Do they charge for parking at resorts

[zebsterama]

Gouging??

Can you imagine if they didn't charge and it was free........you would have every cheapskate under the sun parking there to avoid the parking garage charge......we have seen people on here ask that question trying to save a buck!

Last time I checked for my 8 night stay at HRH it was going to run me approximately $3500.00 + USD.

I'm pretty sure that's about $3500.00 north of free.

Now just to be fair I wouldn't have every cheapskate under the sun parking there for free, just the cheapskates lodging at the hotel. All other cheapskates under the sun wanting to park there I would gladly gouge.

 

[damo]

Last time I checked for my 8 night stay at HRH it was going to run me approximately $3500.00 + USD.

I'm pretty sure that's about $3500.00 north of free.

Now just to be fair I wouldn't have every cheapskate under the sun parking there for free, just the cheapskates lodging at the hotel. All other cheapskates under the sun wanting to park there I would gladly gouge.

Check to see what a similar room at a deluxe Disney hotel within walking distance of a park would cost for that time. Generally, it is way more that what a deluxe Universal hotel costs even if you include parking. Beach and Yacht Club are $405/night during July before taxes for a standard view room. Hard Rock is $349/night during July before taxes for a standard view room. If you compare those two and even add $20/night on for parking at the HRH, there really isn't any gouging going on by Universal. And if you compare the perks you get by staying onsite at Universal compared to the perks you get staying onsite by Disney, there really is no question as to which is the better deal.

Nobody likes high prices and we'd all love it if there was no fee for anything, but you need to compare the all in costs, not just the parking cost.

 

[Bluer101]

Think of this on the flip side. What about all those people that don't have a car. Do you think they are saying please charge me more money in my room cost? Besides there is also no resort fee that most luxury resorts charge. I'm not trying to justify the cost but it is what it is and it's not going to change, end if story.

If you think spending $3500 in one stay you deserve free anything you are wrong. You did not teleport to a Disney thread. It's just crazy to be upset over parking fees when resorts and hotels do this all over the world.

As an AP holder you get free parking in the garage but not at the hotel.

We should all be upset because Cabana Bay only charges $10 per night.

 

[RMulieri]

When comparing the cost of real estate comparatively to the destinations listed in my statement, objectively, there is no comparison. Charging someone in July who is staying at HRH etc. at minimum cost of $200.00 + a night just outside the great city of Orlando, an extra $20+ a night for parking is gouging.

We can sugar coat it all we like through our Universal or Loews coloured glasses and of course no one is forcing anyone to have to park there, and I'm all for free enterprise - but this my friends is called gouging.

'One should expect to pay extra fees', or, 'Loews would be forced to include such fees in their nightly rates', are in my opinion, perfectly acceptable explanations delivered by a somewhat bias audience - for a moment I thought I had fallen into a Disney thread on the other side of this website.

Not sugar coating anything.You don't like paying a parking fee,I get it.. I don't like paying for things I don't use. I don't park at Universal so I don't pay.If I had to bring a car, then I would factor in parking as part of the cost of vacation.It is what it is and its not going to change..Parking fees are NOT a new, novel thing.This is done by resort chains all over the world,I assume when I travel that there is one.If it bothers you that much, then you have 2 options..Don't bring a car or don't patronize loews hotels.

 

[schumigirl]

Last time I checked for my 8 night stay at HRH it was going to run me approximately $3500.00 + USD.

I'm pretty sure that's about $3500.00 north of free.

I was alluding to the fact if they had free parking at the resorts there would be a problem for hotel guests, not the cost of staying in the hotel. That is most certainly not free and I never alluded it was.

Not sugar coating anything.You don't like paying a parking fee,I get it.. I don't like paying for things I don't use. I don't park at Universal so I don't pay.If I had to bring a car, then I would factor in parking as part of the cost of vacation.It is what it is and its not going to change..Parking fees are NOT a new, novel thing.This is done by resort chains all over the world,I assume when I travel that there is one.If it bothers you that much, then you have 2 options..Don't bring a car or don't patronize loews hotels.

Yup

 

[zebsterama]

I don't necessarily disagree with anyone's points. I get it. It's free enterprise; it's a choice to be made by each individual; it's less expensive than staying at a Disney Deluxe hotel.

I guess there really are two discussions at hand here:

1. Is it within Loews right / do I have the choice as a patron to either opt in - or opt out / is it still cheaper than the Great Mouse House down the street / if I plan to bring a car to the hotel should I factor the cost into the overall price -- YES to all.

