Paid parking is coming to WDW resorts March 2018

[Rach73]

I think this one is different because it is something that was "free" that now isn't and was something that was promoted as a benefit of staying onsite no gone and is something that people feel they get nothing for the extra cost. As much as people might not like upcharge events you can either participate or not or as divisive as some ideas are that are for more $ (like selling alcohol in MK) at least a portion of the population was ok with it because it was something they want to spend money on so there is return for them. And even the rising ticket prices at least you see them building new lands, etc. so you can rationalize it a bit.

Literally no guest benefits from this. Also, I think the response people are getting from Disney of "we are just following industry standards/practices" rubs people the wrong way because you want to believe Disney is far better than the "standard" and that is why you pay double or more for the rooms on site ... if they are only the industry standard now, why aren't they charging industry standard pricing?

Well put. This is EXACTLY the way I feel about it! For us Disney is a family hobby. We bond over it. DH's work keeps him out of town often and DD (15) has more and more of her own stuff going on. Disney is a common thread we all come together on. Planning a trip is an ongoing conversation in our house, it's fun we enjoy it, it's something to look forward to on mundane days. We are a middle class family and work hard to save for our trips. We don't mind either, setting a goal and reaching it is a great feeling. Also I am not a complainer, I get rising cost. But this is too far. They are taking away money from our vacation experience! That parking fee could be used for another night at a resort, a special TS meal or a tour, all the magical things we dream and plan for. We drive because we live 12 hrs away. It's much more economical. So we are very effected by this, our car sits in the parking lot the whole trip. I feel like my greedy friend just pushed me off of a bench. It really makes them look ugly and that makes me sad.

 

[bluezy]

......

"Plus, enjoy complimentary standard parking at all Theme Parks and Resort hotels!"

and it says you must book by April 7th for this deal (which is after the March 21st date that the new parking pricing is to go into effect)

Now, maybe they change the wording when we get to March 21st - but also wonder if this is an example of how they will advertise packages going forward: Normally you have to pay for parking, but with this package, it is included so you save even more!!!

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/s...P=PMC-CRT|20334751|2285918|205784478|93354633

That's exactly what I see happening --- if you buy a package, you'll get free parking at the resort. It will be advertised as a "savings" even though right now it isn't an extra cost to begin with. Kind of like the good ole days when park hopping was included in the price of a ticket and wasn't an add-on for more money.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Well put. This is EXACTLY the way I feel about it! For us Disney is a family hobby. We bond over it. DH's work keeps him out of town often and DD (15) has more and more of her own stuff going on. Disney is a common thread we all come together on. Planning a trip is an ongoing conversation in our house, it's fun we enjoy it, it's something to look forward to on mundane days. We are a middle class family and work hard to save for our trips. We don't mind either, setting a goal and reaching it is a great feeling. Also I am not a complainer, I get rising cost. But this is too far. They are taking away money from our vacation experience! That parking fee could be used for another night at a resort, a special TS meal or a tour, all the magical things we dream and plan for. We drive because we live 12 hrs away. It's much more economical. So we are very effected by this, our car sits in the parking lot the whole trip. I feel like my greedy friend just pushed me off of a bench. It really makes them look ugly and that makes me sad.

I totally agree and I think you hit on a good point in that the "planning" of a Walt Disney World vacation is half the fun for a lot of people. Maybe not all the hoops you have to jump through and the getting up at 6am to book ADRs, etc. - but just the discussing as a family of what must do rides are there for you? Where do you want to eat this time?, etc. .... and all this negativity makes that planning and looking forward to your trip just a lot less fun

And if the planning becomes less fun (and knowing the level of planning that can be needed) that makes people less likely to want to put in the effort and just question "what are we doing? why are we doing this?"

 

[mshanson3121]

Interesting that 60% of voters have voted in a way to say that yes, this does impact their current/future travel with Disney. Even higher when you include those that said "Other". I realize this is a small sampling, but... given the backlash I've seen on social media, I don't think it's an insignificant finding.

I had a call from Iger's office yesterday, and they said that they are getting a tremendous amount of negative feedback on this, more than they even anticipated, and that they are discussing all the input.

 

[Aron1012]

It does seem like a louder reaction, but I still wouldn't personally draw any conclusions this soon after release. Discontent catches fire online. Dies down in time unless political ransom is being held. And even then, sometimes.

You're right about that, the reaction to this will die down at some point. But Disney's brand is its most precious asset. It was built over a long period of time to be known as the greatest vacation destination in the world. It won't lose that title in a day or over a parking fee, but each decision a company makes contributes or detracts from that brand.

