Paid parking is coming to WDW resorts March 2018

[TheMaxRebo]

I just voiced my displeasure and told them that this move cost them 4 annual passes and 3 onsite stays from June 2018 to June 2019

not sure if you are a shareholder but I have found I got the most response when I mentioned I was a shareholder

 

[Maxwell42]

Interesting takes.

I think DVC members are, by definition, "big spenders." And I say that as someone who is currently in the process of buying DVC. By doing so, we are committing to years of WDW visits and thousands of dollars spent onsite with each visit. And the money we'll save over regular resort stays will make us a little more likely to splurge on some upcharge events that we haven't been willing to pay for in the past.

"Once in a lifetime" guests are also inclined to spend big, or at least to splurge on a few upcharges. Parking fees are not likely to be a deterrent to them, nor are the reduced EMH hours or the number of upcharges that WDW has added over the past few years for things that used to be free (like adding MK fireworks dessert parties in place of FP+ for fireworks).

DVC is apparently more profitable than the regular resort hotels, judging by a number of factors (including resort construction). So it makes fiscal sense for them to push returning visitors toward DVC. It just seems that the guests getting squeezed are those in between - the return visitors who aren't willing or able to buy into DVC. And that's a shame - I'd much prefer Disney to cater to as many guests as possible, and to return to the "good old days" when WDW vacations were merely expensive, not exorbitant. I don't mind that there are upcharges for those willing and able to pay for them, but those shouldn't exist at the expense of "regular" guests.

 

[K Gragg]

What is the email address to use for complaints?

WDW.Guest.Communications@disneyworld.com

 

[TheMaxRebo]

One of the justifications I saw posted was "they charge for parking at Disneyland..."

Something else they charge for at Disneyland: The Disneyland Resort Express.

That's the bus that takes you between the airport and your hotel.

This new charge leaves no doubt in my mind that the Magical Express will eventually be on the list of up-charges.

You could say Disney won't charge for ME because they benefit from it by using it to keep people locked into the property, but this new parking charge is going to keep people from even getting on the property - or at least staying fewer days on property.

another thing they charge at Disneyland? MaxPass - so if they follow that model expect to have to pay for Fastpasses (even beyond the extra 3 concierge people can buy) in the future

 

[OhioStateBuckeye]

right, but at Cabana Bay you don't get 60 days to book FP for the new Star Wars attractions that if you don't have a FP for you will be waiting 18 hours to ride

That won't work on me. I'll just do my FOP strat of getting in line a few minutes before the park closes. I did that in December and it took an hour to get on the ride, and gave the best nighttime views of that area while waiting. I used a FP that same trip and it still took 45 minutes to get on.

Just canceled one of my two reservations and will be staying offsite. The other is grandfathered in, but I'll happily cancel it, too, if I find something better offsite. Officially DONE with the money grab. I'm really looking forward to more Butterbeer in my life.

Let Disney know that you just canceled and why. Universal is looking better and better.

 

[jade1]

Disney Vacation Club Members who wish to shop, dine or enjoy activities for the day at a Disney Resort hotel are not subject to the overnight self-parking fee.

Weird, when would this even happen?

 

[TheMaxRebo]

I just saw I had a Notification on my DVC Website...


Walt Disney World Resort hotel parking

Effective for reservations made on March 21, 2018 and thereafter, Guests staying at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel will be charged for standard overnight self-parking.

Similar to Disney Vacation Club Resorts in California and Hawaii, Members will not be charged for standard overnight self-parking when staying at a DVC Deluxe Villa, regardless of whether they use vacation points or another form of payment. Members also will not be charged to park when using vacation points to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.

Disney Vacation Club Members who wish to shop, dine or enjoy activities for the day at a Disney Resort hotel are not subject to the overnight self-parking fee. Charges for valet parking will still apply.

related question - I see it specifically says "Members" will not be charged. What about for people that rent DVC points? I assume they would still be charged?

 

[Disneylover99]

Sounds like all current reservations are grandfathered in. Its reservations made on march 21 st,2018 and thereafter.

I'm hoping that they will also allow people to modify their reservation after this date without the additional fee.

 

[dina444444]

One of the justifications I saw posted was "they charge for parking at Disneyland..."

Something else they charge for at Disneyland: The Disneyland Resort Express.

That's the bus that takes you between the airport and your hotel.

This new charge leaves no doubt in my mind that the Magical Express will eventually be on the list of up-charges.

You could say Disney won't charge for ME because they benefit from it by using it to keep people locked into the property, but this new parking charge is going to keep people from even getting on the property - or at least staying fewer days on property.

Disney doesn’t operate that service. The company that runs it licenses Disney’s name.

 

[larry47591]

Im starting to think its a good thing. Now I can save enough money staying off site i can get universal annual passes

 

[erin1715]

So now presumably more people will be taking WDW buses, and they are already inefficient to begin with. This is going to be a nightmare all around.

