Parking $3 from 6 to 10pm

[kellymonaghan]

Just heard that Universal is now charging $3 for parking between 6pm and 10pm. Not sure is it's more for vans and campers like with "regular" daytime parking.

I'm not sure I understand the logic behind this, what with everyone and his brother telling us that people will be counting every penny in the days and months ahead.

Seems to me inevitable that the Cineplex and the restaurants will take a hit.

Your thoughts?

 

[Metro West]

I think it stinks. Even though I have an AP and don't have to pay to park, lots of people are going to be very upset with this new policy...and like you mentioned, CityWalk WILL take a hit. I have friends who don't have AP's that enjoyed going over for a movie or dinner and not having to pay parking fees. Well...they will probably start going somewhere else. After PI closed and Universal decided to honor their AP's until mid-year, I thought that was a tremendous thing to to...and now this. Just pitiful!

 

[phamton]

I'd rather see them charge for parking rather than cutting the staffing in the parks. Extra revenue means more upkeep, more staff, and more new rides.

I have to admit that I am more vested in keeping the parks running smoothly than the night life at Citywalk. I would think if restaurants, movie theater, and clubs see a decline, maybe they might consider validating parking.

Having an annual pass (with free parking) is starting to look better and better.

 

[Planogirl]

I think that it's a strange decision. With money tight, you want to lure people and a parking fee seems to be a big turnoff for many people.

 

[Metro West]

I think that it's a strange decision. With money tight, you want to lure people and a parking fee seems to be a big turnoff for many people.

That's very true.

 

[damo]

Personally, if it was me trying to decide where to go and the only drawback to Universal was that there was a $3.00 parking change, I wouldn't give it a second thought. $3.00 doesn't seem to be a deal breaker to me.

 

[Wishing on a star]

Ummm, I agree with those who are unhappy about this..

Have to pay to park just to go spend your money to eat or go see a movie at their establishments.

This is not a positive 'welcome'.
This is not a positive 'invitation'.
It is a very very negative opening impression.
I agree with the poster who used the term 'turn-off'.

My DH is one where this kind of thing just really burns him and rubs him the wrong way. It is nickle and diming... It is like a pick-pocket.

We'll have to pay the $3.00 if we do end up with no choice but to hit Citywalk on a non-park day... But...

 

[Metro West]

Ummm, I agree with those who are unhappy about this..

Have to pay to park just to go spend your money to eat or go see a movie at their establishments.

This is not a positive 'welcome'.
This is not a positive 'invitation'.
It is a very very negative opening impression.
I agree with the poster who used the term 'turn-off'.

My DH is one where this kind of thing just really burns him and rubs him the wrong way. It is nickle and diming... It is like a pick-pocket.

We'll have to pay the $3.00 if we do end up with no choice but to hit Citywalk on a non-park day... But...

Universal doesn't own those restaurants so it's not their establishments...including the theater. It's this day and age with the economy I guess. I saw on the news tonight where Lynx raised their fares "to pay the bills" so now we've turned into a nickel and dime you to death society because of the economy.

I agree with Phamton about trying to make more money so Universal won't have layoff workers. The same thing is happening at my job right now. Budgets are being tightly monitored and sometimes cut to keep the jobs.

I don't think a lot of people will know about the parking charge in all honesty. Unless you're in the know, people will continue to pay it not knowing it used to be free.

 

[Jason71]

I can say from personal experience with friends the movie theater is going to take a hit from this--DTD is still free to park, and Pointe Orlando at least validates. I know a group of Uni AMC regulars who switched to DTD this weekend. Can't imagine the restaurants will be that thrilled, either.

 

[damo]

I can say from personal experience with friends the movie theater is going to take a hit from this--DTD is still free to park, and Pointe Orlando at least validates. I know a group of Uni AMC regulars who switched to DTD this weekend. Can't imagine the restaurants will be that thrilled, either.

Once the restaurants and theatre feel it, they will start validating parking.

 

[grumpydawg]

We went this past Friday without knowing of the new change. I usually go to City Walk every time I'm in town, but no more. I won't be back unless it's a park visit. Too bad, because I really enjoy eating at Margaritaville. $3 doesn't seem like much, but I received nothing in return for it. I parked in the lowest level in the farthest parking area. Oh well, life is all about choices. They chose to institute a parking fee. I choose not to go back. No anger, just fact.

 

[Jason71]

Once the restaurants and theatre feel it, they will start validating parking.

It's a lot easier to validate when you collect money as people are leaving rather than when they are arriving. I guess the AMC and restaurants could hand out $3 refunds (or offer a $3 discount?) but enforcement would be a problem, and it will still be a sticking point to a lot of people to come up with $3 in cash just to enter in the first place. This is a debit-card society, I know a lot of people who don't necessarily have cash.

This just seems like a lot of hassle for what, on a typical weeknight, can't be that much money.

 

[GuestServicesMonkey]

The parking fees can be paid with a debit or credit card.

 

[7165red]

We were there on Dec,29-08 after 6pm and we had to pay $5 parking, I was told here on disboards that parking is free after 6pm. Will someone out there keep is up to date on parking fee.

 

[donaldduck352]

We were there on Dec,29-08 after 6pm and we had to pay $5 parking, I was told here on disboards that parking is free after 6pm. Will someone out there keep is up to date on parking fee.

OK now I'm confused.You paid $5 when it was only supposed to be $3!!Was this for prefered parking??

 

[Metro West]

We were there on Dec,29-08 after 6pm and we had to pay $5 parking, I was told here on disboards that parking is free after 6pm. Will someone out there keep is up to date on parking fee.

Since this was before Universal supposedly started charging after 6pm, I'm not sure why you had to pay. Parking after 6pm was always free except when there was a night time event like HHN. Maybe something was going on that night?

 

[nodoubtrock]

not sure why you had to pay either. usually you would just be charged for 12/31 b/c of the people that come for the fireworks. i don't know of any reason why you would be charged on 12/29.

 

[drj1950]

We were at citywalk on the 30th and made sure we got to the parking after 6 and were shocked to have to pay 5 dollars,I'm not sure if there was anything going on but we did know they could charge for special events

 

[7165red]

donaldduck, We paid $5 for regular parking, prefered parking was $17 this I am sure of because I was going to go for prefered parking which I think I was told would be $12 and valet $20. So I don't know what is going on. Maybe we might get a update from someone. You could no miss the sign for parking charges.

 

[shrpgrl]

We moved down here six months ago. We love the different food experiences at citywalk but we were staying away from Lunch there because of parking. Now we won't be going for supper either. Ridiculous to pay to park just to spend money to eat. In this economy....not going to happen for us. Wish they would not have done that.Their choice to charge....ours to take our business elsewhere, and all over a few dollars.