No More FREE Parking at the Swan/Dolphin!!

[Lewisc]

Pardon me for asking, but what's the source of this info? Has anyone ever stayed at any hotel where parking wasn't free for paying guests for the length of their stay?

Bill From PA

Virtually every hotel in big cities like NY and Chicago charge for parking. Almost every hotel in Miami Beach charges for parking.

In Orlando the 3 Universal hotels, Gaylord Palms and the MOWC all charge for self-parking even if you're a hotel guest.

I wonder if S/D is going to start charging because they've discounted the room rates more than they want to or if prehaps Disney is also going to start charging for parking and S/D broke the news first. BTW the website isn't show a fee for self-parking so prehaps this isn't definite.

 

[zagafi]

Pardon me for asking, but what's the source of this info? Has anyone ever stayed at any hotel where parking wasn't free for paying guests for the length of their stay?

Bill From PA

Yes, I have stayed at a hotel where there was a daily parking charge--and it was a Starwood owned hotel.

 

[Disney_1derland]

My dh works for the company that handles the parking at Swan and Dolphin, it is VERY common for them to charge for self parking at large resorts. I'll see if he can confirm or deny this, but I would bet it's true.

 

[n2mm]

yes paid to park at Portofino at US/IOA in Summer 2003, and again last year Hard Rock Hotel at US/IOA in May 2004. Had to pay parking to these 2 hotels and was a resort guest both times. I thought it was strange, but I guess Disney spoils us on this perk. Hope Disney doesn't follow suite and make us have to pay to park at their resorts too....gasp!

 

[Leota]

Another reason to never bother with a rental car - I hate driving on vacation....

Yes, Bill, as others have said, it is very common to pay additional for parking where parking is at a premium. I have done it several times in DC & Chicago. I am a little bummed to see that happening in WDW even tho it doesn't affect me personally. I would guess it is due to the abuse of non-resort folks parking there to go to Epcot/MGM/BW etc....

 

[Bill From PA]

I've noticed the Teacher/Nurse/Gov't rate being offered less and less and even when it is it's as much as $239 as opposed to the $139- $149 we paid the last few times. Last month, in a supposedly slow time we couldn't get the middle 2 days ouf our 8 day stay at any price. I suspect S/D is luring more convention business, my SIL will be there late next month courtesy of his new employer, so not only do they see no need to discount the rooms, they don't allow waiver of the resort fee and now they're gouging to the extent the market will bear. Since returning from our Jan. trip I've been planning our next one a year from now and I don't expect S/D to be in the cards. Plan B is a Moderate with a AAA or AP discount.

Bill From PA

 

[Mymatisse]

I too have stayed in large downtown establishments that charge for parking but I think charging at the Swan/Dolphin is ridiculous! There is no other option as far as parking is concerned. At least if you are in a city you can find another parking garage or take a subway or something. If this is true it really just stinks!

Oh, and to the poster who was curious about downtown disney hotels, I we didn't have to pay to park at the Holiday Inn (formerly Courtyard) nor the Royal Plaza (although this one did have a resort fee that I think we got waved.)

 

[4greatboys]

Pardon me for asking, but what's the source of this info? Has anyone ever stayed at any hotel where parking wasn't free for paying guests for the length of their stay?

Bill From PA

Oh yes. We have stayed at some hotels in San Antonio on the Riverwalk where there was a fee to park your car (self parking). I want to say it was $7 or $8 per day.

 

[DBC]

I just called down there and they confirmed that it would be $7 per night for self parking and $14 per night for valet. Valet for non-overnight is $10.

They weren't sure what date it would start.

Oh, well.

We try to stay at the Starwood properties whenever possible (using points a lot, we put everything on that cc) and they charge for parking at all of the downtown hotels in Boston and Philly that we've stayed at. Usually in excess of $20 per night.

I seem to recall free parking at some of their airport hotels and less fancy places.

 

[Hieatt]

This is disappointing news. We have stayed at the Dolphin four times and are big fans, but I am starting to notice the good rates drying up, no waiver of resort fee, and now this.

I do love the Swan and Dolphin, but once the prices are close to some of the other Deluxes, we will probably be moving around a bit.

