Disney Resorts to start charging parking fees....

[Gryhndmom]

I have no idea how they are going to handle this new, crappy idea. I just know that they have installed the license plate reader technology.

Perhaps the same way FL toll-by-plate works?

From the website:

How does it work? Cameras take a photo of the rental car's license plate as it goes through the toll lane and sends a bill for the tolls to the rental company's tolling program vendor. The vendor collects the toll plus applicable service fees from the customer's credit card, and pays the toll to the road agency. The service fees are retained by the vendor, not the toll road.

Great...if I remember a few years ago there was a class action lawsuit against rental car companies because of this technology and toll charges. (I know we got a really small check back from Hertz) we avoid the “plate” reader toll lanes and pay the toll when driving from the airport since if you do use the “fast” lanes not only do you pay the toll but also the horrendous service charge associated with it that lovingly appears on your credit card a couple months after your visit.

 

[DISNEY1975]

Perhaps the same way FL toll-by-plate works?

From the website:

How does it work? Cameras take a photo of the rental car's license plate as it goes through the toll lane and sends a bill for the tolls to the rental company's tolling program vendor. The vendor collects the toll plus applicable service fees from the customer's credit card, and pays the toll to the road agency. The service fees are retained by the vendor, not the toll road.

But when you rent a car, you are strongly advised of getting the EZpass so the rental agency doesnt have to deal with all the paperwork and after the fact charging. If Disney is oing to charge your guest folio, then I dont think it will go through the agency first. If they have installed technology, I highly doubt it is for the new parking fee.

I really believe you will scan you band as you drive through the gate and if it is your home resort, it will be flagged you are a guest and you will be charged.

 

[Sue M]

If this is the case, I better make sure gate knows I’ll be returning my car rental after I check in and drop off luggage so I don’t incur a charge. Ugh.

 

[Jex]

No response yet, but I let them know that unlike others that are complaining about the fee I liked it so much I implemented it at home. Now when guest come to visit me I charge them to park in my driveway, the only problem is now I don't have any guest that want to come over.

 

[little_orange_bird]

Reinstated, not extended. Well, there wasn't FP+ back then, but the Hotel Plaza Boulevard guests got the same perks as o site guests. Then just the Hilton did, then nobody, now all seven properties

Sorry I missed your reply among all the posts! Thanks for answering-I didn’t realize it was reinstating and not extending.

 

[Sue M]

Kind of off topic but since I am now going to stay offsite for the first time... what are the shuttles like for those hotels? We fly in and would rather not deal with a rental car.

The Disney Springs hotels have very good shuttles. They run continuously every 30 min. Our first stay we were at the Marriott Courtyard on Palm Pkwy. They had good service for off site. Meaning they had about 4 morning shuttles to the parks and 3 or 4 evening shuttles returning to hotel. Not possible to return to hotel for mid day break. And sometimes in the evening we had to leave before fireworks depending on shuttle time. Once we stood at offsite bus stop for an hour before bus came. Some off site hotels have only 2 shuttles going morning and night.
If I were staying offsite I’d stay in Disney Springs Hotel area.
We only stayed offsite our first trip, so I don’t know how off site shuttles are now, except for Disney Springs, they are still every 30 min.

 

[MicroBeta]

I have no idea how they are going to handle this new, crappy idea. I just know that they have installed the license plate reader technology.

When did WDW install automated plate recognition? I haven't found anything on Google.

Mike

 

[lambdabeta]

I would think they would do it just like every other parking area. Either a manned booth to collect fees with a gate with a ticket when you enter. If you are shopping or eating at the resort they would validate your ticket for free parking and if you exceed the time limit you would be charged. Or just a gate system with use of your magic band to get in or out or still using a ticket that you insert and pay with a credit card when you leave if you don't have a magic band and are just a day visitor. I have been in many paid lots that do both of these things. In the resorts that have a lot of traffic they may have to have more gates or booths like they do in city parking lots.[/QUOTE]

Like I mentioned many pages back, the "industry standard" of Universal already charges for parking (($13 for values and $24 for deluxes) *but* they also charge Day guests for parking. You get a ticket when you enter. If you are an overnight guest, you use your room key to enter/exit. The overnight parking is charged to the folio. If you are a day guest, you pay upon exit. It's a per hour charge and adds to $45/day. Simple. Here in Atlanta, they don't even man some parking lots. You grab a ticket when you enter the lot and you get a ticket from the restaurant that gets you 2 hours free. You enter your ticket at exit, followed by the restaurant's ticket. If it's less than 2 hours, the gate opens. If it's more, you pay the difference. Easy, peasy and FAIR.

