Charging Resort Guests for Overnight Parking

joonyer;2512282 wrote:

Seriously, Disney should just tell us the truth:
“We are charging for parking at hotels because:
1) We can.
2) It will make more money for us.
3) We will still sell out our resort rooms.”

#3 is the one I call in to question - if they were constantly selling out there hotel rooms why have they decided to covert so many to DVC? I would think those rooms brought in more money if they were sold out every night then they will now. Curious if anyone knows the comparison numbers on this that they could share?

Cinderelley;2512286 wrote: He may see how witty we are and hire us to Make Disney Great Again!

Now we'll be banned and ostracized. They'll send us through Schweitzer Falls.

All of their reasons/excuses boil down to "We want to make things easier for us at the expense of our customer", which is one of the great sins of customer service. To be fair, they've been going down this road for some time. I could never attend anything at Disney Institute and keep a straight face these days.

VWL Mom;2512292 wrote: #3 is the one I call in to question - if they were constantly selling out there hotel rooms why have they decided to covert so many to DVC? I would think those rooms brought in more money if they were sold out every night then they will now. Curious if anyone knows the comparison numbers on this that they could share?

I also continue to get offers (although at a slower rate than recent years) to stay on property. I wouldn't think they would be sending out promotions to people for them to call in and be told they're all booked. Maybe that is their plan, but that would be one of the worst marketing campaigns to run.

Tekneek;2512297 wrote: I also continue to get offers (although at a slower rate than recent years) to stay on property. I wouldn't think they would be sending out promotions to people for them to call in and be told they're all booked. Maybe that is their plan, but that would be one of the worst marketing campaigns to run.

My offers have pretty much all but dried up, other than the occasional Disney Visa offer. I couldn't tell you the last time I received any form of pin code offer, 2010 maybe. I used to get them with some frequency but nothing for the past several years.

Cinderelley;2512192 wrote: You will choose which button to use based on whether it is liquid or solid waste and be charged based on how much water that particular flush takes. Then you will be charged per square of toilet paper.

I would imagine that a majority of people fly in for their visit to Disney World, so this isn't an issue for them.

We fly in, but the last three trips we rented from Alamo on property. The extra $300 cost was offset by having so much flexibility getting to/from the parks and not having to rely on Disney Transportation. I don't see us paying the rental fee and the daily cost to park. Disney is hurting its partner Alamo and putting added pressure onto the bus system.

Personally, I think that if they are going to charge overnight guests, they should also charge day guests. It just seems a bit more equitable to me. That way it would weed out those trying to avoid the theme park parking charge. They could make an exception for those with dining reservations or put a reasonable time limit by requiring you to scan your band or take a ticket on your way in and out. At the Swan and Dolphin you scan your room key or take a ticket. Your room key allows you in-and-out privileges and charges you a lower rate.

Yeah, we'll still rent a truck when we go. Which will be less, b/c of numerous reasons. The Disney Buses just aren't what they used to be. We primarily only use the bus at MK. Maybe EPCOT if I plan to get liquored up at the FW festival and not staying on a boat ride resort.

So I said "so let me make sure I understand you fully, I have previously resort-hoped via my car to see Christmas decorations at So I said "so let me make sure I understand you fully, I have previously resort-hoped via my car to see Christmas decorations at WL and then the GF the first week of December (not peak times) as well as visited friends at the Cabins, and was waived on through the gate no problem, but now I will unconditionally not be allowed to do this?" Her response was "yes, that is correct".WL and then the GF the first week of December (not peak times) as well as visited friends at the Cabins, and was waived on through the gate no problem, but now I will unconditionally not be allowed to do this?" Her response was "yes, that is correct".

My lips are moving, but words aren't coming out ..... one of the simple pleasures of visiting WDW gone .... unless of course you want to spend an additional day or two plotting the logistics of visiting various resorts .....

It’s a hidden fee that you normally don’t find out about until you’re there. I think it’s something most people would prefer to just have added to the room rate than be told on check-in that there’s a “parking fee”. Come on. They hit me with that at Shades of Green when I took my family last year. I had everything budgeted out perfectly until I was hit with that on check in. It’s really a lousy way to do business. Just increase the room cost and quit with the bait and switch tactics already. I think people appreciate knowing up front how much everything will cost prior to the trip.

The more I think about this, the more I think there is something else going on here, bedsides just a cash grab. I mean if Disney had just added $13-$26 to the rack rate of the rooms I don't think most people would have even noticed. In this case they went out of there way to not only add the new parking fee, but tell people about it months in advance. Having said this I can only think of two reasons that they may be doing this (other than a cash grab).

1. Reduce traffic on property - The problem with this theory is the number of guest that they may lose to offsite locations, that are cheaper and do not charge for parking. Also, I have been hearing rumors that the reason the bus service is so bad lately is that Disney is having a hard time recruiting bus drivers to work for them.
2. Fix the parking problems at the Deluxe resorts - As mentioned by many people the biggest problem with the parking at the Deluxe resorts is the day guest. IMHO it is the day guest that should be getting charged for parking.

Tekneek;2512297 wrote: I also continue to get offers (although at a slower rate than recent years) to stay on property. I wouldn't think they would be sending out promotions to people for them to call in and be told they're all booked. Maybe that is their plan, but that would be one of the worst marketing campaigns to run.

Yes, that may be true, but have you ever looked to see what was available on those offers? The last two or three had the most expensive rooms (at ANY resort that had ANY rooms available) only.

They seem to be filling most of the 'value' priced rooms at each resort, but cannot get the 'top of the line' rooms filled...even with discounts of 30% or more.

Speedy1998;2512505 wrote: The more I think about this, the more I think there is something else going on here, bedsides just a cash grab. I mean if Disney had just added $13-$26 to the rack rate of the rooms I don't think most people would have even noticed. In this case they went out of there way to not only add the new parking fee, but tell people about it months in advance. Having said this I can only think of two reasons that they may be doing this (other than a cash grab).

1. Reduce traffic on property - The problem with this theory is the number of guest that they may lose to offsite locations, that are cheaper and do not charge for parking. Also, I have been hearing rumors that the reason the bus service is so bad lately is that Disney is having a hard time recruiting bus drivers to work for them.
2. Fix the parking problems at the Deluxe resorts - As mentioned by many people the biggest problem with the parking at the Deluxe resorts is the day guest. IMHO it is the day guest that should be getting charged for parking.

If you don't see this as anything other than a blatant cash grab, I'm not sure what to say. And just thing, every year (or twice a year) they can ratchet up the parking rates a dollar or two......and STILL raise room costs 5-7%.

RunDMV;2512512 wrote: If you don't see this as anything other than a blatant cash grab, I'm not sure what to say. And just thing, every year (or twice a year) they can ratchet up the parking rates a dollar or two......and STILL raise room costs 5-7%.

Well, I think all of the reasons are true. But they are in it to make money. Its more of the feeling right? Of being 20 buck to death? I'd rather pay 1 fee, be done w/ it.

If they build it, they will come, so charge... They are going w/ that.

Truth in advertising.