As an aside, if the problem is non-guests parking at the hotel and going to parks or elsewhere, the better fix to the problem is simply issuing a dated parking pass for each room.

And isn't it only like $7 to VALET park at other Disney Deluxes??? What's up with the comparatively expensive parking at the Swan/Dolphin?

 

[Luv2Travel]

I've stayed at many places that have charged for parking, I've stayed at a couple of places that charge a resort fee, but charging for BOTH is getting me!

 

[AndyMcV]

Hmpf... I still don't agree with not being able to get out of the $10 resort fee if you don't use any of the 'extra' services. This additional charge now for parking is just annoying for resort guests. Should that not be included in the resort fee?

If the resort is having an issue with non-resort people parking there then why don't they just stick a machine out there that reads your hotel card key and voila no more "illegal" parking. Probably not the most realistic but I'd like to see that over paying for parking as a resort guest.

Ok, ok.... I can dream.

 

[Lewisc]

Despite the leaked plans I find it hard to believe S/D will be charging for parking and the nearby Disney resorts won't. I think either S/D will drop the parking charge OR Disney will start charging for parking.

If S/D was able to join Magical Express the bite from the parking charge would be less.

 

[dreamflight99]

Pardon me for asking, but what's the source of this info? Has anyone ever stayed at any hotel where parking wasn't free for paying guests for the length of their stay?

Bill From PA

Hi, Bill! Yes, each summer...at the Portofino Bay Hotel. Self-parking is something like $7 per eve, and Valet is about $14. We always Valet the car, especially with a fee for self-parking (which at this resort is WAY out of the way!!). Sad to hear the same thing may be happening at the Dolphin. :-(

 

[jeancbpugh]

Pardon me for asking, but what's the source of this info? Has anyone ever stayed at any hotel where parking wasn't free for paying guests for the length of their stay?

Bill From PA

Yes, many times, it is standard in cities (NY, Chicago, San Francisco, London) where parking is at a premium. I noticed the Swan lot was very full when we were there in December.

 

[PCFriar80]

Hmpf... I still don't agree with not being able to get out of the $10 resort fee if you don't use any of the 'extra' services. T

We got out of it in October. When checking in, asked the CM to waive it, she hesitated and we asked to speak with a manager who waived it. We're there
to have fun (parks and pool). We run outside, don't use the phone, get coffee at tubbies, and can get a paper at the bell desk. I've always thought the resort fee was a crock!! Just increase the rates by $10 if you want better publicity! No one will notice.

 

[Lewisc]

If you drive you'll get hit with a parking charge. If you don't drive you'll have to pay for your transfers, S/D isn't participating with Magical Express.

Add the resort fee and the savings over Disney resorts is shrinking.

S/D books a lot of convention business and discount programs. I guess these extra charges is way to get some of the money back.

I'm surprised S/D is adding the parking unless they're planning to build a garage so they can expand the hotel/convention facilities or they have some advance notice that Disney is also going to start charging.

 

[CarolA]

It probably won't kill them even if Disney doesn't charge. S/D has so much convention traffic and lots of us business travelers just pay these fees and turn them in. From what I have read on thier discounts this year they don't seem as willing to sell rooms cheap. Maybe thier convention business is way up?

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Pardon me for asking, but what's the source of this info? Has anyone ever stayed at any hotel where parking wasn't free for paying guests for the length of their stay?

Bill From PA

the resorts at Universal Orlando are owned & operated by Lowes & they have charged from day one! No, I don't like it & I don't think they should but they do. To make matters worse with Universal, if you are staying at one hotel & want to pool hop (which they allow), and you drive over, they will charge you another fee!!!! Your per day fee is only good at your resort, not the other 2 on property. That is where I think the line has been drawn and it is just crazy to do that!

 

[Sammie]

Pardon me for asking, but what's the source of this info? Has anyone ever stayed at any hotel where parking wasn't free for paying guests for the length of their stay?

Bill From PA

Yes many hotels charge for onsite parking. I would imagine this is another situation where the abuse by some lead to the punishment of many. Sad it always has to be that way.

I truely see Disney going this way if abuse of the parking lots continues. Or at least charging day guests that come to shop or dine that are not staying at that resort.