Resort Fees, if Disney Charged one, what would you do?

[Marionnette]

I think overall people will be upset because people like the all inclusive feel, obviously the DDP is touted by some for that, whether or not it saves them money. I'm wondering if it will make people spend less in the parks if they know that this resort fee is charging to their room?

I think that the vast majority of Disney visitors go with the anticipation that it's going to cost them a bundle of money. They don't research prices and deals the way that the average disboard member does. A $15/night resort fee probably will not result in Mom & Dad denying the kids a Mickey Bar every day.

It doesn't mean that they will like the charge or that they won't go home with a bad taste in their mouth over it. Fifteen years later, I still remember being pissed off at a hotel that tacked on a resort fee when we checked in. At the time it was booked, there was no indication of an additional fee and I hated being blindsided by it. The amount was not outrageous nor did it change how we spent our money. But I still refuse to book with that hotel chain ANYWHERE as a result of that experience.

 

[wdw4rfam]

I don't think that there's any kind of timetable. If I were taking bets, I would not expect to see one until package and room rates for 2017 have been announced. And that would be the earliest that I would expect to see them. I cannot imagine that they could tack on a resort fee to existing reservations and it would be a nightmare trying to determine who to charge and who not to charge.

I don't see how they CAN tack on a resort fee after you booked, when the rate was already stated and those perks are already listed as included!! I agree it would be a nightmare trying to figure out who to charge. I'm guessing if they did add these fees, it would have to be starting on dates not a already released, like you said.

 

[Gr8t Fan]

But they charge resort fees and parking at Universal

They charge for parking, but only if you actually park a vehicle (and a lot of people don't). They don't charge resort fees AFAIK.

Edited to add: I don't know if the newest hotel, Cabana Bay, charges resort fees but the other 3 do NOT charge resort fees unless something has changed very recently.

 

[Arielle22]

I look at resort fees the same way I look at my DDs' college tuition. Actual tuition listed is xx. Then room/board yy. Then a lot of charges that we can't opt out of. This lets colleges say their tuition is low in advertising.

If Disney added a resort fee I would be disappointed but it wouldn't stop me from going.

 

[kymom99]

I don't see how they CAN tack on a resort fee after you booked, when the rate was already stated and those perks are already listed as included!! I agree it would be a nightmare trying to figure out who to charge. I'm guessing if they did add these fees, it would have to be starting on dates not a already released, like you said.

When I went to Vegas they told us when we booked our package through Delta that the resort would charge a resort fee upon check in. that's because the resort gets that money, not the party offering the package. Would be the same as if you reserved through Orbitz, etc.

 

[jsmla]

I don't understand all the fuss about resort fees. People can add can't they? I just wish they would start charging for parking so those who aren't using the service don't have to pay for it.

I feel the same way about Magical Express. That can't be cheap to operate and I can count on one hand the number of times we've used it.

As for the rest:
MagicBand-as long as I have something to use for FP + access I really couldn't possibly care less if it's on a band or a card.

Parking-I'm an idiot and renewed my AP last month so, again, not applicable.

EMH-I'm an early bird, evening EMH don't appeal. I very occasionally do a morning EMH but it's not a deal breaker for me. If I had the option to utilize EMH or fork over $15 I would skip EMH.

Of course, like always, your mileage will vary.

 

[DisneyMommyMichelle]

I have no doubt the resort fee will actually happen and will happen soon, does it bother me? Yes. Will it stop me from staying on property? Nope. We stay at plenty of resorts that charge this ridiculous fee for things we don't use (newspapers, welcome 'gifts', bands...etc.) and yet we still pay it. Once we add up the type of place we want to stay at, parking (because hotel shuttles offsite only run at crazy times) and all that other stuff, PLUS the loss of EMH...well it's not worth it at all for us to stay anywhere else.

Disney knows it won't lose a whole heck of a lot of people and that is why they are considering and will eventually do this.

 

[hsmamato2]

I would find every sale and discount I could find for staying onsite,run my numbers,and pick whatever is the best deal for me. If it ends up being offsite so be it- I prefer onsite, but I also look at the bottom line deal what is the actual cost? Not the details of each cost per night. So I will do what I do now, take the best bargain.

 

[HM]

Well, we've pretty much stopped being onsite resort users anyway, so this doesn't affect us. The prices of the resorts got to where we no longer think they are worth the cost anymore. I do have a night onsite for what is likely our last trip to WDW until ALL the new areas are open in AK and DHS, so that we can use DME to the airport (staying offsite during a convention and then at a different resort before moving to ASSports).
.

