Swan/Dolphin parking

[emmabelle]

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.

 

[paras4ri]

Just wondering, where exactly can you send a complaint to the Swan/Dolphin regarding this new parking fee. $14 per day (yes overnight) for a hotel guest to self park seems outragious especially when the surrounding Disney hotels don't charge at all.

Andy - you can e-mail the hotels using this link

 

[paras4ri]

I just got the following response from the S/D regarding an e-mail I sent about the new parking fees. I said that several people have phoned the hotels directly and have been told that hotel guests will be paying a total of $14.00 for self-parking. Here is their response:

We are aware that you will be staying with us and have some questions regarding the parking charge. The parking charge does not actually go into affect until the 14th of March and the price will be $7 a day plus tax for our resort guests. If you are a resort guest your room key will allow you access in and out of our parking area and the one day charge will be applied via the front desk. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us (407) 934-4025.
Have a Magical Day!

"The Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Concierge"

 

[maggiew]

But if you stay overnight, does that mean you get 2 DAYS worth of charges, i.e $14? or is it per night stay? The thing that worries me is that their response says $7 PER DAY.

We are only staying one night post cruise. I have already changed my reservation from the Swan to 2 nights at the Sheraton Safari. Since we are only going to the parks 1 day and won't be doing EE and we have a car, I think offsite will be fine.

Maggie

 

[paras4ri]

It's $7.00 total charge...either if you're an overnight guest or if you're not staying there but spend the day at the hotel(ie. meeting, spa services, etc.)

 

[fwm]

Has anyone stayed here recently? Any updates?

 

[scanmom]

We stayed at the Swan inSept. 2003 and LOVED it. My DH will only stay at an Epcot area resort now, and we were planning on taking my parents, my sister, and my family of 6 and probably staying at either the Swan or Dolphin. We would have 2 cars, and 2 rooms, so w/o valet it would cost us an EXTRA $48.00/ nite to self park!!!! How much is valet? I know we have to add in the $20.00/nite for the resort fee, but would it be the same price for valet as self parking? Thats crazy...I bet the valet prices have increased. Does anyone have this info? If we have to add on that much nightly, we will consider a 2 bedroom at BC?YC or BWV. The added convienience of a kitchen would be great, and we could all be together too.

 

[dreamflight99]

We would have 2 cars, and 2 rooms, so w/o valet it would cost us an EXTRA $48.00/ nite to self park!!!! How much is valet?

For 2 cars, and 2 rooms, you would pay $14 per eve...TOTAL. It's $7.00 per car, for a 24 hour period. Valet, is offered at $14 dollars per eve.

In regards to all the other posters concerns over parking fees, and land value in Orlando, I wish to offer the following. Since the inception of the LOEWS properties at Universal Studios in Orlando, we have ALWAYS had to pay a fee for VALET, or select the alternative SELF-PARKING OPTION @ $9.00 per day! Therefore, there are other properties associated with theme parks in the Orlando area, whom also charge a self-parking fee. This fee includes the costs associated with security, cameras, and gates. I personally, do not mind such fees, and just plan accordingly. If you were to stay off property, and visit a park in the Orlando area, you will be charged a parking fee at each location (unless you have paid for an AP/PAP). It has never been FREE.

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. They will now have to be a bit more creative, and get past the gates/guards at the Disney resorts and swindle/grift this privilege. I'm sure with some practice, they will master this too. All they need to do presently is make a dining reservation, or shop in one of the stores, etc., at any given location.

Thankfully, at the Dolphin, they will still incur a parking fee...even if they choose to dine/shop. I'm probably in the minority with my views, but I appreciate and welcome the change and charge. I consider $7.00 per day to be a very small price to pay for such exclusivity and security. We stay more than a month at the Dolphin, and will have a vehicle for most of this time. I have already made the necessary financial adjustments to include this charge/fee. The Dolphin, is still one of the BEST KEPT SECRETS....in ALL OF WDW (with/without any of these changes!!)

For those whom kindly disagree, there are many other alternatives to choose from, (leaving more parking spaces and availability for moi!!!).

 

[dreamflight99]

I've always felt that rather than informing guests that there is an additional 10.00 resort and now an additional parking fee just raise the rates to absorb the fees.

This would certainly remove all the controversy.

 

[amejr999]

If you want, you can complain to Starwood's central customer service office- I've found them to be very responsive; if you already had a room booked before you found out that they charged for parking, I'm sure you could get it waived through them.

800-328-6242.

 

[CarolA]

Personally while I see some of DreamFlights statements, access to the parking could have been restricted without charging. And charging for parking in no way makes it more secure. Exclusive... maybe but I don't think that was thier goal.

At this point S/D have an extra $17 a night in fees. I have stayed at some very nice downtown hotels in major cities with lower fees. (Of course I have also paid more, but for the market $17 just seems high) I am not a huge S/D fan. The rooms and location are great. The Club level was just not worth paying for (I got it for free, but if offered the choice I would choose a balcony room instead) They do a great job for meetings however. I have attended a few there.

 

[Gator Kate]

Why not just charge for non-guests? That would alleviate the parking crunch for guests without them having to pay for it. I'm sure they won't change to this plan but that would have been more fair (IMHO).

 

[Lewisc]

Why not just charge for non-guests? That would alleviate the parking crunch for guests without them having to pay for it. I'm sure they won't change to this plan but that would have been more fair (IMHO).

S/D wants to increasing their revenue without having to increase the rates they're charging. Parking fees don't show up on the rates that're quoted to conventions, PL/Hotwire and aren't really shown on the rates quoted in websites. Similar to why the resort fee was added.

I wonder if this will cause Disney to discontinue free theme park parking for S/D guests? S/D is no longer providing free parking for other Disney resort guests Disney could use that as an excuse to no longer extend the courtesy.

 

[Ergens2]

It almost seems like the S&D are trying to push disney guests away.

 

[TammyC]

These fees could really add up. So my first thought is that if I don't have a car it won't matter. But then I started thinking that I don't use the health club or drink their coffee, yet still get charged the resort fee. So can I assume that no car = no parking charges???

 

[katallo]

These fees could really add up. So my first thought is that if I don't have a car it won't matter. But then I started thinking that I don't use the health club or drink their coffee, yet still get charged the resort fee. So can I assume that no car = no parking charges???

Good question. When we stayed in June we asked to have the resort fee removed because we had no interest in the health club, coffee or paper. We were charged anyway!

 

[OKW Lover]

So lets see now. In addition to the quoted room rate plus tax, I also have to add $10/day for a "resort fee" and $7/day for self parking.

Uh, no thank you.

 

[Tiffany]

So lets see now. In addition to the quoted room rate plus tax, I also have to add $10/day for a "resort fee" and $7/day for self parking.

Uh, no thank you.

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

 

[Sanchez]

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

 

[katallo]

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

Now that is ridiculous. Wow, we are going next week and were planning on using the restaurants. Just cancelled lunch reservations. At least Disney lets you have a 3 hour parking passes for a meal.