Dad's Rant: Disney is charging for parking at the hotels?
by Dad
(The Office)
Parking. Yes, Disney introduced parking charges for resort guests, and boy did that ever stir some stuff up, everybody was upset about it. Well, I've just got to say that I didn't have quite the same reaction. It doesn't bother me, and let me tell you why.
If you want to save money Disney will pick you up for free - Photo by Cliff Wang
First, most major hotel groups are doing this in resort areas, in big cities. I know if you go to the Niagara Falls, it's something like $40 a night to park in Niagara Falls. If you go to New York City, if you go to Boston, if you go to downtown Oklahoma City, in most cities the nice hotels charge for parking. 30, 40 ... $40 is fairly normal.
So, to park at the value resort is $13 a night, $19 a night for the moderates, and $24 a night for the deluxes...
It's the cost of doing business, and that's the second thing, it doesn't really both me because people that are using the service are the ones that are paying for it. So it only affects the people that drive cars, they're paying for the parking lots, they're paying for the security, they're paying for the extras that go with having a car on site.
Now I know it's always been free, and change is always something we look at and say no, no, no, don't change, don't change. And when something goes from free to pay, it is a little bit of a headache. But, this is one of those... it's something that it's time has come. Universal's been doing it for a long time, I'm surprised Disney hadn't done it already.
Dad's Bottom Line
The last thing is, and the bottom line is, this is only for people who drive. If you don't drive, if you go, or if you use Magical Express, it doesn't cost you anything. You're not paying the extra fee.
When the prices go up this year, the hotel prices, which could happen any day, when the prices go up this year, my guess is it won't be quite as much as it would've been before they announced this, because if they're doing things the way they should, they should breakout now the parking fees. And keep the price increases balanced because of the parking fees. (Good luck with that.)
So, it really doesn't affect everybody. In fact it's less than 50% of people drive. It's probably way less than 50% of people. So if only affects a few.
I know some of you are upset. I understand, but, you know, a year from now it'll just be a thing, a normal thing.
Hi,
We come from the uk every year for the last 8 years
For three weeks We get a Hire car for the three weeks we are
There to get around and now $500 dollars extra to park
The car it’s not on. yes we can use Disney buses but do they go to the local shops supermarkets no so what I save on car hire insurance and now parking I will save about $2,000. Dollars
But I can not explore Florida and everything it as to offer
Very sad Disney I love the whole thing about Disney but now
It’s just money money money how sad Disney is getting
Maybe are last time hear.
Thanks
Jul 04, 2019
Unacceptable by: Beth W
Your conparison to places like Niagra Falls and any other " Big City" sites is Moot!! Really? are people going to Niagra Falls just to park their car? IMO that if you are anywhere, and you are paying to stay/play and can prove you are/have you should not have to pay again to park your vehicle!! I get there are "Cheaters" and you should discourage them with charges, but Not your Paying Guests!! I for one Choose other properties now having been a long time Disney World patron/local, Strickly because of this!!! We gave up our Annual Passes for the same Money Grabing reason. The Cost of Disney has out priced its Magic!!
Apr 24, 2019
Price increases by: Laurie
To compare Disney’s parking fee to big city parking is ridiculous Hotels in big cities and some resorts you exemplified, have one big thing in common . Land. It’s cost is at a premium. Thus parking fees. Disney has so much land This is a price gouge. I suspect this cost is mostly geared to FL residents. It won’t hurt Disney. People adjust. But instead of swinging by and staying at a resort for a night and heading to Disney Springs for a bit of dinner , drinks. Entertainment and shopping... we drop easily a couple of hundred dollars....we will not be spending our money there as often as before We will spend our money elsewhere. Just in principle. It is interesting that as the economy has improved and more folks can afford Disney, the prices have shot ip. Just an observation.
Mar 25, 2019
Paying for resort parking is ridiculous by: Anonymous
I drive a 1000 miles to go to Disney, not because it is affordable (it is actually more expensive than flying for me as I have to rent a vehicle, pay for the gas and a hotel stay on the way there which cost me over 700.00 total for my child and me, we could have flown Spirit for much less)but because I have a terrible fear of flying.
Disney has lots of land for parking, the cost each time I go is getting higher and higher, Park admission is sky rocketing, the transportation from hotels to attractions is horrible and the food is getting more and more expensive. The one break they can give me is free parking.
The company has become more and more money grubbing and less concerned about the happiness and convenience of it's guests. Shame on you Disney! Walt would be so disappointed!
Mar 20, 2019
So if others???? by: Anonymous
Your argument of others are doing it is akin to those that jump off cliffs because others are doing it. If other resorts start filming people in the bathroom then I guess it’s okay if Disney does it? If other resorts sedate you and takes an organ then it’s okay if Disney does it? If other resorts sell your credit card information then it’s okay if Disney does it? My family has enjoyed our trips to Disney but I won’t be gouged. I hope their greed sinks them.
