Disney Testing Paid Parking at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

[s8film40]

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.

No, that's the point. The problem is it's so very hard to tell for sure who's using the resort for theme park access or just visiting the resort. I think the best option is to charge for parking on an hourly basis, give people adequate time to just walk around and allow for validation for meals and shopping. See my previous more detailed personal suggestion.

 

[jaklgreen]

No, that's the point. The problem is it's so very hard to tell for sure who's using the resort for theme park access or just visiting the resort. I think the best option is to charge for parking on an hourly basis, give people adequate time to just walk around and allow for validation for meals and shopping. See my previous more detailed personal suggestion.

That is what I am saying too. LOL Free for a certain time to look/ eat but pay to park otherwise. But I would charge double what they do at the regular parking for the "convenience".

 

[s8film40]

That is what I am saying too. LOL Free for a certain time to look/ eat but pay to park otherwise. But I would charge double what they do at the regular parking for the "convenience".

I would charge $10 an hour and cap it off at $100. There are plenty of people who have to pay for parking anyway and figure they might as well pay extra and park at the resort.

 

[hopemax]

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.

Which begs the question, if you paid the $20 bucks to park at MK or Epcot, and now you have an option to pay $20 to park at the Beach Club or Contemporary how many will take that option? More or less than the number of people skirting the fee? People assume this means suddenly there will be parking spaces for resort guests, but if it provides a legitimate method for people to park in their preferred lot you should also expect people to use it that way too.

I know people are suggesting the resort parking charge should be even more, but we don't have any indication that that is what Disney is considering, do we?

 

[biggy H]

uh.. you do realize the difference between fees charged by the retailer... and fees COLLECTED by the retailer for someone else? Taxes vs resort fees/parking fees is apples and oranges

Yes I do but at the end of the day there is a difference between what you expected to pay and what you pay... I'm not saying they are the same but it's the perception of paying more than expected is the same.

 

[lazyboy97o]

Yes I do but at the end of the day there is a difference between what you expected to pay and what you pay... I'm not saying they are the same but it's the perception of paying more than expected is the same.

But you're not paying more for the item.

 

[PhotoDave219]

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.

Thats the reason I parked at the Contemporary. I would much rather walk to the front gate than have to deal with the hassles of the monorail or the ferry boat.

 

[PhotoDave219]

I would charge $10 an hour and cap it off at $100. There are plenty of people who have to pay for parking anyway and figure they might as well pay extra and park at the resort.

That would cut down on the lifestylers, yes.

 

[halltd]

That would cut down on the lifestylers, yes.

Based on your previous post about parking at the Contemporary so you can walk to the MK, doesn't that qualify you as a lifestyler as well?

 

[PhotoDave219]

Based on your previous post about parking at the Contemporary so you can walk to the MK, doesn't that qualify you as a lifestyler as well?

I was a lifestyler before there was a name for it.

Alas, I'm not there anymore. No longer a passholder. All in the past....

 

[Biff215]

They're already hardcore about scanning Magicbands when you attempt to enter any of the resorts where parking is either an advantage or in short supply. Does this actually verify a dining reservation or is it all for show? (When the scanner actually works)

 

[Next Big Thing]

now combine it with the fact they have made a total of 0 TS reservations in the past year and....Is it any wonder why the AP prices increased.

Let's not over-generalize. My family of 4 (that all has APs) makes reservations probably half the times we go to the parks. On average we'll probably hit up the parks 30 or more times a year. Much more if you include Disney Springs, which is purely to spend money.

I also know many, many othe APers who do the same and I share these experiences with. Doing the Epcot Fireworks cruise (with bonus Frozen fireworks) this summer was one of the better experiences I've had.

Sure there's a lot of APs that likely don't spend much. But I'd argue most are those that buy APs as a part of a lengthy vacation. Most locals, especially Disney fans, tend to spend a decent amount of money.

 

[s8film40]

Let's not over-generalize. My family of 4 (that all has APs) makes reservations probably half the times we go to the parks. On average we'll probably hit up the parks 30 or more times a year. Much more if you include Disney Springs, which is purely to spend money.

I would say I only make reservations about 25% of the time I eat at TS locations. I sure hope Disney doesn't think I'm not spending money when I go.

