Disney to Begin Charging to Park at Resorts if You're an Offsite Guest

[jiminy14]

Many resorts no longer issue the paper parking pass, though? They just scan Magic bands of people entering to park.

True. I was referring to our visits last year when they still issued parking passes. We did, however, receive parking passes at AKL this past October but we had to request them at check-in. We found it is easier to just show the parking pass at the hotel security huts and the park gates than to show our annual passes or scan the magic bands.

 

[TheGecko]

I could see this coming. When I stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort last summer and by Aunt and Uncle who lived in the area for over 30 years visited they needed to show ID and have a valid reason. The guard told them three hours was the limit but there was no true way for him to account for them once they were in the resort.

To be honest whenever we would visit growing up, we would usually do the free parking thing either at the Contemporary or Fort Wilderness and then make our way into the park. The parks, prices and crowds have definitely changed since the 80s. If I was paying full price to stay in one of the nicer resorts at today's rates I would be a little peeved having to fight for parking.

 

[HopperFan]

I could see this coming. When I stayed at Caribbean Beach Resort last summer and by Aunt and Uncle who lived in the area for over 30 years visited they needed to show ID and have a valid reason. The guard told them three hours was the limit but there was no true way for him to account for them once they were in the resort.

To be honest whenever we would visit growing up, we would usually do the free parking thing either at the Contemporary or Fort Wilderness and then make our way into the park. The parks, prices and crowds have definitely changed since the 80s. If I was paying full price to stay in one of the nicer resorts at today's rates I would be a little peeved having to fight for parking.

I think this is one reason they added Free Parking to the Florida Resident Passes.

 

[manning]

Great points. The folks that are abusing the system have ruined it for the folks like you who are doing it right. And guess what, those same people will just make fake ADRs to still park for free and then after they park, they'll call Disney Dining to say they "got sick" and avoid the ADR cancellation fee. Meanwhile, good folks like you won't do that, so guess who this policy is truly hurting.

There is a way to resolve that. There is a license plate scanner now that can quickly read plates. (Some police departments use it to catch expired plates in parking lots. As the police car rides up and down the scanner is scanning plates. When it gets a hit the officer stops and issues a ticket.

This can be down here too. As you come in you show them your ADR. The plate is scanned. If the ADR is cancelled it is removed from the data base as authorized. The scan in can be time stamped. When the three hours expire the plate is removed from the data base. A security car can ride up and down the lanes. when it reads an unauthorized plate action can be taken, towed or booted. This would also speed things up when you arrive as a guest. when you check in your plate is scanned.

 

[supersnoop]

There is a way to resolve that. There is a license plate scanner now that can quickly read plates. (Some police departments use it to catch expired plates in parking lots. As the police car rides up and down the scanner is scanning plates. When it gets a hit the officer stops and issues a ticket.

This can be down here too. As you come in you show them your ADR. The plate is scanned. If the ADR is cancelled it is removed from the data base. A security car can ride up and down the lanes. when reads an unauthorized plate action can be taken, towed or booted. This would also speed things up as come in when a guest. when you check in your plate is scanned.

I'm relatively certain the license plate scanning is already in place at Disney.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

There is a way to resolve that. There is a license plate scanner now that can quickly read plates. (Some police departments use it to catch expired plates in parking lots. As the police car rides up and down the scanner is scanning plates. When it gets a hit the officer stops and issues a ticket.

This can be down here too. As you come in you show them your ADR. The plate is scanned. If the ADR is cancelled it is removed from the data base as authorized. The scan in can be time stamped. When the three hours expire the plate is removed from the data base. A security car can ride up and down the lanes. when it reads an unauthorized plate action can be taken, towed or booted. This would also speed things up when you arrive as a guest. when you check in your plate is scanned.

Or just get a time-stamped receipt on the way in which you show on the way out - same as any public parking garage.

 

[ValpoCory]

There is a way to resolve that. There is a license plate scanner now that can quickly read plates. (Some police departments use it to catch expired plates in parking lots. As the police car rides up and down the scanner is scanning plates. When it gets a hit the officer stops and issues a ticket.

This can be down here too. As you come in you show them your ADR. The plate is scanned. If the ADR is cancelled it is removed from the data base as authorized. The scan in can be time stamped. When the three hours expire the plate is removed from the data base. A security car can ride up and down the lanes. when it reads an unauthorized plate action can be taken, towed or booted. This would also speed things up when you arrive as a guest. when you check in your plate is scanned.

Technically you can call the next day to report the illness and have the cancellation fees removed, so they wouldn't need to cancel while in the parking lot. But the solution of a time limit for each license plate might work.

 

[MillauFr]

I would like if they charged everyone for parking, even onsite guests. They could use the extra revenue to improve the bus system.

 

[Ciao Mickey]

I do hope they allow for some short-term parking for free as mentioned above. I can think of two recent visits that I would have avoided if I had to pay to park.

• Our friends took us to watch the fireworks from the Bay Lake Tower bridge and then we had ice cream at the Contempo Cafe. The next time we were in town we returned to the Contempo for a full lunch, since we were familiar with the layout/menu.
• Another time, we toured the grounds of the Art of Animation. Because of that we booked there for next year.

So both of my short-term, free-parking visits resulted in sales for Disney.

I do understand the headaches of guests who can't park because of non-guests so hopefully the time limit visit will still be an option.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

I would like if they charged everyone for parking, even onsite guests. They could use the extra revenue to improve the bus system.

