S/D to charge Parking Fee!

[LIFERBABE]

Resort Board Thread (http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=741471&page=1&pp=15)

It looks like the bargains are quickly drying up! US Resorts already charge for parking and their room rates have soared since FOTL. Now the SD is charging $10 resort fee and $7 for parking. Add that to the reduced AP Resort Discounts and staying weekends on points is becoming more attractive for the DVCer.

[CRSNDSNY]

Is the parking fee for parking in the Park lots or at the S/D lot?

[Chuck S]

The fee is for parking in the S/D lot.

[CRSNDSNY]

The fee is for parking in the S/D lot.
So are they putting gates up or a guard or something because right now they don't have that. Almost anyone can park there and nobody would know the difference.

[CarolMN]

Is the parking fee for parking in the Park lots or at the S/D lot?i think she is saying it will cost $7/day to park in the Swan & Dolphin resort lots.

Hope that doesn't encourage more people to park at the Boardwalk! It's already tough to get a spot there in the afternoon & evening.

I kind of wish they would charge for parking in the BW lots if you aren't actually staying at either the BWI or BWV. They could have the BW restaurants/shops reimburse those who made a purchase. Maybe that would discourage people from parking there to go to EPCOT.

Best wishes -

[CarolMN]

So are they putting gates up or a guard or something because right now they don't have that. Almost anyone can park there and nobody would know the difference.They'll probably put up signs, give resort guests a parking pass and charge the parking fee to the room. They could just tow anyone without a pass. I know it's probably not quite that simple, but I'm sure they've already figured out what needs to be done.


Best wishes -

[barbarabee]

So are they putting gates up or a guard or something because right now they don't have that. Almost anyone can park there and nobody would know the difference.

I saw a thread on another board from someone who was at WDW this past weekend, and they said that they were putting up gates at the S/D parking lot...

[bobbiwoz]

When we were in Orlando earlier in February, it definitely looked as if they were putting in a guard house at the entrance to the S&D parking lot.

Bobbi :flower:

[Chuck S]

I don't see why Disney couldn't charge for resort parking at BW and the monorail resorts on a tier basis. For instance, guests of that resort could have a window slip or use their room key for access at no charge. Guests that are NOT registered at that resort could get 3 hours free with a paid receipt from a shop or restaurant located in that resort (or some other validation), and pay for anything over 3 hours. Guests without a paid receipt would pay full fees. That would discourage folks from parking at resorts for park access. Pay as you leave like most mall parking structures.

[CRSNDSNY]

I saw a thread on another board from someone who was at WDW this past weekend, and they said that they were putting up gates at the S/D parking lot...
That makes sense. Because aside from valet lots at S/D, the parking is pretty far away from the resorts. Plus, there weren't any gates the last couple times I stayed there nor were we required to have parking tags on our car to park there during our stay. I can't imagine them towing people -- that would be a full-time job in that lot.

As far as the comment regarding the BW, I thought that the parking for the BW/BWV after a certain time period was actually a lot across the street from the main entrance. It's a pretty far hike! Personally, I don't think they should charge to park in that far lot if you're going for the BW ambience. You don't pay to park at DTD, do you? I see those as equals in that sense. Plus, if you really wanted a closer spot, there is always valet.

[CRSNDSNY]

I don't see why Disney couldn't charge for resort parking at BW and the monorail resorts on a tier basis. For instance, guests of that resort could have a window slip or use their room key for access at no charge. Guests that are NOT registered at that resort could get 3 hours free with a paid receipt from a shop or restaurant located in that resort (or some other validation), and pay for anything over 3 hours. Guests without a paid receipt would pay full fees. That would discourage folks from parking at resorts for park access. Pay as you leave like most mall parking structures.
Why can't they just have you show proof of priority seating at that particular resort instead of making someone pay extra? Then deny parking if you aren't there for a more legitimate reason other than to not have to park at Ticket and Transportation or something similar? I know when we were eating at CG, they had to look our name up on a PS listing for that restaurant. Then they gave us a tag.

[Chuck S]

Why can't they just have you show proof of priority seating at that particular resort instead of making someone pay extra? Then deny parking if you aren't there for a more legitimate reason other than to not have to park at Ticket and Transportation or something similar? I know when we were eating at CG, they had to look our name up on a PS listing for that restaurant. Then they gave us a tag.

Well, that would work, except that we often will shop at a resort (one of our favorites is Poly) without eating, as we've had lousy service at Kona. Plus, just because you have a PS, since they aren;t usually guaranteed against a charge card, it doesn't mean you actually will eat there. Someone could cheat the system by simply not showing up for a PS.

[LIFERBABE]

I agree, If you are staying at the SD resort, they should provide you with a pass!
I dont see what charging resort guests has to do with curbing others. Charge them, not the people that are paying to stay there.

[CRSNDSNY]

Ahhhh...the PS breakers/fakers! I guess it would be tough to watch that too closely.