 

[STLstone]

I might be wrong but I think for international guests, this will kill them potentially renting a car. A lot less people do it now anyway compared to years ago but charging for parking now will pretty much kill that.

That will keep more in the Disney bubble (penalise those who want to venture out) unless you use an uber

But I don't want to venture out. I just use my car to get there and never drive it anywhere. Why am I being "penalized?"

 

[StepherC]

Anyone who has read my posts knows that I probably belong to the "Disney does no wrong" camp, but as someone who always drives this is really going to tick me off. By driving I lessen the strain on the transportation system as I drive us to the parks (even MK sometimes) and now they are going to punish me for it? Someone needs a good butt kicking for this idea.

I really agree with this. I own DVC and have the AP. We also drive every time - This really angers me.

 

[mickeysgirl17]

How does this encourage people to stay on site? If anything I now have more reason to stay offsite. Extra magic hours and early fastpasses just doesn't cut it anymore. When I was there early December extra magic hours still had long lines. We waited 40 min for test track. It's just not worth it anymore. I paid almost 5 grand for a trip and we didn't have as good of a time as we did back in 2012 or 2008. It was WAY more crowded than the same week we went back then. Busses were always full and we had long waits. Cast members weren't as friendly. We were packed in like sardines to see happily ever after. I literally was having an anxiety attack and I couldn't even get out of the crowd to escape. Waited over an hour for my ADR at prime time cafe.... service declined big time overall on property. First stay at AoA and found the front desk to not really care about their guests. Long lines for everything even photopass! They are trying to nickel and dime us and be greedy. This really is over the top and I don't want to go back for a long time. They over price the rooms and now this.

 

[BK2014]

And this is definitely one of those times. I can't think of any justifiable reason for this...it's pointless and just making people mad.

When you're running a business you aren't worried if a new revenue stream is going to make people mad, only if it will drive them away. That's not likely in this case. As for justifiable reasons, I can think of one, but I have no idea if it what WDW is thinking. There are a lot of complaints about the WDW bus system. So people choose to rent cars, park for free and drive themselves around the resort. This adds to the traffic, making the bus system even less efficient. So maybe if they discourage people from bringing cars, it will improve traffic and the WDW transportation system. I know some previous posters stated that they are helping the transportation system by bringing their own car and driving themselves, but I am not sure it actually helps having more cars driving around on property. Less traffic means buses can get to and from their destinations quicker and carry more passengers in the same amount of time. Just speculation on my part.

 

[Seth Paridon]

I'm not sure what you mean. It's official now. They are charging overnight resort guests.

It wasn't official when I typed that, but I see that it is now.

 

[rteetz]

Why so surprising? Makes sense to me. They shift more cost of parking toward those who ostensibly can more easily afford it. Even with that, it is a regressive charge: https://www.disboards.com/threads/paid-parking-coming-to-wdw-resorts.3670025/page-20#post-58942162

I thought they would go with a flat fee across property.

 

[mikebb]

I think DVC members are, by definition, "big spenders." And I say that as someone who is currently in the process of buying DVC. By doing so, we are committing to years of WDW visits and thousands of dollars spent onsite with each visit. And the money we'll save over regular resort stays will make us a little more likely to splurge on some upcharge events that we haven't been willing to pay for in the past.

"Once in a lifetime" guests are also inclined to spend big, or at least to splurge on a few upcharges. Parking fees are not likely to be a deterrent to them, nor are the reduced EMH hours or the number of upcharges that WDW has added over the past few years for things that used to be free (like adding MK fireworks dessert parties in place of FP+ for fireworks).

DVC is apparently more profitable than the regular resort hotels, judging by a number of factors (including resort construction). So it makes fiscal sense for them to push returning visitors toward DVC. It just seems that the guests getting squeezed are those in between - the return visitors who aren't willing or able to buy into DVC. And that's a shame - I'd much prefer Disney to cater to as many guests as possible, and to return to the "good old days" when WDW vacations were merely expensive, not exorbitant. I don't mind that there are upcharges for those willing and able to pay for them, but those shouldn't exist at the expense of "regular" guests.

Very true. As in-staters but not locals, we bought into DVC because we are die-hard Disney fans and how often we go. However, we know many other families in our area (South FL) who are weekenders and maybe Passholders, who go often but are not committed enough to do the big outlay that is DVC. These are the folks that Disney seems to be trying to push away in favors of the "whales."

The problem with that strategy, as others have noted, is that it will take one economic downturn and no matter what in-state promotions Disney offers, they may have lost these folks forever.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

related question - I see it specifically says "Members" will not be charged. What about for people that rent DVC points? I assume they would still be charged?

That's what I'd assume, since there is no mention of point rentals -- and Disney doesn't have much reason to incentivize that.

 

[Rich M]

not sure if you are a shareholder but I have found I got the most response when I mentioned I was a shareholder

As a shareholder though do you feel this is a good move to make more money or do you feel this could hurt your stake? Would you consider getting rid of your Disney stock because of it?