 

[powellrj]

We have also stopped staying on-site, so it won't matter to me, but I still think its a bad move.

 

[kid-at-heart]

The only reason we stay on site is for the perks. If they start charging a resort fee for the perks, then we will stay office site and be the recipient of a more deluxe resort for a lesser price. Seriously, the rooms at WDW are not nearly as nice as comparable priced rooms offsite.

 

[scrapquitler]

They charge for parking, but only if you actually park a vehicle (and a lot of people don't). They don't charge resort fees AFAIK.

Edited to add: I don't know if the newest hotel, Cabana Bay, charges resort fees but the other 3 do NOT charge resort fees unless something has changed very recently.

when we stayed at Cabana Bay last fall, there was no resort fee, but there was a parking fee.

 

[Minniesgal]

So, you're okay with paying a resort fee when your annual dues pay for those "perks" already?

Not so much that I'm ok with it but it is what it is I don't waste energy getting bent out of shape over things I can't control. I prefer to reserve energy for things I can change

 

[4HOLIDAYS]

So if we are charged a resort fee for staying at XYZ hotel on property, does that mean that they will nno longer allow anyone who is not staying to have free wifi use, not see the movies, activityies, the buses to our resort,...they can no longer park there with our paying?...and so on. I will suck it up if that is how they proceed, however, I thionk that they can no longer provide all that they are saying would now be included in the "fee" for free to other guests who are NOT paying the resort fee.

 

[EveDallas]

But they charge resort fees and parking at Universal

No resort fees, and I don't have a car while I'm there. Disney is more money for less experience these days.

 

[rnorwo1]

For all the folks staying off site...

We just took a trip to Vegas, and I stalked the TA Vegas forum for months. Resort fees are always a hot topic on that board. Supposedly, no hotels had the fee years ago, then one started, and they all followed suit quickly. There is concern, now that MGM (I think) announced it is going to start charging parking fees, that all hotels will implement parking fees, too. The same thing happened to airlines with those dang baggage fees. So, I wouldn't be surprised if many of the off site hotels start with resort fees, either. When things like this happen, people become upset, and then they become desensitized, and then it's the norm and no one questions it. WDW will be able to ride out the storm until people forget that there used to be no fees.

We have a small (100 point) DVC contract. It made sense because it was inexpensive on the resale market and we are a family of 5, so we have to stay in a larger room. Our youngest just turned 7, and we are able to travel to so many places now, so WDW isn't our go-to vacation anymore. We have non-expiring tickets left, so we will use them and then will likely sell our contract. We have loved our WDW vacations, but we are loving exploring the rest of the real world, too. This summer we are going to Costa Rica and staying in a true resort, not just a regular hotel room like WDW, for much less than paying cash for a WDW room. It just doesn't make sense to us any longer.

 

[tcherjen]

We stay onsite... I guess if they are imposed then I will have to pay.

Am I happy about it??? Nope!

 

[Darcy03231]

But they charge resort fees and parking at Universal

I've stayed at the Hard Rock and Portofino Bay and have never been charged a resort fee. I was only charged a parking fee if I actually parked a car.

 

[NewRVLady]

I don't see how they CAN tack on a resort fee after you booked, when the rate was already stated and those perks are already listed as included!! I agree it would be a nightmare trying to figure out who to charge. I'm guessing if they did add these fees, it would have to be starting on dates not a already released, like you said.

this happens at ALL high end hotels in a resort area OR with a Golf Course attatched
I have stayed at several-mostly Marriotts
there is one on Mobile Bay we love and NEVER do any of the "extras" that are in resort fee (bikes, fishing poles, paddle boats)

BUT the Swan and Dolphin do it already-don't they? they also add parking and yet somehow are cheaper than many nearby WDW resorts

 

[wdw4rfam]

this happens at ALL high end hotels in a resort area OR with a Golf Course attatched
I have stayed at several-mostly Marriotts
there is one on Mobile Bay we love and NEVER do any of the "extras" that are in resort fee (bikes, fishing poles, paddle boats)

BUT the Swan and Dolphin do it already-don't they? they also add parking and yet somehow are cheaper than many nearby WDW resorts

No, I'm not saying they can't charge it. I'm saying people that have already booked, as in holding reservations already, they can't spring it on you at check in now, after we've already booked with these things listed as included. I've stayed many places that I've been charged a resort fee. But it says it when you make the reservation.