Just to be clear I'm talking about a handheld scanner that the security guards have, not the self-scan lane. They always look at the screen like it's showing them something, but as you said, I doubt it does much more than verify that my band is actively connected to a resort. The system should have this capability, I'm just not sure they use it.
That's the one I was thinking of. Those don't seem to work too well either, I've seen them have problems with them quite a bit.
Yes, they typically go through the same routine where they take it out, attempt to turn it on, smack it a few times, yell at it, then finally attempt to scan my band before waving me through. I wonder every time whether they actually saw anything on their side or just satisfied that they went through the motions.
Someone was showing me one of those fairly early on in the program and was pointing out that where Disney placed the Mickey sticker is actually not where the RFID reader is located and so if you use it the way instructed to it actually doesn't work right. Apparently Disney was more concerned with the consistency of creating the perception that all touch points were the same.
You need to compare the right category of hotels. Disney's goal with the deluxe hotels is to maintain a 4 diamond rating. You can't compare these to the "Raddison down the street". I was saying before valet parking has a big impact on hotels needing to charge for self parking, it's just the economics of the business. How many 4 diamond hotels can you find in the area that don't charge for self parking?
Looks pretty good except for this won't stop folks parking at GF/Poly/BLT/CR for fireworks shows which, according to a few posters in this monstrosity, is an issue.
Well yes, I don't think the Holiday Inn should be compared either. Personally I agree with you I think Disney should drop the 4 Diamond rating system. To me Disney Deluxe resorts are a separate class of their own and Disney's core business for them is very different than the standard. Just because they are priced into that range doesn't mean that Disney's guests expect or even want the amenities associated with that level of service. In fact with all the opposition expressed here I think it's safe to say most Disney fans don't want 4 Diamond hotels. I think it's important to recognize the economics behind it though and why if Disney continues to try to maintain this with rising prices it won't work. While this is what I would want to happen it doesn't seem to be the direction Disney is going, so i think we will eventually see the self parking charge come into the Disney resorts.
That's a good point, and a reason to require validation for any amount of time. Although what do you do with someone who is simply picking someone up? Allowing 30 minutes max for free should stop fireworks watchers, as it would be tight to get in and out within the half hour.
I think your going to have people visiting for the fireworks, kind of hard to stop that. If you eliminate the people parking and then spending half the day in the park I think the resorts can handle the fireworks crowds just fine.
You are probably the exception not the norm in the Disney deluxe resorts. Most guests visiting those resorts don't want valet parking, bell services, room service and all the other various amenities required to maintain that 4 diamond rating.
If only these hotels lived behind a toll plaza. Then charging would be easy.
