Parking going up to $14

[WDW1974]

.

I know there are several here that will be outraged by that (to whom I say tough!) and say this is not what Walt wanted... But I will tell you Walt was not running a non-profit organization. Profits feed further growth and expansion.

While I can agree with your first point, where does it end?

At some point, it gets beyond ridiculous. Disney is raising prices on anything and everything and cutting back everywhere ... and then discounting left and right. Even Jay Rasulo was quoted last week as saying they're more interested in volume right now. In other words, he'd rather Disney fills 75% of its hotels at vast discounts than fill 50% at full price.

To me, that's dumb. There has to be a middle ground. They are conditioning guests to always expect huge discounts, so to make up for it they are raising prices on everything else ... and this doesn't affect me. I have never in my life paid to park at WDW. But I do remember when it was 50 cents and have the tickets to prove it.

And let's not bring Walt into the discussion because no one knows what he'd have done, but it's pretty safe to say he'd still give a damn about making money ... but by giving guests the best possible product at all times. TDO does not do that!

 

[jakeman]

Which still makes it a very greedy thing to do.:shrug:

Since when did any attempt to make money constitute "very greedy".

Hokielutz is right. Disney is not a neccessity for anyone and if $2 extra dollars will break your vacation budget, or any other price increase for that matter, then you shouldn't go.

It's interesting that we can call a corporation greedy for charging what the market will bear but we can't call individuals irresponsible for living outside of their means.

 

[WDW Vacationer]

Which still makes it a very greedy thing to do.:shrug:

It is greedy. They keep more than half of that money. Not too much expense for parking.

 

[WDW1974]

Since when did any attempt to make money constitute "very greedy".

I thought Jake was already dining around the World!

And some of us might argue that the key word is 'any' ... and while Disney raising parking $2 may not be a big deal, companies being allowed to make ANY level of profit or charge ANY price for their services can cause big issues in other areas (like health insurance just to toss out there)

ANY attempt to make money isn't 'very greedy' ... but some attempts are.

Hokielutz is right. Disney is not a neccessity for anyone and if $2 extra dollars will break your vacation budget, or any other price increase for that matter, then you shouldn't go.

It's interesting that we can call a corporation greedy for charging what the market will bear but we can't call individuals irresponsible for living outside of their means.

I don't think it's a $2 issue. And neither do you. Much like when Disney raises the cost of a ticket or a Coke or dinner at Chef Mickey's. It's the big picture.

And I'm so tired of the tired blaming of individuals living beyond their means when there are no consequences for Big Business when it is irresponsible except government handouts.

I got to meet Sully Sullenberger recently and while folks love talking about him being a hero, which he absolutely is, no one talks about his company cutting his salary by 40% or his pension all to make Wall Street happy. The execs at his company are doing just fine, though. But I'm sure they could land an Airbus on a river and save 155 lives.

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

Since when did any attempt to make money constitute "very greedy".

Hokielutz is right. Disney is not a neccessity for anyone and if $2 extra dollars will break your vacation budget, or any other price increase for that matter, then you shouldn't go.

It's interesting that we can call a corporation greedy for charging what the market will bear but we can't call individuals irresponsible for living outside of their means.

I HATE that attitude. Jake, I'll be honest with you....It's really showing how some people look down on others that don't have the funds or ease of transaction to just spend money at will.

My trip budgets are ALWAYS tight. I pay for them. I save. I work for them. Disney increasing the prices WILL effect that budget that I create and WILL effect MY expense for the trip. Is it going to ply that I can't go? Not on this one issue, but look at the Nickel and Diming across the board. THAT will.

Just becuase it doesn't effect yours....:shrug:

And yeah, it is greedy. It's a recession. It's a time when guest spending is down. It's charging 14 bucks to leave your car somewhere. In 2005, this was $8.00. For the same thing. I understand that they have to rise prices a BIT to weather certain economical changes, but for PARKING of all things? Seems foolish. They already hiked up tic prices...

It is greedy. They keep more than half of that money. Not too much expense for parking.

Exactly. Does it really cost 14 bucks for Disney to watch your Rentacar?:lol:

 

[EPCOT Explorer]

I thought Jake was already dining around the World!

And some of us might argue that the key word is 'any' ... and while Disney raising parking $2 may not be a big deal, companies being allowed to make ANY level of profit or charge ANY price for their services can cause big issues in other areas (like health insurance just to toss out there)

ANY attempt to make money isn't 'very greedy' ... but some attempts are.



