2016 Concessionaire Change

You may have heard that some of Yosemite National Park’s most iconic lodges have been temporarily renamed as of March 1, 2016, when Yosemite Hospitality, a new concessionaire, took over managing accommodations, food, retails and recreational services in the park.

Aside from losing the historic value of these names, what does it mean for those of us who made reservations in the park months ago?

Well, it means a lot.

If you tried to call the Yosemite reservation number on or after March 1 and it didn’t work, there’s good reason. The number has changed. So have the reservation website and a number of other things. In light of all these changes, we have compiled the top seven things you need to know about your Yosemite lodging and cabin reservations this year.

1. The name of the Yosemite National Park hotel or lodge where you have a reservation may have changed.

If you don’t recognize your lodge in a list of names, it’s probably because it’s been renamed temporarily. Here’s a quick overview of the properties that had temporary new names.

Curry Village is now Half Dome Village.
The Ahwahnee Hotel is the Majestic Yosemite Hotel.
Yosemite Lodge at the Falls is Yosemite Valley Lodge.
Badger Pass Ski Area is Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area
Wawona Hotel is Big Trees Lodge.

2. The Yosemite reservations you made a year ago or six months ago or really anytime before March 1, 2016, are still good.

Any park reservation made before March 1, 2016, for stays after March 1, 2016, were transferred to Yosemite Hospitality, the park’s new lodging and cabins accommodations vendor. If you didn’t receive an email confirmation on or shortly after March 1 from Yosemite Hospitality, you should contact them directly at 888-413-8869.

3. The cost of your lodging inside the park will remain the same.

Don’t worry about the price of your lodging going up. If you booked a reservation inside Yosemite National Park before March 1, 2016, the lodging price will remain the same as when you made it.

4. The lodging, tour and activity reservation phone number has changed.

Because a new company is running the park’s lodging and cabin accommodations, the reservation number you used to call prior to March 1, 2016, no longer works. Use the new phone number at 888-413-8869 to make and confirm reservations for lodging, tours and other activities.

5. The Yosemite National Park lodging, tour and activity website address has changed.

If you bookmarked Yosemite’s lodging reservation website, be sure to update it as the old one no longer works (as you probably have discovered). As of March 1, 2016, go to Yosemite Hospitality’s website at travelyosemite.com for all your reservations for lodges and cabins within Yosemite National Park. The website also offers information on activities, tours and dining.

6. Check out time for accommodations inside Yosemite will be different.

If you’ve been to Yosemite National Park in the past, it’s important to know there’s a new check-in time for park accommodations ⎯ 4 p.m. The check-out time is the same as it has always been at 11 a.m.

7. The cancellation policy is the same as it was. But be sure you understand it.

Yosemite Hospitality must receive your cancellation or change request to your reservation at least seven days before your scheduled arrival date for a refund of your deposit. For special events reservations, Yosemite Hospitality must receive your cancellation or change request at least 30 days before your scheduled arrival date.

If you want to change or cancel housekeeping camp reservations, they can only be changed after Aramark receives your deposit. Yosemite Hospitality will charge you a $10 handling fee per unit for each change or cancellation.

Lastly, if you don’t arrive on your scheduled date of arrival, you will not receive any refund or credit. Yosemite Hospitality strictly enforces its cancellation/change policy and will not allow any exceptions. Learn more about cancellations at www.travelyosemite.com/landing-pages/transition/faqs/

Why Did the Names Change?

The name changes happened because of a trademark dispute between the National Park Service and the former park concessionaire, Delaware North, that operated accommodations in the park from 1993 to Feb. 29, 2016.

Delaware North has claimed ownership and the right to payment for trade names, trademarks, and other intellectual property that it argues is worth over $50 million. Until the case is settled, some of the park’s names have to be changed to avoid trademark infringement, says park officials. Yosemite officials say that without park agreement, Delaware North or its predecessor previously trademarked or service-marked several nationally significant properties in the park including The Ahwahnee Hotel, Badger Pass, Curry Village, Wawona Hotel and Yosemite Lodge. It also trademarked the phrase “Yosemite National Park.”

Under a 15-year contract, as of March 1, 2016, Aramark and its subsidiary, Yosemite Hospitality, manages Yosemite’s lodging, food and beverage, retail, recreational and transportation services.

More Information:
Yosemite Hospitality
travelyosemite.com
888-413-8869