ARGH @ SoG

[kandeebunny]

I just got an e-mail from SoG and am SOOOOOO mad! They are now charging to park! I have reservations made before this, yet I will now have to pay to park. $3 a day (not bad, but it's the point of it) and for valet $3 a day plus a $5 usage fee.

NO other resort on property charges for parking. This stinks!

 

[cocowum]

I just got an email as well. I agree that stinks!!!

 

[Princess Dot]

Actually now the Swan and Dolphin are starting to charge for parking-$7 per day for self park, $14 for valet, so SoG looks like a bargain!

 

[Momof6]

Darn! I hate the idea of having to pay to park...even though I know it could be worse.
Probably a stupid question, but we can still park IN the parks for free as a resort guest, right? Just making sure...THAT would really add up!

Denise

 

[kandeebunny]

That is a good question...can we still park in the parks for free? Also is this for 24 hour period or every time we go in and out of the garage? *scratches head*

 

[suevee]

Just got off the phone with SoG. It is $3 a day for self parking starting April 1. That will be the rate for the entire day if you take it in and out or leave it for the day. Valet will be $3.00 a day, however if you choose to use your car during the day you will have to pay an additional $5.00. So valet is $3 to let it sit for the day and $8 if you choose to use your car during the day. I believe WDW still honors the Sog parking at the parks but this is on a contract basis and could change in the future.

 

[weregoingtodw]

GRRRR.... me too!

For reference, here's the memo:

-----Original Message-----
From: Reservations [mailto:reservations@shadesofgreen.org]
Sent: Friday, March 25, 2005 11:33 AM
To: Reservations
Subject: Shades of Green
Importance: High

Dear Future Guest:

We know you are looking forward to your upcoming visit to Shades of Green. This letter is to notify you of a recent change to a Shades of Green policy. It is our responsibility to ensure the safety and security of our guests and the vehicles parked on our property.

Shades of Green will implement a nominal parking fee for our guests and visitors. Effective April 1, 2005, the following parking fees will apply:

Self Parking

$3.00 per day

Valet Service

$3.00 per day (parking fee) plus $5.00 usage fee*

* Valet usage fee allows unlimited valet (in and out) for 1 calendar day.

If you will be parking a vehicle at Shades of Green during your stay, you will be charged a fee per day to do so. Please understand, providing the best possible service and maintaining the highest standards of security for our guests is our main objective.

We hope you enjoy your stay at Shades of Green and we look forward to seeing you soon.

Kindest regards,

The Shades of Green Staff

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

It seems entirely on the level to me. Your security and safety is surely worth $3 a day. I think notifying future guests with reservations of this small fee which may apply to them during their stay was rather courteous, and allows you to budget for it accordingly. As most businesses and resorts like to remind us, fees and rates are subject to change without notice.

Enjoy your stay, and be thankful you are entitled to use luxury accomodations for less than the price of moderate and value resorts! One great perk for serving our country so well!

 

[weregoingtodw]

It seems entirely on the level to me. Your security and safety is surely worth $3 a day. I think notifying future guests with reservations of this small fee which may apply to them during their stay was rather courteous, and allows you to budget for it accordingly. As most businesses and resorts like to remind us, fees and rates are subject to change without notice.

Enjoy your stay, and be thankful you are entitled to use luxury accomodations for less than the price of moderate and value resorts! One great perk for serving our country so well!

I think that, at least for me, the point is that I think they should apply it to all future reservations from a certain point, and not apply it to existing reservations.

But hey, it's only $3.00... probably the smallest single transaction I'll make during any point during my visit .

 

[DawnCt1]

I just got an e-mail from SoG and am SOOOOOO mad! They are now charging to park! I have reservations made before this, yet I will now have to pay to park. $3 a day (not bad, but it's the point of it) and for valet $3 a day plus a $5 usage fee.

NO other resort on property charges for parking. This stinks!

The fact is, given the occupancy rate at SoG, someone is always going to have a reservation when the policy, rates, etc change. SoG is self supporting and a parking garage has been built with an attendant. Those who don't drive won't have to pay it. Those that do, will. It is simply passing on the cost to those who use it and relieving the burden from those who don't. All of the other Disney resorts don't charge for parking but they charge a whole lot more than SoG. They also have to charge state and resort taxes, something that guests of SoG are spared. So, there will be no complaint from me.

 

[DawnCt1]

I think that, at least for me, the point is that I think they should apply it to all future reservations from a certain point, and not apply it to existing reservations.

But hey, it's only $3.00... probably the smallest single transaction I'll make during any point during my visit .

