Paid parking is coming to WDW resorts March 2018

[BOST99]

I originally intended to do a split on and off stay in August. We decided to do all onsite because we wouldn't have to pay to park :/

This isn't something that would likely be waived for people already booked right?

 

[mikejs78]

I'm staying at BC in a month. If they start charging parking before then, after I made my plans and set my budget, I will not be happy. The Disney execs can expect a pretty strong complaint email. Unfortunately this trip is already locked in so I can't cancel it, but I may not go back for a long time if this comes to pass.

 

[splash327]

I'm staying at BC in a month. If they start charging parking before then, after I made my plans and set my budget, I will not be happy. The Disney execs can expect a pretty strong complaint email. Unfortunately this trip is already locked in so I can't cancel it, but I may not go back for a long time if this comes to pass.

I'm at YC in less than 3 weeks. I won't change it either now, but I'm more inclined to use my Hilton points for Aug, Oct and Nov.

 

[bookbabe626]

I can see why they are thinking about doing this...I've seen at least a half a dozen "can I park at a resort instead of the parks" threads of one type or another every week here on the Dis for years. No wonder Disney wants to turn that into a revenue stream.

I don't like the idea, especially since we get a rental car about half the time. Maybe we'll luck out and resort guests will still be free at the resort they're staying at, or there will be free parking for AP holders...but I'm not gonna hold my breath...

 

[mikejs78]

I can see why they are thinking about doing this...I've seen at least a half a dozen "can I park at a resort instead of the parks" threads of one type or another every week here on the Dis for years. No wonder Disney wants to turn that into a revenue stream.

I don't like the idea, especially since we get a rental car about half the time. Maybe we'll luck out and resort guests will still be free at the resort they're staying at, or there will be free parking for AP holders...but I'm not gonna hold my breath...

The least they should do is only apply it to new bookings - anyone with a preexisting reservation gets a voucher.

 

[mickeyfanachey1999]

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.

 

[mikejs78]

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'm with you. I'm not quite in the "Disney does no wrong" camp, but I am more understanding of a lot of Disney's decisions than many... But this one, especially the way it looks like it may be implemented, boggles the mind.

This may end up being dogs-at-the-resort 2.0 from the point of view of backlash...

 

[JimmyBean42]

Guests of the resort should be exempt from the parking or at least have a very minimal charge ($5/day). We stayed at BW last fall and as with most deluxe resorts, the parking isn't as close to the rooms or entrance. For moderates and economy resorts you literally can almost park right outside your door in some spaces.

I'd assume this would be a daily charge that allows you to park at any resort and not resort specific however. I know when we had Mickeys Backyard BBQ we drove instead of taking 3 different busses and it was very beneficial to us from a time perspective.

 

[MommaBerd]

I would agree on DME. The only reason I don't seem them doing that, unless they are being so totallly overwhelmed because too many people using it, is because it encourages people to be captive onsite.

I agree - and yet, DLR doesn’t provide free transportation, and there are LOTS of opportunities to see and do other things in the Anaheim area. I know that it’s complicated by having so many airports that service DLR, but surely LAX services most of the arriving guests.

If this does get announced, I am definitely writing guest services about it.

 

[STLstone]

..

I think this might be what pushes me over the edge if it happens.

I already think the bus transportation to parks has gone incredibly downhill over the past couple years. I only take a bus to MK anymore. I don't like taking Disney transportation.

Disney is just making me mad lately.

As I'm sure posters will tell me, Disney won't lament my hotel reservation loss, but there you have it.

I already made my decision the last time this rumor came up. At a minimum, I will reduce the number of days I stay onsite. That may get reduced to zero.

What really irritates me is I already have a reservation on rented points for June so I can't even change it, if i wanted to.

If they implement this, they should really notify all new reservations that there will be a charge, but let all current, paid reservations park for free. There is no chance of that happening, though. What will probably actually happen is that people will be showing up and be shocked that parking isn't free anymore.

 

[dlavender]

I really hope they can hold off on implementing this fee.

We haven't booked on site since last October, but we consider them when the rates are close to off site.

Last weekend we stayed at a DS resort, rate was $200/night, plus $50 in parking and resort fees(had to charge both, huh?).

CBR would have been $290, and an AoA suite would have been $360 (seriously?)

We almost pulled the trigger on CBR, but since we were planning to do MK all day Saturday with no resort time, might as well save the $50. However, in a different scenario, with some downtime, we would "splurge" for CBR (never AoA at that price!)

Now if this comes to life, it would put the WDW hotels too far out to consider.

 

[Keels]

Like - logistically, who is going to handle charging you for parking? The security guard at the shack at the front?

And if you don’t have charging capabilities on your MB (ie - you’re staying off-site, a local with an AP, etc.) - are they going to have credit card capabilities in the already tiny guard shacks?

If anything, I bet they put MB-activated arms on self park and anyone NOT staying at the resort is required to valet park and you’re given a free period (like two hours) if you provide a receipt from shopping or dining.

