20 dollars for parking now...? Come on now...

[Paigesmom2013]

My only thought is that usually you go to Six Flags or Cedar Point for ONE day each year, maybe twice. Those aren't multi-day parks like WDW. (And Mt. Olympus is ridiculous for parking but they also have tons of discounts.) Disney is punishing people who stay off-site. I personally like staying onsite, but we have a family of four. And you know another ticket hike is coming early next year (or that tier pricing). A company can be profitable without being greedy.

 

[RedAngie]

Parking has been $20+ at the local Six Flags for 5 years now. Their (the same Six Flags) 1 day park ticket is $90 and has been that for 3 years. Meals there are about $15 a person for quick service and have been that for a while. Disney's prices aren't outrageous, when compared to other theme parks. It's outrageous in general, but it's not just Disney doing it, unfortunately.

What Six Flags park charges $90 for a one day ticket, and has for the past three years? Not believing it. Unless you're talking about a one day combo ticket with the neighboring water park; then compare it to Disney's one day park hopper at around $150.

The highest price for a one day ticket this year was $69.99 at a few parks, and most were a little lower. Discounts (on-line, coupons at stores, etc.) are so abundant that it's illogical to pay the gate prices. Even many season passes to Six Flags are under $90. My 2015 gold pass, good at all 6F parks (except separately gated water parks) was $59.99, and that included parking at all properties. I already bought my 2016 pass for $69.99 with the same features.

Disney's prices are lower for comparable types of food and Disney's food is edible. Six Flags food sucks and it's outrageously overpriced. Far away parking at 6F Great Adventure in NJ is $25, premium close-in parking is $35, so even with Disney's price increase, it's still cheaper than at some of 6F's properties.

Then again, the prices for food and parking at 6F aren't really that ridiculous when the discounted admission or season passes are so cheap.

 

[Hopelessly_Devoted]

Parking has been $20+ at the local Six Flags for 5 years now. Their (the same Six Flags) 1 day park ticket is $90 and has been that for 3 years. Meals there are about $15 a person for quick service and have been that for a while. Disney's prices aren't outrageous, when compared to other theme parks. It's outrageous in general, but it's not just Disney doing it, unfortunately.

But nobody goes to 6 flags for a week.

 

[Disneyliscious]

The highest price for a one day ticket this year was $69.99 at a few parks, and most were a little lower. Discounts (on-line, coupons at stores, etc.) are so abundant that it's illogical to pay the gate prices. Even many season passes to Six Flags are under $90. My 2015 gold pass, good at all 6F parks (except separately gated water parks) was $59.99, and that included parking at all properties. I already bought my 2016 pass for $69.99 with the same features.

Agreed. We visited Six Flags in June of this year. Paid $29.99 for a 2 day pass. It was a special run in the local newspaper. Yes, thats $15 dollars per day and was open to any resident of middle TN for the Louisville Six Flags. Whats more, if we completed a survey on our first day, we got free drinks on our 2nd day, all the refills we wanted. Parking was $8 per day. Granted, Six Flags is NOT Disney, not even close. But when it comes to a quick vacation places like that have FAR more value than somewhere where you expect to pay more like Disney.

I'm probably in the minority but I don't go to Disney for characters and souvenirs. Never have stood in line to meet a character in my life. The reason I go to Disney is for the "magic". The little things that I am willing to pay for. I am willing to pay $150 for a park ticket if it means admission is cut by 50% on certain days so we can enjoy less crowing. I am willing to pay $70 for a dessert party if it means good views for the parade and fireworks, which are things that are important to me. I am willing to buy a 2nd mnsshp ticket if it means less crowds so I can enjoy the rides. This means I'm willing to pay $15/hr to just be in the park whereas a regular day guests pays about $8/hr or less to be in the parks. Disney parks give me experiences I can't get anywhere else. Their parking, lodging, and food are all experiences I can get anywhere and I'm not willing to pay exorbitant prices for those (which is why i have never stayed on site). When I no longer have options to avoid the costs of those things I don't find value in (like parking), I will curtail the value by reducing overall $ spent while inside the parks (less days in parks, less $ spent on food while in the parks, less things like Pirates League, etc).