I'm OK paying to park my car AS LONG AS THE DAY GUESTS PAY TOO. What is bothering me is paying to park only to have the day guests take the parking spots and get to park for free.[/QUOTE]

I agree. There should be some sort of system to prevent abuse by day visitors. Thanks for reading all of the posts before responding. I find so many people don't do that. They respond to a post and don't know what the conversation is. I get tired of trying to explain myself to people who misunderstand what I said because I was responding to someone specific.

 

[Tink-osophy]

When you think about it, the mods and values have the more deluxe car parks, because they offer spaces more easily (I nearly wrote "freely"! ).

Deluxe guests will be charged more for a space they then have to share with someone else who hasn't paid anything! That's anything but superior service.

 

[dansdad]

When did WDW install automated plate recognition? I haven't found anything on Google.

Mike

About 18 months ago. It wasn't announced.

 

[Kevin355]

Just out of curiosity...reading through the past few pages it seems many have said how unhappy they are with Disney and what they have done in the past (RFID chips in refill cups, big increase in AP, and now parking fee at hotels) yet you still vacation at WDW. I understand where you are coming from but if you are that unhappy with Disney why do you still go?

For those who have cancelled their AP’s and hotel reservations, IMO that does send a clear message to Disney. FWIW I did send an email to Rober Iger letting him know that the people they should be targeting with paid hotel parking is the day visitor to the hotel. I told him they should be allowed three hours for dining etc. and after that be charged for the day. Not fair to hotel guests to circle the parking lot for 30 minutes trying to find a parking spot.

Haven't vacationed at WDW since 2016...took my mom for her 80th Bday because she wanted to go. Have been to Las Vegas/Grand Canyon, then seen my son in the Navy in Pensacola, then drove down to Key West. Made it a 2 week vacation and did not do Disney. Like many have alluded too, the world is a great big place with more to see than just WDW.

Going to Japan next year to see our boy in the Navy.

 

[Tink-osophy]

Haven't vacationed at WDW since 2016...took my mom for her 80th Bday because she wanted to go. Have been to Las Vegas/Grand Canyon, then seen my son in the Navy in Pensacola, then drove down to Key West. Made it a 2 week vacation and did not do Disney. Like many have alluded too, the world is a great big place with more to see than just WDW.

Going to Japan next year to see our boy in the Navy.

Fantastic!

Are you thinking of going to Tokyo Disney? I have heard awesome things about DisneySea, especially.

Mind you, I always think Japan looks like a beautiful country, so much to see there.

 

[Kevin355]

Fantastic!

Are you thinking of going to Tokyo Disney? I have heard awesome things about DisneySea, especially.

Mind you, I always think Japan looks like a beautiful country, so much to see there.

Not going to Tokyo Disney. My son is located as far from Tokyo as you can be while still being in Japan. I am bringing my golf clubs, though. Excellent course on his base.

 

[Kevin355]

Great...if I remember a few years ago there was a class action lawsuit against rental car companies because of this technology and toll charges. (I know we got a really small check back from Hertz) we avoid the “plate” reader toll lanes and pay the toll when driving from the airport since if you do use the “fast” lanes not only do you pay the toll but also the horrendous service charge associated with it that lovingly appears on your credit card a couple months after your visit.

When we rent a car in FLA, we just pay for SunPass and not worry.

 

[HopperFan]

Just out of curiosity...reading through the past few pages it seems many have said how unhappy they are with Disney and what they have done in the past (RFID chips in refill cups, big increase in AP, and now parking fee at hotels) yet you still vacation at WDW. I understand where you are coming from but if you are that unhappy with Disney why do you still go?

I don't know that these issues can be lumped to the same people ......
- I think the RFID chips in the mugs/cups was brilliant and have no issue
- I have no problem with my AP price and now I get photos included, YEAH!
I happen to think Disney tickets are worth it for what you get and compare with other ticketed things.
- Parking Fee, yeah kinda final straw but not the issues you listed.

