Does Universal really charge to self park while staying at their hotel?

[fflmaster]

Am I reading this correctly, Universal will charge 17+tax per night during your stay for self parking and of course a crazy amount per hour if valet park?

That is a joke right? I mean I only know of hotels in new york that charge for over-night parking and that is because how limited parking is in new york.

I don't know of any disney resort charging for parking when you self park while staying at the resort. My guess is that most hotels in orlando don't charge for self parking while staying. For any that do, I will not be staying.

Someone please tell me I am wrong? I really want to stay at universal for my next stay, but we always rent a car and one week at 20 extra a day is just not something I am going to pay when I am already paying more to stay at universal then I would just about anywhere else.

 

[Carina]

I know of many hotels that charge to park. We stayed in one in San Fransisco that would have been over $60 a night ( we did not have a car) to park.

Many off-site hotels near Disneyland charge to park, Usually in the $8-12 a night range, although both hotels we stayed in did not charge - although they made a pretty big deal about that.

I know it dosen't answer your question, but it dosen't surprise me.

 

[popekathykathy]

I couldn't believe it either,so I called and ask. YES they do. You add that amount to the nightly stay. Also if you don't stay onsite you wait in line after resort guest. Sorry, I was dissapointed too.

 

[kamik86]

the place my parents and I stayed in Niagara falls charged to park. I was in DC for business a few weeks ago and they only offer valet parking (you can pick that or try to park on the street yourself but there was construction going on so that was pretty much impossible)

This is not the first time I have heard of a place charging to park even if you self park. I would think of it much like baggage fees at the airline and just add it to the nightly cost of the hotel, if the cost is too high don't stay.

 

[Danibelle]

In Orlando (as in most other cities), you will pay to park at the hotels. I have paid at the Renaissance Seaworld, Marriott World Center, and Gaylord Palms. Disney hotels seem to be the exception. I usually stay at WDW or Fairfield to save the parking fee.

I have paid to park in most of the cities I visit, including DLR! The fees do mount up. At least Universal is only 17; I have paid 35 in DC and 50 per day in NYC!

 

[RMulieri]

YES they do alot of places do..Washington DC, Boston, NYC ,Atlantic City, Vegas , alot of the hotels in Orlando do too.I have paid as much as $45/night just to park my car at some hotels I have been too. ....and Disney does charge too..They just build it into the resort room cost so that everyone pays it regardless if you park a car or not and they call it a "perk" .Universal has very limited parking ,it doesn't surprise me that they charge..I guess it is disappointing, but I add it into the expenses.This last trip was Universal only so I used a towncar service from the airport.

 

[damo]

Yes, they do charge. Just like the Disney hotels at Disneyland who are smack dab in the middle of the city with limited space. I actually wish that Disney would do it this way too instead of including the parking charges in the nightly fee. That way, when I don't bring a car I would get charged less.

Prices for the Universal hotels are lower that the comparable Disney hotels even when you add in the parking fee. Compare the rack rate for any Universal hotel with any hotels within walking distance to a Disney park and you will find that you are getting a better deal staying at Universal.

If you don't want to stay at a Universal hotel, there are many hotels within walking distance of Universal that are much cheaper. You can get a package through the Universal website that will give you early admission and allow you to stay offsite at a value priced hotel.

Many hotels in Orlando charge parking fees or resort fees. A few around Disney are the Hilton Lake Buena Vista, Best Western Lake Buena Vista,
Royal Plaza Lake Buena Vista, Orlando World Center Marriott, Waldorf Astoria, Lake Buena Vista Holiday Inn, Peabody, Doubletree Lake Buena Vista, etc. etc.

 

[Melanie230]

Universal doesn't charge anything. Loews Hotels do. I can tell you what we do. We rent a car at MCO through Hertz. We stay offsite our first night and do our grocery store run, etc. We use the car to take us over to the resort and return to the car to the Hertz counter in the hotel. We never use a rental when we are at US/IOA. Last year we went to US/IOA and drove over to Disney for the MNSSHP and got a rental from Hertz at the HRH for $31. That was MUCH cheaper than using a cab, to go to Disney. I am not sure if this helps you...but it is a way that we get all we need to do without having to pay for parking.

