Recently Disney made a surprise announcement that they would begin charging Walt Disney World Resort Guests for the privilege of parking their car while staying at their WDW Resort.
Gawrsh, I have to pay WDW rates and Pay to park?
This came as a shock to the WDW fan community, as parking at the Resorts had been free for the last 47 years (since 1971).
Disney says that ”This change is to bring their Florida hotels more in line with industry standards. Disney Springs Resort Area Hotels, the Swan & Dolphin, Universal Orlando on-property hotels, and most Orange County Convention Center area-hotels charge for overnight parking.”
Disney World Resort Parking Rates
Standard Overnight Parking charges per Resort Category:
Disney Value Resorts: $13 per night
Disney Moderate Resorts: $19 per night
Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: $24 per night
Driving to WDW just got more expensive!
Exceptions
DVC Members will not be charged for standard overnight self-parking when staying at a DVC Deluxe Villa, regardless of whether they use vacation points or another form of payment. Members also will not be charged to park when using vacation points to stay at a Walt Disney World Resort hotel.
Complimentary standard self-parking is available while enjoying “select” dining, shopping, entertainment, and recreation experiences at Disney Resort hotels. No word yet from Disney as to whet these select experiences are!
Valet Parking
Disney World also increased rates for Valet Parking from $20 to $33 per night.
Tables in Wonderland discount card – Disney Resort hotel valet services and Disney Springs valet services are complimentary to Tables in Wonderland members, for the sole purpose of dining at one of the participating Resort hotel or Disney Springs restaurants.
Disneys Magical Express a Better Idea than driving?
A Bad Omen
Many fear that this news is a very bad omen for things to come.
The Star Wars expansion of Disney Hollywood Studios is expected to draw unprecedented volumes of people to WDW! Disney has had to make huge capital investments in new Resorts and infrastructure and needs to make it back.
Recently experts in the civil Disney fan community have begun to express worry about general public discounts for 2019.
The new parking fees, variable military room discounts in 2018, anticipated multi-day seasonal ticket pricing, and postulated lack of general pubic room discounts all add up to a bad environment.
What do you think?
Will you continue to drive to WDW and pay the Resort Parking Fees?
What do you think the future holds?
Let us know in the comment section below!
Planning a Disney Trip? Want to get the best military discounts that are available? Feeling a little confused? See our:
Learn about the Disney Armed Forces Salute the best military discount that there is for Disney. For where to stay see our Resorts/Hotel Overview Page. Disney doesn’t discount dining for the military, but there are a few places on property that do, see the Dining Overview Page to learn where plus more dining info. You can also learn about Transportation Options. Be sure to check out our Technology Overview to learn about Magic Bands and My Disney Experience to see how they work with military tickets. Walt Disney World visitors might be interested in staying at Shades of Green, WDW’s Military Only Resort.
See: Top 8 Reasons to Use An Authorized Disney Vacation Planner
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Darla says
16 April 2018 at 07:43Disney is slowly pricing out the lower and middle income to make it a rich only vacation spot, Its getting really sad that even parking is getting a price… Guess my time going to Disney is getting numbered…
Vicci says
16 April 2018 at 08:37Wow!! this is just disgusting! It seems that our upcoming trip will be one of our last. For a family of 4 with military discounts and all we will still spend nearly $8k for a week in Disney. We could spend 3 week at the beach and spend less. Yes Disney is a fabulous treat but not at the expense its coming to these days.
Very disappointed in the greed!
charles monroe says
2 May 2018 at 09:03go on a cruise and you get food and sleeping free entertainment to. child care, and different places in the world for the children to learn about different countries, also it will be less than half the price.
Allen says
16 April 2018 at 15:51This is yet another reason for less and less if not omitting Disney from future Florida vacations. It seems that every time the CEO wants another pay raise for him and the other execs, the prices go up and up. I remember when the entry to Disney was $ 3.75 (yes I am dating myself). It seems that the lower and middle classes are priced out. Disney hotel prices are high enough, (example – Value Hotels are more expensive than a suite off property) but to then add parking fees as well, shame on Disney. Their comment was to “This change is to bring their Florida hotels more in line with industry standards”. This is total crap. Most of all the “off-property hotels” do not charge for parking and even offer other perks Disney will not offer. Disney has made profits in the billions every year and yet they still raise the prices. Makes you wonder whose pockets are constantly lined with the new influx of cash generated by the constant greed of the execs, or have I just answered my own question.
Beverly says
29 April 2018 at 09:31Not only is this blatant greed based on the bonus Iger just received, but it is also a huge sign of disloyalty to repeat guests. We go to Disney several times per year. We made our last reservations on the last day you could for free parking. That will be our last trip for a long while. At a minimum military should get free parking with a resort stay.
Palmer says
29 April 2018 at 10:08We have our tickets and reservations for 2018. This will be our last Florida vacation to Disney.. Disney’s money grabbing methods spark of greed rather then entrepreneur spirit. Walt would role over…Roy too.
Daniel Hernandez says
29 April 2018 at 11:43This is very disappointing, When I stay at a hotel it always gives parking to their costumers. To treat their costumers right. This does not feel right to me. I am glad that I took my whole family last summer. Disney have made some greedy decisions that kind of breaks my heart, because I grew up with Disney and enjoyed what they have to offer. Disney have not lost any money and is growing all the time. There is no reason to add for the parking of your vehicle when the costumer is already paying to stay at the resort. I hope Disney gets their eye back on the ball and treats their costumers the right way.
Karen says
29 April 2018 at 15:11Most of the hotels for lower and middle income , IF they do charge a parking fee, do not have the price set as high as WDW has set theirs! Very disappointed! With all the tacked on fees, reduced benefits for military members, etc. we might be contemplating a beach trip or cruise for our next family reunion!
Bill Morgan says
29 April 2018 at 17:06I think that Shades of Green gave Disney this idea. SOG has been charging for parking since at least 2009. Maybe that is who Disney is comparing there parking fees to. Luckily I booked at the All Stores Sports Hotel before this was announced and the way I understand it we will be grandfathered in for this stay.
Taz says
29 April 2018 at 21:11This sucks. My wife and I used to have Seasonal passes. We quit brcause when we could only go on about 5 rides with waiting only an hour each. To bad the young generation can not experience the joy of disney before Walt died and saw his vision destroyed by greed of his follwers… No wonder Roy cried in Disney lake. (you who know understand) Disney. Keep raising your prices. Economy is great, Why not raise your prices. Again, this, and you suck..
Cindy Thompson says
1 May 2018 at 01:10I will never pay to park at a Disney hotel our days of staying at a Disney hotel is over.. That is the most stupid thing I have ever heard.. our last trip cost our family of 6 10,000