BWV self parking added

[cdtommie]

They really do need to enforce this during F&W. When valet was still complimentary not a big deal but now that it isn't I would be royally ticked if I couldn't find a space (we check-in at BWV next Friday).

 

[jekjones1558]

Over the weekend the barriers were again up to prevent a left hand turn in the back of the HA lot. I expected them to be down by today (Monday) but so far they are still up. I have been pretty impressed with the efforts Disney is making to ensure that F&W folks are not taking over self-parking intended for BW guests. Besides the regular guard, there were 2 additional guards all weekend, from early in the morning. I did notice many, many people (appeared to be non-BWV guests) valet parking over the weekend, and I guess that is fine because the valet lot is very under-utilized.
Bottom line: those of you who will be staying at BWV during the coming weeks should be able to self-park.

 

[5forDiz]

Over the weekend the barriers were again up to prevent a left hand turn in the back of the HA lot. I expected them to be down by today (Monday) but so far they are still up. I have been pretty impressed with the efforts Disney is making to ensure that F&W folks are not taking over self-parking intended for BW guests. Besides the regular guard, there were 2 additional guards all weekend, from early in the morning. I did notice many, many people (appeared to be non-BWV guests) valet parking over the weekend, and I guess that is fine because the valet lot is very under-utilized.
Bottom line: those of you who will be staying at BWV during the coming weeks should be able to self-park.

Glad Disney takes these steps ; summer 2008 we stayed at BWV, over July 4 weekend we noticed extra parking lot security beginning late afternoon & we had to show room id & parking pass to self park.

Enjoy your trip

 

[LSchrow]

the parking got really bad a few times during our sept 26-oct 6 stay. many of the cars had other resort placards in the windows, many more had none at all. only a very few had BWI/BWV cards.
the weekend nights during the F&WF were fine, as the guard was at the second entrance, but some other times, we had to circle the lot repeatedly to find a single spot (i even got out of the car to follow ppl walking, and stand in their spot for DH to park).
i spoke to the MOD at the BWV/BWI about the situation. the next day, the resort manager called and we had another chat about it.
after a few days of phone tag, the general manager, dave, and i had a long conversation about the parking. he said that he had started the restricted parking for F&WF during the evening, and i told him it worked wonderfully. he also stated that they had opened the 2nd lot.
i made a few suggestions, including that the regular guest lot (which is closest) be restricted to BWI/BWV guests only, and that the second lot could be used for vistors with reservations at the restaurants, etc, with a 3 hour time limit - basically what the monorail resorts do oddly, he seemed surprised that we had to park in the GF second lot (across the street) when dining at narcoose's.
sooooooo he did promise to look into the parking further, and will moniter the main lot to see when and if a guard is needed during other times.
so please, if you do have a problem parking while staying there, let them know...it's the only way it'll get fixed

y'know, even with the occassion difficulty parking, we still don't want to stay anywhere else

 

[Debi]

LSchrow, I always make a point of saying something about the parking situation while at BWV. I'm always met with 'we'll look in to it.' I hope that if enough members/guests complain about the problem, it will eventually be fixed. My suggestion has always been to put a key-access gate at both entrances to the main self park lot (like the key-access gate at the main entrance to the resort). That way, for sure only registered guests of BWV/BWI are getting in and out of that lot. Like you, it is my only complaint of the Boardwalk, but it's not going to stop me from staying there.

 

[LSchrow]

LSchrow, I always make a point of saying something about the parking situation while at BWV. I'm always met with 'we'll look in to it.' I hope that if enough members/guests complain about the problem, it will eventually be fixed. My suggestion has always been to put a key-access gate at both entrances to the main self park lot (like the key-access gate at the main entrance to the resort). That way, for sure only registered guests of BWV/BWI are getting in and out of that lot. Like you, it is my only complaint of the Boardwalk, but it's not going to stop me from staying there.

i agree, no other resort comes close
i guess after hearing "we'll look into it" so many times, i pushed it this time.
basically, i said i don't need extra shampoo, more towels, a room closer to the elevator . i asked the first manager if he had any influence on fixing the problem, and he admitted "not really". so i just took it up the chain of command . i love the idea of a second key-entry, but a guard for a few hours daily would be easier to justify costwise.

btw, i noted the problem on the survey just now, and intend to call dave again to see if he has plans to help resolve it

 

[colieolie]

Very disappointed the free valet parking was taken away for DVC members.
As someone else stated, with having a one-bedroom, we always have groceries with us. Not looking forward to self parking in November. Hope there are enough spots for parking during the holidays.

