Free Self-Parking

[toocherie]

Have been reading about the Disney hotels imposing a 'fee' for self-parking (at least in California, in lieu of a resort fee they are going to be charging $14 a day for self-parking at the Disney hotels). So given that the valet perk was taken away last year I was wondering if DVC could start imposing a fee to self park cars? I'm also wondering if it is a ploy to get people to valet again--since I assume many more are now self-parking rather than using (and tipping for) valet service.

Thoughts?

 

[jlewisinsyr]

I think it will be highly unlikely that they will start to charge for parking at the Disney World DVC resorts (or parks) for those staying on property.

 

[McCrae]

At VGC when using DVC on points you dont pay any resort fee. Would be surprised if they started to make a start to charge a self parking fee to DVC members.

 

[toocherie]

Hmmmm. Time will tell.

 

[helenk]

Have been reading about the Disney hotels imposing a 'fee' for self-parking (at least in California, in lieu of a resort fee they are going to be charging $14 a day for self-parking at the Disney hotels). So given that the valet perk was taken away last year I was wondering if DVC could start imposing a fee to self park cars? I'm also wondering if it is a ploy to get people to valet again--since I assume many more are now self-parking rather than using (and tipping for) valet service.

Thoughts?

Haven't the California hotels been charging for parking for awhile? I know this was the case when I stayed there in May last year. I stayed at the Disneyland hotel on points so I did not have to pay the parking fee.

 

[Chuck S]

I think a lot would depend also on who is paying for the maintenance/upkeep of the parking areas. At the Condo style resorts (OKW & SSR) those areas are covered by dues. They are likely also covered in common area maintenance at the other WDW based DVC resorts. So, if they do start charging, we should see a drop in dues. That said, I doubt we'll see DVCers charged at WDW. California will be a wait and see.

 

[disneynutz]

If Disney can get away with it, they will charge for everything. Disney, like other companies are constantly doing studies, surveys and focus groups to see where and how they can make additional profit.

Bill

 

[McCrae]

Haven't the California hotels been charging for parking for awhile? I know this was the case when I stayed there in May last year. I stayed at the Disneyland hotel on points so I did have to pay the parking fee.

I have only stayed at VGC. Last time was April this year. I had free self parking and no resort fee. Internet access also was free.

Sounds like it is different policy for non DVC resorts.

 

[Husurdady]

Have been reading about the Disney hotels imposing a 'fee' for self-parking (at least in California, in lieu of a resort fee they are going to be charging $14 a day for self-parking at the Disney hotels). So given that the valet perk was taken away last year I was wondering if DVC could start imposing a fee to self park cars? I'm also wondering if it is a ploy to get people to valet again--since I assume many more are now self-parking rather than using (and tipping for) valet service.

Thoughts?

DVC members are all ready paying for parking, don't know how large/ small it is, but it is in your yearly dues.

 

[jlewisinsyr]

If Disney can get away with it, they will charge for everything. Disney, like other companies are constantly doing studies, surveys and focus groups to see where and how they can make additional profit.

Bill

But there is a fineline with DVC, they can make a profit on the original sale and a smaller bit annually, but they cannot just arbitrarily start charging for something that members already pay for in their dues (as a PP pointed out). DVC cannot have it both ways, have members pay for the maintenance of the DVC property and charge for things member's pay for.

 

[disneynutz]

But there is a fineline with DVC, they can make a profit on the original sale and a smaller bit annually, but they cannot just arbitrarily start charging for something that members already pay for in their dues (as a PP pointed out). DVC cannot have it both ways, have members pay for the maintenance of the DVC property and charge for things member's pay for.

True they shouldn't double dip, but since we don't really know at a detail level what our dues are paying for, they could say they we weren't paying for parking fees.

Bill

 

[helenk]

I have only stayed at VGC. Last time was April this year. I had free self parking and no resort fee. Internet access also was free.

Sounds like it is different policy for non DVC resorts.

I just read my post and realized I made an error...I meant that I did not have to pay for parking when I stayed on points at the Disneyland Hotel. I should have proof read my post before I hit submit.

 

[toocherie]

Haven't the California hotels been charging for parking for awhile? I know this was the case when I stayed there in May last year. I stayed at the Disneyland hotel on points so I did not have to pay the parking fee.

