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

[clsteve]

They'll just correlate "increased guest spending" with the implementation of MM+.

Hey bonuses depend on margins- and those Napa wineries are getting expensive...!

 

[JanaDee]

They'll just correlate "increased guest spending" with the implementation of MM+.

Yup. Gotta make the numbers up somewhere.

 

[mesaboy2]

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

I am making clear to other readers that your earlier statement is only a guess.

 

[Zeebs]

Those comparing the increase as being in line with other themeparks, can you tell me how many days you go to these parks? I would have thought that most of them would be one or two day visits, feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

We are visiting for 14 days so this increase is does add up for us. Not enough to stay onsite however.

I realise that Disney doesn't care how long we have saved up to visit and as a business they have the every right to increase their prices, but I think that at some point people are going to say enough is enough and for us, it might just be this trip.

Kirsten

 

[Zeebs]

apparently I can get a cab for around $17 from down town Disney to MK so would this mean I wouldn't need to worry about the getting from the Ticket and Transport Centre to the gates or do the cabs drop you off at the TTC?

if they drop you off at the gates we could then just take our time in the afternoon head to the poly for a look around and then take a bus from there to DTD?

Kirsten

 

[clsteve]

apparently I can get a cab for around $17 from down town Disney to MK so would this mean I wouldn't need to worry about the getting from the Ticket and Transport Centre to the gates or do the cabs drop you off at the TTC?

if they drop you off at the gates we could then just take our time in the afternoon head to the poly for a look around and then take a bus from there to DTD?

Kirsten

Take the cab to the Contemporary. It avoids TTC and is a nice walk

 

[dissupermom]

my opinions on this are:
1. a $3 increase from $14 to $17 is still waaay cheaper than it is for me to park my car in philly on a normal workday. even cheaper when there's an event going on and parking then goes up to between $25 and $35.
2. to compare WDW to six flags, cedar point or US is not fair. a 5yo can ride anything at WDW, whereas at the other parks, most rides are out of their reach, and you are still paying rates for them.
3. it's against the rules to park at DTD and take the bus to the parks
4. comparing on site v. offsite- if you just look at just the basic cost of a room, the cheapest room at a value is about $100 compared to about $70 offsite. for ten days, that's $1000 v $700. now add on parking at the parks ($170) and a rental car for those ten days ($350) and gas ($50) that's an extra $570. that makes that $700 room a $1270 room off site and still a $1000 room on site. time,and aggravation of offsite traveling has not been added.

 

[dissupermom]

oh, I forgot to add the $12.95pp for offsite guests if they want the magic bands.. that adds another $51.80 on top of the $570, so now you're at $631.80.....

 

[katallo]

I have a degree in business as well, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and I HATE the way Disney thinks. At least currently. "Charge whatever you can because people will still pay it and you can get away with it" is not a good business strategy. Neither is "don't put any effort into improving the current product because the parks are full as it is."

If Walt and thought this way, there would be no Disney World, probably not even a Disneyland or Walt Disney Corp. Yes, it's a strategy that can work once you become powerful enough which Disney is. But it doesn't mean you SHOULD do it. Creating goodwill with your customer is much more important and well worth making a little less.

Well said!

 

[Zeebs]

my opinions on this are:
1. a $3 increase from $14 to $17 is still waaay cheaper than it is for me to park my car in philly on a normal workday. even cheaper when there's an event going on and parking then goes up to between $25 and $35.
2. to compare WDW to six flags, cedar point or US is not fair. a 5yo can ride anything at WDW, whereas at the other parks, most rides are out of their reach, and you are still paying rates for them.
3. it's against the rules to park at DTD and take the bus to the parks
4. comparing on site v. offsite- if you just look at just the basic cost of a room, the cheapest room at a value is about $100 compared to about $70 offsite. for ten days, that's $1000 v $700. now add on parking at the parks ($170) and a rental car for those ten days ($350) and gas ($50) that's an extra $570. that makes that $700 room a $1270 room off site and still a $1000 room on site. time,and aggravation of offsite traveling has not been added.

You are comparing 1 room value room, I do not want to stay in 1 room for 2 weeks with my family of 5, to get like for like I need to go to a villa, the difference per night then is much much more than $30 a night. We would always hire a car anyway, because we like to see a bit more of Orlando than just Disney however, even when I add my accommodation, parking and carhire together offsite is still costing me less in a like for like situation than on site would.

I understand that offsite isn't for everyone and I also don't have a problem for people staying onsite getting perks for doing so they pay so much more money to stay they should get some extra perks.

You can't take a bus directly from DTD to the parks so I am not sure how this can be against the rules, if you can't do it.

I am also trying to figure out why I would want a magic band it doesn't seem to offer me anything extra for the money except for a sweaty rubber band round my wrist.

Kirsten

 

[Planogirl]

my opinions on this are:
4. comparing on site v. offsite- if you just look at just the basic cost of a room, the cheapest room at a value is about $100 compared to about $70 offsite. for ten days, that's $1000 v $700. now add on parking at the parks ($170) and a rental car for those ten days ($350) and gas ($50) that's an extra $570. that makes that $700 room a $1270 room off site and still a $1000 room on site. time,and aggravation of offsite traveling has not been added.

I think that you're comparing apples to oranges here. Offsite I can get free breakfast and other amenities or even a house with a private pool. Or we could stay in a tiny room at a Disney value.

It just isn't the same thing.