I think that it would be burdensome to implement.

 

[pezpam]

As a military spouse who has been stuck with THOUSANDS of dollars in payments for life-saving medical treatments (saving life or limb makes it free except for small co-payments and a yearly cap, right? Um, nope, not if the military health folks have their way), I wish a $3/day charge was the worst financial surprise I had to complain about with military life! LOL

I realize it's a shock and a pain to have your plans change after you think you're set, but $3/day to pay for a security guard to watch your car isn't that bad. This is a good place to vent, but hopefully you'll be able to vent, take a deep breath, and enjoy your vacation - we deal with worse surprises by venting to each other and figuring out how to get through it, after all. Plus, those of us on military pay know how to stretch a dollar like mad, don't we?

Wishing you the best!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

I think that, at least for me, the point is that I think they should apply it to all future reservations from a certain point, and not apply it to existing reservations.

But hey, it's only $3.00... probably the smallest single transaction I'll make during any point during my visit .

How can they possibly determine from which point to charge those with reservations when reservations are made at any point in time. They would have to increase the room rates to afford a parking fee determination specialist!


If they are to remain self-sufficient, they need to pass on the cost as it affects them. MWR facilities are not run for a profit. They exist to serve the military community with affordable recreation opportunities. Monies received over operating costs are used to improve existing facilities or build new ones.

And like you say... it's only $3. Less than my daily latte (which isn't available in WDW anyway!)

Have a fabulous trip!

 

[weregoingtodw]

As a military spouse who has been stuck with THOUSANDS of dollars in payments for life-saving medical treatments (saving life or limb makes it free except for small co-payments and a yearly cap, right? Um, nope, not if the military health folks have their way), I wish a $3/day charge was the worst financial surprise I had to complain about with military life! LOL

How did that happen (if I'm not too nosey, that is...)?!! We've managed to get out of hospital bills in excess of $50k! It took quite a bit of fighting, as you can imagine, but we ultimately ended up not having to pay. I'd guess that you've probably appealed til you're blue in the face, but gosh, that's just not right!

 

[weregoingtodw]

How can they possibly determine from which point to charge those with reservations when reservations are made at any point in time. They would have to increase the room rates to afford a parking fee determination specialist!

I'd think it would be easy enough to look at the date on the reservation, then give a different parking pass to the person...

If they are to remain self-sufficient, they need to pass on the cost as it affects them. MWR facilities are not run for a profit. They exist to serve the military community with affordable recreation opportunities. Monies received over operating costs are used to improve existing facilities or build new ones.

Yeah, I know... but hey, we were given great BAH & pay increases this year, so I can't complain about that, gotta find something new .

Less than my daily latte (which isn't available in WDW anyway!)

IMHO, this is *much* more lamentable than the stinkin' $3/day parking fee!

 

[suevee]

JMHO but do you think this fee is to keep tabs on the guest parking to make sure they are guests? With the close access to the golf club PERHAPS there has been unauthorised use of the parking garage. Also how will they collect? What if someone is just coming in for tickets and/or a meal? When I called they were not sure if the fee would be on your bill or in addition to your bill.

 

[MLAinVA]

I'm also wondering how SOG will prevent registered guests from parking in the gold course parking lot for free???? Back in the old days (before the new construction and parking garage, LOL) we'd park in the golf course lot if it was closer to our room. On recent visits we oticed that there were still a number of cars parked there overnight.

 

[pezpam]

How did that happen (if I'm not too nosey, that is...)?!! We've managed to get out of hospital bills in excess of $50k! It took quite a bit of fighting, as you can imagine, but we ultimately ended up not having to pay. I'd guess that you've probably appealed til you're blue in the face, but gosh, that's just not right!

I could give you a whole looong story, but what it boils down to is that the company handling the insurance prior to today's company was, well, uncooperative. I was always good about getting pre-auth's and crossing every T and dotting every I, but sometimes it just doesn't matter. We appealed like mad, but they just kept saying it was our tough luck and yes, we owed the hospital those thousands. It felt like every time I jumped through a hoop, they put another one up.

I will say that the new company, while the reps have been occasionally rude on the phone, is a bit better - at least I can get through on the phone! LOL No more 3-hour waits on hold to find out just what reason they'll give today for disallowing your cancer surgeon's charges.

I used to win EVERY "my insurance carrier stinks" conversation with friends and, when I had to go off-base, telling a nurse which carrier I had only induced an eye roll and the two of us commiserating - I know it was as bad for them to deal with it as it was for me. I'm really glad they've changed carriers and hope it makes a big difference.