Disney Testing Paid Parking at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

[s8film40]

Agreed it just boggles my mind some of the things local lifestylers do to take advantage of perks that they really have no business using. Things like resort pools or campfires, I see those as they are benefits for guests. The internet has created a lot of these problems as it did with the GAC and other abused benefits that had to be discontinued or changed.

As a local I don't agree with going to a resort just to use a pool or take advantage of things that are really meant to be amenities of the hotel. At the same time as a local it's harder to justify spending hundreds of dollars a night to rent a hotel room but it's nice to be able to enjoy the resorts a little. Personally I would never go to a resort pool as a non hotel guest, but campfires are clearly open to the public. Even so I would likely never go to a campfire without spending money otherwise. That's not really for moral reasons but in reality a campfire alone just isn't worth the trip to a resort.

 

[dreamfinder912]

How is paying for parking any different from being given the option to make a U turn and leave, or pay for valet parking? To me it sounds just like another tag line they can put on the "Premium You're Never Paying This Off" pass. Free downloads of the pictures you were totally screen grabbing before they put a watermark on them, and free resort parking. Annual Passes, and a good chunk of the Florida resident tickets include free parking. APers already aren't trying to "save" any type of parking fee, we aren't charged one. No reason that couldn't continue. I really don't see how it would be -that- different.

Edit: What about DVC members? Don't they technically own a teeny tiny percentage of their "home" resort? If it's their resort they should be able to park there and enjoy it regardless of staying there at the time.

 

[googilycub]

Good. It is about time.

 

[jaklgreen]

Take Disney Transport I guess. Perhaps there could be a way to validate parking. 2 hrs with a receipt for example.

This is what I was thinking when I read this. The parking for free can be solved by validating. If you eat or shop there then they can validate and out you go. Otherwise as you leave you pay. Plus they can put in the "grace' period for those who want to check out the resorts. I totally do not see a problem for charging people who just want to park to escape paying the parking fees. I would charge double what they charge at the parks to make people think twice or in the case of the Contemporary or Beach/Boardwalk for the convenience of being closer. I'm sorry but I don't feel bad for locals who are able to go whenever they want. I live in the middle of the country and go about twice a year and get an AP. But my value for it is not the same since I only get about 20 days a year at WDW. Plus I always stay on property and do not leave. Disney gets a bunch of my money every year. I probably spend thousands more a year then any local but I'm not complaining about parking fees. Hell, I would be happy to pay if I can just pop in and have a meal at WDW whenever I wanted.

 

[boufa]

I don't recall anyone spending 10 years on a space station. Is the rest of it true, and if so, what was it that ruined the vacation? I'm not following!

Read some of the posts, especially the early posts in this thread (and others). Many people have their own habits, traditions, routines, or circumstances, that somehow Disney is supposed to magically accommodate, each and every one of them, and every decision that they make seems to step on those special little toes, and ruin a vacation, or as proof of losing touch with the guests. I was overstating the concept for (poor) comedic effect. I apologize that it was lost on you.

 

[s8film40]

I totally do not see a problem for charging people who just want to park to escape paying the parking fees.

While I'm sure there are a few people who do this, the vast majority of those parking at a resort to access a theme park aren't doing it to get free parking.

 

[Nubs70]

People are bothered because we can see more than 6" ahead of us...

If the purpose were to simply catch parking scoffers - that can be done without threatening to charge for parking.
Money is addictive... its way easier to say 'just expand who is paying...' vs 'lets add some new fee somewhere...'
It's counter to the idea of WDW being more than just theme parks people are funneled to

If charging is to deter parking freeloaders, then WDW could properly control access to their property.

To control access by guard shack is a cost. Charging by automated means access control by minimum cost plus the added benefit of revenue.

I could see resort guests being charged $10/day. Non resort guests $50/day.

 

[Launchpad McQuack]

I don't see how this is a problem at all. Even here at home, if I want to go eat or drink downtown, I generally have to pay to park on the street or in a parking garage.

 

[s8film40]

I don't see how this is a problem at all. Even here at home, if I want to go eat or drink downtown, I generally have to pay to park on the street or in a parking garage.

It's actually surprising Disney doesn't already charge for parking at the hotels even for resort guests. Every other hotel does it, primarily so they can outsource their valet. In Disney's case they have the added incentive of using it as a deterrent to keep their guests from getting a rental car and thereby keeping them in property.

