Shades of Green Increases Parking Rates for 2020

For the third time in 2 years Shades of Green has raised its Parking Garage Rates for guests staying at the resort on Walt Disney World property.

Shades of Green has raised parking rates for the second time in 2019!

Parking Fee History at Shades of Green

During its first decade of operation, Shades of Green had no parking fees. There were 2 parking lots on either side of the resort where guests parked for free.

In 2002 Shades of Green closed for renovation for almost 2 years. When the resort reopened in March 2004 it had a brand new parking garage. Starting at that time guests parking their cars in the garage were charged $5.00 per night.

The 5 dollar price remained the same until 2017 when it was raised to $7.00.

In January 2019 it increased to $9.00.

Now the price has been bumped up to $11.00.

New Parking Rates

For those staying at the resort:

• Self Parking is $11.00 per night
• Valet Parking is $16.00 per night

For those visiting the resort for an event, to visit the AAFES Exchange, Magnolia Spa, Attraction Ticket Sales Office or one of the restaurants, the hourly rate remains the same as when it was introduced in January 2019.

• Up to 2 hours free
• Over 2 hours 1 dollar per hour, starting at your original arrival time, (so a $3 minimum charge)
• Maximum daily charge and lost ticket fee $24.00

Note Shades of Green Bus Service to Disney World destinations is solely for guests staying at the resort. A resort ID is required.

Why is there a Parking Fee

Shades of Green, like all Armed Forces Recreation Centers operate solely on self generated funds at no expense to the government and taxpayers.

When Shades underwent the renovation 16 years ago private financing was obtained. One would assume the parking fee was to help pay back the cost of the garage.

But conservative calculations indicate that over 12 Million Dollars has been charged for parking to date!

The garage has long since been paid for!

How’d I get to that figure?

• The garage has 599 parking spaces
• 7 are reserved for rental cars  (this was not always so)
• There are 5 parking levels
• On every trip I’ve ever taken the first 4 levels of the garage are always full

But to be more conservative let’s say the garage is always 3/4 full, not 4/5.

That’s 395 cars parking in the garage per day.

• 395 cars a day times $5 a day is $1,975, times 365 days is $720,875 a year, times 13 years is $9,371,375 (2002-2016)
• 395 cars a day times $7 a day is $2,765, times 365 days is $1,009,225 a year, times 2 years is $2,018,450 (2017-2018)
• 395 cars a day times $9 a day is $3,555, times 270 days is $959,850 (Jan-Sep 2019)
• Add the 3 and you get twelve million, three hundred and forty-nine thousand, six hundred and seventy-five dollars ($12,339,675)  in parking fees since 2004

This does not take into account the increased income from Valet Parking at all.

Now with an additional 2 dollars per day increase (not counting in the new hourly fees) the garage will rake in an additional $288,350 per year or a total resort guest parking income of $1,585,925 per year!

This income is 100% profit and is on top of the profit made on room charges, dinning, drinks, catering, conference and event sales, yoga fees, weddings, and walkway paver sales.

Time for a change

I totally understand the resort is self funded.

But it is way past time to stop making those who drive pay an unequal share in funding the resort!

Do away with the parking fees and add a much smaller amount (a couple bucks) to room charges to equal the loss.

This way everyone who stays at the resort shares the cost of upkeep, rather than those who drive there being charged a bigger share!

What Say You?

Do you agree, or am I way off base?

Share your thoughts on this in the comments section below!