Like another poster referenced the 800 lb gorilla that is ESPN may be clouding their judgement. In the short-term the most likely strategy to maintain earnings growth is to maximize revenue from the best divisions. So fleecing loyal customers does prop that up for a while, but it may also be the only strategy to destroy that brand over time. And if milking the parks to compensate for ESPN is the plan parking won't even be the tip of the iceberg.

 

[RescueRanger]

I read somewhere that it was below 30k prior to yesterday

If I remember correctly, it was 26,000 Wednesday night. Let that sink in.

 

[jade1]

Will the new resort parking fees impact your travel (planned or future)?
1. Not at all

I would be curious how many of these are "Not at all impact your plans" because you are already staying offsite.

Yea "Not at all" is not very clear IMO.

While its true for DVC stays, ME stays and offsite-it could also include something like

"but I'm not happy about it"
"and I am happy about it"
"but I stay offsite"
"or I just have money to burn and may as well give them more to use if used for expansion, CM raises etc"

 

[HopperFan]

So I happened to notice an add on the side of my yahoo mail account for a special deal going on now at WDW so I clicked on it to see the details.

It is the "Soak Up Some Sun & Fun – Discover the Perfect Family Vacation Package" and in the "why stay at a Disney resort?" section it specifically says:

"Plus, enjoy complimentary standard parking at all Theme Parks and Resort hotels!"

and it says you must book by April 7th for this deal (which is after the March 21st date that the new parking pricing is to go into effect)

Now, maybe they change the wording when we get to March 21st - but also wonder if this is an example of how they will advertise packages going forward: Normally you have to pay for parking, but with this package, it is included so you save even more!!!

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/s...P=PMC-CRT|20334751|2285918|205784478|93354633

I said when folks asked if they would back up on this ......... no, they will just make it a discount "included with some packages""included in rack rate""....

It may be just it was there and we aren't changing this package since it almost expires. Will it happen again? If they are smart it will, but as an AP I don't book packages. Maybe it is all a move to force folks into packages. That would be a total Chapek move.

But I am not even convinced they know what they are doing anymore.

 

[HopperFan]

Yea "Not at all" is not very clear IMO.

While its true for DVC stays, ME stays and offsite-it could also include something like

"but I'm not happy about it"
"and I am happy about it"
"but I stay offsite"
"or I just have money to burn and may as well give them more to use for expansion, CM raises etc"

All I keep thinking was ......... if I thought this money would go to CMs ............or Stockholders (as one I can tell you it won't) ............... or building new attractions .................I might be okay with it. But nope, we won't see anything positive for us.

If they do indeed keep ME free, then no doubt this will fall into the transportation budget and those of us who drive will be paying for those who fly to travel ME for free. It's like me buying the guy at the table next to me dinner ...............

 

[Rich M]

All I keep thinking was ......... if I thought this money would go to CMs ............or Stockholders (as one I can tell you it won't) ............... or building new attractions .................I might be okay with it. But nope, we won't see anything positive for us.

If they do indeed keep ME free, then no doubt this will fall into the transportation budget and those of us who drive will be paying for those who fly to travel ME for free. It's like me buying the guy at the table next to me dinner ...............

How about with everyday of parking paid you get 1 extra FP a day? It seems some people will do anything for an extra FP. My guess is once it takes effect you will have many free FP given out by hotels adding to the amount of time you will be standing in line for FP. FOP FP one hour and Stand by 4 hours here we come.

 

[HopperFan]

How about with everyday of parking paid you get 1 extra FP a day? It seems some people will do anything for an extra FP. My guess is once it takes effect you will have many free FP given out by hotels adding to the amount of time you will be standing in line for FP. FOP FP one hour and Stand by 4 hours here we come.

I certainly hope not. But it's Disney's way of shutting people up with no cost to them .... but it costs all the other guests.

 

[Scifidiner]

So normally when there is a price increase, like recently the park tickets, my response is meh. I mean I don't like paying more, but I fully expect it. I feel sorry for those families at the lower end that are pushed out, that's sad. But this feels different to me. I've had a couple of days to think about it, and the more I think about it the more irritated I get. It certainly has left a bad taste in my mouth. On one hand Disney touts being better than their competitors, on the other hand they use the excuse of "industry standards" to justify a parking fee. So which is it Disney, are you better or just the same as everyone else?

