I used to love staying on site. I really liked being able to park my car for a week as we are close enough to drive there. Also I thought getting myself around was difficult. Then it seemed buses took longer and more crowded not to mention (dons flame suit) the scooter revolution which seemed to slow things down even more. So one trip we stayed offsite and haven't looked back. It is so easy to get around DW and the fact is its just quicker to drive yourself. Except maybe MK due to the TTC. Having said that we keep saying we're going to go back to staying on site for special occasions but Disney continues to push us further and further away from that idea. I just cant justify the additional cost. And the additional cost is quite substantial. Especially vs the accommodations we currently get from off site properties.
Best_Vacation_EVER!
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 30, 2005
Just to give some additional context --- we're staying WDW non-club level BC for the first 9 days of our stay in Dec 2018 and we're staying club level for 3 days at Hard Rock over the New Years period and it is $300+ cheaper per night at UO than our WDW room at Beach Club (non-club level). But here's the thing --- for that $300 less I also get unlimited Express Pass (and club level) --- so with UO I don't quibble about the $22 parking. While I love WDW for many reasons at some point we'll just feel taken advantage of as guests and give up. We're close.
Aron1012
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2017
But the real question is would you pay $200 more for a BC Club Level room and $50/person/day for 3 extra FPs?? They sure better hope SW:GE delivers ABOVE the already sky-high expectations.
Best_Vacation_EVER!
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 30, 2005
If I was getting a good discount and planning to have club lounge time --- maybe for some trips I would pay a premium for club level (I had originally booked for March break at BC Club level and the standard club level room was only $23 more than the non club level pool room I'd booked --- so yeah I would pay that and would have paid for the extra fastpass +'s at a busy time like March break.) Ultimately I have to see a value for me.
The basic notion of my post is that I will pay for VALUE (even parking) but if the offering sucks (like resort guest pays premium for parking while day visitor don't and there is no guarantee for the resort guest coming back before park hours are over (midday, dinner, etc...), then yeah, it's a problem.
jade1
I spend half my money on WDW, and waste the rest.
- Joined
- Dec 30, 2001
Stay with US IMO, I'm getting $500 a night for a regular hotel room at US Port and R Pacific those nights. Or is that your rate?
Best_Vacation_EVER!
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 30, 2005
We're staying HRH club level over NYE (as we prefer HRH) and our rate is about $689 taxes in (for taxes in at WDW would be in in the $1000+ for club level.)
Your point is definitely valid --- paying for extra FP+ versus Univerval Express Pass is not really an equivalent value.
bookbabe626
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2006
I got my phone call from GS today, and that was the biggest point I stressed...if I have to pay for parking, there better be a spot there for me when I need it. The parking situation at the Epcot IG and MK monorail resorts, where we stay most often, is ridiculous, with the lots full of parkgoers who've had breakfast then gone to the parks for the day without moving their car, or who've outright lied about visiting the resort. It's one thing to circle the lot looking for a spot when it's free, but at $24 a day I want to be able to find a spot quickly and easily when I need one. The CM that called said they completely agree, and that Disney will be monitoring the situation and is working on plans to ensure adequate parking is available for overnight guests. I'll believe when I see it, but that's what she claimed. (She also said there are no current plans to extend free resort parking to AP holders. Boo.)
Best_Vacation_EVER!
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 30, 2005
So true and this is what makes it worse.... WDW doesn't care about fixing a problem --- they only care about making money from it .... When you look at BC which has to share buses with multiple other resorts (Swolphin, YC, and BW.) ... which means at peak times you pay crazy rates with super-sub-standard bus service.... best solution is to try to charge more to those who avoid buses more is crazy. I can honestly say as one who has paid willingly for Dessert Parties, Special Events, club level, extra club level fastpassses, etc... I think I can finally say --- I give -- you don't want us there and we won't go back.
TheMaxRebo
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2008
I am starting to think the way to play it is stay off site and then use your savings towards the extras you are interested in
I can definitely see doing that when Star Wars: Galaxy’s Wdge opens - stay off site and pay for a tour or paid extra hours they likely will have for it rather than staying on site in hops of getting a FP 60 days out
Best_Vacation_EVER!
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 30, 2005
I think this is true. Spending extra dollars on wdw resorts really doesn't seem to add value in any way -- at least in WDW eyes --- so maybe it makes sense to try to figure out if there's a way to pay for what you want and avoid the up-charges on the rest... maybe a night or two at Galaxy's edge and then offsite for the rest.
SaharanTea
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 21, 2016
Does it give anyone else the warm fuzzies that they've already instituted the fee and are just now "working" on the solution to such concerns?
Best_Vacation_EVER!
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 30, 2005
So much NO.... but that seems how they do it now.... Hopefully this works out for them --- but I think once we go in December we're done... (Don't even want to say how much we've spent in the past 20 years (tens and tens of thousands) -- but DS is almost 12 and I can can say we're done.) I will not be recommending WDW to co-workers, friends, etc ... anymore as I have before.)