 

[glocon]

When you are used to Disney and not being aware of parking charges that are built into the price of the room, Universal property resort fees are shocking. But in the grand scheme of things, it's not that big of a deal. At least you did your research and found out before getting the bill, not at time of checkout. And people here will give you ideas on how to visit UO without a car (see above).

Chicago area hotels also charge parking fees, and even though it stinks to pay for it, it's better than not going. The on-site resort perks are worth it, as well as the resorts are beautiful and deluxe.

I hope you decide to stay anyway, after the sticker shock wears off. You are bound to enjoy it. Give it a few days to sink in, and than it won't seem so horrible.

 

[Bluer101]

Disney resorts charge for parking too. You just don't know how much.

 

[Rip]

Universal doesn't charge anything. Loews Hotels do. I can tell you what we do. We rent a car at MCO through Hertz. We stay offsite our first night and do our grocery store run, etc. We use the car to take us over to the resort and return to the car to the Hertz counter in the hotel. We never use a rental when we are at US/IOA. Last year we went to US/IOA and drove over to Disney for the MNSSHP and got a rental from Hertz at the HRH for $31. That was MUCH cheaper than using a cab, to go to Disney. I am not sure if this helps you...but it is a way that we get all we need to do without having to pay for parking.

This.

Unlike Disney, Universal doesn't own the hotels on its property. However, if you stay at either the Swan or Dolphin in the Epcot resort area you will be charged a parking fee just like the hotels at Universal because Disney doesn't own those 2 hotels.

However, as Damo pointed out, you do, in fact, pay for parking at Disney's hotels. They just build it in and charge it to everyone whether you actually have a vehicle there or not.

 

[francie57]

As others have said, Universal (or should say Loews) isn't any different than a lot of places, including the Swan/Dolphin at Disney. The cost to valet is $24/day and the self park is $17/day. I may be in the minority but my theory is I'm on vacation and staying at a deluxe hotel at Universal and Disney so the only way I am parking is by valeting. Since we go in Aug. the last thing I want to do is have to walk to a parking lot and get in a hot car to go somewhere. Give me the valet so the car is running and cool before we get in. We just figure that into the budget and don't worry about it since that is basically the least expensive part of the trip.

 

[bumbershoot]

I hope you decide to stay anyway, after the sticker shock wears off. You are bound to enjoy it. Give it a few days to sink in, and than it won't seem so horrible.

Yep. If you're staying 5 nights, it's about $100. Compared to what the rest of your vacation is likely costing, that's close to not much to worry about. Just add it into your budget.

Disney resorts charge for parking too. You just don't know how much.

Exactly. And it's being worked in to EVERYONE's costs, not just those who have a car. I'd rather pay for a car when I have one, than pay something towards the cars that other people are parking when I don't have a car.

 

[mjohnson96]

Universal doesn't charge anything. Loews Hotels do. I can tell you what we do. We rent a car at MCO through Hertz. We stay offsite our first night and do our grocery store run, etc. We use the car to take us over to the resort and return to the car to the Hertz counter in the hotel. We never use a rental when we are at US/IOA. Last year we went to US/IOA and drove over to Disney for the MNSSHP and got a rental from Hertz at the HRH for $31. That was MUCH cheaper than using a cab, to go to Disney. I am not sure if this helps you...but it is a way that we get all we need to do without having to pay for parking.

I am going to have to check this out, coming this May for a convention so I will only need a car for the first couple days and the last couple days.

 

[macraven]

This.

Unlike Disney, Universal doesn't own the hotels on its property. However, if you stay at either the Swan or Dolphin in the Epcot resort area you will be charged a parking fee just like the hotels at Universal because Disney doesn't own those 2 hotels.

However, as Damo pointed out, you do, in fact, pay for parking at Disney's hotels. They just build it in and charge it to everyone whether you actually have a vehicle there or not.