 

[Rich M]

I certainly hope not. But it's Disney's way of shutting people up with no cost to them .... but it costs all the other guests.

Exactly. Give everyone a Mickey Ice Cream Bar instead. I want quicker lines.

 

[MickeyMinnieMom]

How about with everyday of parking paid you get 1 extra FP a day? It seems some people will do anything for an extra FP. My guess is once it takes effect you will have many free FP given out by hotels adding to the amount of time you will be standing in line for FP. FOP FP one hour and Stand by 4 hours here we come.

Why? You might have some of that initially, but they’re making the policy pretty clear for anyone booking now. What would the grounds be for asking for a FP for something you knew was in place when you booked?

ETA: I’ll act REALLY annoyed by the new policy if I get a FP out of it, though! (Kidding... mostly... yeah...)

 

[Sue M]

Do you mind sharing the site? It was interesting - when we were there a few weeks ago I chatted with at least 3 people who were there for the first time and said they would never come back. Staying at the Yacht Club and they were really disappointed in the hotel for the price, upset at how crowded the parks were, disappointed in the food, etc. As a "veteran," I thought we had amazing luck with the weather and the crowds and everything else, but I don't think WDW always gives people a good impression.

There are many people who are unhappy because they didn’t plan. Walk into the park aimlessly, don’t know about fast passes, and didn’t look at places to eat.
Sadly this was my friend going with her family. She didn’t do any planning. Left it up to her adult daughter and husband. I guess they dropped the ball. Sadly I didn’t even know she was going or I would have offered help. I was excited to hear about her trip when she got back. She hated WDW. Stayed offsite in rental home which was good for them due to multi family. But they never got to the parks till mid morning, complained about long waits for everything, didn’t have a touring plan, and couldn’t find anything to eat except hot dogs, hamburgers & fries.
It could have been such a different trip.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

How about with everyday of parking paid you get 1 extra FP a day? It seems some people will do anything for an extra FP. My guess is once it takes effect you will have many free FP given out by hotels adding to the amount of time you will be standing in line for FP. FOP FP one hour and Stand by 4 hours here we come.

but then you are penalizing people that fly and take ME - which they want more people to do

Now, I could see them expanding the upcharge for purchasing additional FP beyond just at the concierge rooms - and maybe that would come with additional benefits including "free resort parking"

 

[TheMaxRebo]

There are many people who are unhappy because they didn’t plan. Walk into the park aimlessly, don’t know about fast passes, and didn’t look at places to eat.
Sadly this was my friend going with her family. She didn’t do any planning. Left it up to her adult daughter and husband. I guess they dropped the ball. Sadly I didn’t even know she was going or I would have offered help. I was excited to hear about her trip when she got back. She hated WDW. Stayed offsite in rental home which was good for them due to multi family. But they never got to the parks till mid morning, complained about long waits for everything, didn’t have a touring plan, and couldn’t find anything to eat except hot dogs, hamburgers & fries.
It could have been such a different trip.

Been there with people who are going for the first time, ask for my advice, than actively ignore all of that advice and then complain when they get back about all the lines and they were eating at 9pm at night because they couldn't get into any table service locations (despite me telling them that you do need ADRs and you can't just wave a $20 bill infront of the hostess and get seated as was their plan)

 

[ChipnDale79]

You're right about that, the reaction to this will die down at some point.

People keep saying this will die down, think about it this way. Normal price increases are paid for before you even start your trip. With this one, it’ll be the last thing you see when you leave property. It hits your CC bill when you check out.

It’ll probably die down for a bit, but when people actually start getting charged for it as they check out, those poor cast members at the front desk are going to get an ear full. You’re going to have guests leaving WDW pissed off they got charged for something as they are leaving.

 

[Sue M]

Who knows. This site is glitchy half the time I go to it. They are — at least theoretically — opening W&D early registration today. Maybe that’s related in some Rube Goldberg kinda way. Train wreck Disney IT.


I’m sure they monitor various social media sites, but can you recall them ever changing a policy before it’s even in place because of that? If they went by DIS, they would NEVER change ANYTHING!!

No, I can’t recall then changing anything. But this seems different. The backlash for this is huge. I think it’s the straw that broke the camels back. People have been gradually unhappier about all these price increases from ticket hikes, AP hikes, ridiculous room hikes, dining, reduced transportation, nickel & dimming etc. I think this was the tipping point. Guess we’ll see.

 

[ChipnDale79]

If I remember correctly, it was 26,000 Wednesday night. Let that sink in.

65k this morning....holy crap....