AKL luggage cart?

[sissybells]

I asked this on the AKL FAQ thread but thought I would try it out here also. I have a question about the luggage carts. We will have valuables in our luggage and just had a few questions. Can we pull up and ask if we can just use a luggage cart without any help to take our stuff to our room? Or is you let them handle your luggage and your room isn't ready where do they put your stuff? Can you ask to lock up your valuables? Do they bring it to your room when your room is ready? Also how many people do you have to tip? We have been before and it seemed like there were 3 different people handling our bags before we even got inside, do you tip all of them or just a main one? Thank you for any help you can give me.

 

[sissybells]

bump

 

[raven69david]

You can request that they let you handle the cart. They don't have to do it for you. You can either have the guy follow you to the room or you can simply tell them that you will bring it back when you're done. Being in a Deluxe affords you some perks, however you can also get the same treatment at Mods & Values, after all, it is Disney and they are a notch above the rest.

I've personally done this myself so I know you can do it without a hassle. Have fun on your trip to AKL. We can't wait for December to come around.

 

[SandrainNC]

We have had completely different experiences than the last poster.

We were at AKL in 2006 and I called to have them bring the carts to our room on check out day. When they got there I asked them to leave them so we could pack them up and they refused.

At WL this past June we called and they picked up our luggage and DH went to take the car around while we finished up in the room. He got there with the car, saw our cart and the guy was standing there having a personal conversation instead of bringing the cart over to our car. So DH went and got the cart and the manager guy jumped on him for touching the cart and said it was a liability for non-CMs to touch the carts. So DH said, well he (other CM) is just standing there.

So, I hope it works out for you like the last poster!!!

Sandra

 

[disnut8]

I don't know what kind of "valuables" you have but even blatant laptop computers are fine to leave with Bell Services. If you have things inside your luggage, the only time you cannot have locks on your suitcases is when you are checking them at the airport. There's nothing that says you cannot lock your suitcases once you get to your resort.

For tipping, that can be a loaded question but you don't have to tip every single person who handles your luggage. Generally, we tip the person who brings the luggage to the room.

Personally, I know it can be a pain to have someone else handling your luggage but that is their job. If you pull up right in front of the resort, it's expected that the bellmen will do their job. If you don't want them to help, pull down away from their main area.

 

[soccerchick]

A couple of weeks ago they would not let me use a cart to shuttle my Garden Grocer delivery.

When our luggage arrived, they delivered it to our room, but we were using ME.

 

[GovieMom]

AKL wouldn't let us use a luggage cart, either.

 

[kldmom2000]

I know they never let us use the carts at the YC and BC... liability reasons.

 

[Robert P]

A few answers:

The carts at YC and BC, some of them, that I have noticed, have a plaque on them saying they are not for personal use, or use by non resort staff. I believe it has to do with liability issues.

Unless you are using ME, you have to be in your room, and call down for your luggage to be sent up. They won't just leave it in there.

As for tipping, well, the WDW system seems to be set up so that one person takes your bags and stores them, and another person brings them to your room. The same person doesn't stand there with you during check-in, and then follow you to the room. Some of the bell services people will make a point of mentioning that 'this will be the last time you see me', and pushing for a tip (i.e. at the BW). Personally, I don't feel that their split system obligates anyone to double tip, so I usually split the tip up, and give half on drop off, and half on room delivery. That way, nobody gets shorted.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

1) Luggage carts are for Bellmen.
2) It is not a liability issue. This is their income. Their livelihood.
3) I most cases, you cannot have/use the carts unless they go along.
4) I have personally told guests they cannot use the carts.
5) Some get angered, but that is why there are bellmen.
6) Of course, you have the option of toting your luggage.

NOTE: I know this sounds tough, but would you loan/give the tools of your trade to someone who would then do you job and take incomes form you?