I don't think it's a $2 issue. And neither do you. Much like when Disney raises the cost of a ticket or a Coke or dinner at Chef Mickey's. It's the big picture.

And I'm so tired of the tired blaming of individuals living beyond their means when there are no consequences for Big Business when it is irresponsible except government handouts.

I got to meet Sully Sullenberger recently and while folks love talking about him being a hero, which he absolutely is, no one talks about his company cutting his salary by 40% or his pension all to make Wall Street happy. The execs at his company are doing just fine, though. But I'm sure they could land an Airbus on a river and save 155 lives.

Exactly.:wave:

Here we go on the defending the man mantra again....

 

[hrcollectibles]

Six Flags Great America - $15 for the back lot and $25 for the front lot. Back lot also has no tram and you get to walk across a road with moving cars.

On top of that you are at Six Flags.... :ROFLOL:.. I think the reason they are raising the parkign price is they want to make staying on property a deal.. Hey stay here you get to park for free and use our free transportation.

 

[lazyboy97o]

I just fail to see the sense in constantly rising prices that will shortly become discounted. In many ways it seems to reflect the model that ran the Disney Stores for the past several years that resulted in a diminished brand and bankruptcy. Discounting only goes so far to entice before people realize they are nothing special.

Now I guess Disney could be planning on decreasing the size of the discount in the future, which may actually get people to spend full price. As crazy as that sounds I have seen it happen, and with somewhat comparable price points for a less expensive trip.

 

[hrcollectibles]

Based off a 12 hour 9 to 9 day it is about 86 cents an hour.


At a local AHL team we pay 15-20 dollars for about 3 hours. That is between 5 and 6 dollars an hour.

Disney is a bargain.

But how much does admission cost to the AHL games? I doubt 80.00 per ticket.Atleast I hope they are not that much...lol

 

[jakeman]

I thought Jake was already dining around the World!

Nope, I leave on Thursday!

And some of us might argue that the key word is 'any' ... and while Disney raising parking $2 may not be a big deal, companies being allowed to make ANY level of profit or charge ANY price for their services can cause big issues in other areas (like health insurance just to toss out there)

ANY attempt to make money isn't 'very greedy' ... but some attempts are.

I agree with regard to health care, but Disney isn't involved in that. Disney does not produce a product that is needed on any level for day to day living. They should be allowed to charge what the market will bear.

I don't think it's a $2 issue. And neither do you. Much like when Disney raises the cost of a ticket or a Coke or dinner at Chef Mickey's. It's the big picture.

And I'm so tired of the tired blaming of individuals living beyond their means when there are no consequences for Big Business when it is irresponsible except government handouts.

Disney never took any government money as far as I know. Lumping them into that category is not fair.

I never blamed anyone living outside their means for anything. I stated that if you don't have the money to go to Disney, you shouldn't go.

I got to meet Sully Sullenberger recently and while folks love talking about him being a hero, which he absolutely is, no one talks about his company cutting his salary by 40% or his pension all to make Wall Street happy. The execs at his company are doing just fine, though. But I'm sure they could land an Airbus on a river and save 155 lives.

Again, you can't equate airlines to Disney. It's apple to ham.

I HATE that attitude. Jake, I'll be honest with you....It's really showing how some people look down on others that don't have the funds or ease of transaction to just spend money at will.

I've never stated anything regarding how much I make or how I spend my money.

My trip budgets are ALWAYS tight. I pay for them. I save. I work for them. Disney increasing the prices WILL effect that budget that I create and WILL effect MY expense for the trip. Is it going to ply that I can't go? Not on this one issue, but look at the Nickel and Diming across the board. THAT will.

Just becuase it doesn't effect yours....:shrug:

I'm sorry to hear that. I really am. However, it doesn't change the fact that there is nothing that you need at Disney. If they have priced you out of the market (or me for that matter) then that sucks, but that is life.

And yeah, it is greedy. It's a recession. It's a time when guest spending is down. It's charging 14 bucks to leave your car somewhere. In 2005, this was $8.00. For the same thing. I understand that they have to rise prices a BIT to weather certain economical changes, but for PARKING of all things? Seems foolish. They already hiked up tic prices...

There have been plenty of examples of places that charge much more. In fact, I'll add my own. An office I travel to for business charges $20 to park in their building. I'm usually there for 7 hours.

If people are going to continue to pay it, then the price will continue to go up.

Exactly.

Here we go on the defending the man mantra again....

