Resort Parking Fee - Random Thoughts

[DonMacGregor]

I'm wondering how the new removal of a discrete parking fee for guests staying at any WDW resort might impact enforcement of parking lot access going forward.

We know Disney had been cracking down on resort parking for non-guests visiting without a dining reservation, so I wonder if non-resort guests will try harder to park there thinking lot access will be more lax and the allure to avoid theme park parking fees will be greater (the thought being the resort doesn't care who's in the lot as they aren't charging a discrete fee to use it), and will parking enforcement in turn be heightened due to the fear of the "free" parking lots being swamped with non-resort guests?

I guess it's the parking lot Catch-22 (or the "chicken or the egg"?).

Just a random thought running through my head on a grey Saturday morning in So Cal.

 

[Narcoossee11]

Security guard will still be FIRM.
We want then to. Nothing like not
having a parking space at YOUR resort.

Disney will recoup their money somewhere.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Security guard will still be FIRM.
We want then to. Nothing like not
having a parking space at YOUR resort.

Disney will recoup their money somewhere.

Oh the money is already being recouped. That goes without saying. The question in my mind is if they’ll be dealing with more people trying to park at the resorts, because the impression may be that since parking is “free”, Disney may be less forceful in enforcement (which is what none of us wants).

 

[CarolMN]

I'm wondering how the new removal of a discrete parking fee for guests staying at any WDW resort might impact enforcement of parking lot access going forward.

Disney only charged registered resort guests for overnight parking, so I don't see why anything would change regarding parking at a resort for theme park access. (There was never any parking charge for parking during the day).

They pretty much have to enforce the "parking for registered hotel guests only" policy at the near park resorts. If they don't, those lots will fill up with theme park visitors and shut out hotel guests.

Personally, I think they should charge a steep hourly rate for anyone not registered at the hotel. First 3 hours could be waived with a TS receipt.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I think the changes to the parking fees at Disney resorts won't really change the evolving enforcement of parking at those resorts - I expect they'll continue to only allow guests with resort or dining reservations to park - at all resorts. That makes it much easier to enforce - it gets crazy when someone says they can park at CB but not at CR or not at AKL. Just make it simple and consistent, no matter the resort. Guests already have access to complimentary Disney transportation.

 

[HashberryOTG]

Personally, I think they should charge a steep hourly rate for anyone not registered at the hotel. First 3 hours could be waived with a TS receipt.

I really wish this was a thing!

 

[heynowirv]

We like shopping at the store in SSR and have never had an issue with parking there after telling the guard why we were there.

 

[HashberryOTG]

We like shopping at the store in SSR and have never had an issue with parking there after telling the guard why we were there.

They're much more strict with resorts next to the parks.

 

[DonMacGregor]

Disney only charged registered resort guests for overnight parking, so I don't see why anything would change regarding parking at a resort for theme park access. (There was never any parking charge for parking during the day).

They pretty much have to enforce the "parking for registered hotel guests only" policy at the near park resorts. If they don't, those lots will fill up with theme park visitors and shut out hotel guests.

Personally, I think they should charge a steep hourly rate for anyone not registered at the hotel. First 3 hours could be waived with a TS receipt.

Ok, I guess my point didn't come across anywhere near how I thought it would.

My curiosity was around whether the resorts will be flooded with more people TRYING to park there, not whether the resorts will change their enforcement. As in, as more non-guests find out that the resorts aren't charging guests with a fee, will non-guests looking to avoid theme park parking fees think "Hey, they aren't charging for parking at the resorts anymore, so maybe they don't care who parks there, or for how long”.

I never suggested that Disney wouldn't want to or need to stop enforcing the rule, just curious if they will be swamped with more attempted freeloaders THINKING they might. I 100% think they should charge for parking with validation needed for complimentary parking for dining.

 

[DonMacGregor]

I think the changes to the parking fees at Disney resorts won't really change the evolving enforcement of parking at those resorts - I expect they'll continue to only allow guests with resort or dining reservations to park - at all resorts. That makes it much easier to enforce - it gets crazy when someone says they can park at CB but not at CR or not at AKL. Just make it simple and consistent, no matter the resort. Guests already have access to complimentary Disney transportation.

Again, my point wasn't whether Disney will ease enforcement, but whether they will be flooded with freeloaders THINKING they might ease enforcement.

I'm 100% with @CarolMM that they should enforce the heck out of it, and charge for parking with validation needed for complimentary parking for dining.

One big question that often arises when discussions about possibly extending the Skyliner to Disney Springs relates to how many people might park in the free parking structures at DS, then take the Skyliner to Epcot or HS, and the burden that would place both on the Skyliner and the parking situation at DS. People are always trying to avoid paying fees, by whatever means possible.

 

[CarolMN]

Again, my point wasn't whether Disney will ease enforcement, but whether they will be flooded with freeloaders THINKING they might ease enforcement.

Sorry I missed your point the first time.

I don't think the change back will result in a large number of people thinking the near park lots are now wide open to everyone. Some people will always try, though, and occasionally, they may get away with it. But most of them will get turned away. Word will get out that parking in the resort lots is still only available to registered guests, people who valet, and those who have an ADR for a table service restaurant.

@heynowirv, I don't think Disney has ever really cared who parks at the moderate & value resorts or even the deluxe resorts that aren't park adjacent. Most who try to park at the near-park resorts do so either to avoid the parking fee or for their own convenience (quick in and out) or both. There's really not much incentive to park at the resorts that aren't on the monorail, skyliner or have a walking path to a park.

 

[AdamsMum]

We like shopping at the store in SSR and have never had an issue with parking there after telling the guard why we were there.

I think it depends on the resort. When I split stayed at AKV/BWV. My experience at AKV - I would stop and try to show proof, even though I had the parking permit in the window, the guard would always just wave me through. Then at BWV with the parking permit in the window, they insisted on seeing proof of my stay before letting me in. This was before everything went digital though. I think they are much more strict at the BW/BC and the Magic Kingdom resorts.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

No, I think it’s the opposite. More guests might bring a car when they stay, since parking is now free, so now there’s even more competition at the resorts for parking spots. Hence the need for stricter enforcement of the rules.

It really is a lovely morning.

 

[thanxfornoticin]

I think it depends on the resort. When I split stayed at AKV/BWV. My experience at AKV - I would stop and try to show proof, even though I had the parking permit in the window, the guard would always just wave me through. Then at BWV with the parking permit in the window, they insisted on seeing proof of my stay before letting me in. This was before everything went digital though. I think they are much more strict at the BW/BC and the Magic Kingdom resorts.

Even AKL has a sign at the guard shack (for at least a year now) stating no entry unless you have a room or dining reservation - and we saw a couple cars refused entry. Pre-Covid, you could pretty much enter AKL for any reason - counter service, shopping, animal viewing (like you experienced). Not anymore.

 

[SleeplessInTO]

Yeah AKL was pretty strict when we went there for lunch last December. Parking was pretty tight at Kidani too - there were only two open spots, one of which was valet.

 

[BamaGuy44]

Could be a small increase in people trying, probably not a huge increase. I just think the number of people who wouldn’t try it before, but would now because of a perceived shift in their motivation to enforce the policy, would be small.

And soon enough it will be common knowledge that it’s still a no-go