Effective for reservations made starting March 21, 2018, registered guests at Disney World Resort hotels will be charged a nightly fee for self-parking.
Disney’s Wilderness Lodge
The parking fee will be added to the guest’s hotel folio upon checkout. Rates will vary based on Resort type, as follows:
Value Resorts: $13 per night
Moderate Resorts: $19 per night
Deluxe Resorts: $24 per night
Tax is included for all prices above.
Complimentary standard parking is included for guests staying at the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort, with space for one motorized vehicle.
Additionally, valet parking will increase to $33 per night at Deluxe Resorts and Villas.
Disney Vacation Club Members won’t be charged for overnight self-parking when staying at a DVC Deluxe Villa (regardless of whether or not they use vacation points to reserve their stay). Nor will members be charged when using vacation points to stay at a Disney Resort hotel.
Now, how will this change affect guests hoping to dine, shop, or enjoy entertainment or recreation at a Disney Resort? At this time, “Day Guests” (those not staying overnight at the Resort) will still be able to self-park without a fee (space permitting, presumably).
To Keep Up to Date On Important Disney News Like This, Sign Up for Our Newsletter Here!
What are your thoughts on these changes to Resort parking? Please let us know your thoughts with a comment!
Our handy (and portable!) ebook guides make sure you get the best deals and can plan a vacation of a lifetime.
Despicable. I am not ok with this AT ALL. My vacation just went up $100.
Well, I guess that ends my family staying on site. Disney is nickeling and dimming it’s Guests to death over the past 3 years.
Eventually, only wealthy people will be able to go to Disney World. Is that what they want, that everyday people will be forced out and only the top of the line population will enjoy their resorts and parks? I’m getting worried because I love it there, but everything has a limit.
Universal resorts have been doing this for years.
A Walt Disney World vacation has always been considered a very expensive vacation. It’s easy to forget that a great many families are never in a financial position to take a family vacation, let alone a Disney vacation.
Guests still have the option of Disney transportation, even from the airport.
What next, resort fees??? We go twice per year and always rent a car. Makes it much easier for us to get around property. This will add about $100 to our stays. Not that much, but it will certainly angrier my husband enough to say “We can go else where and spend our money!!!”
I can honestly say this will keep me from staying on property. I usually drive because it’s less expensive than my family flying down.
Instead of my analysis being “Oh, it will cost me $14/night more to stay at a moderate if I drive as opposed to fly,” it’s made my analysis, “Oh, it only costs me $8 more per night to park at a park all day, but it’s $50 less per night to stay off-property.”
Wow. This has to be one of the worst ideas Disney has decided to implement since the start.
To me and many others, Disney is known as that safe place where we can take our families on vacation and everything is there and they look out for us, no questions asked, no additional, hidden fees just because they can. What’s next? Pay to use the internal transportation?
This is the exact reason we never stayed at Universal beacause they do this. I think your nickel and diming guests right out of not being able to afford a wonderful vacation with their children. I’m so disappointed in Disney to be doing this. We have family that comes and stayes with us for a time least a night and I know that they won’t be able to do this anymore. By the time your done with tickets, food, souvenirs and now parking every night, it’s just out of range for some people. It’s too bad this is happening.
This will probably keep us from staying on property any more. Once that begins the experience won’t be the same and we will more than likely start looking for some where else to go. Not sure what they are going to do with a bunch of over priced empty parking spots at their resorts.
This is shocking. So for a 14 night stay in a Deluxe hotel I would have to pay an extra $336! I don’t think so. I have always adored Disney but it’s getting harder and harder to love it. Breaks my heart. 🙁
“effective for reservations starting March 21, 2018,” does this mean that if you book a trip March 21 or after, you will be charged for parking, but if you have booked your trip (for travel after March 21) before March 21, you will not be? For example, we booked our trip in the beginning of February for travel Nov 3-10. We will be charged for parking?
