Parking fee when visiting a resort--apparently just a rumor! My apologies!

[A Mickeyfan]

Many here are also forgetting about the locals and somewhat fairly close to Disney who are pass holders that don't stay overnight in a resort. Many go to those parks way more than out of State and spend more money in the long run over the course of the year. They think nothing of jumping in the car and driving to a resort to walk around, grab something to eat, then drive to a park for a few hours. They aren't skipping out on parking fees, it's free in their pass. Disney will loose all this money. Seems to me Disney is pushing away their locals. They have added memory maker to the annual pass and raised prices by $100. When you live nearby, you don't take the pictures a tourist does. Now they want to charge to visit a resort. I truly hope annual pass holders are expemt from this fee

 

[A Mickeyfan]

For the life of me, I can't imagine why someone would go to a specific resort in order to buy something in the gift shop. There is very little variety in merchandise any more. It is probably about 2% of the people parking that may be going to a gift shop only. Add to that, about 10% that are going for counter service.

I go to Pop Century specifically for their tied dyed cheese cake...and have since the day they opened up..it's just a food court

 

[DebbieB]

Many here are also forgetting about the locals and somewhat fairly close to Disney who are pass holders that don't stay overnight in a resort. Many go to those parks way more than out of State and spend more money in the long run over the course of the year. They think nothing of jumping in the car and driving to a resort to walk around, grab something to eat, then drive to a park for a few hours. They aren't skipping out on parking fees, it's free in their pass. Disney will loose all this money. Seems to me Disney is pushing away their locals. They have added memory maker to the annual pass and raised prices by $100. When you live nearby, you don't take the pictures a tourist does. Now they want to charge to visit a resort. I truly hope annual pass holders are expemt from this fee

Florida residents have the option of an AP without photo pass.

 

[OKW Lover]

Florida residents have the option of an AP without photo pass.

I guess I missed that option.

 

[DebbieB]

I guess I missed that option.

Silver AP. I believe it has blackout dates though.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Florida residents have the option of an AP without photo pass.

No they do not. If you don't want photo pass, you don't get full annual pass. The only Resident pass without photos that they have listed are the annual with blackouts on Christmas, Easter & all Summer, weekday annual & annual Epoct after 4. The pass I have is the full annual, no blackouts, all 4 parks. It expires in July. Once that expires I will be forced to pay $100 more for what I currently have or downgrade to one with blackouts at Christmas & Easter for slightly more than what I paid for current pass. ....but it has photos that I do not need or want.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Silver AP. I believe it has blackout dates though.

Yep and lots of black outs...Christmas, Easter and all Summer. Its the old Seasonal pass

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I guess I missed that option.

No you didn't miss it, a true annual without blackouts and no photo pass doesn't exist

 

[A Mickeyfan]

But back on topic....with as many Annuals that Disney sells to Fl Residents, I sincerely hope they sre not going to now charge them $20 to visit a resort. I have been going to Disney since the Magic Kingdom was Disney World, the only park Disney had in FL. Ihave seen so many changes and at my age, they are slowly pushing me away. Sure many will say better for them. When you have a diehard Disney fanatic getting tired of the dirty parks, the crowds, the policy changes, you know it's bad. This isn't what Walt Disney had in mind. He wanted a place a family could go and enjoy themselves. It seems now a local, or semi local family cannot. You need reservations 18 months in advance for to eat, a month to 3 months in advance for an attraction. It is really getting crazy. You cannot just ssy, hey lets get in the car and go to Disney anymore.

 

[goofy4tink]

Easier said than done. There are no resort to resort buses. You either have to take a bus from your resort to DS, TTC, or a theme park then transfer to the resort bus that you want to go to. Then you have the reverse trip back. If Disney is going to charge other resort guests and pass holders (who obviously aren't skipping out on paying theme park parking) to visit their resorts, they will loose money in the long run.

While I understand what you're saying, it just isn't all that hard to do. If you want to go to the CR, Polynesian, WL, or GF? Go to MK and take a boat, walk or monorail. Want to get to S/D, YC/BC or BW? Go to DHS and either walk or boat. AKL or Kidani? Bus to AK and transfer. The moderates are more time consuming but in all reality, not that many people go there to eat.

I've said it before, many times...it just isn't that hard. Disney can make part of the lots key accessible only, for those guests that are actually staying at the resort. For others, that wish to drive there and enjoy the amenities, they drive up, get a parking slip, and park in general parking. They eat, shop, whatever..if they exit that resort parking lot, 3 hrs or less after arriving, parking is free. Stay longer and they pay to park.
I truly believe that with the numbers going up, at WDW, the resort parking lots are going to be used more and more. Some of the lots are already on the small side. Not to mention....I really don't think Disney cares about the locals....I'm not saying they shouldn't. They also don't much care about those of us with APs, local and distant. They care about those people, in their resorts...sort of. They don't care about those of you who drive in for the evening to eat at a resort restaurant. They should, but they don't.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

While I understand what you're saying, it just isn't all that hard to do. If you want to go to the CR, Polynesian, WL, or GF? Go to MK and take a boat, walk or monorail. Want to get to S/D, YC/BC or BW? Go to DHS and either walk or boat. AKL or Kidani? Bus to AK and transfer. The moderates are more time consuming but in all reality, not that many people go there to eat.

