Disney Resorts to start charging parking fees....

[Hi Pluto]

Is it true that they are only charging these fees for people who BOOK the reservation after March 21? Or will they begin charging on that day?

We are arriving on the day it's supposed to go into effect, March 21. It's 5 days from now. We are a very big school group, and most are taking a charter bus (which will park offsite at the drivers hotel, for free), but there is a family driving separately. Now, will I have to tell them that they are expected to pay an extra $13/night at Pop, so a $52 surprise? After being so organized with all of our budgeting and calculating it comes down to the last possible minute I hate that this is a possibility.

We got a letter in the mail yesterday about the construction at the resort, but no mention of parking fees in that letter. I'm hoping this means there is nothing to worry about, but who knows.

~Cari~

 

[Elle :)]

Here's my problem with it. We are arriving on the day it's supposed to go into effect, March 21. It's 5 days from now. We are a very big school group, and most are taking a charter bus (which will park offsite at the drivers hotel, for free), but there is a family driving separately. Now, I have to tell them that they are expected to pay an extra $13/night at Pop, so a $52 surprise. After being so organized with all of our budgeting and calculating it comes down to the last possible minute that they are throwing this at us.

And my bigger problem with it: We got a letter in the mail yesterday about the construction at the resort, but no mention of parking fees in that letter. If I wasn't reading this board, how would I have otherwise known about these fees? That's not very fair for such short notice... without any actual notice.

~Cari luto

As long as your hotel reservations were made prior to 3/21/18, you will not be charged to park at your hotel. You guys should be fine for this trip, since I'm assuming you planned and booked everything months ago. It's your next vacation that will screw you over with the extra fees.

 

[Hi Pluto]

As long as your hotel reservations were made prior to 3/21/18, you will not be charged to park at your hotel. You guys should be fine for this trip, since I'm assuming you planned and booked everything months ago. It's you next vacation that will screw you over with the extra fees.

Ha ha, you quoted me before I could fully edit.

 

[mpb2000]

As an Annual Passholder and FL resident who lives 2.5 hours away, I have no choice but to drive. It’s people like me who will be most affected. There are no work arounds other than staying off property. I can’t not rent a car or use Uber. This doesn’t affect locals or DVC at all. I go to WDW frequently on weekends and parking fees will quickly exceed the cost of my annual pass. That is just absurd and there’s no way I can continue with that.

 

[Rosanne]

No fee if your reservation is booked before March 21st.

Thanks you!
. At least it isn't getting tacked on after the fact. It will give time to think the future over.

 

[Amanda999]

As long as your hotel reservations were made prior to 3/21/18, you will not be charged to park at your hotel. You guys should be fine for this trip, since I'm assuming you planned and booked everything months ago. It's you next vacation that will screw you over with the extra fees.

If schools book their resort rooms as convention rates (I don't know if they do) then they will not pay the parking fee. At least for now, convention rate resort guests do not pay the parking fee.

 

[FSU Girl]

I agree with you. Hopefully this will impact their bookings enough to make them think twice about other added fees. Unfortunately, I don't think it will stop them from charging it now. I also think it will impact bookings across the board. People who stay in Deluxe may still be on a budget just as much as people who stay Value. I hate when people assume that everyone booked at the deluxe resorts are rich somehow and can afford all of the added fees. Most have just saved more money to pay for the added expense and the parking may still be a deal breaker.

I agree. Just adding $24 a night to a week long stay is not cheap and needs to be evaluated with planning costs. My room at Bay Lake Tower is more expensive than a room at the Four Seasons. It'll probably be my last stay on property for a while. I just don't understand why they didn't just increase the prices of their hotels. People expect those to go up and wouldn't have complained at all, but doing it this way makes the charge in your face and a ton of people are complaining to them

 

[Krandor]

...But what is the hourly capacity for buses in comparison?

Like HopperFan, I can see some not wanting to ride the gondolas, especially in bad weather. Also, as HopperFan mentioned, all the changes may impact. Will Guests have to wait in line at each station, how will the connections between stations work? ...Sorry, Krandor, I'm thinking of you as the expert here! ... I can see long lines to get on them at all, at least to begin with. Buses aren't so exciting!!

If a bus comes every 20 minutes you’d do about 200/hour on a bus. Gondola will do that is 5 minutes or so.

Remember the big difference is you wait on buses. Gondolas will be coming all the time. I think for morning when people will arrive at staggered times to station it won’t be long lines. After fireworks when a lot of people hit at once probably lines then but everything has lines then.

