Hotel Parking Fees Realization / Tip

[jasminethecat]

Everyone hates the parking fees at the hotels, but many off-site resorts do it and Disney has been doing it for maybe 5 years now too. Sure, it keeps track of cars with receipts and maybe it pays for parking staff, but that's not why Disney does it. They could just check if you're a guest and let you through for free, they did that for a very long time. I think Disney (and other orlando resorts do too) because of the bubble - the fact that guests are stuck in their ecosystem and generally require Disney for all of their food, drinks, toiletries, etc. during their stay. Sure you can get groceries delivered or take an uber out of the hotel to go shopping, we know this because we're freaking Disney nerds and we know all the cool tips and tricks to save money. But Joe Public doesn't know that, so the average person on site without a car must spend more on food and drinks than someone who brings a car and is hopefully smart enough to buy some pop-tarts, milk, cereal or yogurt for breakfasts. Or a case of water, beer or wine. Or they *gasp* leave disney and eat a lunch or dinner meal outside of WDW borders.

So I think this is why they charge parking fees, because people with cars spend less on food and drinks on average, and they don't want to leave money on the table. So here's my tip: When you book your driving-to-WDW reservation and you think about parking fees and you start getting angry, just remember to bring enough food and drinks of your own to offset more than what you'll spend parking. Especially if you mix up your own adult drinks in an aluminum/reusable water bottle!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Especially if you mix up your own adult drinks in an aluminum/reusable water bottle!

I guess you could do that if you're an alcoholic or a college student.

 

[Chi84]

Everyone hates the parking fees at the hotels, but many off-site resorts do it and Disney has been doing it for maybe 5 years now too. Sure, it keeps track of cars with receipts and maybe it pays for parking staff, but that's not why Disney does it. They could just check if you're a guest and let you through for free, they did that for a very long time. I think Disney (and other orlando resorts do too) because of the bubble - the fact that guests are stuck in their ecosystem and generally require Disney for all of their food, drinks, toiletries, etc. during their stay. Sure you can get groceries delivered or take an uber out of the hotel to go shopping, we know this because we're freaking Disney nerds and we know all the cool tips and tricks to save money. But Joe Public doesn't know that, so the average person on site without a car must spend more on food and drinks than someone who brings a car and is hopefully smart enough to buy some pop-tarts, milk, cereal or yogurt for breakfasts. Or a case of water, beer or wine. Or they *gasp* leave disney and eat a lunch or dinner meal outside of WDW borders.

So I think this is why they charge parking fees, because people with cars spend less on food and drinks on average, and they don't want to leave money on the table. So here's my tip: When you book your driving-to-WDW reservation and you think about parking fees and you start getting angry, just remember to bring enough food and drinks of your own to offset more than what you'll spend parking. Especially if you mix up your own adult drinks in an aluminum/reusable water bottle!

I’m sure you mean well but Disney won’t notice and won’t care. I’ll continue to have my alcoholic drinks on the deck at the Boathouse

 

[ppete1975]

Its simpler than that.
Disney exec: you know we can charge people for parking and they can do nothing about it, and will just pay it.
VPs: WHY THE **@#%$ DIDNT I KNOW THIS!!!

Next day announcement goes out: Disney to start charging for parking

Its not more difficult than that.

And its not just Disney, I think Vegas started it, but most cities a good portion of the middle and up hotels charge now.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Its simpler than that.
Disney exec: you know we can charge people for parking and they can do nothing about it, and will just pay it.
VPs: WHY THE **@#%$ DIDNT I KNOW THIS!!!

Next day announcement goes out: Disney to start charging for parking

Its not more difficult than that.

And its not just Disney, I think Vegas started it, but most cities a good portion of the middle and up hotels charge now.

I disagree. I think it's one step more complicated than that.

I don't think they want you to rent a car and pay the fee. They want to alter your calculus so you skip renting a car entirely. Keeping you captive on property and reliant on Disney transportation (so you can't do what @jasminethecat suggests) is worth more to them than $15 per day.

 

[UNCgolf]

Most hotels in larger cities have limited parking available, so charging for it is partially to help reduce demand.

Disney hotels don't have that problem, or at least not all of them -- the last time I was at POR, my car was one of only a few in the whole parking lot outside our building. The lot was maybe 20% full.

I don't think they want you to rent a car and pay the fee. They want to alter your calculus so you skip renting a car entirely. Keeping you captive on property and reliant on Disney transportation (so you can't do what @jasminethecat suggests) is worth more to them than $15 per day.

The problem with this line of thought is that eliminating the Magical Express runs completely counter to this purpose. They're forcing guests to either rent a car or use something like Uber to get there from the airport, which encourages traveling off-property.

 

[NickMaio]

I disagree. I think it's one step more complicated than that.