What are they thinking. We always have a car. It gives us the freedom to go to other resorts to enjoy their restaurants, gift shops etc. This is going to increase the amount of people who ride the transportation system which is over crowded to begin with. BAD, BAD DECISION!
Well that’s not really fair. People who stay on property are already paying quite the penny to stay there and not at another hotel that’s cheaper to then tell me that day visitors won’t get charged but I will if I stay there. I stay at the Boardwalk cause I go with my handicapped brother and that hotel is perfect for him, it’s bright but not too loud and it’s super close to two parks. I rent a car just cause I like to take him exploring but now with the charge that’s less money available to spend on things to do. Hopefully they’ll reevaluate this idea.
I BEEN GOING TO DISNEY WORLD FOR OVER 39 YEARS.IT’S NOT THE SAME WONDERFUL PLACE EVERY THING Has changed for the worst.They are really rapping the public.Resort use to have their own great menue. The new generations are in la la land.they pay because they think in their mind everything is free with the magic band.
I’m glad. Seriously. I empathize with those who are cash strapped, but . . . I am enthusiastic about any added price layer that meaningfully controls populations at the resorts. The resorts have become uncomfortably crowded, and the smokers are more belligerent than ever. I am looking forward to enjoying Disney again.
Wow, just stayed at Swan and Dolphin and complained about the $20/day fee. Now that is actually cheaper than some Disney resorts…crazy!
Like Tim said, this will make a lot of people choose to stay off-property. I think we will too.
Big mistake, Disney!
This is crazy!! I was planning on getting annual passes for my girlfriend and I and this is kind of a deal breaker. If I do get passes I will not drag on property. CMON Disney!!!!
Long time reader, first time commentor. I’m appalled at this news. Every year they increase ticket prices…it’s already beyond expensive and now it’s as if they want to penalize anyone who doesn’t use magical express to get to the property. Such a shame. Makes me seriously reconsider our summer plans. Maybe if enough people expressed outrage they’d rethink this.
So, those people who pay to stay at the resorts will have to pay parking (unless they’re in the tiers of folks exempted)…but those just visiting the resorts for the day won’t have to pay…? (We’ve seen folks park their vehicles at the resorts for free, then buzz into the parks from there by walking or using Disney transportation as a way to avoid paying for parking at the parks.) The self-parking lots are already full of resort guests’ vehicles and [sadly] Disney doesn’t do a good job of monitoring. Definitely seems a little backwards to me…and would make more sense to charge those who just visit the resorts for the day.
huge disappointment since I take parking into account when picking a hotel. I would rather stay on property with no parking charge then a little bit of a cheaper place off property and have to pay for parking when at the end it equals out. I’m a DVC and vacation pass Member so I go often and will still go but it’s sad how they are trying to nickle and done us when they are a multi billion dollar company.
That’s a “whahoo” for Disney!
I’ve been going since 1987 and every time they raise their prices, people complain… but, they still come!
Parks are busisier than I’ve ever seen … and I go at least 3 to 4 times per year for the last 30 years!
Don’t like paying – don’t go!
I already do not go. I would like to go to Trader Sams but it is or was $25 to valet park. Wish there was a local residents parking area close by.
I’ve never taken a car to Disney, because I tend to want to stay in the bubble. 🙂
Regardless, there’s a predictable cycle that happens with things like this, and a year from now I predict it will not affect the resort stays at all.
I contacted a cast member this afternoon to get a better understanding of my trip planned January 2019. I booked this trip over the weekend. She advised that as long i I booked my travel prior to March 21st- I won’t incur parking charges. I am however concerned that I booked as a room only (packages are not yet available during my stay) if I modify my trip in any way- will that put me into the pay for parking category.
I’m not certain Disney thought this through. Is the concern the registered guests of resorts parking, or those that park at a resort and use alternative means to get to Parks in an effort to skip paying for parking all together? I specifically rent a car to avoid dealing with the buses and monorail. They are not as consistent and in dire need up upgrades.
