Disney Resorts to start charging parking fees....

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ShadeDK said:
If that's the case, then I could envision a thrifty Brazilian Tour Group getting a single rental, pulling up to one of the Values and then all 40 or so of them piling out of it like one of those clown cars at the circus (while chanting and clapping, of course).

As I've thought about the fees more, I've come to a few conclusions (caution - ShadeDK logic ahead):

1) Parking fees affect three groups with cars: (i) guests who fly to Orlando ("FTO guests") and rent a car there; (ii) local residents; and (iii) guests who drive to Orlando ("DTO guests").

2) Fees - including parking fees - typically either charge for use of a limited resource/service, or try to influence choice. I think most of us agree that parking overall is not a limited resource at Disney. So what choice is Disney trying to influence?

3) If you're a FTO guest, they prefer you not rent a car because it keeps you in the Disney bubble. Disney even makes it easier with DME at no charge. But what about the UK guests who are exempt? Well - as a PP noted - those guests usually have long stays and spend cash. Fees are fees until there's an incentive to drop them for greater benefit.

4) Same thing for locals (or, really, any one in Orlando with a car - including offsite guests) who are day visitors to shop, dine or pay for other Disney resort activities. No fee for them - because that would be a disincentive to come by for a few hours and spend money.

5) Which leaves our last group - the DTO group. They may be too close to fly. They have no DME-like option. Many of them may be driving because it's cheaper. Odds are that if they're close enough to drive that Disney is a place they've been before - maybe every year, maybe multiple times a year. They're stuck with the fees - which aren't for resource scarcity, but to influence choice. But what choice? Fly in when it doesn't make sense? Spend more to travel to Orlando and enter the bubble? I really don't know - but one possibility is the one that keeps coming up: that Disney does not value the DTO guests (who they may see as less likely to indulge in extravagant spending on a once-in-a-lifetime Disney vacation) - so that the "choice" is: don't come here and stay at our place so often unless you're ready to spend more. Hardly feels like "home", does it?

But enough of that - I've probably given it more thought than the Disney execs who dreamed up this fiasco (and for all I know were the former management team at Prestige Worldwide and pitched the parking fees as a once in a lifetime business opportunity for Disney).
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Thank you for #5 from a long-time DTOer. I have taken this personally and that's precisely why. And we have spent thousands over the years- way more than a one time splurger. I wish I could write a letter to Uncle Walt...
 
ZuuL said:
After reading these replies, I find it funny people are willing to throw something they like/love over a parking fee. I fully understand how expensive to stay onsite and prices go up each Year.... but this of all things they’ve done, it’s this you guys are angry at. Maybe I’ve never let myself to become jaded on what Disney is as a whole and just figured I should expect these things to happen whether I like them or not....
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I think you are missing what some of us are most upset about. It isn't just the fee, it's the unfairness of the fee. Please explain why I should be penalized for driving and someone who flies gets a free ride. Rising costs of the resorts and ticket and special event increases affect everyone. This does not.
 
ZuuL said:
After reading these replies, I find it funny people are willing to throw something they like/love over a parking fee. I fully understand how expensive to stay onsite and prices go up each Year.... but this of all things they’ve done, it’s this you guys are angry at. Maybe I’ve never let myself to become jaded on what Disney is as a whole and just figured I should expect these things to happen whether I like them or not....
Click to expand...

It's not just the ridiculous parking situation that is causing all this disdain. It's one more thing in a long list of things that Disney has done to devalue the highly priced Disney Resort experience. Everything and every person has a breaking point, and for many this was it. People gladly paid more to stay on property in part because of the benefits, but those benefits are slowly falling away. 60 days FP not exclusive to Disney Resorts. EMH, no longer exclusive to Disney resorts, no more "free" parking. It's become difficult for many to keep apologizing for Disney's fee increases. Can they do it, sure. Should they do it, we'll see.
 


bluecastle said:
I think you are missing what some of us are most upset about. It isn't just the fee, it's the unfairness of the fee. Please explain why I should be penalized for driving and someone who flies gets a free ride. Rising costs of the resorts and ticket and special event increases affect everyone. This does not.
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Not everyone who flies uses DME. A lot of people rent cars from MCO.

