a modification at some point and I’d prefer not to have to pay the almost $200. We drive down so obviously need parking

 

[Tink-osophy]

Ok some people need to calm down just a little. It's a parking fee, I have paid parking fee's for years at the Swan Dolphin and various Disney Springs hotels...

You only have to read a small percentage of the posts on here to realize your simplification is misrepresenting the discussion and the issue. There's a much bigger picture that's at the heart of the dissatisfaction.

 

[Tink-osophy]

As I stated on the Disney Rumors thread (and as a review on WDW's Facebook page)...

I (and for my entire life up until this moment would never believe I would be saying this) can very proudly say that I am done with Disney.

I grew up practically living in WDW and on DCL. My family was DVC. I became a Cast Member for the Disney Store for several years, which was one of my dreams since I was a little girl. When my husband and I married, it was inside AKL overlooking the savannah. Last year, my husband and I sailed on the Fantasy for our honeymoon, and I've personally sailed on 6 DCL cruises growing up. Until this year, my husband and I were annual passholders as well, as we live in such close proximity to the parks (and because I have been such a die-hard Disney fan for as long as I can remember.)

That is no longer the case now. Between the astronomical price hikes for DCL, another price hike for annual passes and park admission, and now overnight parking charges for the resorts, we've washed our hands of Disney. My parents have sold their DVC membership. I haven't and will not be renewing our annual passes. And we have also switched this year's EC cruise from DCL to Royal, and quite frankly, couldn't be more excited about it.

The bottom line: we won't be returning to Disney at all for the foreseeable future.

Disney is a business - this is common knowledge, and I nor anyone else is refuting this fact; this is the most frequently used argument from Disney proponents and fans every time a change like this occurs. However, I am a firm believer that a business should continue to better its product, and if it is going to raise prices, it shouldn't be on the heels of cut corners and lost amenities. The Disney that I grew up with and worked for no longer exists. Once upon a time the company stood to a different standard, and the primary aim has inched away from providing magic to its guests to now milking them for revenue. The company claims reasoning behind this decision is to fit the industry standard... and since when has Disney fit that mold? I was always under the impressed Disney offered a premium experience that was not available anywhere else, and yet now we have a company, whose letterhead is a mouse, that has become just like any other big business driven by the goal of corporate expansion at the cost of its magical touches.

At one point in time I would have balked at the idea of going to a different theme park, or sailing with another cruise line. However today I welcome the change, as Disney's decisions have made me realize that there are other companies whose product can rival theirs now that they have lowered themselves to the same standard. There is a whole big world out there to see, and now that I've taken off my rose colored Mickey glasses, I look forward to experiencing it.

Fantastic post! Sad that it's come to this, but so well said!

Especially, "However, I am a firm believer that a business should continue to better its product, and if it is going to raise prices, it shouldn't be on the heels of cut corners and lost amenities."

 

[disneyholic family]

As I stated on the Disney Rumors thread (and as a review on WDW's Facebook page)...

I (and for my entire life up until this moment would never believe I would be saying this) can very proudly say that I am done with Disney.

I grew up practically living in WDW and on DCL. My family was DVC. I became a Cast Member for the Disney Store for several years, which was one of my dreams since I was a little girl. When my husband and I married, it was inside AKL overlooking the savannah. Last year, my husband and I sailed on the Fantasy for our honeymoon, and I've personally sailed on 6 DCL cruises growing up. Until this year, my husband and I were annual passholders as well, as we live in such close proximity to the parks (and because I have been such a die-hard Disney fan for as long as I can remember.)

That is no longer the case now. Between the astronomical price hikes for DCL, another price hike for annual passes and park admission, and now overnight parking charges for the resorts, we've washed our hands of Disney. My parents have sold their DVC membership. I haven't and will not be renewing our annual passes. And we have also switched this year's EC cruise from DCL to Royal, and quite frankly, couldn't be more excited about it.

The bottom line: we won't be returning to Disney at all for the foreseeable future.