Further I should point out that I’ve stayed at AKL many times which is in fact a deluxe. The only public transportation option is a bus. The resort is out of the way- and they are charging a premium for parking simply because it’s deluxe?
Lastly- how will they monitor and track your parking? My best guess is by magic band but I can see holes in that. is the a daily charge or is this charge incurred every time you scan in? Most hotels that charge a parking fee specify if it includes in and out privileges or not.
Perhaps incentivize APH with free resort parking while staying at a resort- for almost a grand annually for a non Florida resident it could at least be considered.
Lots to think about. I’ve spent many years exclusively coming to Disney. I’ve supported many changes and don’t bat a lash to the annual ticket price increase. This could be the straw that broke the camels back.
Why didn’t they just raise the room rate 5 for value,7 for moderate,and 9,,,if it’s not broke,so Americans are being charged more cause no brings their car overseas,Disney you’re bad
,
To keep it in perspective almost every other resort in the world charges for parking. We just happen to have a lot of space in Central Florida so they have been able to post pone this inevitable event. With that said, I think it is a banner idea. I live, work and play in the Central Florida area. I have been a long time fan of Disney. We used to travel 3-4 times a year to the resorts from Ohio, now that we live here we go there to hang out. I have family that works on Disney Property. Something that most guest don’t see is the crazy, I mean crazy amount of traffic that is around the park areas. Imagine 25 thousand employees showing up for work at one location and then add to that a minimum of 100,000 guest, the traffic gets crazy. This step will encourage guest to leave the car at home an use the Disney transportation, that is often times provided for free. 🙂
This is horrible!!! Disney is outrageous expensive as it is they want to charge more!
So , anyone who comes to a resort for just the day can park there free, But the families that have prob saved for a year & paid a fortune to stay there have to pay to park !! How is that fair,!!
I think this is a poor decision on Disney’s part. There are families that dream of being able to afford a Disney vacation but can not afford it. We pay super high rates to stay on property, and that should be enough incentive for free parking. It’s sad.
This is a terrible idea. Free parking for staying on site is one of the main reasons our family stays at Disney Resorts. So much so that if this is impacting reservations already made we will be canceling our reservation for our May trip. And we will not be staying on site again, if we ever come back. And to those that say it’ll help decrease traffic because people will leave their cars at home and use free Disney transportation, you don’t realize that driving to Disney is one of the only ways we can afford to go. Transportation is only free once you get to Orlando.
I’m sorry Kelly, but I honestly don’t believe helping you or family get to work easier is their intent. The intent is to make money (business, profits, yeah yeah)
I honestly feel like this is a move to get families off property, especially during busy seasons to allow families with more disposable income into the resorts. Given the few rooms available during busy season, it makes sense.
People who are likely to now stay off property for an additional $20/day are likely those who were less likely to spend more on food, merchandise, and other amenities at the resorts. Now they can have rooms available for those that will.
As for other hotels charging for parking, that’s usually due to those hotels being in city and needing separate parking set aside to accommodate guests. Those hotels don’t have the luxury Disney does if having guests stay in site for 3 meals a day, buying merchandise, and paying $100/day to go to a park.
This does feel like a way to further separate those that have from those that don’t ($$)
Honestly, this is the last straw for me. They already raised their prices for tickets and now this? This is mainly hurting Florida residents/people who live close enough to drive to Disney, like me. It’s already cheaper to stay off property and now this? No thanks. I’ll stay at the holiday inn down the road. IF I even decide to renew my annual pass.
What about annual passholders?
So now I have to pay…. To park… At the hotel… That I already payed for? Ridiculous
They are also upping the charges to park at the theme parks more than this new resort fee, but internal guests still park free at those locations. So, if having to pay a parking fee is the reason you’d move off park make sure you factor that in. Also, I really doubt that there is a slippery slope that would add charges for internal transport–this is a push to use that MORE, and in fact they are piloting more free internal transportation. That said I still don’t like this personally, or from a business perspective. I think the still unpopular, but smarter move would have been to charge internal guests for theme park parking. That would do more to push people to internal transportation without alienating those who like to drive to WDW.
