No More FREE Parking at the Swan/Dolphin!!

[DBC]

I wonder if the resort fee and parking fees are charged because so many people (us included) use their Starwood points to stay at the S/D?

It must be by far the most popular`destination to use points at. This way they get to hit us up for at least a few bucks for the 3 nights we are staying there.

We probably won't use the restaurants on site, so they have to find some way to make a couple bucks off the "deadbeats" like us.

Even though you could say "it's all Starwood" I'm sure every hotel has to make money on it's own, not just be a place for people to spend Starwood points.

 

[DisneyFans4]

If you don't plan to link to the internet, receive a daily newspaper or use the coffee machine then tell the front desk you don't want either of these and you won't be charged the daily resort fee. I use all these things so I can't get out of it.
I also agree that if your a guest at the hotel you shouldn't be charged a parking fee. Just give guests a sticker they can put in their window that identifies them.

 

[Disney_1derland]

In the cases of the hotels at Universal and the Swan and Dolphin, it doesn't have anything to do with the hotels themselves. They contract out their parking services to an outside company and it is up to this company to decide what if anything is charged within the bounds of their contract with the individual hotel. It does NOT indicate that Disney is about to start charging for parking, in my opinion.

 

[EpcotKilterFan]

I know that the details have not been released yet... but this will be a daily fee? We can still come and go as we please, and only one charge?

It does stink, we already have the resort fee which takes the costs up, why not include parking in that! I agree with an earlier poster, hotels in other cities have parking fees, but in many of those cases there is alternate parking that is cheaper in the area. This is not the case at S/D. Having card access would make much more sense.

We have not been staying at S/D because the discounts are really not there, we do have a Starwood Preferred guest AMEX, and are now looking at switching to another reward card because what is the use!

For May I will have to add in a few more dollars to the budget. Granted we are only there 2 days on points, but it is the principle of the thing.

Debbie

 

[Bill From PA]

My understanding is that resort fee waiver ended late 2004. We stayed at both Swan and Dolphin during the first 10 days of 2005 and I was refused this at both places. Regarding my question on how common the parking charge is, I guess I've been living a charmed life. I've never stayed at a hotel where parking wasn't included 'free'. I'm sure such things are built into the room charge some way. After posting on this thread it occured to me that my plan for the 2006 trip includes a TownCar, so this particular issue won't apply to us. Still, the trend seems to be towards fewer days at S/D with any kind of discount and I wouldn't pay rack rate here if I were rolling in it.

Bill From PA

 

[DisneyFans4]

Where have you guys read this news about the parking fee as I'd like to read it myself.
Thanks.

 

[Luv2Travel]

I read it yesterday in an allearsnet newsletter. I can't seem to find it on the website yet.

 

[Lewisc]

the resorts at Universal Orlando are owned & operated by Lowes & they have charged from day one!

The hotels are operated by Lowes, I'm not sure they actually own them. Parking was originally free at HRH and PBH. They started to charge for parking before RP Hotel opened so parking at that hotel was never free.

S/D will no longer waive the resort fee.

Basically this is a way a hotel can quote a lower rate on PL/Hotwire, promotional rates and even convention rates but then get some of the money back with extra charges. I think mandatory resort fees should have to be included in the room rate.

A Swandolphin employee used to hang out here. Does anyone have an E-mail address for him, or someone else at S/D?

 

[Chuck S]

I really don't think this is a prelude to Disney charging parking fees at their resorts. Disney has more at stake besides hotel parking. They don't charge resort guests for theme park parking, either. If they were to start charging their guests for parking at the resort and theme parks, it would discourage folks from renting a car or driving to WDW from other states. Disney would have to purchase more busses and hire more drivers to transport folks to/from the parks...and really, without major renovations to the bus areas (which some were rehabbed less than 4 years ago), they could not handle the increase in traffic.

Plus, at DVC resorts, the maintenance of the parking areas common areas are paid by members, so I doubt members would be charged to park at a DVC resort, just as they are not charged for valet parking at DVC resorts that offer it.

While there is a problem with some folks parking at monorail resorts and Boardwalk, a limited time pass is often issued. When folks go ever time, they could issue a ticket of tow the car, or if the have an onsite window tag from another resort, they could charge their rooms a fee for going "overtime".

 

[DonnaL]

Hi all,
We stayed our first night offsite in January at Gaylord Palms.......they have a
self park fee of $7.00 also.

 

[married@wdw]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned this yet-- the Disneyland hotels charge for parking. It's $8/day for "health club and self parking access" fee.

 

[Beca]

We stayed at the Hyatt near Disneyland..I think parking was $12 for "general" and $15 for valet...or something like that!! That's a BIG chunk to be added to a $45 Priceline room!! I think I will stick to Hotwire from now on!!



Beca

 

[DBC]

Where have you guys read this news about the parking fee as I'd like to read it myself.
Thanks.

I phoned them at 407-934-4000 and was told the info I posted earlier.

 

[DisneyFans4]

Thanks!
I'm glad I rely on Disney transportation!!

 

[kmermaid]

So if we drove from the GF to the Dolphin to eat breakfast at Fresh we have to pay to park? What other options do I have?

 

[Emmaline Lola]

The only way to get "free" parking is to eat in Shula's, Blue Zoo, or Palio. You are able to have your parking ticket validated if you dine in one of these restaurants.

The company that oversees the parking at the S/D, oversees parking at all the Universal Hotels, Gaylord Palms, and JW Marriott, and Ritz Carlton. This is no way influenced by Disney. Since the S/D are owned by Tishman Hotels and operated by Starwood Hotels, they are able make changes as they see fit. They are in the process of adding gates to the parking lots.

Just a sign of the times..........a little sad no?

EL

 

[Cris]

I believe the Ritz/JW charges 12 for self parking and 15 for valet.

 

[Swan]

I usually don't post negative things but this bothers me. I know other places charge but this resort is at Disney world
and they should help keep the magic alive. I love the Swan but once this goes into effect I will not stay there. I think it is a rotten unmagical thing to do.

 

[justhat]

I usually don't post negative things but this bothers me. I know other places charge but this resort is at Disney world
and they should help keep the magic alive. I love the Swan but once this goes into effect I will not stay there. I think it is a rotten unmagical thing to do.

I agree, and also think it is unmagical to have to pay for my room too. Let's abolish all of it!

Seriously though, the worst parking fee we've ever had to pay was at the Ritz-Carlton in Naples, FL. It was mandatory valet (nope, no self-parking allowed) and it was $17/day! Unbelievable! We actually didn't have to pay it because we live in a condo in DC that is affiliated with the Ritz (Residences at the Ritz-Carlton is the condo chain) so they waived it since we're "residents". But $17 with no option for self-parking is insane!

 

[Bobump]

Quesstion?

As Bill from Pa has stated it seems like Swan/Dolphin have become less friendly to the Teacher Discounts? I used to be able to get them anytime, now they are very hard to come across. I also have talked to a couple of people at S/D and their convention business is booming? Anyone have any more insight ?