Disney Resorts to start charging parking fees....

[we"reofftoneverland]

Well, I finally received a response to my email. A majorly lame response, but a response. I will copy my original email and Disney's reply below:

Hello,

My name is Xxxxx Xxxxxxx and I have a vacation booked for myself, husband and three children at Port Orleans Riverside from May 27 - June 3 of this year. I understand that as of next week, you will begin charging your hotel guests a daily overnight parking fee. Although I know this does not affect my trip since it was booked before this new policy went into effect, it will greatly affect my decision on where to stay for future trips. As I'm sure you know, there are many, many options of places to stay in the Disney area besides the Disney resort hotels. One of the biggest incentives to staying in a Disney hotel for me are that you don't (or didn't previously) nickel and dime your guests like many other hotels. Unless we find amazing prices on flights, we often drive to our yearly family vacation and this feels like we are being punished for driving instead of flying. I really hope you will reconsider this policy because while I do love Disney, there are many other options of places to stay in the Orlando area and many other vacation destinations entirely. This policy does not feel very magical to this long time Disney lover.

Thanks,

Xxxxx Xxxxxxx


Disney's response:

Dear Xxxxx,

Thank you for your email regarding the adjustment to resort overnight parking.

We are thrilled that you will be staying at Disney's Port Orleans Resort - Riverside in May. As you mentioned, since you booked your reservation prior to the effective date of March 21, you will not be charged the overnight parking fee during this visit. As a Walt Disney World Resort Guest, you will also continue to receive complimentary parking at any of our Theme Parks. For future reservations, you may find more information about parking for Resort Guests by visiting our website.

Xxxxx, we appreciate your feedback, and are looking forward to creating unforgettable memories with you and your family. We sincerely hope your trip is full of great experiences!

Warmest regards,

Mary
Guest Experience Services
Walt Disney World Resort

Her response actually made me roll my eyes. How fake she sounded.

 

[halfpintpeggy]

I am cutting and pasting my post in the other big parking thread about my call with George's office since I know sometimes people stick to one forum or another...nothing too specific but FWIW - skip over me if it's a repeat!

I talked to a representative from George’s office yesterday. I was belatedly addressing some specific issues from my January trip, but also wanted to add my two cents about the new parking fees. I really wanted to add my feelings about the parking because despite the fact that I’m a flyer that has never rented a car, I have always happily stayed in the gilded cage, but with the declining quality and increasing prices I have experienced, I just feel like it’s piling on at this point and a sign of things to come.

Like I said, we were covering a couple of different policies, and the conversation was rather frustrating, so I dropped the ball on some follow-up questions, but thought I’d share some things the CM said...

So, I personally think it adds insult to injury that they are charging overnight guests and then allowing day guests to park for free, especially with the vague wording and such, so I asked for specifics about how that will work. I used the Poly as an example, as I have stayed there and have seen people exit the monorail at night and go directly to the parking lot, and I know finding parking is an ongoing issue for guests.

Anyway, it does not sound like they are adding structures or “systems” to deal with charging day guests, like exit gates or a ticketed validation, although of course she wouldn’t really give me specifics. The CM stressed that the “system” for dealing with day guests would vary by resort. She repeated that multiple times. She said that they would scan magic bands or take ids to verify dining reservations. I forgot to ask about how they would track people that are just coming to check out the resort and eat at quick-service and how they would ensure sufficient parking for overnight guests. ETA: also didn't ask how they'd track off-site guests with ADRs with this method...

Anyway, the reason I forgot these critical follow-up questions is because - here comes my favorite part - she told me that if a day-guest is scanned and then later found to be there for “8 to 10 or 12” hours, they would charge their guest folio. Eight to 10 to 12 hours! So either they’re taking into account the long waits at ‘Ohana, or they really want that day guest to enjoy the value in his/her select recreational experiences.