2. I agreed with "patrickpiteo" - and their comment that the hotel prices were high enough (in our opinion) to justify the cost of parking for a paying guest. Herein lies the difference. I didn't say it wasn't any of the things in point 1, but I still say it's gouging. Maybe we can agree it will be gouging when it's $50 a night?


Lastly, what I would like to humbly point out to all of my fellow DIS board friends on the Universal side of the fence. On the Mouse side of the DIS boards there is (and you must admit, this is true) a tendency to pile on persons who question the Disney experience in any negative fashion. With some, there is a very strong emotional attachment, so much so that Disney can do no wrong. Heck, I can be guilty of this.

Sometimes it seems, at least that's my perception (and I can of course, [I say this without sarcasm] be completing misinterpreting some of the tone of the replies), that that happens on this side of the DIS board from time to time. In fairness it's NEVER as negative here or ever as venomous.

My only point/suggestion is, let's not bring that to this side of the DIS board fence. The darkside can't be without warts or without faults - at least I have to believe that, since the "happiest place on earth" has already been taken (ok that WAS a joke ) -- especially since I've never been to Universal Studios.

Anyway - I truly appreciate everyone's position and thoughts on Uni side of the board, and the info provided is invaluable.

Cheers,
Zebsterama

 

[bumbershoot]

It's smack dab right in the middle of one if the nations top vacation spots.

We can sugar coat it all we like through our Universal or Loews coloured glasses ...

It seems not entirely nice to call one person's opinion "sugar coating", or say that they are seeing things wrong.

I don't like paying for things I don't use. I don't park at Universal so I don't pay.If I had to bring a car, then I would factor in parking as part of the cost of vacation.It is what it is and its not going to change..

Exactly.

At Disneyland, they used to have a Resort Fee that included newspaper, gyms, and parking. That was annoying if you didn't have a car. Then they dumped the Resort Fee, and now they charge for parking. (magically the funding for the papers and gyms was continued, as they didn't shut down the gyms and I think I still saw newspapers) Amazingly, the parking fee was just about the same as the resort fee when it first changed over.

It's NICER to have a parking fee instead of a resort fee, because there's a really easy way to avoid that parking fee.

We would all love to have free parking, but the fact of the matter is...free parking is never free parking. Over at WDW they just take a little bit of each room booking to pay for parking. Even the rooms that don't have a car. They are still paying for people like me who do tend to have a car. And if we're in a 2 bedroom villa with my cousins and aunt, we might have THREE cars. All of us parking for no extra cost, partially being paid for by all those people who don't have a car there...

Lastly, what I would like to humbly point out to all of my fellow DIS board friends on the Universal side of the fence. On the Mouse side of the DIS boards there is (and you must admit, this is true) a tendency to pile on persons who question the Disney experience in any negative fashion. With some, there is a very strong emotional attachment, so much so that Disney can do no wrong. Heck, I can be guilty of this.

Sometimes it seems, at least that's my perception (and I can of course, [I say this without sarcasm] be completing misinterpreting some of the tone of the replies), that that happens on this side of the DIS board from time to time.

On the other hand, that could merely be the perception of people on the other side of the fence. What you see as piling on, others see as simply giving their opinions because their opinions weren't stated, by other people, exactly as they feel them.


I'm not madly in love with the parking fees at Loews resorts, but philosophically I'd much rather have those with cars pay for them 100%, vs having everyone paying something for cars they don't even have.

Last visit to PBH, 8 nights. My son and I were obnoxiously sick. We didn't have a car because rates were sky high for some reason. But we kept needing to get out to Whole Foods for supplements, to Walgreens for OTC stuff, etc. I found that a quick cab ride, or using the towncars, was still cheaper than the rental car + parking fees. (though doing a 15-or-whatever minute shop at WF while sick wasn't easy! but I didn't want to pay for extra time) Of course, as I said, rental rates were ridiculous at that time. If it had been more in line with what I normally pay to rent a car it would have been much easier to have that car.

 

[damo]

Some people prefer to have an all inclusive rate. Personally, I'd rather just pay for what I use. There is already enough stuff included in my rate that I don't use.

It is like paying your local taxes. Would you rather they raised them so that everyone could use public pools, rinks, sports fields for free or would you rather have those who use them pay a user fee and keep the local taxes lower?

The majority of regulars here on this board prefer to keep the parking out of the bill and keep the rates lower. You may feel like we are piling on but actually, you are just in the minority.

 

[freediverdude]

You people seem to be under the impression that a parking fee needs to be added to either people who park, or every room. This isn't the case. Parking lots are a sunk cost for the hotel. They are already paid for in the construction and have very little upkeep. All these parking fees ( for every hotel, not just universal) are just a way to pad the bottom line, and have caught on in the hotel industry because we have let them get away with it. Same thing with the "resort fees".