 

[Art 1]

I have a degree in business as well, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, and I HATE the way Disney thinks. At least currently. "Charge whatever you can because people will still pay it and you can get away with it" is not a good business strategy. Neither is "don't put any effort into improving the current product because the parks are full as it is."

If Walt and thought this way, there would be no Disney World, probably not even a Disneyland or Walt Disney Corp. Yes, it's a strategy that can work once you become powerful enough which Disney is. But it doesn't mean you SHOULD do it. Creating goodwill with your customer is much more important and well worth making a little less.

No, I don't have a business degree, but I own a company that is very complex and expensive to run. So I know about giving value for money and goodwill towards the customers.

But look at it this way. For $17 you get to park on a paved parking area, that is well lit and patrolled. One gets transportation from there to the parks, tram, boat, monorail, transportation between the parks and also AAA service if needed. Another option would be for Disney to chop down some trees, put up a park at your own risk sign and the people walk a few miles to the front door. Do you think many would park there for free? I don't.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Those comparing the increase as being in line with other themeparks, can you tell me how many days you go to these parks? I would have thought that most of them would be one or two day visits, feel free to correct me if I am wrong.

We are visiting for 14 days so this increase is does add up for us. Not enough to stay onsite however.

I realise that Disney doesn't care how long we have saved up to visit and as a business they have the every right to increase their prices, but I think that at some point people are going to say enough is enough and for us, it might just be this trip.

Kirsten

So, $28 more over two weeks than you expected to pay, if you visit the major theme parks all 14 days? If it's a money issue, drop one single soda or dessert per day, or share one single meal between two people once during the trip, or cut out a souvenir.

apparently I can get a cab for around $17 from down town Disney to MK so would this mean I wouldn't need to worry about the getting from the Ticket and Transport Centre to the gates or do the cabs drop you off at the TTC?

if they drop you off at the gates we could then just take our time in the afternoon head to the poly for a look around and then take a bus from there to DTD?

Confused. If it's exactly $17 to park at the TTC vs 'about' $17 plus tip to take a taxi, why would you want to leave your car so inaccessible? Anyway, there's minimal parking ar Downtown Disney due to garage construction.

 

[Zeebs]

So, $28 more over two weeks than you expected to pay, if you visit the major theme parks all 14 days? If it's a money issue, drop one single soda or dessert per day, or share one single meal between two people once during the trip, or cut out a souvenir.



Confused. If it's exactly $17 to park at the TTC vs 'about' $17 plus tip to take a taxi, why would you want to leave your car so inaccessible? Anyway, there's minimal parking ar Downtown Disney due to garage construction.

No not a money issue, I can afford it, I personally think that putting their prices up across board while still "testing" a system with bugs is wrong. However, I realise there are plenty of people that disagree with me but that is the way I feel.

As to the taxi comment I just figured if I was paying the same to park, I may as well get delivered almost to the gates and then take a leisurely trip via a resort to have a look around. Not trying to cut the cost (although I guess the money doesn't go to Disney) and wouldn't do it on every trip to the MK, just wondering if it was an option (ie if they had to drop me at the ticket and transport centre it wouldn't be worth it) We are rope drop people so I am guessing the parking would be ok at that hour of the morning and be great for us to get the car after having some dinner down at DTD.

Kirsten

 

[raven69david]

Another great reason to give the "visiting the GF" excuse to the toll CM.

 

[dissupermom]

I think that you're comparing apples to oranges here. Offsite I can get free breakfast and other amenities or even a house with a private pool. Or we could stay in a tiny room at a Disney value. It just isn't the same thing.

I am ONLY looking at dollar for dollar, not any convenience factor, or going to Denny's and all. I know food is cheaper offsite. but since that's mentioned, I DO NOT go on vacation to eat at Denny's, to rent a house where I cook, wash clothes, make my own bed.. I can stay home for that. so, if one wants to the convenience cost with that, then so be it. I stay at value resorts so I can stay longer at WDW. yes, I could get a moderate or deluxe for the added room and all, but my stay would only be half that. whatever works for me, may not work for everyone, which is why I stated "MY OPINION IS..."

 

[Dan Murphy]

Actually didn't get it from there (or anywhere on the internet for that matter) just a CM friend. Would have cited it if I had. Anyways, glad to see other sites spreading the info.

Sounds good, Andy. Just thought that was maybe where it came from. You always have great info too.

 

[StuckInKS]

For one day, it is not so bad. I just spent $15 to park in a downtown lot for 2 hours while we went to Disney on Ice. At least for the $17 I can park at Disney all day. BUT when you have staying 7-10 days or more, it REALLY adds up. It does make staying onsite or buying APs more cost worthy.

 

[StuckInKS]

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.

Oh shoot! We have moved since we for our APs in November. Let me ask you this...we upgraded our tickets that were already on our MBs, so our APs were automatically attached to our MBs from our stay...does this mean we won't get a set with AP cards. Also, if for some reason we son't receive these new cards, can we still use the ones we got in Nov (green with a character)?

 

[JayLeeJay]

Oh shoot! We have moved since we for our APs in November. Let me ask you this...we upgraded our tickets that were already on our MBs, so our APs were automatically attached to our MBs from our stay...does this mean we won't get a set with AP cards. Also, if for some reason we son't receive these new cards, can we still use the ones we got in Nov (green with a character)?

On MDE you should have an option to customize your AP magic bands. Until you do this you won't receive the bands or the cards (or the passholder slider for the bands). You can pick which address to ship them to when you customize them.