Parking Fees went up

[mayesq]

I just got my email confirmation for RPR and the self parking is now $14.00 per night. Just wanted you all to know. It is getting VERY steep to park there

 

[NCardella]

Forgive my ignorance, I've never stayed at a Universal onsite hotel but am thinking about it for this summer...but...you have to PAY to park at the hotel?????

 

[Sleepy]

That's crazy. It will cost me about $70 to park there during my stay. The pavement in that parking lot better be fresh and well kept.

 

[damo]

If you are going to be there any length of time, talk to the manager and they might remove the charge.

And yes, you have to pay to park at all Loews hotels worldwide. It sucks, but keep repeating to yourself, "Free unlimited express pass...free unlimited express pass." "Walk to park...walk to park." "Deluxe hotel...deluxe hotel." "Cheaper than Disney deluxe...cheaper than Disney deluxe."

Sometimes, simply remembering your favourite things makes it feel not quite so bad.

 

[AlexandNessa]

I cannot be the only one who LIKES the parking fee.

Quite simply, I like that I do not have to pay for what I do not use. We don't bring a car. We do not pay parking. It's a beautiful thing for us.

Make no mistake that the "parking fee" is included in your nightly stay at every hotel that does not separate the fee. Part of my ridiculous BWI rate last year undoubtedly had a parking fee or resort maintenance fee (which would include its parking lot) rolled up into the cost of my nightly rate. Perhaps I should've asked for a pro-rated discount because we didn't bring a car and did not park one anywhere on Disney property?

I would not like to see my nightly rate go up because of all the people who bring their cars happen to whine about a parking fee, which is essentially whining about paying for a service you're using.

If the parking lot is not maintained, I hope you do complain. If security is not present in the parking lot, I hope you do complain. If you can't find a parking space at your hotel and have to park elsewhere, I hope you do complain. If you have to wait an unreasonable amount of time for the valet to retrieve your car, I hope you do complain.

But, please don't complain about paying for a service you are using. I don't want my nightly rate increased because you chose to bring your car and park but do not want to pay for it. I do not want to absorb your parking fee when I do not bring a car.

 

[mayesq]

I don't actually have a problem paying the parking fee, but it goes up every single year. It was $6 back in 2004 when we first started staying onsite. It is now $14. We save on airfare, but between the gas and parking fees it isn't as economical for us to drive the 3 hours to USO anymore.

 

[NCardella]

I cannot be the only one who LIKES the parking fee.

Quite simply, I like that I do not have to pay for what I do not use. We don't bring a car. We do not pay parking. It's a beautiful thing for us.

Make no mistake that the "parking fee" is included in your nightly stay at every hotel that does not separate the fee. Part of my ridiculous BWI rate last year undoubtedly had a parking fee or resort maintenance fee (which would include its parking lot) rolled up into the cost of my nightly rate. Perhaps I should've asked for a pro-rated discount because we didn't bring a car and did not park one anywhere on Disney property?

I would not like to see my nightly rate go up because of all the people who bring their cars happen to whine about a parking fee, which is essentially whining about paying for a service you're using.

If the parking lot is not maintained, I hope you do complain. If security is not present in the parking lot, I hope you do complain. If you can't find a parking space at your hotel and have to park elsewhere, I hope you do complain. If you have to wait an unreasonable amount of time for the valet to retrieve your car, I hope you do complain.

But, please don't complain about paying for a service you are using. I don't want my nightly rate increased because you chose to bring your car and park but do not want to pay for it. I do not want to absorb your parking fee when I do not bring a car.

It seems this comment was directed towards me. I was not whining, I was clarifying. As I said in my original comment, I have never stayed at a Universal hotel.

 

[AlexandNessa]

Sorry, my post wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but if you've been around this board long enough, you'll see many threads complaining about the parking fee. It's clearly worn on me and for whatever reason, felt the need to say something today of all days.

If the parking fee has gone up 133% in 3-4 years, please let the hotel know how you feel about such an exorbitant increase. Perhaps you can negotiate the fee down.

This is an old article, but the points are still valid.

http://www.allstays.com/Services/2006/06/hotel-resort-fees-insulting.htm

 

[wwessing]

Sorry, my post wasn't directed at anyone in particular, but if you've been around this board long enough, you'll see many threads complaining about the parking fee. It's clearly worn on me and for whatever reason, felt the need to say something today of all days.