 

[ford91exploder]

You forget the other reason for charging for resort parking. More and more guests are renting cars so they can visit other Orlando attractions. Bolt on a 30-70 dollar daily parking fee with 30 for values and 70 for Deluxe Disney can influence people to be stranded within the bubble

 

[DisneyPrincess5]

You forget the other reason for charging for resort parking. More and more guests are renting cars so they can visit other Orlando attractions. Bolt on a 30-70 dollar daily parking fee with 30 for values and 70 for Deluxe Disney can influence people to be stranded within the bubble

Oh no I hope not! So guests who drive in (and not fly) but intend to stay on property have to pay? And guests of that exact resort would have to pay? That is no good.

 

[s8film40]

You forget the other reason for charging for resort parking. More and more guests are renting cars so they can visit other Orlando attractions. Bolt on a 30-70 dollar daily parking fee with 30 for values and 70 for Deluxe Disney can influence people to be stranded within the bubble

The other big factor is valet. Disney unlike most hotels was able to outsource their valet just because of the name Disney. Where most other hotels have to tie self parking into this to make it a profitable endeavor. The current company if they even turn a profit it's very slim. Additionally beyond keeping profits slim for the company it also keeps the effective pay rate very low for the employees. Because of this it's very difficult to attract and keep quality valet CM's.

So when you combine the parking being taken advantage of for theme park parking, the fact that it allows guests an easy way to leave property and the valet situation the question isn't do we think they will start charging for parking, it's when is it going to happen. They've obviously been holding off for a while because they know the reaction won't be pleasant, it is something that will inevitably happen though.

 

[rael ramone]

You forget the other reason for charging for resort parking. More and more guests are renting cars so they can visit other Orlando attractions. Bolt on a 30-70 dollar daily parking fee with 30 for values and 70 for Deluxe Disney can influence people to be stranded within the bubble

Or that will drive more and more to stay outside the bubble.

We all know $DIS greed knows no bounds. But they aren't oblivious to what's happening up I-4. Otherwise all this new construction in the parks wouldn't be happening and they'd still be bragging about slashing capex on the conference calls...

Whatever charge that gets added for parking at resorts will definitely have a 'revenue enhancement' component to it, but the last thing they want to do is drive people out of the hotels.

I've said this multiple times about the Rental Car - it's the best Fastpass down in the swamps - even if you like to stay on property and never leave the bubble - it shaves so much time off of travel and makes the best dining opportunities (the hotel eateries) more available.

 

[s8film40]

Or that will drive more and more to stay outside the bubble.

We all know $DIS greed knows no bounds. But they aren't oblivious to what's happening up I-4. Otherwise all this new construction in the parks wouldn't be happening and they'd still be bragging about slashing capex on the conference calls...

Whatever charge that gets added for parking at resorts will definitely have a 'revenue enhancement' component to it, but the last thing they want to do is drive people out of the hotels.

I've said this multiple times about the Rental Car - it's the best Fastpass down in the swamps - even if you like to stay on property and never leave the bubble - it shaves so much time off of travel and makes the best dining opportunities (the hotel eateries) more available.

If you stay off property you still have to pay for parking. A $20 a day increase is about what you would expect in the room rate increase anyway. They've held of doing this for a long time and they may still for a little while, but there are just so many factors pushing against it that it really already has reached the tipping point. I would suggest that people go ahead and start getting used to the idea, it's gotta happen sooner or later, they just can't afford not to.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

It seems fair that if you are not staying or dining at a resort you would have to pay for parking.

I would add one more exception for shopping.

 

[CdnDznyLuvr]

has there really been an issue of resort lots being "full"

Typically the Polynesian, the Beach Club and Yacht Club seem to have this problem during more popular times of the year. I have seen the lots be totally full and the guards only allowing people in to valet park their cars. Marie

We've stayed at the Poly in May and October and can confirm that even during both those months, there were times when returned to the Poly mid-afternoon and the lot was full - Concierge was aware of the problem but really couldn't do anything about it - we were told to park in 30 minute parking and check back after fireworks. Sure enough every time we went out an hour after Wishes, the parking lot was almost empty.