Helen: I just got back to this and was going to clarify that staying on points there aren't fees currently (unless you valet of course) but in the hotels you currently pay a "resort fee" that includes self-parking. What appears to be happening is that they are doing away with the resort fee for the hotels and charging a separate parking charge for hotel guests for self-parking. Given that DVC took away the valet perk I just wondered if we were guaranteed free self-parking in the POS.

 

[spiceycat]

dolphin, swan charge for parking.

so does the marriott that is close to WDW.

the new resorts at Bonnet Creek also charge for parking.

that say don't think Disney will charge for parking at the resorts. but it might start charging in the theme park lots - just to get more guests to use their transportation system - less cars on their roads makes breathing easier for everyone (it would really help if I could spell)

 

[Chuck S]

dolphin, swan charge for parking.

so does the marriott that is close to WDW.

the new resorts at Bonnet Creek also charge for parking.

that say don't think Disney will charge for parking at the resorts. but it might start charging in the theme park lots - just to get more guests to use their transportation system - less cars on their roads makes breathing easier for everyone (it would really help if I could spell)

Interesting point, Pat.

But, then again, it would be a major increase in bus costs to Disney, both in new equipment and drivers. That would raise our transportation costs in our dues. And the theme park parking lots would still be an expense for Disney because of maintenance and upkeep, even if traffic flow were reduced. Then add in the additional need for even more wheelchair/ECV bus transportation, as many of those folks are more likely to drive to the parks if they have their own cars because they have lifts or ramps built into the car or truck.

And then there are the people that have to drive from the resorts to the parks because of special needs equipment they need to carry with them. Would it be fair to charge them to park at theme parks?

Those additional transportation expenses really don't come into play in California. People walk from the DL hotel and Grand Californian to the parks.

 

[spiceycat]

hey when mother needed a wheelchair always took the WDW bus. it was easier.

had a car not a van - those things are heavy - so the bus was much easier on me and my back.

seem to many guests in their own ecv riding the bus. also seem the rental ones which are the majority.

probably more at OKW and Pop than most resorts.

 

[Disney Princess]

I know I am late to this game, but I noticed something on our confirmations today. I finally got around to making a photocopy of my in-laws' reservation and actually read the fine print. At the bottom of theirs (and ours) it gives the usual spiel about check-in/check-out times, directions to the resort, mentions that requests are not guaranteed, no pets, non-smoking, and then it says this:

"Valet parking is available for a charge. Self-parking is complimentary"

Even if they eventually take away free self-parking and claim that we are not paying for it in our dues, I would think self-parking would need to be honored as long as this is written on the confirmations. Maybe it is purely wishful thinking on my part, but with that language on the confirmation, I think they'd have a hard time making that change for villa guests. So, if they switch early next year for hotel guests, they couldn't make that change for villa guests until the letters stop saying it. Our reservations are in May, so I am hopeful that we can still self-park for free then.

 

[tjkraz]

True they shouldn't double dip, but since we don't really know at a detail level what our dues are paying for, they could say they we weren't paying for parking fees.

Bill

In this case we do know that we are paying for it.

Look at the dues statement under capital improvements. There is a specific line item for parking lot repaving.

If members were to be charged for parking they would have to remove the capital improvements contribution from our dues and refund monies already collected. They would have to remove security costs, utility costs and all other items related to the parking area.

 

[Sammie]

In this case we do know that we are paying for it.

Look at the dues statement under capital improvements. There is a specific line item for parking lot repaving.

If members were to be charged for parking they would have to remove the capital improvements contribution from our dues and refund monies already collected. They would have to remove security costs, utility costs and all other items related to the parking area.

So hopefully if it does come to pass, it will only affect Disney resorts and not DVC stays on points. I mean they could do this as they do that for the Internet use.

 

[disneynutz]

In this case we do know that we are paying for it.

Look at the dues statement under capital improvements. There is a specific line item for parking lot repaving.

If members were to be charged for parking they would have to remove the capital improvements contribution from our dues and refund monies already collected. They would have to remove security costs, utility costs and all other items related to the parking area.

Couldn't they chip seal the parking lot, remove the line item and say that moneys paid to date make us even. The parking lots do not belong to the DVC, they belong to Disney and there has to be a land use charge for DVC to use them in addition to the maintenance charges. I'm guessing that a portion of a cash reservation also goes to use and maintenance.

I would think that if they wanted to start charging for parking they could, and legally there is nothing that we could do to stop it.

Bill