News WDW Resorts to add fees for parking

[Grimley1968]

I have a difficult time wrapping my head around the ideas that a) any resort would see a full parking lot as a problem (from their perspective) and that b) enacting parking fees would be a reaction to that problem (and not simply to raise more revenue).

It is much easier to see this for what it would be (if it happened): a cash grab.

 

[contrariwise]

How successful have you been trying to extend a trip in the past 2 years? Both of mine were split stays because of lack of availability.
I couldn't even extend at Poly while I was already a guest there..so I don't think they were lying to me.
The parking lots at GF and Poly were both packed those 2 stays as well. My "guest" had to park all the way down in a sea of wedding guest cars.lol

And how is this different than previous years? You said "elevated occupancy", which I took to mean "increased occupancy", since I had asked, essentially, "Why now?"

Of the 2 instances I recounted above where parking appeared to be some sort of an issue at a resort, one was at GF, where they directed me to valet park. That was in 2009. And you know what? There was (and still is) an adequate fix in place, as shown by my story. They directed me to valet park. That ability has been there as far back as I have knowledge on this subject. So if that "fixes" it, then this rumor and the survey that has been referenced shouldn't have anything to do with that.

Why do we need to grasp at straws here when the answer is staring us straight in the face?

 

[21stamps]

I have a difficult time wrapping my head around the ideas that a) any resort would see a full parking lot as a problem (from their perspective) and that b) enacting parking fees would be a reaction to that problem (and not simply to raise more revenue).

It is much easier to see this for what it would be (if it happened): a cash grab.

If you were running a hotel, you wouldn't see a problem with your paying guests complaining that they can't find a parking spot and were forced to valet as a result?
Btw, I was pretty peeved when it happened to my personal guest..who was added to the room reservation on Labor Day in 2015.

 

[contrariwise]

I have a difficult time wrapping my head around the ideas that a) any resort would see a full parking lot as a problem (from their perspective) and that b) enacting parking fees would be a reaction to that problem (and not simply to raise more revenue).

It is much easier to see this for what it would be (if it happened): a cash grab.

Sometimes, the most obvious answer really is the answer.

 

[21stamps]

And how is this different than previous years? You said "elevated occupancy", which I took to mean "increased occupancy", since I had asked, essentially, "Why now?"

Of the 2 instances I recounted above where parking appeared to be some sort of an issue at a resort, one was at GF, where they directed me to valet park. That was in 2009. And you know what? There was (and still is) an adequate fix in place, as shown by my story. They directed me to valet park. That ability has been there as far back as I have knowledge on this subject. So if that "fixes" it, then this rumor and the survey that has been referenced shouldn't have anything to do with that.

Why do we need to grasp at straws here when the answer is staring us straight in the face?

I'm not justifying a resort wide mandatory parking fee on all guests, not at all. I was addressing the past several posts that have been about parking abuse.

 

[contrariwise]

If you were running a hotel, you wouldn't see a problem with your paying guests complaining that they can't find a parking spot and were forced to valet as a result?

Yes, but (a) I don't know how much of a problem that really is (as it hasn't been much of a problem in my experience), and (b) if it is a problem it's not a new one. So, again, why now?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

How to Sound Like a Petulant Child: A Comprehensive Guide

Step 1: Say "cash grab" over and over.

The end.

 

[21stamps]

How to Sound Like a Petulant Child: A Comprehensive Guide

Step 1: Say "cash grab" over and over.

The end.

#blameshanghai

 

[contrariwise]

How to Sound Like a Petulant Child: A Comprehensive Guide

Step 1: Say "cash grab" over and over.

The end.

Because ridiculing someone for stating an opinion that you don't agree with is SO grown-up.

 

[21stamps]

Yes, but (a) I don't know how much of a problem that really is (as it hasn't been much of a problem in my experience), and (b) if it is a problem it's not a new one. So, again, why now?

I think you keep mistaking me with someone who is supportive of the RUMORED fees.
Again, I was addressing the earlier posts.
Just because 2 people here can't understand how a full parking lot, one that isn't full by all paying guests, forcing said paying guests to now valet their vehicle, or park in a different lot, is a problem.. does not mean that it isn't an actual problem.

 

[freediverdude]

Well I don't think they'll be able to get away with a resort fee and $30 parking at the value resorts when the room rate is around $100, just not going to happen. They may be able to do it at the other resorts though. People spending $600 a night at a monorail resort aren't going to blink at a $30 parking fee. It will be irritating, but they will get away with it, sadly.

