Parking Fees? Yes, please.

[Darklord77]

Logically, Disney wouldn't employ a policy without market research which indicated they wouldn't suffer lower occupancy rates.

Of course Disney never overestimates the stupidity of guests to pay more $. How did those Tomorrowland Cabanas do at the MK? LOL

 

[Dean Marino]

I for one welcome the parking fees. For disclosure, I am a DVC member, not wealthy, but I can afford to visit Disney.

1. Anything that can reduce crowds is welcome in my book.

2. We were all excited about the many announcements at D23 last summer, and about Galaxies Edge and Toy Story Land, but you have to understand that all those things cost a lot of money. You had to expect that we were going to have to pay for them somehow. This is one way. There are others to follow prepare for more.

3. Anything that can reduce the number of cars is also welcome. Magical Express is wonderful and if you're smart, it doesn't cost a fortune to eat there.

4. As a BWV owner, it is frustrating to me to see how crowded the lot gets with day visitors to Epcot. I know there is the day guest free issue still to be clarified, but it seems as if they are starting to tighten up the situation there.

I like this - but for a different reason.... Dear Wife and I are ALSO DVC owners. Never drive, we fly in and use WDW transportation, or MEARS Cabs. We are not affected.

BUT - WDW blew it with this one. The fee is for "overnight" parking. This is NOT going to solve the problem with Day Trippers seeking to dodge Park Parking Fees . As worded? I fail to see ANY problem being solved.

All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong - what issue is being addressed? Given the current plan, I have to believe that there is an issue with people sleeping in their cars overnight in the WDW Hotel Parking lots?

Just us - this concept needs serious work. It really does not help WDW overall - it's a Department Budget Solution, that shifts costs to WDW Transportation.

 

[sbd78]

Disney isn't going to stop day visitors from parking for free at your DVC resort because they want those people to come and spend money in the shops, restaurants, and bars. This policy will do nothing to stop the problem of reduced parking spaces for the people who are actually paying to stay there. All it will do is anger the resort guests who now have the honor of paying a $24 parking fee per night for this aggravation. The people they AREN'T concerned about are their paying resort guests because they've become arrogant thinking people will pay any price and fee for the "magic" of being onsite. Only, it feels a lot less "magical" when we are being nickel and dimed. Especially when we can get more spacious accommodations for less money offsite.

Magical Express is only for people who fly in. Are you so shortsighted that you don't realize many, many people drive in? Do you expect someone who only lives a few hours away to fly? Not to mention, many people drive to save money. I have 3 kids, unless I find great flight deals, we drive. 5 plane tickets are expensive! So people who drive should now be "punished" for driving? I mean, they are already paying for the Magical Express service they aren't using as it is already rolled into the room price. If Disney is going to start this pay for parking nonsense, I wish they would lower room prices and charge for Magical Express too, so guests are only paying for the services they need. Of course, this will never ever happen. If they ever charge for Magical Express (which I wouldn't be surprised about with the way things are going...) I highly doubt they will lower room rates to compensate.

 

[Amy&Dan]

It won't surprise me if at some point the DVC resorts start charging too. Maybe Disney is just postponing that avalanche of emails and complaints.

Curious if the OP will be upset if Magical Express starts charging a fee in the future. And when the parks are just as packed with folks enjoying all the new stuff the parking fees will pay for.

 

[2ndstar to the right]

I like this - but for a different reason.... Dear Wife and I are ALSO DVC owners. Never drive, we fly in and use WDW transportation, or MEARS Cabs. We are not affected.

BUT - WDW blew it with this one. The fee is for "overnight" parking. This is NOT going to solve the problem with Day Trippers seeking to dodge Park Parking Fees . As worded? I fail to see ANY problem being solved.

All personal opinion - I'm not necessarily right, no one else is necessarily wrong - what issue is being addressed? Given the current plan, I have to believe that there is an issue with people sleeping in their cars overnight in the WDW Hotel Parking lots?

Just us - this concept needs serious work. It really does not help WDW overall - it's a Department Budget Solution, that shifts costs to WDW Transportation.

In my honest be opinion the ony problem Disney is trying to solve is how to extract more money out of their guests without providing any additional service. They have clearly mastered that with this new fee. Disney taking advantage of their fans. Disney Magic is dying.

 

[kittyab]

Parking fees will increase the number of people using Disney Transportation. I am a DVC member myself and I do not like this policy. Not everyone can afford it and will trim their vacation budget or just stay off site. I will not cheer a upcharge to anyone wanting to visit Disney.

