News WDW Resorts to add fees for parking

[Clamman73]

So someone staying down the road can just tell the guard at Pop I’m going shopping, park and just hop on the gondola for a free ride to Epcot. This is BS.

 

[Mainahman]

Things we took as perks to staying on site, are dwindling. Parking, i fear this test of if people can do without mousekeeping is a threat that that will be a paid service soon too...

 

[YankeeMouse]

So to clarify if you made your reservations before March 21st you are exempt from this ridiculous outrageous parking fee? We have no choice but to drive every year because of the insane prices of airfare for our family of 5 and the fact DH isn't crazy about flying. With this added fee it now tacks on another $190 for our 10 night stay just to park a car we hardly use while we are on site. We now have to budget this in on our upcoming trip in July!?#@$

I took this to mean if you had a reservation after March 21, no matter when you made it, the parking charges would apply.

 

[BoarderPhreak]

Nope.

Yeah, I think you're right. I could've sworn I read something earlier that said you would... But checking back I keep seeing "overnight parking" again and again.

 

[monykalyn]

Btw, if I’m Cedar Fair, I’m going on a ad blitz that hits Disney right in the heart. A campaign that goes after the millions of Midwest families who no longer can afford to go to WDW. With the recent news of higher tickets, resort fees and now parking, it would be perfect!

Cedar Fairs CEO used to be the President of Disneyland under Eisner, and has done great things with that company.

For many Midwest families, they can longer validate dropping over $3000 a week to go anymore.

Hey Silver Dollar City in Branson just opened their 26million dollar coaster Time Traveler! After opening Outlaw Run a couple years ago. And managed to get both built in less than 2 years...

I'm assuming they are going to ask at check in if you are parking a car, and then apply it to the bill. I don't see them installing hardware across the resort this quickly to do anything further.

I would guess they do checks overnight for tags on the dash. Any car without a tag gets a boot? If you want a tag, you would probably have to stop by the front desk when you arrive, regardless of whether you already did online check-in or not.

So what is to stop me from making a dining reservation at MY resort and then just never moving the car? I can modify the reservation for later and cancel penalty free. With bypassing the front desk at check in do we REALLY think security is gonna go check the plates of every single car every single day? Aren't they too busy walking in on guests on the toilets for security checks? Heck you could make an ADR for every day of your stay so you have a "free" parking day!

I sent an email to customer service already complaining about the fee.

 

[flynnibus]

I have read what the announcement says, and I do not see anything about "resort fees".

Don't worry... when the next phase hits and they charge a resort fee... they'll argue "but the $30 fee covers X, Y, Z and your parking fee' - making it sound like a bargin or just a slight increase... while ignore that parking used to be free.

 

[drizgirl]

Hey Silver Dollar City in Branson just opened their 26million dollar coaster Time Traveler! After opening Outlaw Run a couple years ago. And managed to get both built in less than 2 years...



So what is to stop me from making a dining reservation at MY resort and then just never moving the car? I can modify the reservation for later and cancel penalty free. With bypassing the front desk at check in do we REALLY think security is gonna go check the plates of every single car every single day? Aren't they too busy walking in on guests on the toilets for security checks? Heck you could make an ADR for every day of your stay so you have a "free" parking day!

I sent an email to customer service already complaining about the fee.

I think with this much money on the line, Disney will be checking for slips on dashes sometime overnight. By then anyone with an ADR would be gone.

 

[YankeeMouse]

If we are resort guests and go to a different resort, e.g., Poly to have a drink at Trader Sam's or Animal Kingdom Lodge to check out the savanna, ,could we potentially park there without another fee? I'm sorry if this is covered in the 113 pages above.

 

[drizgirl]

If we are resort guests and go to a different resort, e.g., Poly to have a drink at Trader Sam's or Animal Kingdom Lodge to check out the savanna, ,could we potentially park there without another fee? I'm sorry if this is covered in the 113 pages above.

Right now the fee is only on overnight guests. Not for day guests visiting a different resort.

 

[MisterPenguin]

Even for 2 people its above our budget! it cost me 75 bucks in gas over this past trip. its close to 500 for 2 of us to fly....

So to clarify if you made your reservations before March 21st you are exempt from this ridiculous outrageous parking fee? We have no choice but to drive every year because of the insane prices of airfare for our family of 5 and the fact DH isn't crazy about flying. With this added fee it now tacks on another $190 for our 10 night stay just to park a car we hardly use while we are on site. We now have to budget this in on our upcoming trip in July!?#@$

While in no way meant to condone the fee, there are ways to reduce parking fees:

1. Drive into Orlando to a long-term parking lot near the airport that charges $3/day. The extra cost would be an Uber/Lyft to/from the lot.

2. Rent a car to drive to Orlando and to the resort. Tell them you won't be keeping the car there, because, you won't. Drop off your stuff at the resort. Return the rental to a company's lot that is in or near (Disney Springs resorts) 'the bubble.' Reverse the process when you leave. Some rentals can be very cheap. This will also save mileage on your car.

 

[YankeeMouse]

Right now the fee is only on overnight guests. Not for day guests visiting a different resort.

Thanks! We often swing by AKL on way back from AK and while we aren't big on dinner there, we often go to the Mara.

 

[seascape]

wonder if there that scared of universals next gate...

No, WDW has nothing to fear as long as they follow

While in no way meant to condone the fee, there are ways to reduce parking fees:

1. Drive into Orlando to a long-term parking lot near the airport that charges $3/day. The extra cost would be an Uber/Lyft to/from the lot.

2. Rent a car to drive to Orlando and to the resort. Tell them you won't be keeping the car there, because, you won't. Drop off your stuff at the resort. Return the rental to a company's lot that is in or near (Disney Springs resorts) 'the bubble.' Reverse the process when you leave. Some rentals can be very cheap. This will also save mileage on your car.