[Valentine]

During peak times they do check all guests destinations at all of the lots and issue 2 hour parking passes. I have had this happen to me over the christmas holiday season at ALL of the resort parking lots. However, this trip (last week) They only asked my destination, saw my resort id and waved me in.. no time limit. I guess they only care during really busy seasons. Oh.. and I was caught at RPR this time around... I was going to eat lunch there before heading over to the parks.. and since I am an AP holder at Universal also, parking is free for me at the main parking lot.. so, I figured by parking at the resort I wasn't cheating anyone out of money.. well.... it turns out i cheated myself since I had to pay to park at the resort!! LOL!!! Oh Well.. the best laid plans!!! :rotfl2:

kathy :rolleyes:

[manning]

Ahh the old slight of hand!!

We only charge $130 a day for the room. (made up figure, didn't want to bother checking), not $147.

Oh by the way, there is a $10 and $7 a day resort and parking fee.

130+10+7=147. Now why would that add up to 147??

[LIFERBABE]

I checked S/D rates for the weekend of June 3rd since we are staying at BCV and their gov't rate is $199 plus tax, parking, and resort fee.

Matter of fact it looks like$199 is their standard rate for the entire summer. I know US/IOA resorts have gone up because that was our first choice since we are AP holders but we couldnt find anything less than $200 per night over there also.

Looks like we may just stay put at BCV on weekend points or go to SOG. Im gonna call MS and see what the cash rate would be.

I called MS and I can get the cash discount at BCV for $251 +tax. So with all the extras at SD, I may as well stay put and pay cash rather than pack up and move to S/D. I always wanted to try it out, but it looks like the $139 days are gone!

Good thing we still have SOG in the mix!

[bjakmom]

Well, we could valet park at BWV for free with our DVC cards and walk over - but by the time we tip for valet it's probably a wash ! The Universal hotels just raised their self parking rates to $7 also - I just don't get it - when you're staying in a 'deluxe' hotel it just feels like bad customer service to nickel and dime your guests with parking fees - it's not like USF or WDW hotels are exactly in a 'city' parking situation or anything, which I do get and am used to. :confused3

[kathleena]

Hope that doesn't encourage more people to park at the Boardwalk! It's already tough to get a spot there in the afternoon & evening.

My first thought exactly!

[CarolA]

You can't valet park at BWV if you are staying at the S/D for free if you are DVC. I am pretty sure the free valet is only when you are staying on points not anytime you show up at Disney.

[CarolMN]

You can't valet park at BWV if you are staying at the S/D for free if you are DVC. I am pretty sure the free valet is only when you are staying on points not anytime you show up at Disney.
Free valet parking for DVC members does not require you to be staying for points or even on site. All you need is your Membership card.

Best wishes -

[DrTomorrow]

Ahh the old slight of hand!!

We only charge $130 a day for the room. (made up figure, didn't want to bother checking), not $147.

Oh by the way, there is a $10 and $7 a day resort and parking fee.

130+10+7=147. Now why would that add up to 147?? I've been told by several friends who are budget travellers that this "slight of hand" is due in large part by on-line travel sites (Priceline, Hotwire, etc.). Hotels now have a vested interest in having the "lowest" prices so that they show up more favorably in the results - while additional "fees" aren't shown.

Rooms at S/D? Only $10/night. You want a key to the room? $137. :rotfl2:

[CRSNDSNY]

You can't valet park at BWV if you are staying at the S/D for free if you are DVC. I am pretty sure the free valet is only when you are staying on points not anytime you show up at Disney.
All you have to do is show your DVC member card and you can free valet park.

[CRSNDSNY]

Ooops...just realized that question was already said. Sorry!

[doubletrouble_vb]

I'm guessing the objective is to have the inconsiderate people who bring their cars with them pay for the guard at the guard house. Otherwise if you add a guard and no fee...everybody pays.

...I think Disney should do something about the BW parking lot but I think requiring PS's would be too much. Many people go to the boardwalk for...boardwalk food...hotdogs, hamburgers, pizza etc. Others go for shopping or entertainment. Unless the charge for the BW parking is close to the themepark charge it won't be a deterrent. The simplest solution would be metered parking. DVC'ers staying on points could still get free valet.

[CarolMN]

..(snip).....
...I think Disney should do something about the BW parking lot but I think requiring PS's would be too much. Many people go to the boardwalk for...boardwalk food...hotdogs, hamburgers, pizza etc. Others go for shopping or entertainment. Unless the charge for the BW parking is close to the themepark charge it won't be a deterrent. The simplest solution would be metered parking. DVC'ers staying on points could still get free valet. Disagree. Simplest (and the best, IMHO) solution would be to reserve a portion of the BW lot for guests actually staying at the resort.

Best wishes -

[Lexxiefern]

Disagree. Simplest (and the best, IMHO) solution would be to reserve a portion of the BW lot for guests actually staying at the resort.

Best wishes -

I agree. We were at BWV last week and if we went out to dinner there were no spots when we came back. When we came back after 9:30pm (after the fireworks) lo and behold there were plenty of spots.

I wish BW would do something about this also.

[LoveToDisney]

....I kind of wish they would charge for parking in the BW lots if you aren't actually staying at either the BWI or BWV. They could have the BW restaurants/shops reimburse those who made a purchase. Maybe that would discourage people from parking there to go to EPCOT.I like that idea!!!