 

[RedAngie]

I agree. I understand 20 dollars may be the norm foe parks and other events.

What I think is ridiculous is a 3 dollar increase over night. Seriosuly, they aren't even trying to hide the outright money grab.

So is it gonna be a 3 dollar increase or more per yr now? I have a feeling disney springs will suddenly have a parking fee as well....prob when construction is finally done.

Would it be better if Disney had published on July 1 that parking will increase from $17 to $20 on October 4? Or a $1 increase the first of the month for three months?

I was going to say the same thing. At our Six Flags, the food is more expensive than at Walt Disney World. I was quite surprised to see that I was going to be paying more for a burger and fries here than at Cosmic Ray's or Restaurantosaurus. And, I might add that while I wouldn't say Disney burgers are anything close to culinary masterpieces, they are still better than Six Flags. Parking at Six Flags also costs $20 and, as Nancy pointed out, it is terrible. You will walk and walk and walk with no tram. The parking lot was terribly designed so you are trying to figure out the best places to cross so as to not impede traffic, you don't have anyone directing you so you know where to park, it's just bad. A one day ticket to Six Flags will cost you less than a one day ticket to any of the WDW parks, but there is no discount or multiple days. In general, WDW is of course more expensive than Six Flags, but not when it comes to parking or food. And, not to sound like a person who always believes that WDW can do no wrong, WDW is significantly better than Six Flags. It has better upkeep of rides, friendlier and more knowledgeable workers, cleaner parks and restrooms, and you just feel safer there. I'm not going to complain about parking prices going up. Now annual pass costs at Disneyland is a whole other story...

Sure there are......there are PLENTY of discounts for Six Flags tickets. Buy in advance on their website, coke cans, coupons in convenience stores, fast food places, etc. With the slightest amount of advance planning, it's almost never necessary to pay full price. As for multiple days, a season pass is often the smartest choice is one intends to visit a 6F park more than once a season.

Yes, 6F food is next to inedible. Many of the chain's parking lots are poorly designed and maintained. I like 6F, most years I buy a season pass, but I do find any Disney park to be better. The extremely cheap admission prices at 6F is the main reason I go, and of course they have some awesome roller coasters.

 

[joe1946]

 

[over50visits]

$20 to park is unreasonable. In fact, I think it is insulting. It is entirely irrelevant what it costs anywhere else...

But, it works for Disney. The price is relatively elastic, it is a temporary negative experience for customers, and their goal should be to maximize revenue for the owners (stockholders). People pay it, rationalize it in various ways to excuse the fact they do pay it, and soon forget it as they enjoy their day in the park.

 

[Oswin]

What Six Flags park charges $90 for a one day ticket, and has for the past three years? Not believing it. Unless you're talking about a one day combo ticket with the neighboring water park; then compare it to Disney's one day park hopper at around $150.

The highest price for a one day ticket this year was $69.99 at a few parks, and most were a little lower. Discounts (on-line, coupons at stores, etc.) are so abundant that it's illogical to pay the gate prices. Even many season passes to Six Flags are under $90. My 2015 gold pass, good at all 6F parks (except separately gated water parks) was $59.99, and that included parking at all properties. I already bought my 2016 pass for $69.99 with the same features.

Disney's prices are lower for comparable types of food and Disney's food is edible. Six Flags food sucks and it's outrageously overpriced. Far away parking at 6F Great Adventure in NJ is $25, premium close-in parking is $35, so even with Disney's price increase, it's still cheaper than at some of 6F's properties.

Then again, the prices for food and parking at 6F aren't really that ridiculous when the discounted admission or season passes are so cheap.

My point wasn't to get into saying what each local Six Flags charges for parking and admission (since it varies by state and park) but to use my local Six Flag's variable pricing (which I promise I'm not making up) to make the point that it's not just Disney doing it as I'm seeing so very many people saying on the boards right now. It's a very unfortunate standard that we're seeing in the theme park industry in general. Prices are going through the roof without any added value and it's ridiculous.