That is a tired pigeonholing arguement that carries no weight.

 

[hokielutz]

I HATE that attitude. Jake, I'll be honest with you....It's really showing how some people look down on others that don't have the funds or ease of transaction to just spend money at will.

My trip budgets are ALWAYS tight. I pay for them. I save. I work for them. Disney increasing the prices WILL effect that budget that I create and WILL effect MY expense for the trip. Is it going to ply that I can't go? Not on this one issue, but look at the Nickel and Diming across the board. THAT will.

Just becuase it doesn't effect yours....:shrug:

And yeah, it is greedy. It's a recession. It's a time when guest spending is down. It's charging 14 bucks to leave your car somewhere. In 2005, this was $8.00. For the same thing. I understand that they have to rise prices a BIT to weather certain economical changes, but for PARKING of all things? Seems foolish. They already hiked up tic prices...

Exactly. Does it really cost 14 bucks for Disney to watch your Rentacar?:lol:

Sorry you don't like that attitude... but a certain amount of $$ is required to get into the parks.

And you can't talk about parking fees unless you've paid to park at a Dan Snyder event... Redskins home games will cost you an extra $35 cash on game day to park FAR AWAY from the stadium. Not to mention the tickets at FedEx Field were the highest in the entire NFL. (except for the Cowboys starting this year) That was something to gripe about and the product does not justify that expense.

 

[hrcollectibles]

I'll just add that as a local (or any vistor for that matter!) these inceases for parking just starts the experience off with a bad taste in my mouth. Obviously, the cost of parking is already included in the calculated price for APs, resort nights, etc, so why not just roll it into the cost of tickets on a resort-wide basis??

Why isn't there parking charged at the waterparks? Other Orlando waterparks do charge for parking, and don't seem to have a problem with it.

Think of the tremondous good will and happy feelings that could be generated by 'hiding' parking in a all-inclusive ticket. (see Holiday World as an example).

Nickle and dimeing the guest before they even get on the door? Does anyone LIKE to pay parking?

If they did make it all inclusive (ticket price includes parking) people would complain that teh ticket prices are too high.. And think of all the jobs that would be lost... No need for those people in the parking booth to take your money

 

[hrcollectibles]

I live local so I pay for parking depending wheather or not I have an annual pass. I usually get Disney annual passes one year, Universal Orlando the next and Sea World Orlando the following. I keep my annual passes in rotation so I don't get bored of one particular theme park chain. When I don't have annual passes I pay for parking. As far as staying on Disney property I stay often, so I guess I save on parking that way. Over all I think the best way to save at the parks is to get an annual pass.

The good thing about Sea World and Universal annual passes is they offer a flex payment option...

 

[hokielutz]

Nope, I leave on Thursday!

I agree with regard to health care, but Disney isn't involved in that. Disney does not produce a product that is needed on any level for day to day living. They should be allowed to charge what the market will bear.

Disney never took any government money as far as I know. Lumping them into that category is not fair.

I never blamed anyone living outside their means for anything. I stated that if you don't have the money to go to Disney, you shouldn't go.

Again, you can't equate airlines to Disney. It's apple to ham.

I've never stated anything regarding how much I make or how I spend my money.

I'm sorry to hear that. I really am. However, it doesn't change the fact that there is nothing that you need at Disney. If they have priced you out of the market (or me for that matter) then that sucks, but that is life.

There have been plenty of examples of places that charge much more. In fact, I'll add my own. An office I travel to for business charges $20 to park in their building. I'm usually there for 7 hours.

If people are going to continue to pay it, then the price will continue to go up.

That is a tired pigeonholing arguement that carries no weight.

Agreed.

 

[hokielutz]

The good thing about Sea World and Universal annual passes is they offer a flex payment option...

I'm sure there's specific staff positions they had to hire to run the particulars of this program... (calling for bounced credit cards, adjusting the status of park pass accounts, etc...)

 

[ChrisinOrl]

I remember when. . .

I seem to recall a transportation charge included in the ticket prices back in the day . . . Why can't they just include parking in the price of the tickets? It's not like people are parking in the lot to go somewhere else . . e.g. shopping downtown, another attraction, etc.

 

[JimboJones123]

A few notes, then my point.

1. Parking in Midtown Manhattan is around $30 per hour.
2. Parking at WDW in 2003 was $7. Just before they started raising. It was great saving the $7 per day to stay onsite. Now it is double, double the savings.



Now to my point.

Disney offers several alternatives to paying the parking fees. AP. Stay Onsite. Use all Disney transportation.

