BELL SERVICES Poll and Discussion

[sleepydog25]

I'm genuinely curious in the bell services experiences other guests have had over the past year or so when checking in or out at their resorts. My own take about the level of service can be intuited simply by the fact I posted this topic and poll; however, I realize that others may have had better (or worse) experiences. If you're interested in hearing what happened on our latest trip, read on; otherwise, please vote and add your own comments if you wish.
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On our most recent trip (Dec), we had a split stay sandwiched around a DCL cruise. To get to the point, bell services at the entrances to both WL and AKL were virtually non-existent. At WL, on what appeared to be a markedly average time of day (four cars and a small van), we pulled up and were directed by no one. We sat for a minute before pulling to the side on our own discretion. We got out, opened the hatch, stood around, and saw only valets. After a couple of awkward minutes, we began unloading our luggage. Meanwhile, we saw two different families grabbing luggage carts to load/unload their vehicles. After another few moments, I started to also grab a luggage cart when a valet came up and offered to help: "I'm not bell services, but I can help you unload if you wish." He grabbed a cart, wrote a receipt, and we headed inside (on a side note, there was no front desk greeter outside, either, as has always been the custom) where we handed the receipt to the man at the Bell Svc desk.

Several days later, over at AKL when we checked into CL there, almost the exact same scenario happened. We drove up, found our own place to pull over, and saw only valets--again, it didn't appear to be terribly busy. In fact, two valets were standing around chatting as there were no cars to park, apparently. Again, no greeter outside (I realize that's a separate issue and may be a second poll later), and we hauled our own bags inside this time. All of this led me to remember that the last time we visited back in May of '19, it took a long time to get bell services to help us at WL, too, thus why I posted this poll.

 

[jimmytammy]

I voted fairly good
Our recent stay at SSR/CCR/VWL was mixed
SSR was awesome and deserved 5 stars. One fellow in particular was head and shoulders above par.
Once at CCV, it dipped a bit and the move to VWL was about same
It wasn’t bad but we have experienced far better

 

[Renarr]

I was impressed last time with the cast members I worked with while at the Beach Club last year. One of our bags had gotten separated from the rest when taking DME (apparently, the tag had somehow gotten damaged in-flight). CM at the resort did a phenomenal job keeping us posted with frequent text updates, offering to hold the bag overnight or bring it up to our room immediately when it arrived (it was scheduled to get in at 10:30 p.m., after a long day of flying), offering complimentary toiletry items, and we had our bag within about ninety minutes of when our other bags had arrived at the room.

 

[Sandisw]

My recent stay at Poly was fine. I had a problem with DME, but that wasnt related to the resort itself,

Plenty of people around and even offered to help me with my small carry on bag as I was still using a cane from my foot surgery.

They were very quick when I needed them to come and get my luggage for check out day as I was flying Frontier and couldn’t utilize resort airline check in.

 

[MICKIMINI]

OKW stay fall of 2019 was excellent. We called early afternoon the day before departure to schedule a pick up at our villa near Turtle Pond. It was crucial as at the time, I was a few weeks prior to having total knee replacement and we had returned our car. We got a knock on our door at 5:40 am for a 5:45 am pickup and had a cheery gentleman grab our bags and we were off! We checked our bags and the was the last we saw of them until we returned to our airport.

 

[Chuck S]

I've always had good service from Bell Services when I've used them at OKW.

 

[JETSDAD]

I voted Other....we don't use Bell Services

 

[DVCismyhappyplace]

I voted Other....we don't use Bell Services

Same here.

 

[princessfionasmom]

I’ve used them quite a bit in the past few years only because my husband has a big oxygen machine and a bi-pap machine thats not small either plus our luggage and groceries. Even with the two kids helping its a lot of stuff. DH can’t help at all because of his medical problems. Because of all this, I am truly grateful for how great all the Bell Services personnel have been. We’ve always had friendly and very helpful people help us. And anytime I’ve called the request my items be brought to my room they have always come up in a very timely manner. I do also believe in giving a good tip for making my life a little easier and taking a little stress off at the start and end of my vacation.

 

[jarestel]

We don't drive to WDW anymore so I can't comment on using bell services at arrival though I tend to agree with you, but I suspect guest feedback has a lot to do with any perceived decline in customer service. A lot of guests would rather shlep their own bags to their room and save a couple of bucks rather than use bell services. So I'd expect the service to get worse over time if the trend continues.