 

[Biff215]

I can understand Disney wanting to eliminate off-site guests avoiding the parking fee and taking up parking spots at the resorts. This shouldn't apply to guests of any Disney resorts though. We rent a car, not to go off property, but instead to allow us to dine at the resorts before and after park visits to avoid the delays of Disney Transport. We will park at the Poly, have breakfast at Kona or Ohana, then head to MK for the morning. I'm not escaping a parking fee as I am a DVC resort guest with an AP, and the parking spot typically isn't an issue since it's during the day and never overnight.

If Disney is going to charge me to park there regardless of a reservation/AP/etc, then we will likely stop dining at those resorts. Taking the bus or parking at the parks just makes it too inconvenient and time-consuming. Hope they don't go that route.

 

[Bairstow]

People sure do seem to hate those darn "lifestyler" people.

 

[AEfx]

Edit: What about DVC members? Don't they technically own a teeny tiny percentage of their "home" resort? If it's their resort they should be able to park there and enjoy it regardless of staying there at the time.

No, that's a popular misconception (one that Disney works very hard to maintain).

They are long-term lease holders, not owners.

 

[ford91exploder]

The problem with the MB/ADR thing is... not everything is an ADR. If I'm going to trader sams for instance... or many other bars on property. This should be resolved by people having validation on exit.. not entry. Scanning ADRs on entry also does not prevent people from leaving their cars at the resorts and then going to the parks... and leaves an ugly "well I didn't know that..." customer trap.

It's cleaner to set the pay parking expectation UP FRONT.. and then validate people out of it.

Good point - you could also add validation as a magic band feature - Since they built the infrastructure why not bloody well use it

 

[s8film40]

People sure do seem to hate those darn "lifestyler" people.

There really seems to be an element of animosity or entitlement amongst those who are tourists and those who are locals and vice versa. I always hear arguments that can pretty much be boiled down to "I'm spending more money in one week than you so I'm more important" or "I go to the parks all the time and provide continuous business". Both of these are valid but shouldn't contradict the other. Disney and every other local business for that matter wants both, it's just a matter of balancing them. We all know that Disney needs it's tourism to survive, but they do need the locals too. I have had the benefit of being both, and I am fairly certain these resort parking issues are directed at both locals and tourists. Both of these groups are just as likely to take advantage of the resort parking or other resort amenities that they aren't necessarily entitled to.

 

[ford91exploder]

No, that's a popular misconception (one that Disney works very hard to maintain).

They are long-term lease holders, not owners.

No DVC members are indeed owners of a real estate interest otherwise there would be no need to register a deed with Orange county, This type of deed is closest to a tenancy in common deed . I'm sure the real estate experts here can provide the proper name of the deed type used by DVC.

 

[s8film40]

No DVC members are indeed owners of a real estate interest otherwise there would be no need to register a deed with Orange county, This type of deed is closest to a tenancy in common deed . I'm sure the real estate experts here can provide the proper name of the deed type used by DVC.

In any case DVC owners are only entitled to access during their actual stay just like any other guest.

 

[ford91exploder]

In any case DVC owners are only entitled to access during their actual stay just like any other guest.

Most are not local so that's pretty much a non-issue, Just like access to TOTWL is only open when one is staying on points if you are a cash guest no access for you unless staying in the GV's on the top floors

 

[jaklgreen]

While I'm sure there are a few people who do this, the vast majority of those parking at a resort to access a theme park aren't doing it to get free parking.

I think it must be more then a few if Disney is considering charging for parking. If you are going to park in a parking lot of a hotel all day without being a guest there then that is a problem. Like I said, they can give you a free hour to look around if that is what you are there for or up to 3 hours if you ate there. But just parking there so you do not have to deal with the theme park lots is not right.

 

[s8film40]

I think it must be more then a few if Disney is considering charging for parking. If you are going to park in a parking lot of a hotel all day without being a guest there then that is a problem. Like I said, they can give you a free hour to look around if that is what you are there for or up to 3 hours if you ate there. But just parking there so you do not have to deal with the theme park lots is not right.

My point is most people aren't doing it to avoid the parking fee but rather because parking at the Theme Park lots is so inconvenient by comparison. Especially in the case of MK and World Showcase.

 

[jaklgreen]

My point is most people aren't doing it to avoid the parking fee but rather because parking at the Theme Park lots is so inconvenient by comparison. Especially in the case of MK and World Showcase.

The question is does that make it OK for people to park at a resort because they feel its more convenient? Shouldn't the resort parking be only for those staying/visiting the resort only, not for those who want and free/convenient parking for the parks. I would be mad if I was staying at a hotel and come back in the evening and not be able to find a parking spot because someone else did not want to be inconvenienced.