 

[schumigirl]

You people

I think "us people" understand only too well how things work.

Last year when we were there Loews.......not Universal, as they don't own the hotels, were doing a massive resurfacing project on their car parks. They were sectioning off separate areas at a time so as to cause the least inconvenience to guests.

I'm guessing that wasn't free.

The bottom line is if you don't want to pay what they charge.....don't stay there.

We always have a car, but I still don't think those who don't bring a car should have it added to their bill whether they want it or not.

 

[Bluer101]

I think "us people" understand only too well how things work. Last year when we were there Loews.......not Universal, as they don't own the hotels, were doing a massive resurfacing project on their car parks. They were sectioning off separate areas at a time so as to cause the least inconvenience to guests. I'm guessing that wasn't free. The bottom line is if you don't want to pay what they charge.....don't stay there. We always have a car, but I still don't think those who don't bring a car should have it added to their bill whether they want it or not.

Yep, they were doing RPR not to long ago. Now they are doing lots if work at PBH garage. That's got to be more than a few pennies.

Not to you schumi but in general. Who pays for the all the lights, security patrol on bikes, cameras (RPR has them in the lots) , gates, card reader, and the list goes on.

I think we should start a thread that we should not have to pay for anything in the resort since they get too much already and see how that works out.

I think what is funny someone will complain about a parking charge but goes into the parks and don't complain about the food cost or gifts.

Not to burst anyone's bubble but the past month or so many if the food prices have gone up. Also pretty much every place has installed the LCD menu screens in the parks. They are also promoting the dining plan big time too.
Louie's prices have shot up pretty high too.

 

[freediverdude]

You don't understand. I thought you'd probably bring up resurfacing as an excuse. Resurfacing literally is pennies. It's a few thousand dollars, and they bring that much in, in one night's worth of the parking fees. No it does not have to be charged to anybody, car or not. And I'm not singling out Universal or Loews, (Universal charges also remember, and all the hotels are NOT owned by Loews by the way, Universal owns controlling interest in Cabana Bay, and the Seminole Indian tribe owns Hard Rock), it's become more widespread the last decade or so, and we have all just let it happen by going ahead and paying it. I agree with you, we shouldn't go there if we don't want to pay the fee, and if enough people do, they'll have to stop.

 

[schumigirl]

Yep, they were doing RPR not to long ago. Now they are doing lots if work at PBH garage. That's got to be more than a few pennies.

Not to you schumi but in general. Who pays for the all the lights, security patrol on bikes, cameras (RPR has them in the lots) , gates, card reader, and the list goes on.

I think we should start a thread that we should not have to pay for anything in the resort since they get too much already and see how that works out.

I think what is funny someone will complain about a parking charge but goes into the parks and don't complain about the food cost or gifts.

Not to burst anyone's bubble but the past month or so many if the food prices have gone up. Also pretty much every place has installed the LCD menu screens in the parks. They are also promoting the dining plan big time too.
Louie's prices have shot up pretty high too.

You don't understand. I thought you'd probably bring up resurfacing as an excuse. Resurfacing literally is pennies. It's a few thousand dollars, and they bring that much in, in one night's worth of the parking fees. No it does not have to be charged to anybody, car or not. And I'm not singling out Universal or Loews, (Universal charges also remember, and all the hotels are NOT owned by Loews by the way, Universal owns controlling interest in Cabana Bay, and the Seminole Indian tribe owns Hard Rock), it's become more widespread the last decade or so, and we have all just let it happen by going ahead and paying it. I agree with you, we shouldn't go there if we don't want to pay the fee, and if enough people do, they'll have to stop.

So because we don't agree with you you say "we don't understand".......... Thats quite insulting actually. I understand business very well and I'm sure others do too.

I get that my $20 a night parking fee doesn't go directly into the car park, but as Bluer says.......it pays for all sorts. I'm ok with that.

And it's not an excuse to mention resurfacing........ it's just one of the many projects they had/have planned. It takes a heck of a lot of money to keep those resorts as beautiful and as well kept as they are.

I am very well aware of who owns what hotels but we were talking about RPR predominantly, which is Loews.

Regardless of your opinion I personally, and I know people on here and my "real life" friends will carry on staying here.........you don't have to if you feel so strongly. But think you may have to wait a long time if you believe they will stop charging just because a few people may not go because of it.

 

[Rip]

It never ceases to amaze me that people think they get free parking at any other hotel. The other hotels just build it into the room rate and everyone pays it whether they have a car there or not. It's just that simple. I'd prefer to have them charge me separately.