Either way, if they start charging for parking at resorts, the value of having a TiW card just went up exponentially to me.

 

[Farro]

I can't imagine why on earth anyone would want them to start charging for DME also? That makes zero sense.

Most hotels charge for parking. Sucks Disney didn't and now they are going to, but nothing out of the realm of the ordinary. Most hotels don't charge for complimentary airport service shuttles.

If they were smart, what they should do (since they are going to do this regardless what we think) is wrap it all up in a "resort fee" - don't call it a parking free, or a DME fee. Easier to swallow - most "new" guest won't question what it's for.

I don't think I am a Disney apologist - they annoy me sometimes.

 

[rteetz]

Just thinking out loud here but could this be a way to keep people on site? Stay at hotels and use Disney transportation so people don’t go venture off elsewhere. Sure there is still Uber but that’s also an added expense.

We haven’t gotten a car at Disney since 2003. We always use Disney transportation now. Even the one time we stayed at the Dolphin we used a shuttle to and from the hotel.

 

[Ariel484]

We just recently started renting cars at WDW and LOVE it...not sure I can ever take the bus again (besides to MK).
I wouldn't be surprised if they rolled this out and applied it to pre-existing reservations, just like they rolled out "dogs at the resorts" with little-to-no warning.

They're making it harder for me to want to continue to stay onsite...

Just thinking out loud here but could this be a way to keep people on site? Stay at hotels and use Disney transportation so people don’t go venture off elsewhere. Sure there is still Uber but that’s also an added expense.

I absolutely think that is part of what they are doing - and encouraging people to take (pay for) the Minnie Vans.

 

[dina444444]

Just thinking out loud here but could this be a way to keep people on site? Stay at hotels and use Disney transportation so people don’t go venture off elsewhere. Sure there is still Uber but that’s also an added expense.

We haven’t gotten a car at Disney since 2003. We always use Disney transportation now. Even the one time we stayed at the Dolphin we used a shuttle to and from the hotel.

This would just drive me the other way. I would probably book an on-site room only reservation and cancel it at the 5 day cancellation mark to get my FPs and then stay offsite since I have free parking with my AP. If I’m going for a week (8 nights) parking at $25 a night is going to be like $200, that’s a lot of money just for parking when I have free parking at the parks with my AP regardless. I was fine paying the fee at universal but I was only there 2 nights and I could walk to the theme park or take a dedicated water taxi that I never had to wait more than 5 minutes for.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Just thinking out loud here but could this be a way to keep people on site? Stay at hotels and use Disney transportation so people don’t go venture off elsewhere. Sure there is still Uber but that’s also an added expense.

We haven’t gotten a car at Disney since 2003. We always use Disney transportation now. Even the one time we stayed at the Dolphin we used a shuttle to and from the hotel.

yeah, I mentioned something along these lines that if some people who debate renting a car vs using Disney transportation will now flip to using DME and Disney transportation that will keep them on site more

 

[Dashzap]

I hear it will be overnight guests at resorts who pay nightly, price based on resort tier. Visitors during the day can still park free to shop or eat. DVC members exempt at DVC resorts, or when at regular resorts if paying by points.

As for how, no doubt when you stop at the gate they will send your info to the front desk to add to your folio.

Idle speculation: I've noticed from Disneyland Paris vlogs that the resort driveway gate includes security checks, including looking into the trunk of the car. Maybe if security is moving in that direction anyway, the system to keep track of cars and the additional security can be paid for by charging for parking.

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

I agree - and yet, DLR doesn’t provide free transportation, and there are LOTS of opportunities to see and do other things in the Anaheim area. I know that it’s complicated by having so many airports that service DLR, but surely LAX services most of the arriving guests.

If this does get announced, I am definitely writing guest services about it.

DLR and WDW are leagues different in the transportation department though. They just can't be compared in that sense. WDW resort property as a whole is a conoon in itself. Having not stayed onsite before until September it's startling really how large and encompassing WDW resort property is and it was very different than our stay at a Hampton back in 2011. You don't have to see the outside world at all if you don't want to. Disney would prefer while you are there that you forget about the outside of WDW resort property. By offering a complimentary transportation that only goes from the airport to resort property you can effectively keep people in that bubble. Sight-wise and space-wise not so much in DLR.

On Disney's website they describe DLR as a pedestrian resort.

 

[STLstone]

...

This would just drive me the other way. I would probably book an on-site room only reservation and cancel it at the 5 day cancellation mark to get my FPs and then stay offsite since I have free parking with my AP. If I’m going for a week (8 nights) parking at $25 a night is going to be like $200, that’s a lot of money just for parking when I have free parking at the parks with my AP regardless. I was fine paying the fee at universal but I was only there 2 nights and I could walk to the theme park or take a dedicated water taxi that I never had to wait more than 5 minutes for.

Agreed 100%. That's why I don't see the two as an exact comparison... Unless, of course, Disney just wants to turn me into only a 2-day visitor to their parks - like I am at Universal...