UNITE HERE Local 737, the union of several Walt Disney World and Orlando hotel workers, has launched a website about arbitrary resort fees at Hilton-operated hotels near Disney.
Hilton Resort Fees
The union launched OrlandoResortFeeRipoff.org “to educate travelers about resort fees charged by five Hilton-operated hotels near Disney, and how guests can request a refund.” Union members, including Hilton Orlando Buena Vista Palace employee Dale Johnson, appeared before the Orange County Board of Commissioners on May 6 to talk about the issue.
The five Hilton hotels are Hilton Buena Vista Palace, Hilton Lake Buena Vista, Doubletree Disney Springs, Signia Orlando, and Waldorf Astoria Orlando. Though not owned or operated by Disney, they are all official Walt Disney World partner hotels.
Notably, Walt Disney World Resort hotels do not charge resort fees. UNITE HERE created a chart of select resorts showing Hilton’s fees (up to $90 per night at the Waldorf Astoria) vs. Disney’s $0 fees.
UNITE HERE Local 737 lists the following key pieces of information on the website:
- “Resort fees at Hilton hotels are the highest among seven competitors, according to a Nerdwallet analysis.”
- “According to Hilton Honors terms and conditions, points may not cover resort fees unless you book your stay using all points.”
- “Nightly resort fees do not cover the cost of parking at the hotel, or the cost of parking at the Disney parks.”
- “Guests can request a refund for resort fees.”
The website’s launch comes as Hilton hotel workers call for a new union contract with higher wages and better benefits matching the Disney standard.
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