I don't think they want you to rent a car and pay the fee. They want to alter your calculus so you skip renting a car entirely. Keeping you captive on property and reliant on Disney transportation (so you can't do what @jasminethecat suggests) is worth more to them than $15 per day.

Bingo......

 

[CaptainAmerica]

The problem with this line of thought is that eliminating the Magical Express runs completely counter to this purpose. They're forcing guests to either rent a car or use something like Uber to get there from the airport, which encourages traveling off-property.

I can't prove it, but I think there was supposed to be a more robust replacement for Magical Express that COVID blew to bits, whether that was Minnie Vans or simply paid DME or some other thing.

 

[ppete1975]

I disagree. I think it's one step more complicated than that.

I don't think they want you to rent a car and pay the fee. They want to alter your calculus so you skip renting a car entirely. Keeping you captive on property and reliant on Disney transportation (so you can't do what @jasminethecat suggests) is worth more to them than $15 per day.

I thought the same until they got rid of the magical express. Now it reeks of greed because they saw other hotels doing it.

Not saying you are wrong

 

[Animaniac93-98]

The problem with this line of thought is that eliminating the Magical Express runs completely counter to this purpose. They're forcing guests to either rent a car or use something like Uber to get there from the airport, which encourages traveling off-property.

Charging for overnight parking and getting rid of Magical Express is the worst of both [Disney] worlds.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Charging for overnight parking and getting rid of Magical Express is the worst of both [Disney] worlds.

Of all the changes (parking, Genie, ILL, EMH, etc.), DME is the one that really crumbles my cookies. It wasn't the cost savings, it was the convenience. "Sit back, relax, and let us take care of the driving."

 

[Ricky Spanish]

We always drive to WDW.
We don’t pay for parking.
We don’t put a CC on file at our hotel (usually the all stars)
We don’t use magic bands for any charges.
As I’ve said in the past, I’d love to share how we don’t pay for parking but I’m not ruining it for me.

 

[doctornick]

Of all the changes (parking, Genie, ILL, EMH, etc.), DME is the one that really crumbles my cookies. It wasn't the cost savings, it was the convenience. "Sit back, relax, and let us take care of the driving."

…and your bags. The luggage handling was huge.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

…and your bags. The luggage handling was huge.

And not needing car seats. Uber with one car seat is borderline impossible to get and Uber with two car seats is literally impossible to get. That greatly narrows the options for parents of car-seat age kids. In their defense, it's not like a lot of those types of families visit WDW.

 

[Hcalvert]

I get around the parking fees by booking through DVC. I am not a member and often pay moderate prices (no more than $250/night during peak times).

 

[JIMINYCR]

The majority of guests may be able to bring some snacks or some drinks with them but it’s unrealistic to think you’re going to bring enough groceries and drinks to last you on a week long or more trip. The refrig in the resort rooms aren’t all that large so you’re limited in refrig space as well. Unless you’re going to have a dvc with a normal fridge and cooking space available you are better off doing meals they you’ve budgeted for.

 

[jasminethecat]

Of all the changes (parking, Genie, ILL, EMH, etc.), DME is the one that really crumbles my cookies. It wasn't the cost savings, it was the convenience. "Sit back, relax, and let us take care of the driving."

I wonder if people shifting jobs and moving away from some industries like bus drivers (public schools have a huge issue with this across the USA) along with the idea that there would be a high speed rail system from the airport to disney springs made them just say "screw it". One of the many reasons Iger says he now regrets putting Chapek in charge, for sure.

I really wonder how much DME actually cost to run at scale, and how they could have covered those expenses in park tickets or resort fees. Like if they said "all resort hotels are going up $5 per day to keep DME" I don't think people would have noticed or cared if a week long stay cost them an extra $35. But taking it away was just another crappy short-term gain with the possibility of long term loss if attendance ever goes down.

EDIT: By the way, i have driven for over half of my family's visits (driven for 4 out of 7) and I would still rather pay for DME or an equivalent with resort fees or something even when i drive, because I don't want to be in the parks with a bunch of gloomy a-holes who are still upset about their uber trip or other hassles getting to the happiest place on earth. And if I decide to fly again myself, I'd rather have better options available.

2nd EDIT: I wasn't calling anyone here a gloomy a-hole! If people here are upset by the travel situation, i am sure general patrons are too. So I mean in general, stressed families in the parks detract from my happiness.

 

[jackpast]

I’m sure you mean well but Disney won’t notice and won’t care. I’ll continue to have my alcoholic drinks on the deck at the Boathouse

We’ll be on the barstools next to you!

 

[jackpast]

…or pre-pay your parking fees by buying into DVC.

 

[Deadphish]

We always drive to WDW.
We don’t pay for parking.
We don’t put a CC on file at our hotel (usually the all stars)
We don’t use magic bands for any charges.
As I’ve said in the past, I’d love to share how we don’t pay for parking but I’m not ruining it for me.

Nice! With no credit card on file they can’t charge it