We have driven to WDW in the past, but our last few trips, we’ve had SWA points and have been able to fly, which is much more convenient for the two of us. We do take DME to/from MCO. We were considering driving this November to save some money, but won’t now, even though our reservation is already made and we’d be exempt. It’s the principle of the matter and, even though I understand the financial and logistical reasons they’re implementing this “fee” instead of just raising hotel prices, I think it’s completely outrageous. The rooms are already too expensive for what you’re getting and it’s insulting to be charged more on top of that to get absolutely nothing new or different.

Your posts make it sound like you wouldn’t have any issue with the parking fee, as long as other people have to pay to use DME, too. While I don’t doubt that a DME fee is coming, I don’t think it’s ok for them to create one ridiculous charge (parking fees) as long as they create another ridiculous charge (DME fees). I think neither set of guests should have to pay for either of these things that have never been fees before. The only way I would be ok with one or both of these fees is if the rates reduce dramatically to reflect that the fees aren’t part of the overinflated room rates. We all know that’s not going to happen.
 
bluecastle said:
I think you are missing what some of us are most upset about. It isn't just the fee, it's the unfairness of the fee. Please explain why I should be penalized for driving and someone who flies gets a free ride. Rising costs of the resorts and ticket and special event increases affect everyone. This does not.
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I admit, I think the day guests should charged as well. But for people give up everything when there are options other than staying onsite, is crazy to me. It’s like Saying I should never give universal hotels another shot after they were utterly useless with a problem I had (though I haven’t been much of a fan of their new rides and changes to the parks). But I’m not here to tell people how to run their life. I’m just stating an opinion opposite from the majority. But I’ve been starting to notice I can’t even do that without being responded with passive aggressiveness or being told “I just don’t get it” response.

sgtdisney said:
It's not just the ridiculous parking situation that is causing all this disdain. It's one more thing in a long list of things that Disney has done to devalue the highly priced Disney Resort experience. Everything and every person has a breaking point, and for many this was it. People gladly paid more to stay on property in part because of the benefits, but those benefits are slowly falling away. 60 days FP not exclusive to Disney Resorts. EMH, no longer exclusive to Disney resorts, no more "free" parking. It's become difficult for many to keep apologizing for Disney's fee increases. Can they do it, sure. Should they do it, we'll see.
Click to expand...

Why do you guys apologize for fee increases anyway? I’ve never understood that.
 
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JacknSally said:
Not everyone who flies uses DME. A lot of people rent cars from MCO.

We have driven to WDW in the past, but our last few trips, we’ve had SWA points and have been able to fly, which is much more convenient for the two of us. We do take DME to/from MCO. We were considering driving this November to save some money, but won’t now, even though our reservation is already made and we’d be exempt. It’s the principle of the matter and, even though I understand the financial and logistical reasons they’re implementing this “fee” instead of just raising hotel prices, I think it’s completely outrageous. The rooms are already too expensive for what you’re getting and it’s insulting to be charged more on top of that to get absolutely nothing new or different.

Your posts make it sound like you wouldn’t have any issue with the parking fee, as long as other people have to pay to use DME, too. While I don’t doubt that a DME fee is coming, I don’t think it’s ok for them to create one ridiculous charge (parking fees) as long as they create another ridiculous charge (DME fees). I think neither set of guests should have to pay for either of these things that have never been fees before. The only way I would be ok with one or both of these fees is if the rates reduce dramatically to reflect that the fees aren’t part of the overinflated room rates. We all know that’s not going to happen.
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No, I’m just a person who doesn’t trouble themselves with something out of their hands. It’s a waste of time.

The execs have made there decision and if, by some saving grace, they change their minds. Then all these emails and complaining was worth it. But as of right now it falls on deaf ears.

So as of now, It comes down you either stay onsite or you don’t. That’s it, nothing else.
 