 

[amylevan]

$20 to park is unreasonable. In fact, I think it is insulting. It is entirely irrelevant what it costs anywhere else...

Okay, what exactly would be a reasonable price to park? This thought has been throughout the thread. Free? Well, then they can't use it as a perk for APs and on-site hotels. $5? $10? $15?

A lot of issue with this question is we all come from different parts of the country, with different costs of living, which are going to color our thoughts. (Did you see the price to park photo for $33.79 an hour!?!?!?) I am not in the Disney does no wrong camp. There are a lot of things that I find ridiculously priced at Disney. Parking is not one of them, even at the new $20/day.

 

[Disneyliscious]

Okay, what exactly would be a reasonable price to park? This thought has been throughout the thread. Free? Well, then they can't use it as a perk for APs and on-site hotels. $5? $10? $15

Where I live, its pretty standard for $10 event parking. I wouldn't gripe over $15 at Disney and was willing to pay the $17 even though I cringed. $20 exceeded my perception in value of it so I cut an ADR at that point.

Its still cheaper to pay $20 to park each day over staying on-site for us. We don't use or like hotel rooms. To get a villa at Disney would cost us $368 a night for 2 bedrooms. We rented a condo with 3 bedrooms 2 miles from the park for $78 a night. For our 5 day stay it breaks down like this:

Staying on site in a villa, getting free parking and free transportation: $1840

Staying in a condo 2 miles away: $390
Rental car: $214
Parking: $80 (4 park days): $684

I'm not including food or tickets because those will be the same either way. So even with paying parking, we would still SAVE $1156 by staying off site and paying $20 a day to park. Even with that said, I have a "cut off" for what I find value in and when that amount is reached, I will make adjustments elsewhere which is what I have done. It doesn't mean I can't afford to go or that I shouldn't go. As long as I am able to make cuts to keep the value then there is still a value. When I am no longer able to cut things from our trip, it will no longer be a value and I won't go.

 

[fla4fun]

I find paying for parking repugnant in general. I will not stay at hotels that have a separate parking fee. When I have had jobs that required downtown paid parking, I negotiated non-payment as part of the employment agreement. It just feels like nickel and dimeing to me. If they put paid parking at Disney Springs, I will not take my car there anymore. I have an AP with parking included which I use often enough that my per day costs are under $20 per admission (even taking into account the new increases).

I can sympathize with the poster who doesn't want to pay an extra $30 for their parking. It's not always a situation of "can't" pay, but of value. That parking space isn't worth an additional $30 this week than it was last week. There haven't been $30 worth of improvements. They haven't added more CM's to work the lots (in fact, most of the time when I go I am hard pressed to find any CM's in the lot other than the ones at the gate collecting the parking fee). I would hazard a guess that with the advent of ME, the parking lots at the parks are rarely full to capacity unless it's a super-peak time like Easter week or Christmas week. So this reads as pure greed to many people.

 

[JennaDeeDooDah]

Sure there are......there are PLENTY of discounts for Six Flags tickets. Buy in advance on their website, coke cans, coupons in convenience stores, fast food places, etc. With the slightest amount of advance planning, it's almost never necessary to pay full price. As for multiple days, a season pass is often the smartest choice is one intends to visit a 6F park more than once a season.

Yes, 6F food is next to inedible. Many of the chain's parking lots are poorly designed and maintained. I like 6F, most years I buy a season pass, but I do find any Disney park to be better. The extremely cheap admission prices at 6F is the main reason I go, and of course they have some awesome roller coasters.

My "f" key stuck. It was supposed to say "no discount FOR multiple days".

 

[brunette8706]

View attachment 127279

You are comparing the most expensive city in the USA to Walt Disney World? It's apples and oranges.

 

[brunette8706]

Where I live, its pretty standard for $10 event parking. I wouldn't gripe over $15 at Disney and was willing to pay the $17 even though I cringed. $20 exceeded my perception in value of it so I cut an ADR at that point.