OTOH, on a recent trip we took a taxi from WL to DRR where bell services was there to assist as soon as our taxi rolled in. I guess I would expect first class service in a new resort but we'll have to see if it falls off eventually.

 

[MICKIMINI]

Good point regarding tips - yes, we tip generously for both the driver and skycap services! I love that Disney is for the most part, very tuned in to those of us with disability issues...it is a major driver for us now compared to not needing anything in 1996.

 

[sleepydog25]

I've appreciated all the responses thus far. Based on the survey results to this point, hopefully, our most recent stays were an aberration. I'll keep this poll open for a time, especially given that we're headed back in just three weeks. I'll come back here and report our experiences.

Meanwhile, I'm still very interested in hearing others' interactions (or lack thereof) with bell services. Cheers!

 

[twinklebug]

I've had issues at AKV, both Jambo and Kidani over the past several years. The response is that "it's a big resort", but there is this last time where both myself and my son, on separate days, stood at the Bell Services stand for very long periods of time without being recognized by the Bell services staff who were right there. The Jambo house staff is inattentive, I'm undecided on Kidani. Never had an issue at SSR, BW, VWL, BLT or OKW.

 

[tidefan]

I voted Other....we don't use Bell Services

Same

 

[snappy]

Good experience at BWV IN December and GDT in both December and January.

 

[SG131]

I voted other. I just got done with a split stay. Bell services at boardwalk was great. Bell services at poly was a bit lacking. It took a very long time for anything.

 

[CarolynFH]

Just back from a BWV/RIV split stay. We drove and had a cooler and food bag in addition to multiple suitcases. No problems with Bell Services at any point.

 

[kmorlock]

OKW Bell Services is top notch! We have used them a lot over the years and they work very hard to help guests.

 

[Starwind]

For each of our stays at WL (multiple over the last several years) and AKL (first time Dec 2019) we have had problems with Bell Services being not present. Arriving by magical express or the DCL transfer bus, we had to send one of up to the building to find a human who could help us with our bags, and even then it took a bit. Nobody came to the bus dropping off guests to see if anyone needed assistance.

For our most recent stay in December, when leaving both WL and AKL we called with plenty of time for assistance bringing our bags down (early than they had recommended we call when we asked) and they took much longer than they said they would; at AKL that meant nearly missing the bus. When we arrived at AKL, our room wasn't ready for a number of ours so we left our bags with Bell Services while we had dinner and explored the resort. When it came time to finally get our bags delivered to the room they took nearly an hour after we made the request in person (which was a challenge itself because there was nobody at the desk... had to wait about 10 minutes for someone to come to the desk). I will not even get into the saga of AKL not being able to find my grocery order and denying it had been delivered and the grocery delivery company having to intervene to tell them exactly where it was located and logged at which point AKL acknowledged they had it.

That said, once you actually GOT the service, the employees delivering or picking up our bags were professional, friendly and did a great job. The problem is getting them in the first place.

SW

 

[sleepydog25]

For each of our stays at WL (multiple over the last several years) and AKL (first time Dec 2019) we have had problems with Bell Services being not present. Arriving by magical express or the DCL transfer bus, we had to send one of up to the building to find a human who could help us with our bags, and even then it took a bit. Nobody came to the bus dropping off guests to see if anyone needed assistance.

For our most recent stay in December, when leaving both WL and AKL we called with plenty of time for assistance bringing our bags down (early than they had recommended we call when we asked) and they took much longer than they said they would; at AKL that meant nearly missing the bus. When we arrived at AKL, our room wasn't ready for a number of ours so we left our bags with Bell Services while we had dinner and explored the resort. When it came time to finally get our bags delivered to the room they took nearly an hour after we made the request in person (which was a challenge itself because there was nobody at the desk... had to wait about 10 minutes for someone to come to the desk). I will not even get into the saga of AKL not being able to find my grocery order and denying it had been delivered and the grocery delivery company having to intervene to tell them exactly where it was located and logged at which point AKL acknowledged they had it.

That said, once you actually GOT the service, the employees delivering or picking up our bags were professional, friendly and did a great job. The problem is getting them in the first place.

SW

Hmm. Coincidence that you had issues at the same two resorts we did? Makes me wonder.