 

[contrariwise]

I think you keep mistaking me with someone who is supportive of the RUMORED fees.
Again, I was addressing the earlier posts.
Just because 2 people here can't understand how a full parking lot, one that isn't full by all paying guests, forcing said paying guests to now valet their vehicle, or park in a different lot, is a problem.. does not mean that it isn't an actual problem.

Apologies, as I do see you're not in favor of the fees. However, you do seem to think this "cash grab mentality" doesn't exist, but if I am wrong there, I am happy to be corrected.

We've gone off on a tangent, but I hope you do not think I'm one of 2 people who can't understand that it would be a problem if a paying guest at a resort had to pay to park when non-guests were accessing it for free. Of course that's a problem and I would be happy to retract my words if you can find anyplace where I said that would not be irksome. I just think it's (mostly) a theoretical problem and not one that's facing many guests at Disneyworld. I also think that where it *may* be a practical problem for a small group of people, it is no more or less a problem NOW than it was THEN.

To recap, I think the "visitors are hogging all the parking", while not entirely fictional, is greatly exaggerated, and even if it is more of a problem than I think it is, I don't think this is a new or worsening problem. Short version: Not a widespread problem/nothing new.

Ergo, I don't think the parking and resort fees being floated here have anything to do with that problem. You may disagree, and of course, you are free to do so. I suppose time will tell.

 

[21stamps]

Apologies, as I do see you're not in favor of the fees. However, you do seem to think this "cash grab mentality" doesn't exist, but if I am wrong there, I am happy to be corrected.

We've gone off on a tangent, but I hope you do not think I'm one of 2 people who can't understand that it would be a problem if a paying guest at a resort had to pay to park when non-guests were accessing it for free. Of course that's a problem and I would be happy to retract my words if you can find anyplace where I said that would not be irksome. I just think it's (mostly) a theoretical problem and not one that's facing many guests at Disneyworld. I also think that where it *may* be a practical problem for a small group of people, it is no more or less a problem NOW than it was THEN.

To recap, I think the "visitors are hogging all the parking", while not entirely fictional, is greatly exaggerated, and even if it is more of a problem than I think it is, I don't think this is a new or worsening problem. Short version: Not a widespread problem/nothing new.

Ergo, I don't think the parking and resort fees being floated here have anything to do with that problem. You may disagree, and of course, you are free to do so. I suppose time will tell.

I don't think Resort wide parking fees to all guests would be in response to parking abuse. With that I am in complete agreement.

I've been staying at Poly since 1978 (a baby then), and my parents always drove. I don't ever remember a time when they had to valet.
I then stayed at Poly (and GF & the Epcot resorts) several times as an adult in the late 90s up thru 2009. I always drove, never had a problem. I have heard plenty of people (at all of the above) on the launch talking about going back to their hotel after the get their car.
It's only been the last two trips, Poly and GF, that I had an issue.
I am not one to complain, and the only complaint I have ever made was to the front desk, when my friend had to valet her car when she arrived on Labor Day. Not because she had the valet fee, she didn't really mind. I did mind. The parking lot should only be full of paying guests. I expressed that opinion to the CM, but it doesn't seem like that did a bit of good.
At GF this year my friend had to park far by the ballroom building, which was annoying, but not a cause for complaint.

Anyway, I think the problem is worsening for 2 reasons- 1. Because there's plenty of people online looking to cheat a system. 2. Because the resorts seem to be booked full more than ever before.

Again though, No. I don't think an "all guest" parking fee would have anything to do with the parking problem.

 

[L.C. Clench]

If you were running a hotel, you wouldn't see a problem with your paying guests complaining that they can't find a parking spot and were forced to valet as a result?
Btw, I was pretty peeved when it happened to my personal guest..who was added to the room reservation on Labor Day in 2015.

There are hotels that do this intentionally. Valet is just a fancy way of saying pay to park.

 

[21stamps]

There are hotels that do this intentionally. Valet is just a fancy way of saying pay to park.

There are plenty of forced valet hotels around. A lot of them. Disney resorts are not forced valet though.

 

[contrariwise]

It's only been the last two trips, Poly and GF, that I had an issue.
I am not one to complain, and the only complaint I have ever made was to the front desk, when my friend had to valet her car when she arrived on Labor Day. Not because she had the valet fee, she didn't really mind. I did mind. The parking lot should only be full of paying guests. I expressed that opinion to the CM, but it doesn't seem like that did a bit of good.
At GF this year my friend had to park far by the ballroom building, which was annoying, but not a cause for complaint.

