Swan/Dolphin parking

[SnackyStacky]

I'm staying at the Swan in September, and I gotta say I think the fees are crazy.

People don't like to feel nickel and dimed. As many have said, if they just built those fees into the room rate, people would be much happier!

And as for the parking? If the TRUE reason is to deter other's from parking in their lots, why don't they charge the people who AREN'T staying there? It doesn't make sense to me to alienate your guest base instead of charging those that ARE abusing the system.

Having said all that, my reservation for September still stands, and I'm looking forward to staying at the Swan!

 

[Mskanga]

I stayed at the Swan last year and they were already charging the $14 a night for the valet parking. I know because they charged me every single night when they never touched my car. I told them every single day that they were not parking my car , to remove the charge. Finally on the fourth day I decided to go to the bell desk and ask them to bring my car, they went crazy looking for my keys. For 15 minutes they went looking for my car keys , and then I asked them what's the matter? they said they couldn't find my keys but not to worry because they would find them. I told them not to worry because they had never touched my car before and I showed them the keys un my hand , but now that they all knew, they had to take the charge off my account. Boy you should have seen their faces.
I guess next time when we go , we will rent a car to get there and return it at the dolphin and then rent another one to go back to the airport, usually we park the car there for a week at a time and don't use it for anything.

 

[Muffy]

Yes, but the rates are still less then the YC/BC or BWI even with all of the fees taken into account.

Yes, this is my thought exactly! We just got back from 2 weeks at the SWAN. Even though the parking rate had not taken effect, we did see the parking gate/house at the entrance. We will continue to stay at the S/D even with the fees. They are both delightful resorts and still more afordable than the other Epcot deluxes. When you stop to think of the location and quality of services at the S/D it is a no brainer for me. My family and I will continue to return to these wonderful two resorts. You are still earning points for your cash stays. These points can be used for a FREE future visit or upgrade to CL, etc.

 

[Lewisc]

We went to WDW for the weekend and had dinner at Blue Zoo on Saturday. $7 for less than two hours for parking.

It was posted that parking would be waived for people eating at Blue Zoo and Shulas. Not sure if you get your parking ticket validated or if they'll take it off the price of dinner.

Most hotels that charge for parking charge per night even if you just leave your car. If you valet park your car you're charged the valet rate every day even if the car just sits there. You're not charged, other than tip, based on the number of times the valet gets your car. People who get there cars several times a day pay the same basic valet charge as people who just leave the car there for days. People who aren't planning to use their car would save money if they self-park.

 

[Feralpeg]

I make deliveries on a regular basis to Swan/Dolphin. I am usually not there more than 15 minutes, but I normally park and walk up. Trying to park at the entrance long enough to run my delivery in is difficult due to the number of vehicles in that area. If they start charging me for this, I will have to stop doing free delivery to those hotels. Sad.

 

[AndyMcV]

We have long been aware of the abuse of the parking system, where off-property guests park freely at Disney resorts (Swan/Dolphin included) to avoid paying the parking fees at the theme parks. I am relieved to know, this will no longer be an option at the Swan/Dolphin for these folks....

I still take issue with this. If the REAL problem is non-guests parking at the S/D and then going to the parks then simply change them for parking at the resorts. Why punish us true resort guests with another daily fee? All they have to do is let you swipe your room key when you go to park if you have one you don't pay and if you don't have one then you pay $7 a day for parking.

In the S/D's eyes I don't see non-guest parking an issue at all. I think what they've done is just used this excuse to tack on another $7 daily fee, which I might add, the other Disney resorts don't.

Don't get me wrong I still LOVE the S/D. It is a really nice resort with a fantastic pool and a great location. With the discount codes available it can be a great bargan compared to the other Deluxe resorts. That being said, every dollar they tack on makes them less desirable compared to the other deluxe Disney resorts.