 

[kittyab]

Well, as a DVC member, correct me if I am wrong, you will not be paying parking fees ............. so kinda don't have a vote.

AND parking fees will do NOTHING at all to reduce crowds or traffic. Crowds will remain the same or maybe increase if many move offsite and then Disney fills those empty rooms. And it will probably increase traffic.

Folks who are fed up and not wanting to pay more to Disney will simply move offsite to one of the wonderful offerings that cost less or have more value ............. then drive to the parks. Have you been to Disney on high traffic days like holidays or last day for a ride? The roads are awful and gridlocked. Have you been on a Disney bus during one of these days ... late for an ADR or MNSSHP? Very frustrating and upsetting.

All Disney is doing is putting more cars on the roads.

This has NOTHING to do with a day guest issue, this won't change crowds, this may only increase traffic ... not sure how you came to that conclusion. AND just as an FYI, Disney actually needs those day guests to stay in business as they account for way more visitors than the hotels hold.

AND Magical Express has zero to do with this discussion because folks who drive do so for a reason. They won't switch to flying and ME .............. that likely will be next for a fee.

DVC members are paying for the parking through very high dues we pay annually and they increase every year. They are just saying we are exempt, but in reality we are paying it.

 

[HopperFan]

DVC members are paying for the parking through very high dues we pay annually and they increase every year. They are just saying we are exempt, but in reality we are paying it.

My point being that no parking fee is being added on top of your dues. Your changing amount of your dues are for a large number of things and you'll likely never see a side item for parking.

I have a condo, I pay a condo fee every month. It includes one parking space.

Some units rent out as vacation units, they get one parking space to use.

If the management then decides to charge those folks for that parking space, that does not impact me. I pay a fee that covers lots of things, some I can break out and some I can't like the parking. My fee doesn't charge me for my parking spot but my fee covers the maintenance, paving and repair of the parking. It would be the same for DVC.

It's just not the same thing as charging someone who is already paying a prime amount to rent a unit to also have to pay to park their car at the unit when they haven't had to pay for that spot for 47 years.

 

[Kristina]

Obviously the OP doesn’t realise that DVC could be next. I remember the outrage years ago when DVC members had their ”free” valet parking yanked and Disney reminded them that they can change certain terms at any time.
Someone please remind me when they change the terms and DVC’rs have to pay more for less to feel happy about it because of a selfish personal reason. Because that’s not how I’d normally react.

 

[kittyab]

My point being that no parking fee is being added on top of your dues. Your changing amount of your dues are for a large number of things and you'll likely never see a side item for parking.

I have a condo, I pay a condo fee every month. It includes one parking space.

Some units rent out as vacation units, they get one parking space to use.

If the management then decides to charge those folks for that parking space, that does not impact me. I pay a fee that covers lots of things, some I can break out and some I can't like the parking. My fee doesn't charge me for my parking spot but my fee covers the maintenance, paving and repair of the parking. It would be the same for DVC.

It's just not the same thing as charging someone who is already paying a prime amount to rent a unit to also have to pay to park their car at the unit when they haven't had to pay for that spot for 47 years.

My dues go up every year, yes we are paying for the parking. Those dues pay for many things, upkeep of the resort, etc. To say that DVC members are not paying is not true. NOW I do not agree with the policy about charging for parking, esp when there is no guarantee you will get a space near the hotel with day guests taking them up. I do not wish for any up charging for any Disney guests.

 

[kittyab]

Obviously the OP doesn’t realise that DVC could be next. I remember the outrage years ago when DVC members had their ”free” valet parking yanked and Disney reminded them that they can change certain terms at any time.
Someone please remind me when they change the terms and DVC’rs have to pay more for less to feel happy about it because of a selfish personal reason. Because that’s not how I’d normally react.

I think Florida law has something to do with time share policies? I think someone posted that is why they are not doing this to the DVC members because we pay annual dues for the upkeep of the property which includes the parking lot.

 

[Marcy Mouse]

This is the complaint I sent in!

Just a complaint about the new hotel parking fees - very disappointed in this decision. Disney used to have a perceived value and distinction over the other theme parks. But with all the changes in the past few years including this most recent change, I feel that the once perceived value and distinction that set Disney apart is slowly eroding away. Sorry to say that the next Orlando vacation we book won’t be at Disney. Time to try something else now that they are all pretty much the same.

Regards,
Marcy

 

[Lynne M]

Isn't there a DVC forum?

There are! And since there are a couple of lively threads over there discussing the ramifications of this change for DVC members, I'm going to close this thread.