 

[dachsie]

I sent my email. One thing I said was "Disney used to set the standard, not follow the crowd." Also gave them many of examples of places you can go and not pay for parking. Said I would stay off property if I had a vehicle. Will let you know if I get a response

 

[vinotinto]

Sadly, Until people stop going and paying the ridiculous prices they will continue to add fees and increase prices. Emailing and calling mean nothing if not backed up financially. I am frustrated that this is the one time I have upgraded to AP. I had to pay $210 extra because I cold not upgrade over the phone when prices increased 10 days before my trip. Now resort prices have gone up and now parking. #themagicisgone

check this story out by the Motely Fool has some great insights about what Disney might be thinking
www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/m/a94ca0ce-3662-31b3-a5f9-d931b3a7f07e/ss_disney-world%27s-greedy-move-is.html

The article mentioned above highlights the increase in park attendance, room bookings, and spending. Increases will continue as long as the demand continues:

"There's momentum in Disney's theme parks business. Domestic theme park attendance rose 6% in Disney's latest quarter with per-capita spending up another 7%.... Disney revealed during last month's earnings call that reservation bookings were running 3% higher than at the same pace last year with guests paying 13% more in the process. There may never be a right time to introduce a new fee, but if you're going to do so, you may as well do it when things are going well."

 

[hertamaniac]

This doesn’t affect locals or DVC at all. I go to WDW frequently on weekends and parking fees will quickly exceed the cost of my annual pass.

Respectfully, I disagree. I am local with AP, but on occasion would "treat" ourselves to staying onsite. This price gauging will certainly affect our decision to stay on/off site. In addition, if we would stay onsite again, the newly imposed parking fee would effect our food spending (no more signature dining, etc.).

 

[DisneyArkie]

Well after a day of thinking I’m cancelling my reservations. Although I was already booked it didn’t affect me. I’m not mad. It’s called it’s their business and they can do what they want. We have been repeat customers for a long time. Time to move on and explore more of our great nation. They will replace me with someone else and I doubt they even notice. I just decided to spend my yearly 6-10,000 elsewhere. Expensive habit anyways.

I’m not making threats of staying off property. Y’all have to realize you are still giving them money going to the parks and eating the food. I’m completely not going to Disney.

 

[patclairesmom]

The article mentioned above highlights the increase in park attendance, room bookings, and spending. Increases will continue as long as the demand continues:

"There's momentum in Disney's theme parks business. Domestic theme park attendance rose 6% in Disney's latest quarter with per-capita spending up another 7%.... Disney revealed during last month's earnings call that reservation bookings were running 3% higher than at the same pace last year with guests paying 13% more in the process. There may never be a right time to introduce a new fee, but if you're going to do so, you may as well do it when things are going well."

This, to me, is extremely backward thinking. Things are going well so I'm going to mess with my cash cow. Thanks for being loyal customers.

 

[Laz]

I am trying to give myself a reason to book a WDW resort on pay the parking. As I stated in a previous post, I can get a great deal at non Disney resort near or next to Disney Springs that includes free parking, shuttle service to each park, no resort fee, hopper tickets, and Emh. What do I lose by booking this over a WDW resort? We usually stay in a deluxe, but another option is to stay in a moderate to offset the parking cost.

 

[Lorelai]

Yes, absolutely LOVE it! If you rent from an owner, it's cheaper than a value, beautiful and close. My dad owns Wyndham points and have stayed there, also rented through an online owner's points rental company (not sure if it's ok to post here) for a 1 bedroom for $100 a night! Couldn't recommend more.. LOVE it!

This is all great info to have, thank you!

My father-in-law loves time shares, and Wyndham is one of his faves. He and my mother-in-law go to Bonnet Creek, or one of their other properties, for these extended winter vacations but do not go into the parks. Yes, you read that right, they do not go to DisneyWorld.

To each his own. But to us, lifetime Disney loves, it was surprising. The first time I heard of this, all I could say was "Wait, whaaaat? You do whaaaaaat???"

 

[Lorelai]

No they do not get it, only the Disney Springs hotels were added.

LOVE Bonnet Creek resort, I'd stay every trip if I could.

Memory ..... paid around $50 a night for one bedroom and $85 a night for two bedroom. No comparison with Disney rates.

Oh well, since I had never heard of this before, I guess I'm not losing anything! And so glad you recommend Bonnet Creek. Seems like people who have stayed there have good things to say.

 

[Lorelai]

I was mistaken, it's some Disney Springs hotels that have the 60 day fast pass.

No worries. At least I'm not paying resort parking fees at Bonnet Creek!

 

[Marianell]

Does anyone knows if parking fees will apply for a reservation made prior March 21, but modify thereafter? The resort and dates should still be the same. I hope I won't have to shell out $200 for my 14 days stay...

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

Does anyone knows if parking fees will apply for a reservation made prior March 21, but modify thereafter? The resort and dates should still be the same. I hope I won't have to shell out $200 for my 14 days stay...

I believe some posters on this thread stated they called and asked, and were told that a modified reservation would be counted based on the original booking date. You may want to call for confirmation because who knows- Disney's policies seem to be inconsistently stated as they work out this new change.

 

[Mokat76]

As long as people keep flocking to WDW, they’ll keep jacking up the prices of everything they possibly can. Until lots and lots of people vote with their wallets and don’t go to WDW, there’s no reason for Disney to alter the business model at all. They’re raking in money while offering a worse visitor experience than they used to. If you’re Disney, what’s not to like?