Disney Testing Paid Parking at Walt Disney World Resort Hotels

[s8film40]

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.

That's an interesting thought. I looked at the property records to see if they are owned by different entities and while they are both owned by "Walt Disney Parks & Resorts" it seems wherever there is a case of DVC it is separated into a completely separate parcel from the parking in the examples I looked at. Even the newest developments at the Polynesian.

 

[asianway]

That's an interesting thought. I looked at the property records to see if they are owned by different entities and while they are both owned by "Walt Disney Parks & Resorts" it seems wherever there is a case of DVC it is separated into a completely separate parcel from the parking in the examples I looked at. Even the newest developments at the Polynesian.

Some of the deluxes have a master condo involved as well. You'd probably be able to tell if you had the financials-do any of the Dvc blogs have it? All I'm seeing are point budgets

 

[asianway]

That's an interesting thought. I looked at the property records to see if they are owned by different entities and while they are both owned by "Walt Disney Parks & Resorts" it seems wherever there is a case of DVC it is separated into a completely separate parcel from the parking in the examples I looked at. Even the newest developments at the Polynesian.

Dvcnews.com has detail budgets-I'm assuming ADV is Aulani? They charge non owners for parking and they do get dues credits for commercial facilities revenue & shared area revenue is that it?

 

[s8film40]

Dvcnews.com has detail budgets-I'm assuming ADV is Aulani? They charge non owners for parking and they do get dues credits for commercial facilities revenue & shared area revenue is that it?

I'm not really all too familiar with the legal workings of DVC. Just my guess though seeing as how the property is separated and the fact that Disney is already running a standard hotel business on those sites I don't think the money would have to go to DVC. They already collect money for valet parking, if collecting parking fees was an issue that would have already presented itself with that I would think.

 

[rob0519]

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 think you're right and I'm sure someone at WDW will think of that and institute a tougher policy for admission to their parking lot, like no guests that do not have a reservation. All others will need to arrive by bus or monorail.

 

[Jon81uk]

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.

Which is why resort parking for non-residents would need to be $30.
Maybe refund if you stay less than three hours and eat in a restaurant. And free parking for residents of that hotel only, unless dining, so value guests pay at the GF unless they have a reservation for food.

 

[Buried20KLeague]

Which is why resort parking for non-residents would need to be $30.
Maybe refund if you stay less than three hours and eat in a restaurant. And free parking for residents of that hotel only, unless dining, so value guests pay at the GF unless they have a reservation for food.

I'd pay an extra $10ish to be a short walk from the park rather than deal with the parking trams, lines at the ferry or mono, and the long ride. No question. That 30 minutes it takes to get to the front gate of the MK is brutal.

 

[ford91exploder]

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.

The pass AAA has given Disney in the past may change seeing the partnership has ended. We will see.

 

[sgtmgd]

Personally I think they have First Order Storm Troopers patrol each Deluxe Resort Parking Lot (Who cares about Mods or Values) and blast any known Rebel Spies...err non resort guests,APs, or those which Dining reservations

 

[Tony the Tigger]

I'd pay an extra $10ish to be a short walk from the park rather than deal with the parking trams, lines at the ferry or mono, and the long ride. No question. That 30 minutes it takes to get to the front gate of the MK is brutal.

So basically they should consider a new parking lot!

 

[mm121]

So basically they should consider a new parking lot!

just pave over seven seas lagoon for vip premium parking

 

[BroganMc]

Wouldn't necessarily require a cast member at the exit, just take a ticket when you enter, it gets run through some mechanism at the restaurant and then inserted at the exit to open the gate.

Oh cool can I join the lawsuit them for lack of accessibility? Those automated machines NEVER work for people with my sorts of disabilities who also drive. They have them at my local beach lot. I avoid it like the plague. Unless you all would prefer to sit behind me while I honk my horn repeatedly trying to get a guard to come over and assist me.

Somehow I highly doubt this pay for parking everywhere will work. All the abused parking lots are attached to DVC timeshares and parking is included in our maintenance fees. Since DVC owners are encouraged to come over and use the amenities that earn more revenue (like the TOTWL at Bay Lake), I can't see Disney making a go of it. Reminds me of the nutty plan they had to stop issuing paper parking passes and tying it all to your MagicBand instead. That lasted at Saratoga about a half a month. Without the paper permit, staff had no way of monitoring vehicles or reaching owners.

 

[ToInfinityAndBeyond]

Just an update:

I've been to the Kingdom several times since I posted this rumor and I took some time to do some snooping. I didn't speak to anyone or ask any questions mind you, I just tried to park in parking lots. I went to the Poly, GF, Contemporary, the Boardwalk, and the Beach Club (no Yacht yet). I was waved through with my photo ID every time. I also went to Coronado Springs, Art of Animation, and Caribbean Beach (not that I honestly expect an issue with parking at these resorts) and it was the same.

I am thinking this is more in the realm of uncorroborated rumor. That, or it was an extremely short-lived test.

On another note I wanted to point out my experience at the Poly two weeks ago:

My wife and I made reservations for Spirit of Aloha. When I tried to park at the Poly around 7 PM (on a Saturday) the lot was completely full. I drove around for about 10 minutes with about 6-7 other cars before I stalked someone to their spot. After dinner, we went into the Kingdom for a bit. Lines were long, so we just walked around. When I got back to the car around 11PM, the lot was half-empty. Food for thought: dining reservations have a big effect on the lots.