Tropicana rant

[pink7420]

Just checked into tropicana, booked 2 months ago. One big reason picked here was free parking. They told me changed policy week ago now parking 9 a day and nothing they can do, so upset, waiting on their manager to call me back as she wasn't on site at the mOment. Idk if I'm being out of line but feel if booked 2 months ago I should of been made aware of new policy or something.

 

[wbl2745]

Wow, I wonder if the other hotels nearby are also charging for parking?

 

[blabbermouth]

Well I hardly think that's fair. When you booked it was free, so it should be free now. If someone walked in off the street, charge them $9, but not someone who booked 2 months ago. I hope the manager helps you out.

 

[Kittyskyfish]

I'm sorry this switcheroo happened to you! Do you have access to your original reservation email confirmation? It should state other additional charges the guest may incur during the stay. My old receipts from the Fairfield show complimentary parking or fee parking (a few I have are before they started charging for the space).

If your receipt says free parking, I'd be fighting that earlier policy tooth and nail.

 

[skiingfast]

Just checked into tropicana, booked 2 months ago. One big reason picked here was free parking. They told me changed policy week ago now parking 9 a day and nothing they can do, so upset, waiting on their manager to call me back as she wasn't on site at the mOment. Idk if I'm being out of line but feel if booked 2 months ago I should of been made aware of new policy or something.

I think since you agreed to stay there at a certain price, if they didn't have the parking fee noted then, then you absolutely don't have to pay it.

Last minute fees are not an acceptable way to run a vacation business.

Let the manager know, and mention that you search for information on places like the DIS or MC or TA and are shocked the Tropicana is forcing you to pay.

 

[Butterfly123]

Oh my gosh...this very thing almost happened to me, except with Camelot...they are run by the same people. I saw that in the new AAA book they were charging for parking now. But my reservation email said free parking, I was given my quote and made reservations based on that fact. I called and talked to the manager, who was very rude, and wouldn't budge about the fee. I ended up cancelling my reservation, and made reservations with BWPPI. They charge for parking, but it's not the charging I mind, if I know in advance and can make that decision for myself.
I imagine the manager was so rude because they are getting a lot of angry people, which they should, because I don't think it's fair to do this to customers who made reservations before they started charging for parking, and have reservation confirmation saying "free parking".
The manager also said they couldn't possibly email everyone to let them know about the change. Huh? Why not.
Good luck...let us know what happens. I know I won't be back.

 

[Piglet99645]

I agree with what everyone here says. You should not have to pay it.

BUT DON'T LET THIS RUIN YOUR DAY!!!! ENJOY YOUR VACATION NO MATTER WHAT!!!

If you don't get satisfaction from this manager, put it off until you check out, and pitch a fit again then. But don't worry about it during your fun time!

 

[DebbieB]

Wow, I wonder if the other hotels nearby are also charging for parking?

I stayed at Homewood Suites in December, I think it was $10 a night.

 

[disneychrista]

Dessert Inn charges too, not sure how much but I want to say $9/night.

 

[skiingfast]

I stayed at Homewood Suites in December, I think it was $10 a night.

Dessert Inn charges too, not sure how much but I want to say $9/night.

Not that this matters as far as the problem with billing that the OP is experiencing. I would guess that the majority of Harbor Hotels charge for parking. While some people find free parking is a benefit and paid parking a disadvantage. $75 + $15 for parking is less than $100 with free parking. Don't be deterred by parking fees do the math to figure out the best deal. Same goes for resort fees.

 

[jory29]

I'm wondering.... if you don't get resolution with them, is it worth it maybe to take it up with your credit card company and have them get the hotel to issue you a refund for the parking if you do end up having to pay it? Good luck, I disagree with that! You were not told at the time of booking, so any new bookings should be told about the fee, but not something that was formerly booked.

 

[PinkBudgie]

When we booked at Embassy a few years ago it was before they put the parking fee in to effect. When they told us there was a parking fee, we showed them how we booked online before the fee and they didn't charge us. No hassle, no argument. This is what your place should do too if they want to keep customers. Good luck and let us know what happens.

 

[Butterfly123]

I think the whole thing was just handled so poorly. If you want to charge for parking that is fine...just plan in advance, so when people are making reservations they can be informed of a new policy as of whatever date it will be made effective. Don't tell people something is free, confirm it in an email, and then spring a charge on them when they arrive.
I asked the manager if they don't stand by their quotes in their email confirmation, how would I know they wouldn't change the room rate on me? She said "well, that is completely different!" I think you either stand by what you've confirmed with people, or you don't.
And to think if they had planned and handled it differently there wouldn't need to be this problem at all.

 

[disneychrista]

I would guess that the majority of Harbor Hotels charge for parking.

This is a relatively new thing. I have never been charged for parking at any hotel, with the exception of the Hyatt.

In the end I look at total price. Room + Parking/Resort when booking.

 

[sonnyjane]

Wow what a bummer! I just recommended this hotel a few days ago because of their location and free parking! You should not have to pay, but it doesn't sound like they're going to back down without a fight. Good luck and I agree with a previous poster that I hope you still have a good vacation despite this annoyance.

 

[skiingfast]

This is a relatively new thing. I have never been charged for parking at any hotel, with the exception of the Hyatt.

I agree and not just for DL the DL area. As hotels wanted to increase revenue they applied supplemental fees to "hide" the cost, and kept room rates the same. Remember back when Enron was messing with energy costs and the price of electricity suddenly rose in the West? I'm going to guess in about 1999 I went to Vegas and paid a $4 energy fee. Then 5 years later, Enron gone a $4 energy fee. Then 5 years later, no energy fee but a $4 resort fee. A lot like airlines keep that $129 ticket but charging $5 for headphones, $10 for checked bags..... Good thing airline fares haven't gone up in 30 years, right?

It's a business tactic. Nothing new. And it's never been wrong to be an educated consumer. I think that's part of what gets people to the DIS.

If the OP doesn't get thier money back after all this advice, they can PM me and I'll be happy to explain how to get that parking fee back.

 

[jemimabean]

We were there exactly a month ago, and they were charging $9.00 a day for parking then, so this absolutely did not just change a week ago. They have had plenty of time to notify you of the change, and I would tell them that it is absolutely unacceptable to charge you for a change in policy that they did not let you know about before arrival.

I hope that the manager handles it graciously, but no matter what, don't let it ruin your trip.

(For the record, we had a great stay at the Tropicana, and have already booked for when we go back in August, but this would really have frustrated me too.)

 

[pink7420]

Still waiting on this manager left two messages and nothing will try again in am, hoping can get this resolved.

 

[rbbs]

I think in all likelyhood you won't have to pay for the parking but if you do have to make sure to remind the manager of all of the online communties that you belong to and that you will be warning others about your experience as you booked before this new fee came into effect and this impacted why you choose to book there in the first place. Common sense should prevail. I once had a similar parking type issue at a hotel in San Francisco and I made sure to post about it on Trip Advisor and the manager was quite prompt to give me a partial refund and did reference my post on Trip Advisor and wanted to negotiate getting it removed. Now more than ever the word can travel quickly and these places are held more accountable then ever which is great for the paying consumer. Give it time and I think it will work out! Or warn others about why it didn't work out....Good luck!

 

[disneychrista]

They still don't mention the parking when you book a room, I just tried it out (didn't actually book). But do mention it on their website under Hotel Policys.