Anyway, I think the problem is worsening for 2 reasons- 1. Because there's plenty of people online looking to cheat a system. 2. Because the resorts seem to be booked full more than ever before.

A few things ... just because you had problems on the past two trips (and likewise, just because I didn't have problems on my past two trips) is really indicative of nothing. But I do maintain that if it were a frequently recurring problem, the complaints would be well ... frequent, here and on other message boards, and I don't see that.

Second, was your friend a paying guest? If not, then she was like me when I had to pay for valet at the GF, but in my case I was a paying guest at another WDW resort. Regardless, I understand the problem. If parking is scarce, a "visitor" is going to have to take a backseat to a registered guest at the resort. (Not that this has anything to do with this thread, really.) If she was a registered guest of that resort, then I think the resort should have comped the valet charge. Not because they have to, but because it would be good business to keep paying customers happy.

Third, there have always been people looking to "cheat the system". I haven't seen anything to indicate that cheating the system in general is on the uptick. And your second reason, "the resorts seem to be full" isn't very probative of anything.

But based on your experience, you disagree and that is fine.

 

[contrariwise]

Also, regarding crowds down, I haven't heard from one person I know, or experienced for myself, low crowd times in the past year or so. Not sure if you have a TP subscription, but most of their crowd level predictions have either been lower than actual, or were raised closer to specific dates.
The past 2 years I intentionally chose historically "low" crowd times. Both ended up being level 9 crowds levels on several days.

Touring Plans crowd calendar is based on wait times, not actual crowd level. I know you will not believe me, I'm going to say it anyway. Disney can "staff down" on historically low crowd times, thus making wait times higher. They can also control how many ride vehicles are in use, for instance, thus making wait times higher. Crowds are not higher, but wait times are.

And because I'm anticipating the question, "But why would Disney WANT to make the wait times higher?" They don't. But they want to cut costs, and they are willing to sacrifice wait times to do that.

 

[21stamps]

A few things ... just because you had problems on the past two trips (and likewise, just because I didn't have problems on my past two trips) is really indicative of nothing. But I do maintain that if it were a frequently recurring problem, the complaints would be well ... frequent, here and on other message boards, and I don't see that.

Second, was your friend a paying guest? If not, then she was like me when I had to pay for valet at the GF, but in my case I was a paying guest at another WDW resort. Regardless, I understand the problem. If parking is scarce, a "visitor" is going to have to take a backseat to a registered guest at the resort. (Not that this has anything to do with this thread, really.) If she was a registered guest of that resort, then I think the resort should have comped the valet charge. Not because they have to, but because it would be good business to keep paying customers happy.

Third, there have always been people looking to "cheat the system". I haven't seen anything to indicate that cheating the system in general is on the uptick. And your second reason, "the resorts seem to be full" isn't very probative of anything.

But based on your experience, you disagree and that is fine.

She was included on my reservation before the trip. I have 1 adult and 1 child in the room, so to list a second adult is well within room regulations. I technically was the "paying guest" but it makes no difference if someone else's name is on the reservation, and if they are paying or not. That car is the same as my car. She had a key card with her name on it.
I didn't care about a valet fee being comped..I think, and want, them to be more strict about who parks there.

I am not the first to have this issue. Most people I know, who also stay at those 2 specific resorts, have encountered the same problem at some point in the past few years. On certain days you aren't allowed to park at Poly if you aren't a guest. Not sure if GF is the same or not.

There are plenty of threads on message boards, and posts on Disney FB sites about parking at these resorts and leaving your car.


To your second comment-
Disney can not make sidewalks, pools, lobbies, restaurants, kiosks, busses, monorails, resort launches, and fireworks shows "feel" more crowded than what they actually are.
Unless there is a way to do that and I'm not aware of it.lol
Are they also holding back rooms to force people into split stays,or shorten their trip.. even when the person is already a guest at the resort?

 

[larryz]

Here's how to fix it. Put resort guest cars in the regular paved lots. Put "visitor" cars on a large conveyor that moves 1/3 mile per hour away from the resort toward a large body of water one mile away.
The longer a visitor takes to return to their car, the farther they'd have to walk to retrieve it.
Any guests who fail to reclaim their car within the allotted 3 hours would end up having to engage a tow truck retrieve it from the lake.

 

[Bandini]

I thought in the most recent earnings call, that attendance at the American parks was down. I also thought Iger's plan was to continue maximizing profits and continuing with the cuts. At least that's what he said. I also know that that occupancy rates can be a shell game of sorts.