If the parking fee has gone up 133% in 3-4 years, please let the hotel know how you feel about such an exorbitant increase. Perhaps you can negotiate the fee down.

This is an old article, but the points are still valid.

http://www.allstays.com/Services/2006/06/hotel-resort-fees-insulting.htm

Thanks for posting the link to the allstays.com article. I happen to agree with much of what is said. I have been involved in likely more than one of those threads where there is much whining about parking going on.

This article reinforces the issue that it IS unfair to charge for parking. It should be part and parcel of the rate just like the pool or any other amenity we pay for. So what is next. . . . you pay an additional fee to swim in the pool, soak in the hot tub or relax in a sauna, perhaps use the ice from the ice machine or pay for a wake up call? Some people fly and use transport services to get to the hotel, but others drive. Some people swim and enjoy the pool every day, but others don't. Some folks make coffee and read the complimentary newspaper every day, but probably just as many don't. I don't mind paying for a service that I use. . . charge me for making long distance calls on the phone in the room; charge me for using wi fi; charge me for renting and watching movies in my room, but don't charge me because I drive and need to park my vehicle. Just like you are not charged for doing everyday things such as swimming, showering, using the hair dryer or iron, asking housekeeping for extra or clean sheets and towels. I don't get a discount if I don't use the pool because swimming in the pool is included in my rate, just as all those other things I mentioned are included in the rate . . . just as parking should be. I'm definitely not advocating for raising the rate to inlude parking, just like I wouldn't advocate to raise the rate so everyone can have free wi fi in their room.

This is one of those issues where lots of people are going to have lots of opinions. I realize that there are many hotels where you pay for parking. I've paid to stay in a hotel many times while on business trips in the Chicago area. That was usually because the hotel had no parking of their own and I had to park in an adjacent lot or parking ramp owned by someone else. I understand situations such as those, but when the hotel owns the property where you are expected to park, it seems ridiculous to charge a guest to park there. I've also spoken to management about the fees and had them removed from my bill. Maintaining the parking facility is the same as maintaining anything else about the hotel and should be done without extra fees to the guests.

The parking fees won't stop us from staying there, but we don't have to like it, or even accept it. We will ask to have the charges removed and go from there.

I must respectfully agree to disagree with you on this point. You are always right on the money, and very entertaining as well. This is one of those issues where there's no right or wrong answer, rather different points-of-view, if you will. You see these thread as "whining" and I see them as discussion of a valid issue.

I'd like to reiterate I liked the article you posted and think you should post it every time there is a new thread about parking. It gives excellent advice regarding not accepting the added on fees.

I'm gonna be at HRH the same time you are, so don't beat me up too bad. . . we could agree to disagree over a frosty mug at the bar though. . .

 

[bubba's mom]

If you are going to be there any length of time, talk to the manager and they might remove the charge.

And yes, you have to pay to park at all Loews hotels worldwide. It sucks, but keep repeating to yourself, "Free unlimited express pass...free unlimited express pass." "Walk to park...walk to park." "Deluxe hotel...deluxe hotel." "Cheaper than Disney deluxe...cheaper than Disney deluxe."

Sometimes, simply remembering your favourite things makes it feel not quite so bad.

Ain't that a song....

I cannot be the only one who LIKES the parking fee.

Quite simply, I like that I do not have to pay for what I do not use. We don't bring a car. We do not pay parking. It's a beautiful thing for us.

You're not.... The parking fee is THE REASON we don't have a car at Universal...not going to PAY to park a RENTAL car I'm not using.... duh....

 

[ruadisneyfan2]

Back to the OP...
Do you know if the valet rate went up as well?

 

[mayesq]

Back to the OP...
Do you know if the valet rate went up as well?

No idea. I'll let you know when I get back

 

[Hug the Mouse]

Perhaps a silly question from a onsite first timer this coming March.

If you are staying 2 nights, but there 3 days taking full advantage of express pass, are you charged for 2 or 3 days parking? When I asked reservation tonight she said I'd be billed one days parking for each night which would be 2.

Have I found a loophole, or do I need to get a life?

 

[Sleepy]

Perhaps a silly question from a onsite first timer this coming March.