I love Disney World and no reason for me to stop going. I will just stay offsite so they will lose my hotel money, my food court money, breakfast money, some of my dinner money, I'll likely shop offsite more at the outlets and now I won't blink if I'm heading over to the dark side or think about seeing some of the smaller attractions. I can still enjoy Disney but I will widen my destinations and Disney will get less of my money.

Kind of off topic but since I am now going to stay offsite for the first time... what are the shuttles like for those hotels? We fly in and would rather not deal with a rental car.

I know I replied but to be sure, the Disney Springs shuttles are very good!!

If you book at a Good Neighbor Hotel, and it even has shuttles, check the schedule before as they can be very limiting.

They got shamed away from posting during the Dog Friendly, wall mounted toiletry and security check threads. But they're still here.

I know I had nothing to do with that.

Fantastic!

Are you thinking of going to Tokyo Disney? I have heard awesome things about DisneySea, especially.

Mind you, I always think Japan looks like a beautiful country, so much to see there.

DH did work in Japan for years, Tokyo. He LOVES it there! When DD was allowed to pick where ever she wanted to go with him for her "college trip" she picked Tokyo. He was kinda disappointed because he thought he'd get to go somewhere new but .. was happy to share such a beautiful place with her. They had a great trip.

Of course after she finished DCP she wanted to go to Tokyo Disney ... they went to both parks and loved them especially DisneySea. DH especially enjoyed it and he's a Disney every 3-4 years kind of guy.

 

[ShadeDK]

What I am wondering is Disney gave us warning of this change which they don't always do. I think it was to encourage people to book before March 21st. So now resorts will be full and they won't have to offer as big of discounts. I think they are embracing this anger and hope it is moving people who are on the fence about booking to book now at full rack rate.

It's about 40 pages back now, but I'd pointed out that the parking fee now erases the discounts in part or in whole. The parking fees at the Values add about 10% to the nightly stay - and since discounts at the Values are usually around 10%, that means you pay full price now and skip the parking fees, or wait for a 10% discounted rate and then give it back in parking fees. The Moderates and Deluxes are better (with parking fees adding about 3 - 8% to the nightly rate) but it's still going to eat into those discounts.

Speaking of discounts - the late Spring deal (for stays through June 10) that was to end on March 7 was extended to April 7. With no announcement about summer deals. Rumor has it that Disney may be stingy with those with Toy Storyland opening in late June. There may be some last minute deals but who knows. And all the fervor over the parking fees will be nothing in comparison to what happens if Disney reduces (or *gasp* doesn't offer) Free Dining this fall (and let's not even look ahead to Fall 2019 when Galaxy's Edge opens and Disney will not have to offer a single perk or discount to fill the hotels). And that's why this whole parking fee doesn't settle well - just another complimentary perk that's going to a paid model.

 

[Linkura]

Not going to Tokyo Disney. My son is located as far from Tokyo as you can be while still being in Japan. I am bringing my golf clubs, though. Excellent course on his base.

I'm jealous. Okinawa looks so beautiful!! I hope I can go someday.

 

[yaya74]

regarding the "complimentary day guests parking" thing...

So I wrote Guest relation an email regarding the new parking fee policy and I received the reply today.
In my email, my major concern is the "complimentary day guest parking" policy since I foresee parking lots at BWI, where my family will be staying at, be filled with "day guests" during the day and I will waste my precious time looking for a parking spot while paying $24 a night (Though my reservation was made prior to 3/21, I have a feeling that my reservation will be changed when new promotion is released, thus I am doomed to pay the parking)... In the email from WDW Guest Relation, the person mentioned that "there will be restrictions" applied to the day guests parking as the park and resort monitor the parking situation. The email reassures me that I will have no problem finding a parking spot during my stay.....

well, let's see how it goes...

 

[Rosanne]

Sent Bob Iger an email last night and so far no phone call yet....I mean really what could he be so busy with that he can’t call me about my ideas on charging day guests for parking ?

He's wearing his Uncle Scrooge vest and monocle and diving in his mountains of money. Probably can't hear the phone over all that clinking gold.

 

[we"reofftoneverland]

No response yet, but I let them know that unlike others that are complaining about the fee I liked it so much I implemented it at home. Now when guest come to visit me I charge them to park in my driveway, the only problem is now I don't have any guest that want to come over.

love it!