If you're mad, let disney know
This is what I sent to guest communications, Iger, and 3 other big wigs. As you can see, near the end I get a bit emotional, but that is how I feel. I wish I had thought to tell them that there are actually people canceling their trips. Maybe someone else can do that. Here goes:
I am writing about the elimination of free parking at your resorts for hotel guests. I feel this unfairly penalizes those of us who drive to WDW. People who fly receive free passage to their resort via Disney's Magical Express. They are then free to enjoy the Disney bubble throughout their vacation. I am sure you know what the Disney bubble is. It is the feeling that once you are at Disney, you are immersed in its theming and magic for the duration of your trip and free from the stresses of work and real life.
My family has been driving to WDW from VA since 1990. We discovered that by saving money by not flying, we could afford to stay longer and in the deluxe hotels. We park our car and then enter the Disney bubble for a week or more. The next time we are back in the car it is for our trip home. We use Disney transportation the entire time, eat at our resort and at the parks, and never leave property. Yes, we pay a higher amount for our resort and food, but we have always felt it was worth it for the magic and memories we received in return.
And now, all this has changed due to this new policy. Now, in addition to the higher cost of staying on property, you are adding a fee, ( and it is higher for the deluxes where we tend to stay) and for what reason? Day guests not staying at the resort will be allowed to park for free. People who fly will not have any extra fee added to their hotel folios. The only people you are charging are people like me, who drive. This is unfair and has made me feel unwelcome.
I am now considering things I have never considered before: staying offsite and/or staying at Universal. Yes, I know they have a parking fee, but their hotel prices are lower so it is still the more economical of the two.
If we return, we will make adjustments. If we fly, that will mean a shorter trip and possibly staying at a non-Disney hotel. This all adds up to less revenue for Disney. After all these years of being a loyal and repeat visitor and never receiving any recognition or financial reward for that, I can't believe I am considering maybe not even returning
I am the Disney go to person at work. I have sung your praises for years, had to explain to naysayers why we go so often, and I've made recommendations for others who are planning trips. I am a walking billboard for Disney with several pins on my lanyard. And now, I am feeling like my connection has been severed, my bubble has burst.
Please reconsider this policy.