 

[Debi]

LSchrow, my only concern with having a guard at the entrance of the parking lot is the ongoing cost. With a key-access gate, there is an initial cost to install it, and any costs to maintain it would be minimal. Paying guards to monitor the parking lot would be an ongoing cost. I think in the long-run, the gate would be cheaper.

 

[CarolMN]

LSchrow, my only concern with having a guard at the entrance of the parking lot is the ongoing cost. With a key-access gate, there is an initial cost to install it, and any costs to maintain it would be minimal. Paying guards to monitor the parking lot would be an ongoing cost. I think in the long-run, the gate would be cheaper.

Me, too. And the gate would work all year round. AFAIK, they only staff up during F&W weekends.

 

[RAD]

Very disappointed the free valet parking was taken away for DVC members.
As someone else stated, with having a one-bedroom, we always have groceries with us. Not looking forward to self parking in November. Hope there are enough spots for parking during the holidays.

You can do what we do, pull up and have Bell Services deliver the groceries to the room and DH goes park the car.

 

[jekjones1558]

You can do what we do, pull up and have Bell Services deliver the groceries to the room and DH goes park the car.

How do you get Bell Services to get the groceries without the valets (and another separate tip) involved? It always bugs me to do the double tipping.

 

[RAD]

How do you get Bell Services to get the groceries without the valets (and another separate tip) involved? It always bugs me to do the double tipping.

I just pull up to the front, ask for Bell Services to deliver the stuff to the room, they take it and I go park the car. I don't tip valets at all and tip the person that delivers the groceries.

 

[jekjones1558]

I just pull up to the front, ask for Bell Services to deliver the stuff to the room, they take it and I go park the car. I don't tip valets at all and tip the person that delivers the groceries.

But the valets are the ones who unload the car, then they bring the cart in to bell services for delivery. Isn't it awkward to have valet people put the stuff on the cart and then not tip them? Yes, I am easily intimidated in these situations.

 

[RAD]

But the valets are the ones who unload the car, then they bring the cart in to bell services for delivery. Isn't it awkward to have valet people put the stuff on the cart and then not tip them? Yes, I am easily intimidated in these situations.

Not my problem that Disney/whomever runs valet splits it like that, not going to pay to put the stuff on the cart and again to take it off.

 

[n2mm]

But the valets are the ones who unload the car, then they bring the cart in to bell services for delivery. Isn't it awkward to have valet people put the stuff on the cart and then not tip them? Yes, I am easily intimidated in these situations.

I'm with you. I tried once at the AKL. I knew our room number and we pulled up and ask that the luggage be taken to our room and was refused. The valet person told us he can only take it to bell service, then bell service would take it to the room (= double tip). Since the standard guidelines is "anyone who touches your bags, you tip" kept echoing in my head I felt obligated to tip. BUT, instead of giving the full tip, I gave half of what I normally give and gave bell service the other half. I've never done that again since I don't like this policy and now haul it myself.

 

[DebbieB]

What I did last time is pull up to the front, there was no DME bus parked so I stopped in their space and unloaded the groceries and my friend stayed with them. Then I parked the car and walked up and then we took the groceries up to the room together. Made it easier than dragging the groceries from the parking lot.

 

[LSchrow]

LSchrow, my only concern with having a guard at the entrance of the parking lot is the ongoing cost. With a key-access gate, there is an initial cost to install it, and any costs to maintain it would be minimal. Paying guards to monitor the parking lot would be an ongoing cost. I think in the long-run, the gate would be cheaper.

i definately agree with you, but i got the impression they can get an initially smaller expenditure approved more easily. penny wise (how is that for appropriate) and pound foolish, imho.
add in that the costs would have to be shared by the villas, the inn, and the convention center...that might make a large purchase more involved to pass.
hopefully, more guests will bring the parking situation to the attention of the resort management - then, they will have to do something.