 

[Bluer101]

It never ceases to amaze me that people think they get free parking at any other hotel. The other hotels just build it into the room rate and everyone pays it whether they have a car there or not. It's just that simple. I'd prefer to have them charge me separately.

Ding Ding, We have a winner! Short and sweet.

 

[taliategan]

Since these resorts lots are so close to the parks, I think it is necessary that they charge for parking at a rate comparable to the garage rate for the parks. Otherwise non-resorts guests would try to devise schemes to have a resort guests register cars under their names so they could park for free.

 

[zebsterama]

In fairness to freediverdude it is a sunk cost - for all of those PMP graduates following at home. I work with many a Project Manager in my line of work --- let me tell you, they ARE special .... but I digress.

I guess we all have a different opinion.

In that same regard let's look at another sunk cost; the hotels could potentially begin charging guests to use the ferry that takes guests to the various parks (I'm guessing CityWalk ).

If anyone argued the point, "charging someone to use a ferry from the hotel is (to use my favorite word) 'gouging'", one could simply turn around and say --- "no it's not actually", since the hotel pays for:

- boat maintenance
- boat licencing and registration
- people to operate/captain the boat
- fuel
- insurance
- security

And if anyone complains, I guess one could always say, "well you don't HAVE to take the boat - you could walk right? Why would one expect this service to be free? Why make all hotel guests pay for the ferry when only some use it? PBH guests certainly use this service more than HRH -- why am I paying for it?" & "If you don't like to pay for use of the ferry, don't stay at the hotel, or at the very least, don't use the ferry then."

Anyway -- everyone clearly has a different take on this. I see it as gouging (for reasons already stated), while others see it as reasonable (again for reasons already stated) -- tomato .... toemato (if you catch my meaning).

 

[Bluer101]

In fairness to freediverdude it is a sunk cost - for all of those PMP graduates following at home. I work with many a Project Manager in my line of work --- let me tell you, they ARE special .... but I digress.

I guess we all have a different opinion.

In that same regard let's look at another sunk cost; the hotels could potentially begin charging guests to use the ferry that takes guests to the various parks (I'm guessing CityWalk ).

If anyone argued the point, "charging someone to use a ferry from the hotel is (to use my favorite word) 'gouging'", one could simply turn around and say --- "no it's not actually", since the hotel pays for:

- boat maintenance
- boat licencing and registration
- people to operate/captain the boat
- fuel
- insurance
- security

And if anyone complains, I guess one could always say, "well you don't HAVE to take the boat - you could walk right? Why would one expect this service to be free? Why make all hotel guests pay for the ferry when only some use it? PBH guests certainly use this service more than HRH -- why am I paying for it?" & "If you don't like to pay for use of the ferry, don't stay at the hotel, or at the very least, don't use the ferry then."

Anyway -- everyone clearly has a different take on this. I see it as gouging (for reasons already stated), while others see it as reasonable (again for reasons already stated) -- tomato .... toemato (if you catch my meaning).

Actually I think the boats are paid for by Universal to get the guests to the parks. Same goes for the bus. I'm not 100% sure though.

The pedicabs don't really charge but they work for tips. Why don't they raise the room rates or charge more for the parks so this can be "free".

Why do people have to pay in the parking garages to visit the parks?

 

[zebsterama]

Actually I think the boats are paid for by Universal to get the guests to the parks. Same goes for the bus. I'm not 100% sure though.

The pedicabs don't really charge but they work for tips. Why don't they raise the room rates or charge more for the parks so this can be "free".

Why do people have to pay in the parking garages to visit the parks?

Thanks

Well let's hope (regardless of who actually owns/operates the boats) that they don't decide to start charging for the service.

My point being, they very well could charge for this extension of service and its sunk cost, if indeed the hotel does own a piece of the boat transport in accordance to the other side of this argument. In my opinion how this is accepted as a baked in overall cost of your room fee, yet parking on the property of the place that you've paid to lodge at is not, (to boot, on the outskirts of Orlando) is by the same token just as logical ..... or i guess illogical ... depending on your point of view.

 

[mjohnson96]

If you check or google for resort fees at other locations you can see where others charge parking / resort / both for those that swear that since it is Orlando no one else charges fees. As you can see many hotels do charge either a resort fee (everyone pays) or a parking fee (only with car pays) or some charge both.


So let's say you want to stay at Renaissance Orlando at SeaWorld® then you are going to pay a $20 daily resort fee plus $18-$24 to park your car....

And don't even get me started on how much I had to pay at the Peabody last year during the conference in fees. OUCH