Disney Testing Paid Parking at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

[Imagineerwannabe]

Yes...if there were direct resort to resort buses then that would be OK...but there aren't.

As I mentioned earlier, we are all creatures of habit and convenience.

You take away the convenience of being able to drive and park up at another resort and people stop parking there and stop eating and shopping there unless they stay there.

 

[fillerup]

Lots of fairly interesting conversation here about pluses, minuses and the logistics of charging for parking. But has it been established one way or another if a test actually took place.

Seems to me that a true test would have to last at least a week and would have to include signage, cashiers and real money changing hands. This would have impacted thousands of people and I have to believe there would have been at least one eye witness step forward by now.

 

[Biff215]

And another question is would Disney notify guests in advance of such a test? I know they don't have to, but I'd be a little upset if I pulled up to check in only to find a "test" parking fee. For me it might make me cancel the rental car and use ME. For others it might affect what they had budgeted for their vacation.

I just hope for a heads up if this does happen, even if it's just an announcement online.

 

[CdnDznyLuvr]

And another question is would Disney notify guests in advance of such a test? I know they don't have to, but I'd be a little upset if I pulled up to check in only to find a "test" parking fee. For me it might make me cancel the rental car and use ME. For others it might affect what they had budgeted for their vacation.

I just hope for a heads up if this does happen, even if it's just an announcement online.

If they did, it would probably be like they did with the metal detectors ...

 

[s8film40]

And another question is would Disney notify guests in advance of such a test? I know they don't have to, but I'd be a little upset if I pulled up to check in only to find a "test" parking fee. For me it might make me cancel the rental car and use ME. For others it might affect what they had budgeted for their vacation.

I just hope for a heads up if this does happen, even if it's just an announcement online.

I would think if/when they choose to do this if they do a test ahead of it it wouldn't involve resort guests. The only real reason I could see to test this would be the logistics of setting up the payment mechanism. At that point that would likely mean they've already invested in the equipment and so it would really be more of a soft start than a test.

 

[s8film40]

If they did, it would probably be like they did with the metal detectors ...

Somehow I don't think "you've been randomly selected to pay for parking" would go over too well.

 

[s8film40]

Generally when it comes to things like rate increases and policy changes that involve spending money Disney typically likes to implement it overnight with no warning.

 

[lazyboy97o]

And the Radisson just down the street at Crossroads.. and many others don't. What's your point? We all know some hotels (and depending on area.. all hotels) charge for parking. But in this area, far more don't than do... because its such a competitive market. Many that do.. honestly I think do it because they know they can do it within their brand's image without much pushback... or do it because they know they are business focused.

Around Orlando, the times I have been hit with the parking fee is around the Convention Center when nothing is happening. I have always been successful in getting the parking fee dropped.

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?

Many Four Diamond hotels are also not going to be in big suburban expanses, so there cannot be a rule declared when these types of properties tend to be located in prime locations.

 

[s8film40]

Many Four Diamond hotels are also not going to be in big suburban expanses, so there cannot be a rule declared when these types of properties tend to be located in prime locations.

I've explained the reason behind this, it has nothing at all to do with location.

 

[raymusiccity]

I've explained the reason behind this, it has nothing at all to do with location.

Exactly.

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel, here in Nashville, is located a good distance from downtown, but, maintains exorbitant parking fees. They realize they're a destination resort, and charge for parking accordingly. (Self-parking $24.00 a day ! ) ..... Yikes !!

 

[s8film40]

Exactly.

The Gaylord Opryland Hotel, here in Nashville, is located a good distance from downtown, but, maintains exorbitant parking fees. They realize they're a destination resort, and charge for parking accordingly. (Self-parking $24.00 a day ! ) ..... Yikes !!

Actually it's not because it's a "destination resort". While that gives them some justification in charging it the real reason is Gaylord uses the company Towne Park (who also operates many Olrando area locations) their business model pretty much requires the charge for self parking.

 

[Biff215]

Actually it's not because it's a "destination resort". While that gives them some justification in charging it the real reason is Gaylord uses the company Towne Park (who also operates many Olrando area locations) their business model pretty much requires the charge for self parking.

I honestly do appreciate all the explaining you have done regarding the connection between valet and self parking. I would have never thought that the one affected the other so much that a fee would be added as a result.

I'm not a big fan of using valet no matter what it costs in comparison to self parking, so to me it's ridiculous to charge for self parking simply to keep the valet outsourced. While I certainly understand having to pay for valet since it's a service, I've always seen self parking as something that should be included as an amenity for hotel guests. The only exception I see to that is in a city where there simply isn't enough space for a hotel to have their own lot/garage.

 

[rob0519]

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.

By the way one of the things you mentioned as a benefit the AAA inspectors took points off for. GF lost points due to it's close proximity to the monorail. It's considered mass transit and apparently it isn't upscale to have your resort near that.