I certainly am not arguing for Disney to start charging for DME and I am sorry if that's how it came across. I am only saying that this particular charge unfairly penalizes those who drive. It also targets those who get a rental car at the airport. It also targets locals, or others too close to fly, who drive. It does not target people who visit the resorts for lunch or whatever, or those who use DME. A ticket price increase, increase in the per night charge at a hotel, or increase in the price of MNSSHP and MVMCP tickets affect all equally. I am certainly not happy about these increases and have wondered just how much I will be willing to pay as time goes on, but at least there are new attractions and lands that could be used as justifications for those increases. Heck, riding FoP alone was worth the higher cost of our last trip. ( well, I might be exaggerating a bit...) There is nothing that I can see as a justification for this fee that is levied on only a portion of their guests.
Zuul: maybe you do understand my POV and maybe you don't. I am not judging you, and I understand your question. I do love Disney and have loved it all my life. I do not plan on shutting it out of my life. If someone does feel that way, I respect that. I am not saying I will never go back because frankly, I can't imagine that for my family. Love of WDW is something that my DD and I especially share. I am just trying to figure out how it is going to work for me moving forward. I never thought of myself as someone who would stay offsite. It's still upsetting to me that I am seriously thinking about it as an option.
 
ZuuL said:
No, I’m just a person who doesn’t trouble themselves with something out of their hands. It’s a waste of time.
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Really? Because you seem to be troubling yourself with something that is out of your hands... the thoughts of pretty much everyone on this thread. :scratchin


ZuuL said:
The execs have made there decision and if, by some saving grace, they change their minds. Then all these emails and complaining was worth it. But as of right now it falls on deaf ears.
Click to expand...

And if they change their minds... you can thank us. ;)
 
ZuuL said:
After reading these replies, I find it funny people are willing to throw something they like/love over a parking fee. I fully understand how expensive to stay onsite and prices go up each Year.... but this of all things they’ve done, it’s this you guys are angry at. Maybe I’ve never let myself to become jaded on what Disney is as a whole and just figured I should expect these things to happen whether I like them or not....
Click to expand...

It's not just the parking fee. For many people, the parking fee is just the straw that breaks the camel's back. We have been getting less and less value for every dollar spent at Disney - with shoddy housekeeping, new and unenforced pet policies, unreliable transportation, menus dumbed down so the dining plan makes them money . . . the list goes on and on. Any one of these things, on their own, probably would have just been an "oh well" and allowed to slide, for a while. The last year or so in particular has been especially bad when it comes to what WDW guests are being subjected to (security checks, I'm looking at you!) and for Disney to double down on parking by claiming they are separating out the parking fee, but not lowering the base room rate accordingly, is just the last straw in the minds of many people. No one wants to give up something they love without a fight, so people are doing what they can to express how they feel. I would hazard a guess that most of us realize that we don't have much of a chance at getting the policy dropped altogether. The best we could hope for is some sort of modification so that we feel we are still getting some value out of our Disney trips. I don't think any of us begrudge Disney a fair profit on their business, but nothing they have been doing lately comes off as anything close to fair (especially in light of Iger's multimillion dollar contract and the CM bonus fiasco).

I live close enough I can do day trips (I live closer to WDW than to my job), but I prefer the whole vacation experience. Now I am being penalized for that preference because I can't fly to WDW. I'm not a local that's just clogging up the roadways and crowding the parks (which I think we get a lot of flack for) but someone who is paying, and paying well, for the privilege of spending my vacation time at WDW, just like people who travel here from all over the world. At best, I will probably be dropping a day from each trip, which will cover most of the parking fee. At worst, I will become one of "those" locals who does only do day trips to the parks. It feels like the end of an era, and it's very sad.
 
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WDW resorts -parking charges

Resorts are open for all
However; overnight guests must take the fall
Singling out US customers first
Before Brits -makes my bubble burst

The charging structure is bizarre
Whoever decided upon this; is not a star

Visit & dine
That's totally fine
Just for a day
It's a ok
All day visitors cheer yay

But if you stay
You must pay
I say
No way
Shout nay
Run away.

Do not stay.
 
I am still trying to figure out how exactly they are going to implement this fee. One year, we flew in to TPA, rented a car and drove to AKV. I had done online check in and we had our MB's. I scanned it at the gate and we drove up to the front door. I dropped off DH and the kids and he brought the luggage inside while I went to the CCC and returned the rental car and took the shuttle back to the resort. Under this new plan, would I be charged for parking a car for my full stay? They would have no way to know that I never left the lot right? I would be mighty miffed if I were charged $24 a night for a car that was never there!

