Testing charging for Premium parking at MK and Epcot

[granmanh603]

I see on Dis update email the Disney is going to be testing a add $15 premium parking fee at MK and Epcot. This is after parking fee of $20 or free resort parking... I wonder what changes will bring in the future after they determine that we asked for this.

Walt Disney World will be testing premium parking spots at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot from March 15-17. The cost will be $15, on top of the $20 it already costs to park in the theme park lots. Annual passholders and resort guests would pay just $15, as they already get free parking. These premium spots would put guests within a few minutes walking distance of the main gates, or in the case of the Magic Kingdom, within walking distance of the Transportation and Ticket Center.

At the Magic Kingdom, the premium lot will be the Aladdin lot. Every day, a different colored tag will be used to indicate that the car has paid for the premium parking. These tags will be placed under the car’s windshield wipers.

Parking in these spots would eliminate the need to ride the parking lot trams or to walk up to 15 minutes to get to the front of the lot.




meant to add this

 

[jerseyduke]

But it is a shorter walk to the parks, and really, WDW is for people who want to avoid walking

But why not do it, what do they lose? If no one uses it, no one uses it. Universal has done it for years.

 

[erionm]

These spots are likely using what used to be AAA Diamond Parking.

 

[Halle]

I am disappointed but not surprised at this news. Hopefully no one pays for it.

 

[Popouri DVC]

Oh, I'm sure people will.

Over the last year and price increases of multiple things: passes, tickets, food, beverage, admission, etc. I have come to understand that Disney can pretty much charge whatever they want; people will pay: myself included apparently.

 

[granmanh603]

Oh, I'm sure people will.

Over the last year and price increases of multiple things: passes, tickets, food, beverage, admission, etc. I have come to understand that Disney can pretty much charge whatever they want; people will pay: myself included apparently.

Well no not me anymore. I used to go 3 weeks in March; this year 4 days and only to take a short visit to flower and Garden and deliver son to Port Canaveral for a NON Disney cruise. Still going in Oct but again way shortened trip and spend more time off property or at resort. And in future renting out points.

 

[bwang123]

I am disappointed but not surprised at this news. Hopefully no one pays for it.

Why are you disappointed? Don't use it and it doesn't affect you. I am surprised they didn't do it sooner as most theme parks in our area (Sea World, etc) already offer this.

 

[erionm]

But why not do it, what do they lose? If no one uses it, no one uses it. Universal has done it for years.

SeaWorld, Busch Gardens & LEGOLAND Florida also offer preferred parking.

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

I am disappointed but not surprised at this news. Hopefully no one pays for it.

People are already posting that they will.

IF we drive, which isn't too often, I like the tram ride. And there's little or no parking that doesn't still have just as long of a walk as there is to the trams.

 

[jerseyduke]

People are already posting that they will.

IF we drive, which isn't too often, I like the tram ride. And there's little or no parking that doesn't still have just as long of a walk as there is to the trams.

If people are posting that they will, then it is a smart move. Why give something away that people will pay for?

A good tram driver can be quite entertaining!

 

[KAT4DISNEY]

If people are posting that they will, then it is a smart move. Why give something away that people will pay for?

A good tram driver can be quite entertaining!

And it won't affect us anyway. We're never getting there in time to park in the front row! Unless, it's our park we are hopping to and we're filling in where people have left. But I don't imagine they will be checking anymore by that time so we might still park there.

 

[Sandisw]

To be honest, if we drove, I'd pay the $15 to park. We do tend to drive to AK so this would be really nice. In the past, I have been able to get an AAA Diamond parking pass. And, right now, if I am there without my husband, I usually pay for a cab to take me to AK in the morning...its worth it than taking the bus...I even have a special vacation jar at home that I put money in all year, just for these types of things...yeah, I know!!!

 

[disneynutz]

Is premium resort parking next or shuttle service for resort parking?

Bill

 

[Chuck S]

They can use it if they wish. As far as MK, I would not find it of value. I would much rather use the trams. When Mom was alive, we were able to use the handicap parking, and even parking "close" at MK, was a pain pushing that wheelchair under that roadway. As an onsite guest I'd stick to the buses for park transportation and use the car only for resort to resort trips. The only park where I might find driving of any value would be EPCOT, and that is only a maybe.

 

[brertoad]

They are including free parking for the lower level Annual Passes this year for the first time in as long as I can even remember. Guess some people may splurge for "better" parking?

 

[MouseOfCards]

To be honest, if we drove, I'd pay the $15 to park. We do tend to drive to AK so this would be really nice. In the past, I have been able to get an AAA Diamond parking pass. And, right now, if I am there without my husband, I usually pay for a cab to take me to AK in the morning...its worth it than taking the bus...I even have a special vacation jar at home that I put money in all year, just for these types of things...yeah, I know!!!

I'd pay for it, too. Especially if we were lugging around a stroller or a wheelchair. BTW, do they still offer the AAA Diamond parking passes?

 

[MouseOfCards]

I see on Dis update email the Disney is going to be testing a add $15 premium parking fee at MK and Epcot. This is after parking fee of $20 or free resort parking... I wonder what changes will bring in the future after they determine that we asked for this.

Walt Disney World will be testing premium parking spots at the Magic Kingdom and Epcot from March 15-17. The cost will be $15, on top of the $20 it already costs to park in the theme park lots. Annual passholders and resort guests would pay just $15, as they already get free parking. These premium spots would put guests within a few minutes walking distance of the main gates, or in the case of the Magic Kingdom, within walking distance of the Transportation and Ticket Center.

At the Magic Kingdom, the premium lot will be the Aladdin lot. Every day, a different colored tag will be used to indicate that the car has paid for the premium parking. These tags will be placed under the car’s windshield wipers.

Parking in these spots would eliminate the need to ride the parking lot trams or to walk up to 15 minutes to get to the front of the lot.




meant to add this

Please clarify, are you saying resort guests get free parking at the parks? Or just at the resorts?

 

[DebbieB]

Please clarify, are you saying resort guests get free parking at the parks? Or just at the resorts?

Resort guests get free parking at the parks. During this test, it would be in the regular parking spaces, with the option to pay $15 for premium.

 

[rwcmath]

In Dollywood, you can pay extra to park close. People do it.

 

[erionm]

BTW, do they still offer the AAA Diamond parking passes?

Nope.