Just my $0.02,
Andy

 

[S'sMom]

I agree that it is cheaper than some of the other Epcot resorts. So that is a plus. I thought it was very funny that the one poster told them to go and get her car and they scrambled finiding it. I will definately keep an eye out for the valet parking fees on my bill

I guess we will stay there despite the extra fees. So for us we wil be there 2 days and that will be 17.00 a day. Thank GOd we wont be there that long.

 

[paras4ri]

I guess we will stay there despite the extra fees. So for us we wil be there 2 days and that will be 17.00 a day. Thank GOd we wont be there that long.

If you're a guest, and using self-parking, the charge would be 7.00 per day(includes the overnight) so the total parking charge for your stay will be $14.00.

 

[Lewisc]

If you're a guest, and using self-parking, the charge would be 7.00 per day(includes the overnight) so the total parking charge for your stay will be $14.00.

I think parking, for registered hotel guests, is billed per night to match your stay. I think a person staying one night, two days, would just pay $7 for self parking.

 

[dreamflight99]

I still take issue with this. If the REAL problem is non-guests parking at the S/D and then going to the parks then simply change them for parking at the resorts. Why punish us true resort guests with another daily fee? All they have to do is let you swipe your room key when you go to park if you have one you don't pay and if you don't have one then you pay $7 a day for parking.

My DD "agrees" with you 100% Andy! She too, does not understand WHY Dolphin resort guests can not merely SWIPE their room keys to gain INCLUSIVE ACCESS to the lot, sans a fee (as they do in other Disney resorts and Vero Beach)? She too, believes it is another means of pilfering extra $$$ from guests!?

Perhaps, (DF concedes.... ) you both have a very valid point. And...perhaps if we contact Starwood and the WDW Dolphin regarding this matter (sufficient times=once per day?), they will effect change on this policy. It's certainly worth a try.

 

[dreamflight99]

I guess we will stay there despite the extra fees. So for us we wil be there 2 days and that will be 17.00 a day. Thank GOd we wont be there that long.

I understand this as $10 resort fee, plus a $7.00 parking fee=$17.00 extra per eve, correct? It is edging UP there with other Epcot area resorts.

 

[Lewisc]

I understand this as $10 resort fee, plus a $7.00 parking fee=$17.00 extra per eve, correct? It is edging UP there with other Epcot area resorts.

The $10 resort fee includes tax but I believe tax will be added to the $7 parking fee. Remember the basic discounted rate went from $129 to $149 and the availability of entertainment, occupational and PL/Hotwire rates is reduced from previous years.

Basically a price increase of $40/night or more over a year or so ago, when the resort fee was waivable.

S/D isn't participating with ME. The economic reason to select S/D over other Disney EPCOT resorts is diminishing.

If the pricing is close I'd go with the Disney deluxe. Amenities like package delivery, charge back to my room, complimentary refrigerator and even ME will come into play as the price difference is diminished

I assume S/D is able to fill their rooms with more convention business and is prepared to lose some of the family business. A few years ago people could book S/D, with occupation discounts, for not much more than a Disney moderate. Those days are long gone.

 

[dreamflight99]

A few years ago people could book S/D, with occupation discounts, for not much more than a Disney moderate. Those days are long gone.

I've noticed this trend as well. You've always been a strong advocate and supporter of these two resorts Lewis...and I feel sad to think you may not return due to the numerous changes made over the past year or so. I can only hope Mr. Swandolphin sees these issues, and takes the DIS posts/concerns into consideration.

 

[alliecats]

The $10 resort fee includes tax but I believe tax will be added to the $7 parking fee. Remember the basic discounted rate went from $129 to $149 and the availability of entertainment, occupational and PL/Hotwire rates is reduced from previous years.

Basically a price increase of $40/night or more over a year or so ago, when the resort fee was waivable.

S/D isn't participating with ME. The economic reason to select S/D over other Disney EPCOT resorts is diminishing.