They are raising the prices and will continue to do so until it reaches a level around $20. At this point, guests will see the value of the alternatives and spend more to save more.

This is Disney's pricing structure with so many things. $12.95 watches for spending $40. Free Dining. 4+3. AP room discounts. DDP (unless you eat Filet every meal, there is no way you are saving up to 40% on dining). Refillable Mugs. MYW tickets. TIW.

Not a single one of these examples provides a bargin for the consumer until they have made a significant investment beyond buying a single day ticket. These seem to be around 3-4 times more than the guest would spend for a single outing.

4+3 -- Weekend trips are not long enough, make sure the guests stay a week.
Free Dining -- They are picking up the food bill. We can stay longer. We can buy much more now.
MYW tickets -- After 3 days, the cost is insignificant for more days. We'll stay at least a week instead of a weekend.
AP room discounts -- I'll take 5-7 long weekneds a year along with 2-3 week long trips.
Mugs -- $50 for a family of four to drink sodas.
Bonus buys at stores for spending $$$ amount -- These watches, bags, blankets cost NOTHING. Guests will force themselves to spend the required amount to get the bargin which is almost all profit.
DDP -- Booz = Big Bucks. Not included in DDP though.
TIW -- Must use it for about 10 meals to pay it off.

These are all tools for Disney to turn a family of four from a $200 investment for one day trip per year (Single day tix were less than $50 10 years ago) to a $5000 customer that stays 7 days.

The goal of all these pricing structures is to convert more small $$ customers to big $$ customers.

If a customer stays off property -- Punished.
If a customer does not have an AP -- Punished.

The goal is of course to show the wonderful benifits of becoming a more active in your Disney participation.

That $82 a night value is now just $68. If you get it at a discount rate of $69, you are now just paying $55.

Who would turn down $55 a night???

This is also the same reasoning behind the MYW non-expiration option getting higher and higher. Too many guests were taking advantage of the 10 day and they doubled the no expiration price. Non-expiration tix are now finally back to the prices they were before MYW was introduced. Nearly $50 per day.

We are still only in the middle of the parking hikes.

Look for them to settle around $20-25 a day in the next 5-7 years.

Also look for park tickets to peak right around $90-95 for a single day.

This may cause the casual visitor to rething their one day stop, but it will convert SOOOOO many more of those casual one day visitors into Disney Vacationers.

We did it. It happned about 15 years ago. Suddenly -- no more staying off site. No more 3-day passes for a 7 day vacation. We sunk ourselves into Disney, and it paid off for Disney.

I have had 2 trips to DL and 2 to WDW in the past 14 months. Total $$$ going directly to Disney, $10,000.

We looked at a one week Hawaii cruise this year. The cruise would have cost over $10,000. I would say that our nearly 5 weeks of Disney vacations was a much better investment.

In conclusion.

Disney does not want you to stay off site.
Disney does not want you to have a seasonal pass.

I have to get up in 5 hours.

Good night.

 

[disney4life2008]

Another reason why I love my AP. I can park for FREE when I stay off site or visit friends. It is nothing like going to Orlando for the a weekend knowing that I can walk into any themepark of my choice on my time. I also love my TIW card - it gets me FREE valet at resorts where im dining.

 

[Mansion Butler]

Then they REALLY should offer what I listed on-site.

Why?

 

[Pumbas Nakasak]

If an increase of $15-$50 for an entire week at Disney is going to bankrupt you, then, to be quite frank, you really have no business going to Disney.

I know there are several here that will be outraged by that (to whom I say tough!) and say this is not what Walt wanted... But I will tell you Walt was not running a non-profit organization. Profits feed further growth and expansion.

let me explain, the parking increase comes on top of the ticket price increase, which comes on top of an increase in food and drink, which comes on top of an increase in fuel which comes on top of an increase in air fair which comes on top of an increase in insurance which comes on top of an increase in merchandise. Add in the decline in quality of food, merchandise and for the largets group of oversessa visitors 20% decline in exchange rate you get a bit more than an extra $15.

Now at the same time we have a global economic situation which has seen the average persons disposable income reduce or stay stationary. Im no expert but at a time when most businesses are having to deal with credit issues for investment where exactly is a cash rich buisness like Disney getting the pressure to raise income, its not by offering me better value for money, it doesnt seem to be paying its staff more.

I have no problem with any buisness making money, but surely as a paying customer I have the right to qusetion the value of the service my money is getting.