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Disney increases its parking prices

2007-09-04

By Iris Hernandez: This is what worried me when Disney announced the rate hike for prices in admission. According to the Orlando Sentinel, Disney has officially raised its parking fees to $11. Matching its competitor Universal Studios which already had the $11 parking fee. Parking in the Downtown Disney and Water Parks still remain free. For more details please go to Orlando Sentinel.com. I am not at all surprised by this move...so here comes the question...when is it too much to pay for parking? after all, you are already paying a bundle to get in the parks in the first place.

Readers' Opinions

From Ryan L on September 4, 2007 at 10:11 PM
anything is too much to pay for parking...period. They rip you off enough getting into the park and on all food they sell.
From David Kirby on September 5, 2007 at 3:43 AM
I really don't think this is that big of a deal. Compared to what other venues charge, it is relatively cheap.
From Chris Wilkes on September 5, 2007 at 4:45 AM
You'll pay WELL over $11 just to park in most metropolitan cities downtown areas for a day or evening.
This doesn't bother me at all... at Disney, Universal or anywhere else for that matter. I pay $8 just to park at the State Fair here...
From Karin S on September 5, 2007 at 5:16 AM
Not a surprise but it's disappointing especially in view of the fact they just raised admission prices.
From Mark Hollamon on September 5, 2007 at 5:18 AM
I would imagine the money generated from parking fees would go toward parking attendant salaries, tram upkeep and lot improvements.
From Anthony Murphy on September 5, 2007 at 6:51 AM
11? That would be giving out some tough change so I would guess that it would take longer to pay. They should keep it at 10 or make it 15. You know, a change friendly amount.

But yes, they do charge alot. All theme parks charge alot for parking!

From Iris Hernandez on September 5, 2007 at 7:14 AM
I guess I find that $11 is an outrageous rate to pay for parking because I dont go anywhere in the city that requires me to pay more than $2. Or, when there is a fair going on that requires paid parking, i just dont go. I have Disney and Universal To keep me busy on the weekends.

Also, i know most of you are used to paying for parking everyday, but dam, you dont pay $74 a pop to get in to where you are going everyday after you pay for parking are you?

And Anthony is right about the change thing. It is much more annoying to have to find $11 cash then it is 10 or 15. I guess we'll all have to drive around with a few dollar bills extra or at least 4 quarters to get by. THANK GOD I have the annual pass for Disney and I dont have to pay for parking there anymore.

From K Green on September 5, 2007 at 8:11 AM
The $11 is worth it in my opinion just for the comfort of knowing if I need a jump start or something else with my car the trucks are right there. However, now that I think about it, doesn't matter how much they charge, I always stay on the Disney property and take the buses.
From Anthony Murphy on September 5, 2007 at 7:46 PM
Yeah, there is pros and cons to it all!

Anyway, being from Chicago, 11 dollars isn't bad. Its about that price. Look at it this way: you mights spend 70 plus to go to a play or opera and then parking. Well the show is only a few hours while the park is the entire day!

You can also use the parking at the other parks if I am not mistaken as well (one time fee)

From Kuniyasu Hitotsumatsu on September 5, 2007 at 8:16 PM
I 'm always wondering why people are so meek for not free parking at theme and amusement parks? We use parking to spend time only at park and pay enough for admission, foods, merchandises and games. What differences are able to be explained between shopping center, ball park, etc. and theme or amusement parks?
This is long years unfair custom, I think. All parks in the world should learn Silver Dollar City park, Missouri.
From Todd Harris on September 5, 2007 at 9:47 PM
Honestly I would rather pay a bit higher admission at any park and have free parking. I mean seriously, what does that money go for? There are no big attractions added each year to a parking lot, and besides that is almost the cost of a soda in most parks now a days...
From Shannon Beauchemin on September 6, 2007 at 6:04 AM
When will the price of parking the car include cleaning your car windows?? $11 is TOO much.
From James Adams on September 6, 2007 at 9:40 AM
From a management perspective, recouping increasing overhead is not the only reason to raise costs of parking. They are also trying to manage the traffic. Raising prices forces people to carpool more, use the mass transit system, stay in onsite hotels, or use bus systems. Discouraging people from parking is becoming especially important when the parking lots are becoming full during the summer on some days.

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