As others have said, Universal (or should say Loews) isn't any different than a lot of places, including the Swan/Dolphin at Disney. The cost to valet is $24/day and the self park is $17/day. I may be in the minority but my theory is I'm on vacation and staying at a deluxe hotel at Universal and Disney so the only way I am parking is by valeting. Since we go in Aug. the last thing I want to do is have to walk to a parking lot and get in a hot car to go somewhere. Give me the valet so the car is running and cool before we get in. We just figure that into the budget and don't worry about it since that is basically the least expensive part of the trip.

swan/dolphin also has a daily service fee for hotel guests.
car or not.....

i never hear anyone complain over the $17 parking fee for swan/dolphin for their cars...



come to chicago and stay downtown.
pay $45 a night for parking.

when Mr Mac drives to work to downtown chicago, he pays $35 a day to park. ($700/month)
and that lot is not the lot close in to where his office is located.......



when i rented a car in orlando, i was okay with the parking fees.
i'm on vacation and it's in my budget.

now i use private car service for when i want to go somewhere.

 

[postalone]

Yes, they do charge. Just like the Disney hotels at Disneyland who are smack dab in the middle of the city with limited space. I actually wish that Disney would do it this way too instead of including the parking charges in the nightly fee. That way, when I don't bring a car I would get charged less.

Keep in mind that those who rent cars are still paying for the "free" bus service to and from the airport as well as anywhere in the "world" they might want to go by bus.... you cant compare apples and oranges.

It's basically a wash at Disney... either you get the "free" bus service or "free" parking..... (it isn't cheap to get transportation to/from the airport!) I am completely fine with the way Disney does things.

as for Universal, since they dont offer free airport transportation, It is fair to charge for parking. By the time I would pay to get me there, it would be the same as parking there for a few days.

 

[AJA]

Am I reading this correctly, Universal will charge 17+tax per night during your stay for self parking and of course a crazy amount per hour if valet park?

That is a joke right? I mean I only know of hotels in new york that charge for over-night parking and that is because how limited parking is in new york.

I don't know of any disney resort charging for parking when you self park while staying at the resort. My guess is that most hotels in orlando don't charge for self parking while staying. For any that do, I will not be staying.

Someone please tell me I am wrong? I really want to stay at universal for my next stay, but we always rent a car and one week at 20 extra a day is just not something I am going to pay when I am already paying more to stay at universal then I would just about anywhere else.

The Loews hotels REALLY are worth it. I wont try to convince you they are nicer/better than Disney deluxe. Believe me I am a die hard Disney fan.
I will say though, once you have stayed onsite at Universal (express pass!) you will not regret it. For my family the entire US experience and true deluxe hotels/dining edges out Disney in the "deluxe resort experience" category.

 

[Bluer101]

The Loews hotels REALLY are worth it. I wont try to convince you they are nicer/better than Disney deluxe. Believe me I am a die hard Disney fan.
I will say though, once you have stayed onsite at Universal (express pass!) you will not regret it. For my family the entire US experience and true deluxe hotels/dining edges out Disney in the "deluxe resort experience" category.

I'm with you.

We tried staying onsite for the first time back in 2007 and have never stayed offsite again. We have been visiting US since 1992. We noticed the boats and the hotels after IOA was built. But we always said we would not pay just to stay onsite. Now that has all changed, worth every penny. Staying onsite is truly a relaxing vacation.

When ever we do Disney we are always needing a vacation from vacation. So when we do Disney now, we stay at RPR and drive to Disney in the beginning of our trip. Then finish up the real vacation back at Universal.

 

[Bourquefam]

I'm with you.

Staying onsite is truly a relaxing vacation.

When ever we do Disney we are always needing a vacation from vacation. So when we do Disney now, we stay at RPR and drive to Disney in the beginning of our trip. Then finish up the real vacation back at Universal.

Exactly!!! We've been going to Disney every year since my kids were very young and we finally decided to add 3 nights to our trip last year to stay at Universal. Let's just say that the ONLY way my husband would agree to return to Orlando this year was if we stayed at RPR again. It's a true VACATION with the added perk of the two theme parks and City Walk next door. We play, we swim, we rest and we come home refreshed and rejuvenated! LOVE it!!!

 

[bumbershoot]

So when we do Disney now, we stay at RPR and drive to Disney in the beginning of our trip. Then finish up the real vacation back at Universal.

So true.

Plus, who wants to go to FP when you've been dealing with unlimited Express Pass?