Effective March 21st, Disney World will be charging guests to park at its resorts. Any reservation on March 21st, or after that date, will pay a “standard overnight parking” charge that will vary depending on the classification of the resort.
Parking charge per resort category, as seen on the official Disney World website:
Disney Value Resorts: $13 per night
Disney Moderate Resorts: $19 per night
Disney Deluxe and Deluxe Villa Resorts: $24 per night
Guests will not be charged for parking at the Campsites at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort. Each campsite provides parking space for one vehicle. Valet parking has also increased to $33 per night. Disney Vacation Club members and “day guests” to the resorts will not be charged.
This news, along with the recent price hikes to Disney theme park tickets, makes an expensive Disney World trip even more expensive. Disney saw another opportunity to generate income and took it. For a business, that income generation makes a lot of sense. However, this added fee comes at a time where guests are loudly noticing the nickel-and-diming taking place during their Disney World stay.
Disney World resorts are already extremely expensive compared to other off-site options. The justification was that Disney World resorts provided perks and a level of service that warrant those high prices. Now, parking isn’t even included as one of those perks. How can Disney justify tacking on $24 per night for a parking charge to a Deluxe resort room that may already cost over $600 per night?
That’s just greedy.
That’s not even adding in the fact Disney has been simplifying and de-theming many of its resort rooms. The Disney difference, an ideology that used to be the staple of a great vacation, is fading with every additional charge and price hike that aren’t tied to a tangible increase in value for the customer. Why pay more for less? Why should I stay at Disney World when other resorts are popping up for lower costs and better amenities?
Visitors to Disney World are no longer viewed as guests. They’re customers. And Disney is intent on wringing out every dollar possible while they’re on property.