If the pricing is close I'd go with the Disney deluxe. Amenities like package delivery, charge back to my room, complimentary refrigerator and even ME will come into play as the price difference is diminished

I assume S/D is able to fill their rooms with more convention business and is prepared to lose some of the family business. A few years ago people could book S/D, with occupation discounts, for not much more than a Disney moderate. Those days are long gone.

What is ME? Is that the new Disney airport service?

 

[dreamflight99]

What is ME? Is that the new Disney airport service?

Although, I'm not Lewis, I may be able to answer the question. YES, ME is the transportation being offered by Walt Disney World from the Orlando International Airport. I too, am confused as to why the Swan and Dolphin are not included in this perk, as they are included in "everything" else, even EMH! (Which are the "extra magic hours" where different parks are open for extended late-night hours on different nights).

 

[cjsmith]

I just called the Swan and they told me self parking would be $7 a night and valet $14, I hope the operator was right because $14 would be alot to pay to self park in this area. I know they charge alot more to park in NYC, where land is at a premium, but this is Orlando and I haven't heard of other hotels in the area charging that much.

Parking over in South Beach and Key Biscayne as well as the Ritz Carlton here in Naples is $25 per night! I think it's rediculous that the Swan and Dolphin are charging at all as they do have more than enough parking. They're starting to nickel and dime everything. Between the $25 I have to pay for a rollaway bed and the resort fee and now parking, I won't be staying there on principle anymore.

 

[cjsmith]

Although, I'm not Lewis, I may be able to answer the question. YES, ME is the transportation being offered by Walt Disney World from the Orlando International Airport. I too, am confused as to why the Swan and Dolphin are not included in this perk, as they are included in "everything" else, even EMH! (Which are the "extra magic hours" where different parks are open for extended late-night hours on different nights).

I'm not at all since they're not owned by Disney. The extra hour and those perks don't cost any money so it's easy to include them. One thing they're not included in is being able to charge back to your room once you're off the hotel property because they aren't owned by Disney. Disney ultimately wants you to stay in one of their resorts and this is a great way to entice people to do just that.

 

[Mskanga]

I thought it was very funny that the one poster told them to go and get her car and they scrambled finiding it. I will definately keep an eye out for the valet parking fees on my bill

I had actually fun doing that , they were scrambling to find my car keys and I let them scramble for 15 minutes looking for them too. When I asked them if they were looking for the keys they told me not to worry that they would find them. I told them I doubted it because I had them and that's when I told them that they were charging me for something they did not do for me and I wanted the charges removed. At that point they had no other choice but to remove the charges.
The first three days I told them and I guess they didn't understand that they didn't have my car, the fourth day they understood me very clear....when they couldn't find the keys

 

[dreamflight99]

Parking over in South Beach and Key Biscayne as well as the Ritz Carlton here in Naples is $25 per night! I think it's rediculous that the Swan and Dolphin are charging at all as they do have more than enough parking. They're starting to nickel and dime everything. Between the $25 I have to pay for a rollaway bed and the resort fee and now parking, I won't be staying there on principle anymore.

Parking in most garages in San Francisco hotels is approx $59+ per eve!! We pay this for our SUV at the Palace & St. Francis in this city...and multiply this by the 6 eve stay, plus elevated city hotel tax...and WHEW!! These "surcharges" amount to more than most people spend for room alone! LOL. For that rate...I'm tempted to bring a pillow/blanket, and sleep in the vehicle!!!

 

[cjsmith]

Parking in most garages in San Francisco hotels is approx $59+ per eve!! We pay this for our SUV at the Palace & St. Francis in this city...and multiply this by the 6 eve stay, plus elevated city hotel tax...and WHEW!! These "surcharges" amount to more than most people spend for room alone! LOL. For that rate...I'm tempted to bring a pillow/blanket, and sleep in the vehicle!!!

Wow, I hate to think about the times that we take 2 cars! It can get amazing when you start adding up those extra charges that's for sure.