Preferred Parking Beginning 21 November - Mickey & Friends Parking Structure

[SMD]

While there may be a reason they need to take a hard line on people asking for preferred parking spaces for reasons other than a disabled placard, I doubt that this has much to do with alleviating any parking issues from a guest perspective. The more they raise the cost of parking, the more they push people to the Signature AP, and then those people come more often and park more often and park for shorter periods, leaving random empty spaces that Disney can't refill. Charging more to people who are likely to stay longer (because they paid more), or pay more because they're staying longer seems like a win for them.

 

[ashley0139]

Parking at Disneyland is a nightmare.

But the parts of parking that are a nightmare won't be alleviated by this; they'll be worse! How much longer will the payment part take with people now asking "what's preferred?" and all the resulting discussion? How much more confusing will the ramp section/traffic directing get? And all this is for what - to shave a minute or two off the time spent walking across the structure?

I think some people absolutely would pay for an actually better parking experience. This sounds like it will be worse for everyone - no one wins here. If they want to figure out a way to sell a quicker parking experience, that might be worth it, but this seems dumb.

You hit the nail on the head.

 

[StormyCA]

Report on MiceChat says it has begun.

 

[disneyobsessed808]

I went yesterday, and it was essentially the hundred spaces nearest to the elevators/escalators. I only saw one car parked in the area when we left the structure and came back.

 

[StormyCA]

I went yesterday, and it was essentially the hundred spaces nearest to the elevators/escalators. I only saw one car parked in the area when we left the structure and came back.

I think they indicated it was levels 2-4 so sounds like maybe 300 spaces total (100 spaces x 3 levels). That's a heck of a lot of wasted space!

 

[rentayenta]

Sounds like a mess and not worth double the price. So glad we are staying on property this next trip and won't have a car to worry about.

 

[StormyCA]

Sounds like a mess and not worth double the price. So glad we are staying on property this next trip and won't have a car to worry about.

I hear that! We're staying offsite since it's only a couple of days. I'm pretty sure we'll be Uber-ing.

 

[Darkbeer1]

One thought, I can pay a maximum of $36 for Downtown Disney parking, so if I get to the north lot earlier, and have a lot less hassle entering the lot off of Magic Way, can pick my own spot, and then just walk to the Main Entrance Plaza.

One drawback would be the wait for exiting due to having to pay, but still should be about equal to trying to exit the parking structure.

 

[Nonsuch]

One thought, I can pay a maximum of $36 for Downtown Disney parking, so if I get to the north lot earlier, and have a lot less hassle entering the lot off of Magic Way, can pick my own spot, and then just walk to the Main Entrance Plaza.
One drawback would be the wait for exiting due to having to pay, but still should be about equal to trying to exit the parking structure.

The exit to the DTD lot is sometimes unattended, so parking could be FREE
(It's not a good idea to park at DTD hoping it will be free)

Paying $36 at DTD seems like a better value that $35 Perferred parking at M&F.

 

[cruisehopeful]

Paying $36 at DTD seems like a better value that $35 Perferred parking at M&F.

That's what I did until I upgraded my AP to signature. Now I feel like I already paid for parking and don't want to pay again.
I suspect the DTD rates will go much higher to discourage people from doing parking there.

 

[StormyCA]

That's what I did until I upgraded my AP to signature. Now I feel like I already paid for parking and don't want to pay again.
I suspect the DTD rates will go much higher to discourage people from doing parking there.

I agree. Disney will put the kibosh on this as soon as they realize it can be done. I don't plan to pay for preferred parking, but if I was I'd certainly do this, too.

 

[GatorChris]

Two words: Cash Grab