A better idea is to park in the $3.00 lot that has a shuttle to the airport and then take the Magic Express. It would only cost $3.00 a day.

 

[flynnibus]

I already called Disability Services. While folks with a handicap sticker will not pay the new overnight fees, how will Disney police those that choose to "borrow" a handicap pass from dear old mom or dad to skirt the fee? Better add more spots or more valet attedants.

Shocked they aren't making them pay. No reason not too.

 

[twilight mitsuk]

means more riders for bright line when trains they start to Orlando

 

[IanDLBZF]

means more riders for bright line when trains they start to Orlando

Heck I've heard Lynx is considering an Express route from Downtown Orlando to Disney, so that could help as a connection from SunRail.

 

[monykalyn]

I think with this much money on the line, Disney will be checking for slips on dashes sometime overnight. By then anyone with an ADR would be gone.

I’d be interested in how they are going to police this. Seriously doubtful that security is going to check every individual car every night, every resort. Heck on Halloween we were told we didn’t have to move car when we parked at Poly for our Kona ADR before Halloween party! We specifically said we were planning on going to the party too.

 

[twilight mitsuk]

Extend sunrail to wdw

 

[IanDLBZF]

Extend sunrail to wdw

Heck even Brightline and Amtrak should be expanded to serve Walt Disney World!

 

[George]

I was curious as to why Disney hasnt just started charging fees for guests not coming to WDW. I mean since they obviously wield some strange power that forces people to come there and spend money, why not just redirect that power to simply charging a “non-stay” resort fee.

@George I would be interested to get your take on this idea.

Actually, I send them extra money every month and let them know that it applies to the magic I feel in my heart even when I'm on my long boring commute through the fields of corn. So, they could call that money a non-stay resort fee and the feeling that I was getting something for the money would cause the magic to swell in my chest causing my rib cage to come untethered.

Just got off the phone with Disney. Here’s what they know on how this is going to work:

• When you arrive at the resort security booth, they’ll ask you if you plan to park overnight. If you say yes, it’ll be noted on your resort folio account.
• What do you do if you’re only using a car for part of your stay? No details available yet.
• What counts as a “night”? It’s based on your hotel reservation.
• You check out of Animal Kingdom Lodge at 7 a.m. and go to the Magic Kingdom until 2 a.m. You get back to Animal Kingdom Lodge at 3 a.m. Is your car towed? No details available. Do you get charged for another night? No details available.

They did say they'll get me details as they become available. I'll post them here.

Some great questions. I'll say this as a former local who still has many friend and family in the area....I've never seen any parking rule enforced at the resorts. Maybe a car has been towed at some point in history, but I've never seen it. I've also never found there was a shortage of parking, even during the holidays at places like the Poly. A good estimate is that I've had about 500 Disney resort parking events over the years and many of those weren't as resort stays (though now I'm am most often, but not always, a DVC guest). I don't mind paying for parking when I get the sense that there is at least a semblance or whiff of scarcity. Now, if they charged non-resort guests 5 or 10 bucks to park at the resort, I'd be cool with that. If we're at Disney and my sister's family comes to visit us at the Beach Club or VWL, then spending some money to splash around Stormalong Bay, dork around the arcade, etc......that seems reasonable. Park at the Poly, take the monorail to MK...pay 10 bucks. Sticking it to the folk all ready paying Disney prices doesn't seem right at all.

Anyway, once things are monetized they'll have to start enforcing parking rules. I can't wait for the first angry dad break down in the middle of the POR lobby. Magical.

In the past I've gotten more of a response by emailing George Kalogridis, Bob Chapek, and Bob Iger than just Guest Communications.

I send them emails all the time that never get a reply. Most recently, I was trying to figure out their opinion on where to get the best Mickey waffles.

This is ridiculous. I am all for businesses making money but at the same time the business needs to provide something to the customer. Recently Disney has been taking, taking and taking. What is changing at the resorts to justify a parking fee? Value resorts are not a value anymore. Moderates and Deluxes are so overpriced. Better true resort style accommodations can be found elsewhere. Instead of installing parking gates how about putting love back into the parks which desperately need it. Disney needs to stop wasting their energy trying to figure out ways to squeeze every last penny from their customers and use that energy to figure out how to build more attractions faster and build them faster.

I concur, but have a query. The normal economic laws don't seem to apply to Disney. In 12-24 months how many resort stays will be nixed/changed? My guess based on past experience is not many. Though, I do think the possibility of a tipping point does exist.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

While in no way meant to condone the fee, there are ways to reduce parking fees:

2. Rent a car to drive to Orlando and to the resort. Tell them you won't be keeping the car there, because, you won't. Drop off your stuff at the resort. Return the rental to a company's lot that is in or near (Disney Springs resorts) 'the bubble.' Reverse the process when you leave. Some rentals can be very cheap. This will also save mileage on your car.

That's a decent idea, and we have rented cars before for like $8 a day to drive to/from Orlando. But when I weigh the PITA of shuttling back and forth, and the disadvantage of resort travel (I like taking my own car and not having to wait on as many buses - plus it doubles as a "travel bag on wheels") I'd probably just pay the fee and be annoyed about it and mention that.

Interesting that the fees take effect for reservations made on or after March 21. Why even give a week notice? Why not effective immediately for all new reservations? I wonder if Disney was expecting a backlash and built in a week window to see how bad it would be, and give them time to remove the fee before it took effect...?

I'm curious to see if people will post here that they got the fee waived for trips coming up soon. It really is messed up to book a trip at one price and then find it costs potentially hundreds of dollars more.