Relevant-adjacent article: https://www.wsj.com/articles/electr...Za6JKc5AldLau6izHzM4IxRDDQfmomXJ8QLG_z9T7I-aQ
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How Does Somebody Get an EV Parking Space at Disney World?
- Thread starter DisneyCane
- Start date
Updates.
Disney Springs: One of the DC Fast Chargers is broken. No idea when Disney, CFTOD, or Chargepoint will fix it. This one is annoying, as it's very convenient for out of towners getting ready to leave WDW for the long drive home.
AK: 2 out of the 4 L2 chargers are broken... sort of. The screen is broken, but they can still be started using the chargepoint app. Unfortunately AK parking CM's don't care and will not let anyone use them. They've been blocked off with cones.
Epcot: 3 out of the 4 Epcot chargers are broken. Two from when a construction truck backed into them, another one seemingly from vandalism or excess wear and tear. Epcot parking CM's have stopped caring and now all four spots spots, although with clear EV charging signage, have been effectively turned into extra preferred spots.
Disney Springs: One of the DC Fast Chargers is broken. No idea when Disney, CFTOD, or Chargepoint will fix it. This one is annoying, as it's very convenient for out of towners getting ready to leave WDW for the long drive home.
AK: 2 out of the 4 L2 chargers are broken... sort of. The screen is broken, but they can still be started using the chargepoint app. Unfortunately AK parking CM's don't care and will not let anyone use them. They've been blocked off with cones.
Epcot: 3 out of the 4 Epcot chargers are broken. Two from when a construction truck backed into them, another one seemingly from vandalism or excess wear and tear. Epcot parking CM's have stopped caring and now all four spots spots, although with clear EV charging signage, have been effectively turned into extra preferred spots.
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
Tesla EVs and its charging network is MUCH, MUCH better than the other EVs and networks. Truly the leader.
Right now is THE BEST time to own an EV as EVs are only a FRACTION of the vehicles on the road today.
Enjoy it while it lasts.
Model3 McQueen
Well-Known Member
- In the Parks
- No
Unrelated but I just went up to Flagstaff and used chargepoint a couple of times. Some of the stations are paid for by the property manager (city of Flagstaff, hotel, etc). They worked half the time. 1 charger was ICE'd on the first day (hotel didn't care and said "oh well"), and on the 2nd day my chargepoint app outright refused to accept my login. Kept saying format was incorrect. I had to use my wife's phone to login, despite us both having apple.
on top of that, the stations had no signs for EV only, but only very faint paint on the parking space that was barely legible.
Never once had an issue at a supercharger. I think the normal charging station experience is less than acceptable and I doubt Disney will take it seriously, at least in the near future.
on top of that, the stations had no signs for EV only, but only very faint paint on the parking space that was barely legible.
Never once had an issue at a supercharger. I think the normal charging station experience is less than acceptable and I doubt Disney will take it seriously, at least in the near future.
The idea is to charge at home for daily-driver use and leave public charging stations for road trips/emergency situations.
If you only can rely on public stations, then an EV isn't for you until the charging infrastructure improves.
And for many use cases, even plugging in overnight at 120v is enough for daily driver use.
As far as Tesla does. Agree on the charging network, disagree on the cars themselves. Tesla has shown that people will care less about fit/finish issues and sub-par materials if you eliminate the horrible dealer experience.
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
I said many use cases, not all. The average commute in the US is 41 miles.
In my old home, overnight at 120v/15a, I'd charge enough overnight at that speed to rarely need to use public charging infrastructure. Literally, the only time I'd plug in outside of my home was while getting groceries, because they had L2 stations for free there. And it wasn't necessary.
Disstevefan1
Well-Known Member
Tesla free home, but our community has free L2 chargers for residents.
SoFloMagic
Well-Known Member
Shame. If properly managed, they could generate profit for the company.
SoFloMagic
Well-Known Member
They're charging at least a 100% markup over their electric rates (likely more), and keeping guests who statistically have a higher income and spend more in the park. And IIRC, they do charge idle
As far as maintenance goes, Disney has their own electricians who likely maintain these (if not covered through a chargepoint maintenance contract).
Charge another nickel per KWH and increase idle fees to generate revenue and increase turnover, while allowing neighboring on-site resort guests to charge overnight as needed to increase usage.
SoFloMagic
Well-Known Member
They charge $0.35 per kwh. $1.50 minimum, no idle. So if a PHEV with a small battery plugs in and stays all day, they're making $6. Best case is they get an EV with a 50 kwh battery and they stay all day - that's $17. Even if that mix is heavy to the EV side that's like $100 in revenue. Pay for the power and they probably net $50 a week per spot.
Not sure that's worth it to them.
I've literally received an idle fee warning message at Hollywood Studios.
SoFloMagic
Well-Known Member
No, it had actual dollar amounts. Sadly I don't have that phone anymore, but IIRC, it was listed at like $5/hr.
SoFloMagic
Well-Known Member
Maybe next time I'm on property and a charger is available, I'll purposesly idle for over an hour to see if I get dinged.
Because science?
Oh, of course not. It never was, otherwise they'd have put in more than 4 chargers in the first place.
Disney is usually last to acknowledge a changing trend, then goes all-in (see wifi).
Right now Universal has been granted permits to put in its two parking garages more chargers than Disney has all across its property. Given the competitive nature between the two, this might be the catalyst for them to do it. Beyond this, they have dozens of chargers in Disneyland and CMs that are trained in how to deal with them. They clearly have the knowledge in the company on how to implement this, and with Florida being #4 nationally in EVs registered on the road, it would make sense for them to add more.
MickeyLuv'r
Well-Known Member
I owned an EV for 7+ years, and at home at least, only ever used a regular wall outlet to charge it, mostly overnight.
My first EV was an earlier model with a much shorter range, but even with that one the regular outlet was generally fine.
My most recent EV was 2019, with much more range.
Sadly though, it was totaled by a negligent driver. I had hoped to drive it for many years.