Theme Park Parking Fee Increase Tomorrow (update in first post)

[kathy884]

This doesn't surprise me and seems in line. Our local Six Flags charges $20 for one day to park at poorly maintained lots that are hard to get out of on a busy day. Our zoo charges $15 and it's a zoo that is heavily subsidized by tax payer dollars. Sea World parking is $15 too. I've always been impressed with the well maintained Disney parking lots and how efficiently they get so many people in and out.

I usually stay offsite and just do one day per year at a Disney Park. The $2 extra fee won't affect my doing a one day visit.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

Downtown Disney "parking" (as if there really is any left)will remain free.

Been telling you once the new garage opens no more free parking.

 

[Tink575]

I didn't get one and haven't heard anything about it. Are they sending them to all AP holders? I have a FL resident AP (specifically for the free parking) and my son has a FL resident seasonal AP.

It comes in the box with the AP Magic Bands. A gold card if your parking is included and a black card if not. The cards are also for the AP discounts.

 

[mesaboy2]

Been telling you once the new garage opens no more free parking.

There is nothing to indicate this one way or the other.

 

[Tink575]

Which is equal to less than $3 in 2014(but we all KNOW Disney makes up their own inflation rate). I'd take $3.

I remember that $3 parking too. $3 seemed so expensive then it made the annual pass a good deal at that time, the late '80s or 90's. For years we would go in August, buy an AP, then go the following July. We had River Country APs too (sigh), they cost about the same as a 1 day ticket.

Parking at Universal is $16.

 

[2Tiggies]

I have to be honest....parking at our local 6 Flags is like $20. Of course they are only open for 7 months/year and typically have only 200/300 cars on a good weekend so they do what they can.

We get free parking with our $50 AP so it doesn't affect us, but it bugs me that they charge that much for the GP. The nickle and diming going on at WDW is disgusting, though. Especially when we know WHY they are doing it.

Although it doesn't affect us, I agree that it's outrageous. I've seen another reference on here to Six Flags, but I think the difference is that typical visitors to Six Flags don't spend 5-10 days there, incurring parking fees every day. Over a 10 day trip that's a whopping $170

 

[Disney_Princess83]

I didn't get one and haven't heard anything about it. Are they sending them to all AP holders? I have a FL resident AP (specifically for the free parking) and my son has a FL resident seasonal AP.

If you order a Magic Band, you no longer need the separate AP Pass. You do get a Parking Pass (either gold or black)

 

[Tink575]

Totally agree- offsite charges for magic bands AND parking. Ouch. I always stay onsite bc I hate Driving and get good deals renting DVC but if I were an offsite hotel lover id be disappointed about now... I mean I get it, but like you said. We know exactly what their intentions are: make it less affordable to stay offsite. Kind of sad...

Offsite accommodations are so much less, I doubt a few dollars for parking will make a difference. No one needs a Magic Band, cool perhaps.

Now instead of carrying my AP I need the Magic Band, the rfid AP card and the card for parking and discounts, and of course my ID. I still can't figure out how this is easier. If I was really certain the rfid card would work for FP+ I wouldn't bring the band, but I need to feel I have backup one for another right now.

 

[erionm]

If you order a Magic Band, you no longer need the separate AP Pass. You do get a Parking Pass (either gold or black)

And many of us have received the wrong discount card (Got Black, should have received Gold) so we still need the AP card to get free parking.

Gold Discount Card = Free Parking
Black Discount Card = No Parking

 

[NYDisneyKid]

There is nothing to indicate this one way or the other.

Just like there was no notice of the parking rate increasing today correct?? POOF and rate increased

 

[sheetz]

This is a pretty hefty increase considering parking went up $1 just last June. That's an over 21% increase in under a year. Sounds like somebody needs to pad their revenues for this fiscal quarter.

 

[katallo]

Well, this only adds to the mess with FP and Magic Bands. When new things are being "tested" why are they raising prices? We can honestly say if this upcoming trip was not paid for we would rethink it. It will definitely change things for next year.

 

[leebee]

Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze… you'd think they were making orange juice or something!

Out of curiosity, just for comparison… Cedar Fair Entertainment Company operates eleven amusement parks, six-water parks, one indoor water park, and six hotels in eight states in the US. Their parks include locations such as Cedar Point, Knott's Berry Farm, King's Dominion, and Dorney Park. While they aren't Disney, they beat Disney hands down in roller coasters and thrill rides. A platinum season pass, which includes admission to ANY Cedar Fair park and free parking, is $186. Otherwise, at Cedar Point, single day admission is $50, two-day ride and slide admission is $88, CP season pass is $120, and parking is $15 per day.

Not the same experience overall, but you do the math. At least parking is comparable!

 

[Disney_Princess83]

With the price increase, wouldn't it be only a few extra dollars to valet+tip at The Contemporary when visiting MK? Much easier to walk and get your car rather than have to catch to monorail or boat to TTC.

 

[clsteve]

With the price increase, wouldn't it be only a few extra dollars to valet+tip at The Contemporary when visiting MK? Much easier to walk and get your car rather than have to catch to monorail or boat to TTC.

Exactly. Heck, depending where you're staying and which Park you're going to, it's getting to the point where cabbing it and getting dropped at the entrance is not all that bad...

 

[Disney_Princess83]

Exactly. Heck, depending where you're staying and which Park you're going to, it's getting to the point where cabbing it and getting dropped at the entrance is not all that bad...

 

[Art 1]

I'm in business. I like the way Disney thinks. The parks are full, there really is no good time to go like a few years ago, why not? This will not hurt attendance at all. $2 a car is going to mean a lot of extra money coming in each day.

 

[Zeebs]

Well, this only adds to the mess with FP and Magic Bands. When new things are being "tested" why are they raising prices? We can honestly say if this upcoming trip was not paid for we would rethink it. It will definitely change things for next year.

And this is what they are banking on I think. We can't get out of this trip as it is all paid up, but I don't appreciate being guinea pig for all their new plans that don't work 98% of the time correctly, all the time they are raising their prices.

Kirsten

 

[Mrsjvb]

I have an AP, but even though, that is just ridiculous. $17 frigging dollars to park. Holy cow.

It is $24 to park at the Navy Pier in Chicago. and most people are there a whole lot less time then they are at Mouse Town.

 

[DebbieB]

If you order a Magic Band, you no longer need the separate AP Pass. You do get a Parking Pass (either gold or black)

You need the card for dining and merchandise discounts