AtlantaDisneyDreamer
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 11, 2014
Five days after my complaint, I finally got my generic response email that emphasized how important it is that the WDW resorts have “alignment” with the resorts in Hawaii and California.
What??
So they’ve decided that their guests across the country must suffer equally. But wait. What about HHI and Vero Beach? Are they being “aligned” as well?
Someone in charge has perhaps not noticed that the resorts in Hawaii and California are not the same as the ones in Orlando. Or that WDW has been thriving in spite of non-aligned resorts for decades. Or that their own resorts have different parking fees and are not aligned with each other.
What??
So they’ve decided that their guests across the country must suffer equally. But wait. What about HHI and Vero Beach? Are they being “aligned” as well?
Someone in charge has perhaps not noticed that the resorts in Hawaii and California are not the same as the ones in Orlando. Or that WDW has been thriving in spite of non-aligned resorts for decades. Or that their own resorts have different parking fees and are not aligned with each other.
Five days after my complaint, I finally got my generic response email that emphasized how important it is that the WDW resorts have “alignment” with the resorts in Hawaii and California.
What??
So they’ve decided that their guests across the country must suffer equally. But wait. What about HHI and Vero Beach? Are they being “aligned” as well?
Someone in charge has perhaps not noticed that the resorts in Hawaii and California are not the same as the ones in Orlando. Or that WDW has been thriving in spite of non-aligned resorts for decades. Or that their own resorts have different parking fees and are not aligned with each other.
Sounds like they are shifting from "industry standard" to "Aligned with other properties" .... I think they were getting too much feed back about all the other things that are industry standard they DON"T offer (free breakfast, loyalty programs, etc).
Planogirl
I feel the nerd in me stirring
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2000
We already stay off-site usually but we do often dine at resort restaurants. We don't cheat, we eat and maybe browse the gift shop and we leave. However I will not be interested in paying for parking to do this so I hope that they keep (and enforce) the three hour window. They could also expand the parking areas at most of the resorts.
bluecastle
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 27, 2012
Well, I can't drive to Hawaii and CA is a pretty long drive... This still does not address the unfairness to vacationers who drive.Five days after my complaint, I finally got my generic response email that emphasized how important it is that the WDW resorts have “alignment” with the resorts in Hawaii and California.
What??
So they’ve decided that their guests across the country must suffer equally. But wait. What about HHI and Vero Beach? Are they being “aligned” as well?
Someone in charge has perhaps not noticed that the resorts in Hawaii and California are not the same as the ones in Orlando. Or that WDW has been thriving in spite of non-aligned resorts for decades. Or that their own resorts have different parking fees and are not aligned with each other.
TLM2015
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Oct 3, 2016
I too got the generic email today after my email to guest services a few days ago. It is interesting that they released a summer deal after the parking rates went into effect. I don't really understand their logic with this but I already cancelled my reservation and decided I was done but then I got sucked in and started looking at the numbers and cost for values and thinking maybe I should go back. Ahh Disney...but it is the principle of the matter and I too fly and rent a car because the one time I tried transportation it was ridiculous and annoying. I'm still going to stay off site and get a nicer place. My guess is they are hoping people book with the lower rate and don't even know or pay attention to the parking charge.
TheMaxRebo
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2008
Five days after my complaint, I finally got my generic response email that emphasized how important it is that the WDW resorts have “alignment” with the resorts in Hawaii and California.
What??
So they’ve decided that their guests across the country must suffer equally. But wait. What about HHI and Vero Beach? Are they being “aligned” as well?
Someone in charge has perhaps not noticed that the resorts in Hawaii and California are not the same as the ones in Orlando. Or that WDW has been thriving in spite of non-aligned resorts for decades. Or that their own resorts have different parking fees and are not aligned with each other.
Does that mean WDW counter service food will drastically increase in quality to match that of the California resorts? You know, since consistency across properties is now so important to them
wnwardii
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2016
It would probably be the other way around. They will probably match the Disneyland Resort Counter service food to the ones at WDW. They would probably also raise the prices slightly and reduce the AP discounts they receive.
Of course, I am not trying to give them more ideas.
TheMaxRebo
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 12, 2008
It would probably be the other way around. They will probably match the Disneyland Resort Counter service food to the ones at WDW. They would probably also raise the prices slightly and reduce the AP discounts they receive.
Need an “unlike” button
But you are probably right - and role out magic bands everywhere - and of course push the special magic bands for purchase!
Share this page
-
Signage Revealed for Pixar Fest Marketplaces at Disneyland
-
Limited Time Offer: Discounted DVC Rentals!
-
See the 'Pixar Pals Playtime Party' Celebration at Disneyland
-
Together Forever - A Pixar Nighttime Spectacular Pixar Fest 2024 Fireworks
-
New Behind-the-Scenes Experience Coming to Cirque du Soleil at Disney Springs
GET A DISNEY VACATION QUOTE
Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.
Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!
Dreams Unlimited Travel is committed to providing you with the very best vacation planning experience possible. Our Vacation Planners are experts and will share their honest advice to help you have a magical vacation.
Let us help you with your next Disney Vacation!
