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

[BelleBee]

That is the minimum level of service I am used to. The buses come by within a block of my house every 5 to 10 minutes from 6am to midnight, 7 days a week. There are multiple smart phone apps that give the real time location of all of the buses here in Seattle. I can call up the app so I know when to walk out the front door of my house or office so I only have to wait 2 or 3 minutes at the bus stop. The City is installing bus only lanes on many of the arterial streets so they do not get stuck in traffic as well. They are also rolling out free wifi on many of the buses here as well. There is no reason Disney can't do many of these things as well.

Since that is the minimum level of service you'll expect, a car is obviously a more satisfactory mode of transport for you at Disney. Your expectations of Disney transportavtion are ridiculous.

 

[Nonsuch]

...FWIW, parking is NOT free for resort guests at Disneyland.

Yes, but they are not paying for a high price hotel room.

DLR onsite hotels replaced a resort fee (charged to all guests) with a parking fee (for guests with cars).
Guests at these hotels are paying a "high price", comparable to WDW deluxe.

Hotel Parking
For an additional fee, the hotels of the Disneyland Resort offer self-park and valet service for registered hotel Guests. Follow the signs directly to your destination; do not park in the theme park lot.


Rates For Hotel Guests

• Self-parking: $18 per night per vehicle
• Oversized vehicle parking: $23 per night per vehicle
• Valet parking: $28 per night per vehicle

Rates For Non-Hotel Guests

• Self-parking: $18 for the first hour plus $9 per hour per vehicle, with a maximum rate of $58
• Oversized vehicle parking: $23 for the first hour plus $9 per hour per vehicle, with a maximum rate of $58
• Valet parking: $28 for the first hour plus $9 per hour per vehicle, with a maximum rate of $100

Parking availability and prices are subject to change.

Interested in breakfast, lunch or dinner at a Disneyland Resort hotel restaurant, including multiple Character Dining options? Select hotel restaurants—such as Napa Rose—offer parking validation for up to 5 hours at the hotel.

The Swan and Dolphin charge for parking:

Self Parking Fees Valet Parking Fees
Non-Registered Guest* $18.00 for each exit $26.00 for each exit
Registered Guest ** $18.00 + tax per day $26.00 + tax per day

*A non-registered guest is a guest who is visiting the hotel to use the facilities and services, but is not staying over night.

**A registered guest has a room reservation to spend one or more nights at the hotel.

 

[Marionnette]

The Swan and Dolphin charge for parking:

We ate at Il Mulino in November and they validated for self parking. So, non-guests can still park there for free if they eat at the restaurants.

 

[3Gsandme]

Yes, but they are not paying for a high price hotel room.

I guess I'm confused by what you mean.

The resort parking fee will apply to "day" guests and not resort guests. Day guests aren't paying for a high price hotel room or at least not to Disney. If you go to Cedar point and stay at one of the Cedar Point hotels, you do, indeed, pay for a "high price hotel room", but get free park parking. I'm not certain if any six flags have on-site hotels, so i cannot comment about whether or not they have high priced rooms or not.

Our stay at the Paradise Pier hotel in June was $300/night.

 

[crisi]

Universal also charges hotel guests for parking.

I don't think Disney will for a number of years because they have enough hotel parking at the hotels - if its used only for hotel guests. Since a lot of onsite guests use Magical Express, that further reduces the number of spaces needed. When Disney needs more parking spaces, it will be cheaper for them to charge - thereby removing demand - and push people to ME. In the meantime, free resort parking is one of the benefits to staying at Disney - Disney needs to provide ample benefits for their onsite experience, because there are plenty of hotel rooms in Orlando that are as nice for far cheaper.

Universal manages to do the paid parking but great onsite benefits because their higher end hotels offer free FOTL, the value which is worth paying for both parking and a pricey hotel room.

I also don't think Disney needs to encourage offsite guests to eat at the hotels. Their restaurants are full every night - even a large signature restaurant like Jiko. There is plenty of onsite demand for the hotel restaurants that the number of people discouraged because there is a parking fee won't be enough of a factor to offset the additional revenue and honestly, lack of bother from having to put in some sort of credit system for dining. The number of guests who visit a Disney resort then book probably isn't significant enough to offset the revenue/cost of a simple implementation.

 

[carlbarry]

I have a reservation for the Behind the Scenes Magic of Steam Trains tour in a couple of weeks. When I booked it, I was told to drive to the Contemporary, tell them I'm taking the tour, and park there and walk over.
I'm going to call tomorrow and make sure I don't have to pay an additional $20 for this tour. If I do, I will cancel.
Let me add, I always rent a car. I enjoy the benefits of DVC--pool hopping, driving to Wilderness Lodge to walk the nature trail, visiting the Boardwalk. If I had to take bus transportation and add an hour to any of these activities, it would certainly take away the Disney magic.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

Off site guests are NOT "legitimate visitors" to the theme park resorts, unless they are there for "legitimate" reasons...
Sorry...