My question about how this would prevent someone from going to their Kona breakfast reservation and then heading to the parks for 10 to 12 hours was met with awkward silence. So rest assured, this new policy sounds like it will really crack down on parking abuses! ETA: I understand why they'd want day guest to park for free for some period of time to spend money, but this seems excessive and it doesn't seem to solve any issues for resort guests without some type of validation system - maybe it will firm up further down the line?

How the heck are they going to charge a day guests folio if said guest is staying offsite, bought tickets from say...UT, & isn't using a magic band?

 

[kaytieeldr]

Yes. LOL

Curious why you think its laugh out loud funny that you dont trust hotel company to know the details of your reservation?

as if i'm going to take time out of a holiday to go and deal with american bureaucracy (i'm an american so don't get me started on american bureaucracy)...
are you completely out of your mind????
that makes sense????
to have to go to the tax collector's office or the DMV in the middle of an EXTREMELY expensive disney holiday????

right...makes perfect sense...not..

Isn't it somewhat disingenuous to complain about something that can be remedied but refuse to take the necessary action?

 

[kaytieeldr]

you're clearly an optimist if you think it would be just a couple of hours....while i've never been to a florida DMV, i've been at the equivalent in michigan - where every time you cross the threshold you run the risk of dying of old age before you manage to get out....and they don't even have air conditioning half of the time...
in any case, it's all academic....i'm not going back any time soon....i'm cancelling our august reservation and i'm done until they change their tune (apparently i'm an optimist too if i believe they're going to backtrack this and other decreasing quality/service issues).

The average wait time at a Florida DMV is 35.54 minutes. The site where I found othat didn't specify wait times at the tax collector, but you can make an appointment http://www.octaxcol.com

Indeed an optimist, but was also thinking the tax offices are only busy twice a year when the tax bills come out. The DMV in any state is horrendous whenever you go, and you really need to pack for a full day

Not necessarily. Move to Massachusetts. My last trip took maybe 30 minutes (to get an ID), and the trip before that, maybe five minutes in line to get a number. Number was called before I even had a chance to sit.[/QUOTE]

 

[kaytieeldr]

hen to make more money, they have 3 levels of shopping carts...large at one price, medium at another, and small at another price.

Oh. So you've shopped at an Aldi's?

 

[kaytieeldr]

The fact that I have seen numerous posts about getting a response from Disney is encouraging and discouraging at the same time. I think its great everyone is being heard and receiving a call back, but leads me to think if they have time to call everyone back, maybe there really isnt a lot / enough complaints being sent.

It makes me think executive office CMs are being pulled from their normal duties, to respond to the avalanche.

 

[DISNEY1975]

It makes me think executive office CMs are being pulled from their normal duties, to respond to the avalanche.

I work for an extremely large corporate office. If my company all of a sudden did something to cause the community to write hundreds, if not thousands, of letters, I can almost guarantee in a minute, we would have hired 100 temp employees to handle the calls with instructions on what to say, be polite, listen to their concern etc..... Next week they would all be gone.

 

[scjo68]

I work for an extremely large corporate office. If my company all of a sudden did something to cause the community to write hundreds, if not thousands, of letters, I can almost guarantee in a minute, we would have hired 100 temp employees to handle the calls with instructions on what to say, be polite, listen to their concern etc..... Next week they would all be gone.

I assumed they are having interns do it.

 

[Jennasis]

I am kind of kicking myself that I didn't do this myself when I got my call back, but has anyone tried or considered responding to the "executive office" call back by telling them you would like to speak to GEORGE/BOB himself? Might have more luck if you are also a shareholder but stil...

 

[PrincessV]

How the heck are they going to charge a day guests folio if said guest is staying offsite, bought tickets from say...UT, & isn't using a magic band?

I have the same question. I often do day trips to WDW and sometimes pop into a resort for a meal... no MB needed to enter, only show ID at the guard shack. Unless WDW is able to access a nationwide database of every state's vehicle registrations, I don't see any way reading my license plate is going to do anything. I'd think they'll have to have some means of issuing time-stamped parking permits and taking payments at the guard shack for those who exceed the time limit.

 

[Pdollar88]

If I modify my reservation after today, would I be charged the parking fees?