Its still cheaper to pay $20 to park each day over staying on-site for us. We don't use or like hotel rooms. To get a villa at Disney would cost us $368 a night for 2 bedrooms. We rented a condo with 3 bedrooms 2 miles from the park for $78 a night. For our 5 day stay it breaks down like this:

Staying on site in a villa, getting free parking and free transportation: $1840

Staying in a condo 2 miles away: $390
Rental car: $214
Parking: $80 (4 park days): $684

I'm not including food or tickets because those will be the same either way. So even with paying parking, we would still SAVE $1156 by staying off site and paying $20 a day to park. Even with that said, I have a "cut off" for what I find value in and when that amount is reached, I will make adjustments elsewhere which is what I have done. It doesn't mean I can't afford to go or that I shouldn't go. As long as I am able to make cuts to keep the value then there is still a value. When I am no longer able to cut things from our trip, it will no longer be a value and I won't go.

Great analogy! I totally agree!

 

[ICF]

We have two local theme parks. One was a Six Flags, but isn't now. It's $8 to park. The other is Holiday World where parking is free as well as all sodas. Ticket prices are about half what Disney charges too. I love Disnay World, but the greed is about to the point where I'll take my business elsewhere.

We love Holiday World ---- free drinks, free parking, a great water park and some really good coasters too.....even their food (QS as disney would call it) is vastly better than what Disney serves too....be it their pizza, burgers, bbq etc....and it costs about 50% less.

Even parking at Kings Island in Cincinnati is only $12 if you buy it in advance.

$20 (or the 18% increase over night) is a joke -- this isn't a place where parking is at a premium, it's simply a way to make more money (which is their right, and as a shareholder I guess I can't complain too much) -- but as an offsite visitor who sees little value in disney lodging I'm not a fan. And since even with the extra $20, I can get way better value off - site....I'll still be staying in my 3 BR townhouse with private pool at Windsor hills for less than $100 a night.

 

[BarbieGal457]

I didn't go through all the pages, which is unlike me, but parking is $40+ here for Eagles and Flyers games, and I think $25ish for Phillies games. You read that right.

ETA: it is also $20+ anywhere in Center City (Philadelphia) and usually even more. We don't park at Disney since we only use their systems, but I think again for me it's one of those things that due to living in a big city I wouldn't blink an eye at, just like their food prices and such - it's basically the same or less than living here! I do understand why people who come from other or smaller places would see it as a shock though.

 

[Disneyliscious]

And since even with the extra $20, I can get way better value off - site....I'll still be staying in my 3 BR townhouse with private pool at Windsor hills for less than $100 a night.

Same. I have left the parks in the past and see droves of people waiting for a bus and think to myself.....how is that fun? Where is the value in that? They prob look at me and think "why do you want to drive? Where is the value in that?" Every person is different.

It wouldnt surprise me if Disney didnt eventually try to buy out Windsor Hills. Being that close, and with what they have to offer, they have to put a dent in Disney's lodging pocket.

Now if Windsor Hills closed their pool, started charging for parking, closed their movie theater at 5pm, allowed drunks to roam around and rental prices went up? I wouldn't stay there. Thats what Disney is doing, giving less and charging more. Its ok to charge more if you are providing new services.

Upping your price by $10 and giving nothing isn't the same as upping your charge by $15 and giving $5 in value to the consumer.

 

[BeerMe]

Like many others, I agree that the parking fee is not exorbitant. I pay $25 to park at Buffalo Bills games and that's one of the cheaper parking fees in the league.

 

[Polydweller]

WESH just posted that Universal just raised its parking price by $3 to $20. Do let's all be equal opportunity bashers and go after them too. Obviously they must be as greedy as Disney and it must be as repugnant.

The Disney parking increases only come out to $21 total for seven days. Not exorbitant if you are on a trip costing a few thousand and if you are locals, well $3 a few times a year isn't the end of the world.

 

[bpadair32]

WESH just posted that Universal just raised its parking price by $3 to $20. Do let's all be equal opportunity bashers and go after them too. Obviously they must be as greedy as Disney and it must be as repugnant.

The Disney parking increases only come out to $21 total for seven days. Not exorbitant if you are on a trip costing a few thousand and if you are locals, well $3 a few times a year isn't the end of the world.

This 100%