Yes, of course off site visitors should be at the theme park resorts for "legitimate" reasons lol! They go to dine, shop, tour, etc. This is actually encouraged by Disney.

 

[Marionnette]

Yes, of course off site visitors should be at the theme park resorts for "legitimate" reasons lol! They go to dine, shop, tour, etc. This is actually encouraged by Disney.

Those are all legitimate reasons. The problem arises from people (and not just offsite guests) parking at the monorail resorts (especially CR), YC, BC and BWI because they are within a short distance of at least one theme park. It provides for an easier exit when leaving the parks (no battling the trams and parking lot snarl at park close) and a quicker entrance to the parks because they can bypass the TTC or the busy main entrance to Epcot. That kind of easy access to the parks should be reserved for the people who are paying a premium price to stay at those resorts.

 

[crisi]

Those are all legitimate reasons. The problem arises from people (and not just offsite guests) parking at the monorail resorts (especially CR), YC, BC and BWI because they are within a short distance of at least one theme park. It provides for an easier exit when leaving the parks (no battling the trams and parking lot snarl at park close) and a quicker entrance to the parks because they can bypass the TTC or the busy main entrance to Epcot. That kind of easy access to the parks should be reserved for the people who are paying a premium price to stay at those resorts.

And its Disney's right to say that while those are legitimate reasons, if you want to shop, dine or tour a resort, you need to pay for parking, but that a guest of the hotel has those fees covered in their room charge.

Its actually Disney's right to say that none of those are legitimate reasons if they so choose, and close the resorts to non-registered guests completely. There are some good reasons to do this - security is on big one.

 

[Marionnette]

And its Disney's right to say that while those are legitimate reasons, if you want to shop, dine or tour a resort, you need to pay for parking, but that a guest of the hotel has those fees covered in their room charge.

Its actually Disney's right to say that none of those are legitimate reasons if they so choose, and close the resorts to non-registered guests completely. There are some good reasons to do this - security is on big one.

I agree that Disney can make the rules for charging whomever they choose. There's no reason why anyone who is not staying at the aforementioned resorts cannot park at one of the theme parks and then take Disney transportation to the resort for dining, shopping or touring. If charging an outrageous parking fee for non-resort guests discourages the practice of using the resort parking lots like premium parking for the theme parks, I'm all for it! Registered resort guests should have priority for those spots, followed by convention/meeting attendees. Those guests should not have to circle the lots repeatedly in search of a spot or end up paying for valet service because some entitled jerk feels that they have a right to park there.

 

[hsmamato2]

I have always sort of 'laughed' at the 'official' Disney hotel parking pass thing..... it was always a piece of paper that is SO easy to duplicate and stick in the window of a car.... I am not sure what might work for checking if someone is actually staying at the hotel,and how to check for times in parking if someone is eating there with an ADR.... that 3 hour rule could be enforced with a simple notation of the plate/ADR/time entered- and the tow truck called after 3.5 hours..... thus freeing up the spaces for hotel guests... the only payment needed would be the penalty for not obeying the stated rules.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I agree that Disney can make the rules for charging whomever they choose. There's no reason why anyone who is not staying at the aforementioned resorts cannot park at one of the theme parks and then take Disney transportation to the resort for dining, shopping or touring. If charging an outrageous parking fee for non-resort guests discourages the practice of using the resort parking lots like premium parking for the theme parks, I'm all for it! Registered resort guests should have priority for those spots, followed by convention/meeting attendees. Those guests should not have to circle the lots repeatedly in search of a spot or end up paying for valet service because some entitled jerk feels that they have a right to park there.

Sooo....do you believe that an off site guest who is dropping hundreds of dollars on dinner & shopping should also have to pay for parking? That's ridiculous!

 

[Marionnette]

Sooo....do you believe that an off site guest who is dropping hundreds of dollars on dinner & shopping should also have to pay for parking? That's ridiculous!

I feel that Disney has a right to set the rules at their own resorts. If that means charging guests who are not staying at that particular resort to park there, then so be it! Offsite guests have the option of parking in any of the theme park lots and then taking Disney transportation to the resort at which they have an ADR. People staying at the resorts and convention/meeting attendees are spending thousands of dollars at the resort. They should be able to park their vehicles there, if they have one.

 

[crisi]

Sooo....do you believe that an off site guest who is dropping hundreds of dollars on dinner & shopping should also have to pay for parking? That's ridiculous!

Why not? If I go to a football game, I'll pay hundreds in tickets and still pay for parking? If you have theme park tickets but are a day guest, you've spent hundreds in tickets and will still pay for parking? If I go to a Broadway show I'll pay hundreds for the ticket and pay for parking. This is economics - Disney has too little supply for their parking spaces at hotels and too much demand. To change the supply demand curve, you change either how much you have of something or how much it costs. Disney is choosing not to add more parking spaces - surface lots are expensive and poor environmental choices - and ramps are really expensive. So they need to lower demand. The way to do that is with price. And they have the ability to chose whom to apply that price lever to - i.e. not guests of that resort (at this point in time).