Mar 19, 2019
Parking by: David
I have been to Disney 40 times I travel 1000 miles to get there I went there when they would bend over backwards for you not any more its business as usually. Paying for parking in my oplnlon should not be. You pay a premium price to stay at there resort to bingin with I think it will affect there revenue. It cost me 4000.00 for 7 days. The way I'm going to offset the parking. Fee I'm going to stay 6 nites. Instead of 7. I will save 250.00. Take out the parking. Fee. And I will be ahead. 130.00 if they continue to raise prices I wI'll stay some where else. It's. Just a matter of time they will start charging. For the bus from the airport. To your resort there are a lot of nice places to stay in the area. You don't need. Disney resort hotels. Sorry Mickey it's the CEO of Disney. Not you
Feb 25, 2019
GREEDY GREEDY GREEEDY DISNEY by: Julian Herring
We have travelled from the UK for over 18 years and stayed on the Disney Property, usually Port Orleans. The Holiday is really expensive and to increase this by another $20 per night is just wrong and extremely greedy.
We like the freedom to do all the Disney stuff, plus some off site shopping and popping over to Kennedy, to be honest, this will stop us staying on property, over the last few years we have seen Disney perks and niceties reduce and its simply not becoming magical anymore, just another business with greedy intent. Well there are other places to stay, perhaps Disney should re-think this charge, lets face it its crazy expensive to stay on site anyway. Bad Move, this will likely be our last time staying on site. Shame on You...
Feb 18, 2019
Price of Resorts Going Up by: Anonymous
Disney should just be honest and say, "Hey, we're going to increase the cost of spending a night at one of our resorts." Instead they slip it in as a 'parking fee' and say, "Oh, not everyone has to pay, so it is not really an increase in the cost of staying at a resort." Yeah, right. And no, you can't justify it by saying there is the cost of security and upkeep. "Why should those that don't drive have to pay for that?" Under that logic, why should those that have disabilities get off without paying? If they can afford to drive to Disney and stay at a resort, they can pay the parking fee too.
Jan 08, 2019
unbelievable!!!! by: Anonymous
Called to book a trip to disneyworld...found out you have to pay to park. I almost backed out it made me so mad. Told the lady this will probably be our last trip to Disneyworld...not that she cares. We went a couple of years ago. I thought it was expensive then but it cost me 1000 more this time than before including the stupid parking fee simply because I don't fly.....I already told my grandson this would be our last trip to disneyworld so he better enjoy it. It is just getting way out of hand. The raising of the cost of tickets motels food and now we have to pay of all things parking at a motel we pay way too much for in the beginning. Guess the rich get richer and we middle income keep saving for years to take a trip to disneyworld....Im through with them after this year.
Jul 31, 2018
No, no, no by: Anonymous
Charging for parking at a hotel where you're paying to stay is nothing but a money-grab. A shameless money-grab. Sure, parking is expensive in the big cities you mention in your article, but you're glossing over a big detail: In those cities, space is at a premium, and providing parking is a real cost to those hotels -- not so in Florida, where Disney owns plenty of space and parking isn't really a big cost to them. So what if it only affects guests who bring cars? Why should anyone be charged for parking a car at a hotel where they've already paid a premium price? No, no, no, keep parking free for on-site guests.
May 26, 2018
Totally unfair to FL residents by: Anonymous
So much for Florida residents going to Disney. They just keep pricing us out of the market
Apr 15, 2018
Write Bob Iger by: Anonymous
I think all that are upset here should pen a real letter to Mr. Iger imploring him that all these fees and ticket hikes etc are breaking the bank.
Just because he makes $34 MILLION a year he is immune to $5-10 here and there but for us regular folks, it is and can be a deal breaker!
What's next the ridiculous "resort fee" you know the fee of $20-30/night for use of using the resort? Isn't booking a room the fee for that too? GREED is NOT Good at WDW!
Apr 12, 2018
Parking charges by: Trina
Just an opinion, but, although I don’t know about Niagra Falls, I believe that New York, Boston and Oklahoma City have limited space for parking. Therein lies the difference. I don’t think there is any lack of parking spaces or land to build more at WDW. I believe that they already charge a premium price for rooms, services, food, etc. I love WDW, but I think this is very greedy.
Apr 03, 2018
Keeps the cheaters away by: Anonymous
I have a feeling non resort guests abused this, hopped on the free bus service instead of the parks parking lots that are crowded and confusing. It’s likely because of cheaters.
Apr 02, 2018
parking by: Rich
Agree completely with Daniel most choose to drive to save money. The parking is already there and security is a key factor for everyone, including cast members. Just because it is done elsewhere is a lame excuse, Walt was totally committed to affordability.
Mar 29, 2018
No by: Daniel
Hi Dad! I respect your opinion but I don’t agree with you! For lot’s of families a Disney trip is very expensive and they save up for a long time for it. They sometimes cannot really afford it but they go anti for the kids! That’s also why many drive to Orlando instead of taking the plane, to reduce costs... The parking spaces are humongous and theirs a ton of space. It was one of the rare things that was still free at Disney... They should have left it the way it was. What’s next, charging for using Magical Express and the Disney bus service between the parks and the resorts...
Are you going to Walt Disney World? Would you like to know what the crowds will be? Come see Dad's Walt Disney World Crowd Calendars and find out. Dad has the best Disney World crowd calendars anywher…