 

[BridgetBordeaux]

If I modify my reservation after today, would I be charged the parking fees?

No.........the original date stamp makes you grandfathered for free parking

Here is what I did: Made 3 reservations for the future. Printed out paper copies of each. Made 3 paper copies of the new policy that identified March 21st as the turnover date.

You can modify in any way..............change resorts, change dates, change people. As long as it has the original reservation number, you are safe.

I plan on using mine in 2019, 2020, and 2021. Each will be an annual visit for us.

 

[TheFloatingBear]

How the heck are they going to charge a day guests folio if said guest is staying offsite, bought tickets from say...UT, & isn't using a magic band?

No idea unless they install gates or something? But then the guest would just be paying outright or validating a ticket since they don't have a guest folio, I would think?

@dansdad mentioned that they installed license plate recognition technology so maybe that's part of it? I don't know how that works - I would think it might be cumbersome with all the rental cars but who knows?

 

[Iya]

Can someone please repost the emails for Iger and George? I've sat on the decision for a few days, mulled it over and I'm ready to let them know of my disappointment. I initially tweeted both of them, but my twitter handle can't be connected to any of my disney stuff. I'd prefer they know exactly who it is coming from and my thoughts on recent decisions. I have no interest in speaking with them, but I still want to make my thoughts known.

Thanks!

 

[Disneylover99]

If I modify my reservation after today, would I be charged the parking fees?

I just got my email response about this today. Here it is.......

"I just wanted to clarify a couple of things that you were asking about in your email. If you are to modify your reservation either to add or subtract days, the parking changes are not going to impact your resort stay. This is because you have already booked the initial reservation and you are just modifying the current reservation. "

I'm happy to have this in writing, in case it becomes an issue.

 

[Gryhndmom]

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.

I am kind of kicking myself that I didn't do this myself when I got my call back, but has anyone tried or considered responding to the "executive office" call back by telling them you would like to speak to GEORGE/BOB himself? Might have more luck if you are also a shareholder but stil...

If I ever get a call back I will most certainly as a shareholder ask to talk to Bob since that is who I addressed the email. I am sure that will happen about the same time I win the lottery!

 

[disneyholic family]

Can someone please repost the emails for Iger and George? I've sat on the decision for a few days, mulled it over and I'm ready to let them know of my disappointment. I initially tweeted both of them, but my twitter handle can't be connected to any of my disney stuff. I'd prefer they know exactly who it is coming from and my thoughts on recent decisions. I have no interest in speaking with them, but I still want to make my thoughts known.

Thanks!

the one that gets a response is an email to george - but you can write to all there (george and the two bobs - but george is the one that CMs are calling back for)


george.kalogridis@disney.com

robert.a.iger@disney.com

Robert.Chapek@disney.com

.

 

[ninafeliz]

To avoid the parking fee, do I have to book a reservation by 3/21 or BEFORE 3/21 which would mean by today.

 

[wdwdano@yahoo.com]

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 canceled 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 visit 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.

I think that this has directly affected how I vacation. I just allocate more money to other experiences. I spend extra time outside of Disney. I will apply my money offsite because staying onsite means less nowadays. I think more and more people will start to do this. Even with a good salary, this is enough greediness. I actually don't go in the frequency I used to. I used to spend a week at Disney. Now with all the hikes and greedy decisions(I understand its a business) I just don't get the same emotion. Price hikes on tickets are a big one every year. Just like 5-6 years ago it was below a 100 dollars. Now a park hopper is upwards of 170. It takes two to tango. Paying for parking at the resorts doesn't create the right story for my magical experience. They already did charge for parking it was just built into the resort price. I believe it will reflect on the bottom line at some point. For now, they are making money hand over fist.

 

[Iya]

the one that gets a response is an email to george - but you can write to all there (george and the two bobs - but george is the one that CMs are calling back for)


george.kalogridis@disney.com

robert.a.iger@disney.com

Robert.Chapek@disney.com

.

Thank you.