What about the reverse? How would they know if you said that you were just dropping someone off and just went and parked your car for the week? I think this whole idea was done in haste and not thought out. I feel like they are going to really run into problems when they start trying to figure out who is supposed to be charged and who is not supposed to be charged. There will be lines at the front desk a mile long with people actually going to check out. I am a DVC member and you can bet that I will be going over my room charges with a fine-tooth comb making sure that no parking fees show up. I just don't know how on earth they are going to be able to "prove" that you ever parked a car in their lot. Heck, you have to scan your band when you arrive via Uber or taxi don't you? Would that trigger a "parking fee"?
 
kristenrice said:
I am still trying to figure out how exactly they are going to implement this fee. One year, we flew in to TPA, rented a car and drove to AKV. I had done online check in and we had our MB's. I scanned it at the gate and we drove up to the front door. I dropped off DH and the kids and he brought the luggage inside while I went to the CCC and returned the rental car and took the shuttle back to the resort. Under this new plan, would I be charged for parking a car for my full stay? They would have no way to know that I never left the lot right? I would be mighty miffed if I were charged $24 a night for a car that was never there!

What about the reverse? How would they know if you said that you were just dropping someone off and just went and parked your car for the week? I think this whole idea was done in haste and not thought out. I feel like they are going to really run into problems when they start trying to figure out who is supposed to be charged and who is not supposed to be charged. There will be lines at the front desk a mile long with people actually going to check out. I am a DVC member and you can bet that I will be going over my room charges with a fine-tooth comb making sure that no parking fees show up. I just don't know how on earth they are going to be able to "prove" that you ever parked a car in their lot. Heck, you have to scan your band when you arrive via Uber or taxi don't you? Would that trigger a "parking fee"?
Click to expand...
It has been written elsewhere on these boards that technology, think license plate readers, could be used to distinguish which cars are here for a few hours vs those that are inside the parking lot for days.
There are cameras already focused the front and back bumper of each car passing by the guard shack.

And yes...............I also would review every line of my bill before leaving the resort!
 
bryanb said:
Dang! $11,000 for a hotel alone. Do you mind if I ask where you are staying and for how many days? For top tier guests who hit a certain annual spend, the least Disney could do is give you Platinum status (like a hotel chain) and maybe throw in perks like free parking, room upgrades, and a fruit basket.

Maybe switch over to the Swan/Dolphin instead. At least you'll get Starpoints out of it.
Click to expand...

Its a Magic Kingdom view room at the Contemporary for 14 nights. Its for our Honeymoon so i wanted something special, we had a really poor exchange rate as well unfortunately.

That is a great idea, but I feel like Disney have stopped 'giving back'.
 
I have a question about parking....the dates of our upcoming trip will be when the parking fee's start. It says that DVC people don't need to pay....does that mean those who book through disney and use the DVC units still have to pay? Example: I am looking at a 1 bedroom unit through disney due to military discount. Will I still be charged parking?
 
ZuuL said:
No, I’m just a person who doesn’t trouble themselves with something out of their hands. It’s a waste of time.

The execs have made there decision and if, by some saving grace, they change their minds. Then all these emails and complaining was worth it. But as of right now it falls on deaf ears.

So as of now, It comes down you either stay onsite or you don’t. That’s it, nothing else.
Click to expand...


If I wasted 30 minutes of my time by sending a couple of emails and picking up a couple of phone calls, so be it. You may be perfectly fine with paying a fee to park at Disney resorts but if you have spent anytime reading this thread there are many of us who are not and want to let Disney know about it.

As I have stated in previous comments, will this backlash cause Disney to change it's mind, probably not. The one thing that is for sure is if no one complains, nothing will change.
 
BillyRay_Omaha said:
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.
Click to expand...
Here we go with the "good, more room for me" post. For many people, it is the principle, not whether or not they can afford the extra fee. For others that scrimp and save, this is a big hit. Regardless, this is a public message board and people are free to vent about things they are unhappy about.
 
margot31 said:
I have a question about parking....the dates of our upcoming trip will be when the parking fee's start. It says that DVC people don't need to pay....does that mean those who book through disney and use the DVC units still have to pay? Example: I am looking at a 1 bedroom unit through disney due to military discount. Will I still be charged parking?
Click to expand...

Did you just book the trip yesterday or today? If you booked before yesterday, you’ll be exempt from the parking fees no matter what.

Unfortunately, I don’t have the answer to your specific question.
 
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