It’s only a matter of time before parking at Disney Springs is charged as well…
So it seems that the people who go there for the day don’t pay. Thats a shame. I k ow when we stayed at Swan and Dolphin, they charged for parking. I think that if you are a resident maybe give a discount. Lately I have been going just for a couple of nights to the events that are there. No longer doing the week there. If you have a reservation then you can park free, no reservation no letting in. Find someplace else go park. Thats why the parks have lots of spaces that go unused and they have the transportation center.
Here are a few more ideas to help Disney out.
1) Pay toilets
2) Pay water fountains
3) Tip jar for security checks
4) If you don’t have your own bag for purchases, you can buy one of ours.
5) One dollar charge for resort package delivery, or maybe two dollars.
6) Fees for Disney resort transportation
7) Pay TV for resort guests.
8) Pay refrigerators in each room.
9) Additional charges for popular rides.
10) Rent our silverware for breakfast.
I’m sure the brainstormers can come up with more.
Kirst, thusfar we have not heard how this might impact Annual Passholders. As the parking is free for AP at the Parks, it would make sense for parking at resorts to be free as well. But we haven’t heard any confirmation of this.
You pay a premium to say on Disney property. We do it because of the perks staying on property provides. They could easily have hidden this in the resort charges, but this just seems like a money grab for Disney. We’ve been going for the last 11 years, if I’m honest the magic is not what it once was for us. My kids are in the prime Disney age so we will probable go again but not if Disney keeps nickel and dime-ing us. We’ve already booked a different vacation for this year.
One more way that they are gouging guests after years of skyrocketing costs for passes, hotels, and dining. Seeing more and more events for DVC members, next to nothing for annual passholders. Now paying to park…they clearly are catering to the ultrarich with all the new hard ticket events, private clubs at each park, and pricing those with moderate incomes out of the chance to enjoy the parks. I doubt this is what Walt had in mind! Remember the part about being able to have a place to come with the family to enjoy each other’s company? It did not say only if you are rich…the greed is becoming intolerable.
Everyone is saying they’ll stay off property due to this parking fee, you’ll still pay a daily parking fee to park to get in the parks…!
lm all for businesses making money but Disney has been in overkill mode for quite some time IMO. They nickel and dime you for EVERYTHING. There is no reason to charge guests for parking considering they are already paying a premium to stay on site in their resort. It seems they are trying to push the average consumer away and cater to the ultra elite. The magic is gone for me. My last Disney trip was my last Disney trip.
This puts a damper on things….this is why I love going to Disney to chill. Even though I live here. And now I gotta pay for parking. They need to stop being so damn greedy
Disney Magic is gone. We’ve been faithful followers fo 50 years. Glad we enjoyed the golden years of Disney. Disney is now run by money hungry greedy people who have totally lost sight of Walt Disney’s Dreams. Very disappointed.
The problem is that they have you over a barrel now. If you stay off-site you’re going to have to pay to park at each of the parks which is going to be about $18 per day. Stay at the Disney resort and it’s actually cheaper. In the end they win we lose. I think this is the worst decision Disney has made in a long time. I’m insulted that my $300 per night hotel charge can’t cover parking.
This is getting ridiculous you pay extra money to stay there for the perks it just doesn’t make any sense what’s next taking my car I’ll have to pay to get in the part 2 and park at the park that was one of the reasons for taking my car is I have free parking at any of the parks what are they going to do now so I can go park at the parks to I’m really thinking about not going there anymore and I’ve been going there for 22 years you guys got to stop taking our money
This is crazy-they have some nerve! Maybe I won’t stay at a DWR from now on-this was one of the big perks for us since we drive instead of flying! 🙁
Get ready for pay toilets and upcharges if you want to use “express” buses! Disney is leaving no rock unturned at this point when it comes to maximizing profits.