But do you really think they would use it to improve the bus system. I doubt it. They would use it to line their pockets.

 

[manning]

Or just get a time-stamped receipt on the way in which you show on the way out - same as any public parking garage.

It would be faster. It can scan on the move. At the gate it scans in. No need to stop to pick up receipt. Scan on the way out and only unauthorized cars would be stopped and have to pay a fee. The system can time stamped. Then an hourly fee can be charged with the minimum starting at a higher theme park rate.

Have the hotel reservation bar coded. The first time you check in for your stay the reservation syncs with your plate. This would also speed things up after that as you don't have to stop on the way in for the guard to check the permit. You keep on rolling.

Technically you can call the next day to report the illness and have the cancellation fees removed, so they wouldn't need to cancel while in the parking lot. But the solution of a time limit for each license plate might work.

 

[manning]

Technically you can call the next day to report the illness and have the cancellation fees removed, so they wouldn't need to cancel while in the parking lot. But the solution of a time limit for each license plate might work.

For all table service restaurant reservations, guests will have to provide a credit card hold. If the reservation needs to be cancelled, but isn't done one day in advance, a $10 per person charge will be made to the card. Reservations must be cancelled up to 11:59pm the day before the reservation to avoid the charge. To cancel, guests can call 407-WDW-CNCL, stop by any table service restaurant front desk, or call 407-WDW-DINE. Reservations can also be made and cancelled online at www.DisneyWorld.com/Dining.

Some locations require pre-payment, such as Hoop-Dee-Do Musical Revue and Spirit of Aloha Dinner Show. If these reservations aren't cancelled one day in advance, the full amount will be charged.

This policy is in place for both Disney owned and operated restaurants, as well as operating participants.

 

[leebee]

One COULD argue that maybe if Disney wasn't charging outrageous parking fees, people would be more willing to pay to park in the theme park lots...

We've stayed at BWI three times and have never had an issue finding a parking space in the lot, and we never take the bus when at Disney, but of course everyone's experience is different. I am not saying that difficulty finding parking doesn't happen, just that it's not been our experience. I think that Disney should issue parking permits for those staying AT that resort, and mark off parking areas for resort guests. Resort guests would need that parking permit on their dashboard for parking, but go in and out of the lot via scanned magic band. A timed permit could be issued for those visiting/holding ADRs at each resort, with a designated short-term parking area. Collect the tickets as folks leave the property, charge an hourly rate for those overstaying whatever the "free parking" time limit might be. Thousands of garages all over the country manage "resident" vs. "hourly/validated" parking. Disney could figure this out- it's not rocket science.

 

[manning]

I would like if they charged everyone for parking, even onsite guests. They could use the extra revenue to improve the bus system.

At those rack rates it would go over like a lead balloon.

With the magic band, scanners can be installed on the buses. You scan to get on. Also post "those without valid magic band/proof of theme park parking will not be allowed to board". Valid would mean current reservation, annual passes and daily theme park payment. Those with theme parking will have to go to Disney Springs to get to other destinations (one of the perks for staying on site). They would be issued an electronic pass (limited to seating size)
to the plate (prevent cheating) to ride to the parks. Those having magic bands can have payment programmed onto the band.

This could give the possibility of bus service from hotel to hotel for on site guests only. Smaller buses could be used on those routes.

As far as extra revenue all they have to do is deposit it in operating fund and distribute as they see fit.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I hope that'll have the benefit of making it easier for on-site guests to drive to other resorts. I've heard from friends that driving over to eat/drink at Trader Sam's is a real pain because they won't allow parking at the Poly without an ADR. Maybe with this in place there won't be a need for that sort of crackdown and it'll get easier for legitimate visitors to the theme park area resorts.

Off site guests are indeed "legitimate visitors."

 

[kaytieeldr]

One COULD argue that maybe if Disney wasn't charging outrageous competitive parking fees,

But then there's nothing to argue about.

 

[MillauFr]

At those rack rates it would go over like a lead balloon.

Why should hotel guests that have no car pay to build and maintain the parking lot? Currently they are subsidizing guest that have cars. Doesn't seem fair to me. Not sure how much Disney spends building parking spots but here in Seattle the going cost is $25k to $50k per spot. They are very expensive to build.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Why should hotel guests that have no car pay to build and maintain the parking lot? Currently they are subsidizing guest that have cars. Doesn't seem fair to me. Not sure how much Disney spends building parking spots but here in Seattle the going cost is $25k to $50k per spot. They are very expensive to build.

Same with me subsidizing the cost of ME, when I never use it I guess.

 

[hsmamato2]

I think it's going to happen, and offsite folks are legitimate,as are people without MB's like myself..... Disney bus transport has always been a part of being at Disney, so I don't think there's a valid way to check onsite visitors at buses,etc. But that's different than parking- a simple timed ticket with a time stamp on it should suffice,as most parking garages use that. I think this will cut down on people visiting a resort just to eat though which will hurt revenue,I assume that's a big source of income for Disney... I wouldn't pay 40 bucks pp to eat at Chef Mickeys and then pay for parking also..... And I personaly prefer parking to be a separate cost vs. 'incorporated' into the hotel cost...so those who don't have a car aren't paying for that.

 

[JohnDaleswife]

Oh, I think its going to happen as well. Eventually to everyone. Onsite or not, we will be paying to line their pockets!