I've said it before, many times...it just isn't that hard. Disney can make part of the lots key accessible only, for those guests that are actually staying at the resort. For others, that wish to drive there and enjoy the amenities, they drive up, get a parking slip, and park in general parking. They eat, shop, whatever..if they exit that resort parking lot, 3 hrs or less after arriving, parking is free. Stay longer and they pay to park.
I truly believe that with the numbers going up, at WDW, the resort parking lots are going to be used more and more. Some of the lots are already on the small side. Not to mention....I really don't think Disney cares about the locals....I'm not saying they shouldn't. They also don't much care about those of us with APs, local and distant. They care about those people, in their resorts...sort of. They don't care about those of you who drive in for the evening to eat at a resort restaurant. They should, but they don't.

Time is valuable, not many have over an hour to kill each way to grab a bite to eat. I can forget my tyed dyed cheese cake at pop century! You are correct, Disney doesn't care about their guests....their Magic is disappearing. They are only looking at money. They are a business and I can understand that, but if one doesn't pay for parking due to annual theme park pass, they should not have to just to go for cheese cake either

 

[supersnoop]

For the life of me, I can't imagine why someone would go to a specific resort in order to buy something in the gift shop. There is very little variety in merchandise any more. It is probably about 2% of the people parking that may be going to a gift shop only. Add to that, about 10% that are going for counter service.

There are some rather unique shops at the Grand Floridian.

 

[lubob]

For the life of me, I can't imagine why someone would go to a specific resort in order to buy something in the gift shop. There is very little variety in merchandise any more. It is probably about 2% of the people parking that may be going to a gift shop only. Add to that, about 10% that are going for counter service.

My last trip in I stayed at pop century but ate at ohan and purchased a Mickey Polynesian t shirt and a few other things at the gift shop that wasn't available in the parks !!!

 

[larryz]

But back on topic....with as many Annuals that Disney sells to Fl Residents, I sincerely hope they sre not going to now charge them $20 to visit a resort. I have been going to Disney since the Magic Kingdom was Disney World, the only park Disney had in FL. Ihave seen so many changes and at my age, they are slowly pushing me away. Sure many will say better for them. When you have a diehard Disney fanatic getting tired of the dirty parks, the crowds, the policy changes, you know it's bad. This isn't what Walt Disney had in mind. He wanted a place a family could go and enjoy themselves. It seems now a local, or semi local family cannot. You need reservations 18 months in advance for to eat, a month to 3 months in advance for an attraction. It is really getting crazy. You cannot just ssy, hey lets get in the car and go to Disney anymore.

Like you said, they don't want the locals clogging up the parks when the high-$pending tourists are in town...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Like you said, they don't want the locals clogging up the parks when the high-$pending tourists are in town...

Lol that's not what I said... they do not want those that support them year round year after year but thise that come infrequently and in the long run, spend less when adding up $ for $..... but who knows why other than maybe they consider them free advertising lol

 

[A Mickeyfan]

Like you said, they don't want the locals clogging up the parks when the high-$pending tourists are in town...

By the way, I love your caption hahaha haha

 

[larryz]

Lol that's not what I said...

Many here are also forgetting about the locals and somewhat fairly close to Disney who are pass holders that don't stay overnight in a resort. Many go to those parks way more than out of State and spend more money in the long run over the course of the year. They think nothing of jumping in the car and driving to a resort to walk around, grab something to eat, then drive to a park for a few hours. They aren't skipping out on parking fees, it's free in their pass. Disney will loose all this money. Seems to me Disney is pushing away their locals. They have added memory maker to the annual pass and raised prices by $100. When you live nearby, you don't take the pictures a tourist does. Now they want to charge to visit a resort. I truly hope annual pass holders are expemt from this fee

You said they're pushing away the locals. Blackout dates keep the locals with annuals out of the parks during the big money holidays. I'm actually agreeing with you and extending your statement to a logical conclusion.

 

[Burnedout]

While I understand what you're saying, it just isn't all that hard to do. If you want to go to the CR, Polynesian, WL, or GF? Go to MK and take a boat, walk or monorail. Want to get to S/D, YC/BC or BW? Go to DHS and either walk or boat. AKL or Kidani? Bus to AK and transfer. The moderates are more time consuming but in all reality, not that many people go there to eat.

I've said it before, many times...it just isn't that hard. Disney can make part of the lots key accessible only, for those guests that are actually staying at the resort. For others, that wish to drive there and enjoy the amenities, they drive up, get a parking slip, and park in general parking. They eat, shop, whatever..if they exit that resort parking lot, 3 hrs or less after arriving, parking is free. Stay longer and they pay to park.
I truly believe that with the numbers going up, at WDW, the resort parking lots are going to be used more and more. Some of the lots are already on the small side. Not to mention....I really don't think Disney cares about the locals....I'm not saying they shouldn't. They also don't much care about those of us with APs, local and distant. They care about those people, in their resorts...sort of. They don't care about those of you who drive in for the evening to eat at a resort restaurant. They should, but they don't.

Resort folks don't want the people from the parks using the busses. Lol they are more crowded then the parking lots!!

 

[lubob]

Resort folks don't want the people from the parks using the busses. Lol they are more crowded then the parking lots!!

The only people using the buses are resort people .

 

[OKW Lover]

The only people using the buses are resort people .

Not true. People going to the resorts for dinner or shopping are also on the buses.