If you are staying 2 nights, but there 3 days taking full advantage of express pass, are you charged for 2 or 3 days parking? When I asked reservation tonight she said I'd be billed one days parking for each night which would be 2.

Have I found a loophole, or do I need to get a life?

Not really a loophole. Actually, I find myself lucky to get 2 days of express pass for only staying onsite one night. I don't get 2 days of park admission for only purchasing one days worth just because I stay onsite.

When it comes to the parking fee, I think if it this way- If I check in on Wed afternoon I am charged for one night of parking. Check out is what-11am on Thursday? The car is already in the parking lot and you are paid up to check-out Thursday, so basically they are saying you can leave the car parked there until late that night when the parks close if you want to go to the parks. For me, getting 2 days of parking would mean I could leave my car parked there overnight, in which case I would not need since I would not be staying there.

 

[Hug the Mouse]

That makes a lot of sense, comparing the parking to express pass, in that you gain an extra day. Brings the average daily rate down to a little over $9. More extra value for staying onsite!!!

Can't wait!!!

 

[mayesq]

FYI, I just checked and valet is now $20 per day. Might be worth it. We'll see. We're only going to be there for 3 nights so it might be worth it.

 

[goofy!]

I cannot be the only one who LIKES the parking fee.

Nope, you are not. My hotel rate + my parking fee for a 4* deluxe hotel at Universal is still always cheaper than the rates I can get for one of the deluxes at WDW. Add to that, the fact that although we are not huge travelers, we have managed to make Platinum through Loews generous rewards program, so now we have a suite for the price of a garden hotel + parking.

 

[nerdboyrockstar]

I can't believe some of you consider the hotel you're paying over $200 a night for offering you a parking space somewhere within the vicinity of the resort as a "service". Especially a "service" you should be paying over $14 a night for.

And would you say their parking "service" is good? And worth the cost??

 

[goofy!]

I can't believe some of you consider the hotel you're paying over $200 a night for offering you a parking space somewhere within the vicinity of the resort as a "service". Especially a "service" you should be paying over $14 a night for.

And would you say their parking "service" is good? And worth the cost??

No, I think what we are saying is that we acknowledge that every hotel adds in some sort of resort/parking fee. It may be hidden in a higher nightly rate, but you are paying it in one way or another. Hotels need to maintain their parking lots/structures, so must add those costs into their fees somewhere.

What I like about the way Universal does it is that only the people who use the parking lot or structure pay the additional parking fee. It is not hidden in my nightly rate even when I do not have a car. Thus, this equates to a less expensive nightly rate for people without cars, and a $14.00 a night higher fee for people with cars that are actually causing the wear and tear to the parking lot.

At other themepark hotels which do not charge a parking fee, their nightly fee is substantially higher no matter if you have a car or not. You know their parking lot maintenance costs are built into that fee. I much prefer paying a lesser rate when I don't have a car and I will happily pay the more expensive rate when I have a car and am using the parking structure.

It is not a matter of whether or not the hotel should or should not charge for parking. As a matter of business, they have to build in their maintenance costs somewhere. I just prefer it to be in a parking fee where the only people paying it are people who park rather than it just being a blanket cost hidden in everybody's nightly rate.

We also pay for internet access every day we are there, adding another $10.00 per night.

To some people this is a ploy to sucking more money out of their customers. To me, I prefer the ala carte method that Universal uses that allows me to pick and choose the additions to my rate, rather than the all-inclusive rate that other hotels use that forces me to pay for things I might not be using.

Would everybody be happier (or even notice) when they got their room quote and it was $163.00 per night rather than $149.00 per night + $14.00 if you bring a car?

 

[Hug the Mouse]

We also pay for internet access every day we are there, adding another $10.00 per night.

To some people this is a ploy to sucking more money out of their customers. To me, I prefer the ala carte method that Universal uses that allows me to pick and choose the additions to my rate, rather than the all-inclusive rate that other hotels use that forces me to pay for things I might not be using.

$10 Internet access?!?!?! Now that gets me going. I hadn't noticed that, and make a point of staying at hotels that include access. $10 seems a bit much.

I don't watch TV in hotel rooms on vacation (wakes the wee ones), wonder if they will ala carte that off my bill