 

[SMD]

With these scanners you don't have to stop. This will explain how it works.

One way to overcome blocking is when a car is detected it would be stopped, the driver asked to pay a parking fee at least equal to them park parking & the plate would be entered. Those with ADR can give the guard their name and short id number which will be assigned upon booking. The name number combination is to prevent duplicates. The 3 hour limit will only apply to ADRs. Any blocked plate with an ADR will not have any action taken unless it is over 3 hours

A security vehicle moves up and down the lanes scanning while moving. When a blocked plate is detected the plate can be entered. Then Disney can take appropriate action

The in and out scan would be used for public paid parking

This can be done again. Have a hotel code and dates added to the magic band. With portable scanner the driver can stand by the door with it and deny entry to those who are not authorized to ride. You can eliminate the finger print id on this part.

This would be a great way to justify the high rack rates. Only the guests ride.

Non guests who want to use the buses would be required to purchase a pass (like the old key cards. every member of the party will get one limited to number in party) to ride the bus but they will have to pay the theme parking price. Then they can park hop all they want for the day. This pass would have the travel restrictions as is today. They would have to go to Disney Springs to go to another park or resort.

Or they can just issue timed tickets and charge people who go over the limit and don't present either a room key/band or validation. Why invest in a bunch of equipment and training and make complicated procedures that create zero revenue and only maybe make the parking situation marginally better for guests at best when a simple in and out parking ticket and validations works for every other hotel everywhere.

 

[carlbarry]

Or they can just issue timed tickets and charge people who go over the limit and don't present either a room key/band or validation. Why invest in a bunch of equipment and training and make complicated procedures that create zero revenue and only maybe make the parking situation marginally better for guests at best when a simple in and out parking ticket and validations works for every other hotel everywhere.

Correct. I stayed at Aulani, and as a DVC member didn't have to pay to park.
I just stayed via my Wyndham ownership at Old Town Alexandria. Parking was free for hotel guests, not for others.
That is what Disney should do in WDW.

 

[jiminy14]

I am a DVC member at BLT and I can't begin to tell you how many times I have sat on my balcony and watched the large number of people who leave MK at closing, walk over to the BLT parking lot, get in their cars and drive away. One morning we watched as two vans parked in the handicapped spots, unloaded their various ECVs and rode over to the MK. One day my DH and I returned to the resort after grocery shopping and were thrilled to find a spot relatively close to the front door. As we turned to pull into the spot, we found a man and his wife standing in the spot. When my DH asked him what he was doing, he said that he was "saving the spot for his son who was coming later with the kids". My DH asked if they were staying at the resort and the man replied that they were not but this was cheaper and easier than using the MK lot to park.
We have complained on numerous occasions about the parking situation at BLT so I am not surprised that Disney is considering a parking charge for non-resort guests.

 

[carlbarry]

I am a DVC member at BLT and I can't begin to tell you how many times I have sat on my balcony and watched the large number of people who leave MK at closing, walk over to the BLT parking lot, get in their cars and drive away. One morning we watched as two vans parked in the handicapped spots, unloaded their various ECVs and rode over to the MK. One day my DH and I returned to the resort after grocery shopping and were thrilled to find a spot relatively close to the front door. As we turned to pull into the spot, we found a man and his wife standing in the spot. When my DH asked him what he was doing, he said that he was "saving the spot for his son who was coming later with the kids". My DH asked if they were staying at the resort and the man replied that they were not but this was cheaper and easier than using the MK lot to park.
We have complained on numerous occasions about the parking situation at BLT so I am not surprised that Disney is considering a parking charge for non-resort guests.

It seems like this would be a relatively easy thing for Disney to stop. Why they don't is a good question.

 

[bearzabout]

We stay for weeks in the area and like to go to the resorts to dine. Sometimes we just eat at quick service. We will probably not eat on Disney property if we had to pay for parking at the resorts. We used to eat at Citywalk restaurants all the time but have not been back since they started charging for parking.

One system that might work is to have free parking for the first 3 hours then charge a lot for over 3 hours if not staying at the resort. I think everyone would win with a system like this.

 

[manning]

We stay for weeks in the area and like to go to the resorts to dine. Sometimes we just eat at quick service. We will probably not eat on Disney property if we had to pay for parking at the resorts. We used to eat at Citywalk restaurants all the time but have not been back since they started charging for parking.

One system that might work is to have free parking for the first 3 hours then charge a lot for over 3 hours if not staying at the resort. I think everyone would win with a system like this.

Go along with that. After the free time Charge by length of time like they do at public lots. On site guests park free. Also have a section for guests not staying at that hotel so on site guests have a place to park. number of slots for on site should be limited to two cars. When we stayed at OKW we saw people from one unit take up many slots leaving the rest of us with nowhere to park. Of course the number of slots be based on the size of the unit. Over there is enough space to build a guest parking lot. Those without OKW parking permits have to park there. Big motor homes/travel trailers also have been seen taking up several spaces. Find another place for them.