I had no idea AAA deducted points for being near the monorail. For us, anyway, that is one of the perks we pay for. My family is probably the exception. When we travel we usually have 5 adults, including a physically and developmentally disabled person. So for us, the valet parking and bell services are used each visit. We don't use room service much anymore, but it's nice to know it's there if we need it.

I will say that the management at both the CR and GF have always been helpful and responsive to problems or requests. The level of responsibility and ability to help guests given to their concierge desk however, pales in comparison to all other 4 Diamond resorts at which we have stayed.

 

[s8film40]

I had no idea AAA deducted points for being near the monorail. For us, anyway, that is one of the perks we pay for. My family is probably the exception. When we travel we usually have 5 adults, including a physically and developmentally disabled person. So for us, the valet parking and bell services are used each visit. We don't use room service much anymore, but it's nice to know it's there if we need it.

I will say that the management at both the CR and GF have always been helpful and responsive to problems or requests. The level of responsibility and ability to help guests given to their concierge desk however, pales in comparison to all other 4 Diamond resorts at which we have stayed.

Yeah what the average Disney guest is looking for in the deluxe resorts is often very different than that of your average 4 Diamond hotel guest. I also heard the reason Disney dropped Mobile's Star rating system was that the GF received a 3 Star rating due to children in the lobby wearing swimsuits. The 4 Star/Diamond ratings really cater to the high end traveler who is accustomed to those services and money isn't really an issue. Like I said before the type of person who has an issue paying $20 - $30 for parking isn't the type of person looking for a 4 Star/Diamond hotel. I think the inspectors take this into account a little with the Disney properties (at least in the case of AAA) as to me the Disney resorts don't seem to be quite at the 4 Star/Diamond level, but as long as they have the bare minimum standards to reach that level they seem to be okay with giving it to them and ignoring some things.

 

[71jason]

Lots of fairly interesting conversation here about pluses, minuses and the logistics of charging for parking. But has it been established one way or another if a test actually took place.

Seems to me that a true test would have to last at least a week and would have to include signage, cashiers and real money changing hands. This would have impacted thousands of people and I have to believe there would have been at least one eye witness step forward by now.

I agree. I've yet to see a single eyewitness report re: the test. Someone would've tweeted.

That said, had one solid source tell me this is on the table for 2016 (although knows nothing of alleged test), another tell me it's a no-go, monorail resort parking will be status quo ante after Marathon Weekend. Until more solid information, don't know what to think.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

I've never parked at an MK resort "illegally" and then gone to the park... I have must too strong a feeling of guilt.

But if they start charging the same to park at the Contemporary as they do in the park, you better believe I'm going to start parking there and walking, and I would do it without a stitch of guilt. My rental car would never see that dreaded MK parking lot ever again.

And something tells me thousands of others would do the same.

 

[s8film40]

I've never parked at an MK resort "illegally" and then gone to the park... I have must too strong a feeling of guilt.

But if they start charging the same to park at the Contemporary as they do in the park, you better believe I'm going to start parking there and walking, and I would do it without a stitch of guilt. My rental car would never see that dreaded MK parking lot ever again.

And something tells me thousands of others would do the same.

I agree with this completely. Of course I've never directly paid for parking at WDW. If my existing parking entitlements transferred to a resort I would certainly take advantage of that. The key to this whole thing isn't to simply charge the same as the theme park lots. So the question is how much more would you be willing to pay to park at the resorts?

Disneyland charges $9 an hour, seems to me that would stop a good portion of the people who are spending any reasonable amount of time in the park.

 

[asianway]

I agree. I've yet to see a single eyewitness report re: the test. Someone would've tweeted.

That said, had one solid source tell me this is on the table for 2016 (although knows nothing of alleged test), another tell me it's a no-go, monorail resort parking will be status quo ante after Marathon Weekend. Until more solid information, don't know what to think.

Me either - I think there may be a little fibbing on that part.

Another thing to consider are any resorts with a DVC component. Who is owns for the land under the asphalt? If the condominium is responsible for maintaining it, then they would be the ones to keep any revenue charged for renting it.

Ive long thought this is the reason they never started charging for parking in the first place - any money collected would not benefit Disney, they would have to turn it over to the HOA.

 

[flynnibus]

Me either - I think there may be a little fibbing on that part.

Another thing to consider are any resorts with a DVC component. Who is owns for the land under the asphalt? If the condominium is responsible for maintaining it, then they would be the ones to keep any revenue charged for renting it.

Ive long thought this is the reason they never started charging for parking in the first place - any money collected would not benefit Disney, they would have to turn it over to the HOA.

Why would DVC own the lots? It would make more sense to have the DVC entities pay the Resorts for access/services/etc. Make it a service, so Disney can actually control it.

 

[asianway]

Why would DVC own the lots? It would make more sense to have the DVC entities pay the Resorts for access/services/etc. Make it a service, so Disney can actually control it.

You would need to read the individual documents for each of them. Probably runs the gamut. OKW being all timeshare probably owns all the lots. GCH being a bolt on probably pays a fee.