Disney is a business - this is common knowledge, and I nor anyone else is refuting this fact; this is the most frequently used argument from Disney proponents and fans every time a change like this occurs. However, I am a firm believer that a business should continue to better its product, and if it is going to raise prices, it shouldn't be on the heels of cut corners and lost amenities. The Disney that I grew up with and worked for no longer exists. Once upon a time the company stood to a different standard, and the primary aim has inched away from providing magic to its guests to now milking them for revenue. The company claims reasoning behind this decision is to fit the industry standard... and since when has Disney fit that mold? I was always under the impressed Disney offered a premium experience that was not available anywhere else, and yet now we have a company, whose letterhead is a mouse, that has become just like any other big business driven by the goal of corporate expansion at the cost of its magical touches.

At one point in time I would have balked at the idea of going to a different theme park, or sailing with another cruise line. However today I welcome the change, as Disney's decisions have made me realize that there are other companies whose product can rival theirs now that they have lowered themselves to the same standard. There is a whole big world out there to see, and now that I've taken off my rose colored Mickey glasses, I look forward to experiencing it.

excellent!!! very well said!!

please email this to George Kalogridis (the head of WDW) george.kalogridis@disney.com

it is very important for them to get these well written, thought out emails.

.

 

[chelynnah]

Ok some people need to calm down just a little. It's a parking fee, I have paid parking fee's for years at the Swan Dolphin and various Disney Springs hotels + resort fee's. Disney is not some free vacation resort it's a Large company that is expected to make a profit. For the people who think Walt is turning over in his grave, I doubt that he was a business man, they like money. I would like to see the fee eliminated at say the ALL STAR Hotels to help the affordability for lower income people. But I have seen quite a few people in this post complaining about the fact that now on top of the say $400-600 Room rate now they must pay $24 dollars more, stop just stop, if you can spend that on a room you sure as hell can pay $24 a day to park a car.
You have options on where to stay, or simply don't come, they keep raising prices and people keep coming, I for one would like to see people stop coming, parks are crowded all the time now, slow times are now a thing of the past, it's busy or really busy no slow times.

If it doesn’t bother you, great, but if you don’t get why it bothers others then you haven’t been paying attention. There’s plenty of well worded explanation here as to why. Not worth the typing time to try and explain it again.

 

[mrswillson]

This new information actually broke my Disney addiction. It made me see WDW for what it was (a corporation) instead of what I was seeing it as (a magical, wondrous place full of fun, fantasy, and excitement). My DH is delighted.

We figured out how much we were going to pay (overall) in the next five years of going to Disney and decided on putting in a new three-seasons room at the back of the house.

Thank you, WDW!

This!

My husband and I have already started planning our future non-Disney vacations and we're over the moon about them. RCCL will be taking our money for an Eastern Caribbean 7 night this year (with a heaping load of itinerary options that DCL couldn't touch with a ten foot pole), and will be snagging us as well for next year's 7 night Alaskan (for over half the cost if we chose to sail with Disney.) Down the line we have plans to visit the UK, South Africa, Japan, and the French Polynesian... all thanks in part to the money we will be saving in AP, food and beverage, gas, room, and now overnight parking charges at the Mouse (as well as that little push we needed to expand our horizons!)

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Ok some people need to calm down just a little. It's a parking fee, I have paid parking fee's for years at the Swan Dolphin and various Disney Springs hotels + resort fee's. Disney is not some free vacation resort it's a Large company that is expected to make a profit. For the people who think Walt is turning over in his grave, I doubt that he was a business man, they like money. I would like to see the fee eliminated at say the ALL STAR Hotels to help the affordability for lower income people. But I have seen quite a few people in this post complaining about the fact that now on top of the say $400-600 Room rate now they must pay $24 dollars more, stop just stop, if you can spend that on a room you sure as hell can pay $24 a day to park a car.
You have options on where to stay, or simply don't come, they keep raising prices and people keep coming, I for one would like to see people stop coming, parks are crowded all the time now, slow times are now a thing of the past, it's busy or really busy no slow times.

I think you have missed an important point here. It's not just the parking fee...it's the fee on top of increased resort prices, room checks, parks not being cleaned, food quality has gone down but the price has increased (I blame that on free dining), CM's not enforcing policy, etc, etc, etc. For a lot of folks it was the last straw. This thread is a way for folks to vent frustration and a good source of contact info.

 

[Katedisneylover]

just got a email from WDW services to say UK guests wont be charged the parkking fee for any bookings made before 31st December 2019.