Caution re free valet parking !

[momba#9]

We just returned from 5 days at BWV. We valet parked each of those days showing our DVC card each and every time. We were charged forthree of the 5 days. We also were less than pleased with the valet staff. Lackluster we thought.

Morning of check out I had to scramble down to the front desk to have the charges removed. She removed them but never even an apology. She was the same bad CM that checked us in.

Sorry this happended to you. You are not alone.


Mike

 

[MsAmerica]

The Valet is now outsourced. The service is no longer being performed by Disney employees. Please let the hotels know about this substandard service.

Maybe, just maybe, we could get the old fabulous employees back.....

MsA

 

[JimMIA]

The Valet is now outsourced. The service is no longer being performed by Disney employees. Please let the hotels know about this substandard service.

Maybe, just maybe, we could get the old fabulous employees back.....

MsA

We were just at BCV the first week of May. I'm aware that the valet parking is now outsourced. We have nothing to compare the service to, since this was our first experience using valet parking at a DVC resort, but our service was actually quite good. And we didn't have any billing issues.

 

[JimC]

We use valet parking regularly and can only remember one incorrect charge being posted. A phone call corrected the problem. We have not noticed any change in service standards recently (January was out last extended on-site stay).

 

[jagson]

do dvc point renters also get free valet parking where offered to dvc owners?

 

[Maistre Gracey]

I will start a thread on valet parking within the next couple days. In short, the new company is a complete mess.

We are composing our letter to Disney, and will post the highlights here when it's finished.

We want our Cast Members back!!!

MG

 

[mcorbo]

I had a similar problem, we went to dinner at the Kona Cafe, they asked if I was a DDE member, I showed them my card. Next day, I had 2 charges for $10 from Polyneisan Valet parking on my room charges (we were staying at the Boardwalk!)

 

[mom2alix]

do dvc point renters also get free valet parking where offered to dvc owners?

No. They should ask to see the blue member card to receive the perk so a renter would not be able to get it. That's not to say that it's never happened, but the perk is supposed to be a members only thing.

 

[william4192]

TIPS = To Insure Proper Service

It is not required, but used only if you get good service. My two cents.

Even so, I tip the guy when bags are delivered (not for taking them out of the car) and when I pick up the car (not when I drop it off).

I've always been told this is the proper way to do it. Can you tip more? Of course and at times it is warranted. This is just the "min" if you wanted to tip when it is "proper".

For those of you that tip more, don't get mad. Tip as much as you like or as you see fit. Tipping is NEVER required.

 

[spiceycat]

night, we went to California Grill for dinner. Since the Contemporary is not a DVC resort (yet), I expected to pay for valeting the car. However, the valet dude saw my BCV parking pass and asked if they gave me a "card" for free parking at the Contemporary. I said no, and he said he'd take care of it. I don't know what he did, but we were not charged.

Oh yea!!! hopefully this means that CR will be shortly!!!! (okay I know i am wishing)

 

[MAGICinMYHEART]

Well they are still adding the charges to the bills. Checked in over at SSR last Wedensday (last minute trip) we visited The Wilderness Lodge that night for dinner.

When I pulled up the valet even asked me if I was a DVC Member (He saw the SSR parking ID in the window) I said yes would you like to see my Membership Card? He said no...but when I recieved my express check-out there were two charges for Valet parking one from the Lodge and another that was posted...Resort Hotel Charge Valet Parking...two days after the first charge. (I only valet parked once at the Wilderness Lodge) I believe the second charge was a failed attempt to remove the first charge, I just don't know. I ended up spenting 30 minutes getting a $20.00 credit back.

Remember to check each item on your final bills.

Beckie

 

[dis-happy]

A couple of weeks ago we parked at the GF for an ADR, and used our DDE for free valet parking. The guy who took our car spent a couple of minutes writing down our DDE card info on a form. When my dh went to retrieve our car the (different) valet asked about the $10. payment. We again mentioned the DDE and he corrected himself.

What I'm thinking (after reading these posts along with our experience) since valet parking is a 2 step process it might help to mention the free valet designation at both drop-off and again at pick-up. Maybe that will cut down on the mistakes.

Our check-out bill was fine.....

 

[lisaviolet]

Thanks for the thread OP. Had an erroneous charge at VWL for valet last week. And knew to check, check, check our final bill the night before. Hopefully they have some meetings about it. Human error is no big deal but this seems to be a bigger issue. No one wants to stand in line at the end of a vacation if they don't have to.

I'm a little confused why they want our room # each time if it is free. Ie. see the room # on the form and charge the room by accident. What if I was simply in the area and using the service. Is valet not "free" for all DVC members even if you are not staying at a DVC resort?

 

[mjy]

When we went to check out the $10 charge for valet parking was on our room for each visit !! Out last name is hard to spell and so we were initially amazed that they 'found' our room to charge...but then I remembered that the parking pass was in the vehicle.

Thanks for the heads up. And, you give me an idea for when I go down there in a couple of months.

Would you respond with your complete name so that I could replace mine with yours in my car?!

By the way, I'm sure you're right in that there will be some "transition isues" with a new contracted valet service.

I'm glad that they took care of the charges and hope that it did not cause too much expense on your credit card.

 

[daisyduck123]

Ok now....thank goodness for this thread!!

It happened to us too!

I just finished reading this thread & told DH about it.
I asked him if he'd looked over our paperwork at checkout.
He said he hadn't but it was still out in the car (we got back just 2 weeks ago).

He just brought it back, looked it over, & we were charged for valet at WL on May 16th. Oh!!

We're going to call tomorrow & get it taken care of!!

Thanks!!

 

[Uncleromulus]

This does appear to be a result of outsourcing--this sort of thing NEVER happened to us in all our previous trips, and we always valet park. Using either DDE or our DVC valet privileges.

 

[Goofy's apprentice]

Haven't been on the boards for a while. Surprised to see that the errors are still continuing ! I would think that if this is widespread someone at the resorts would mention that they continuously have to reverse valet charges for guests.

Let's hope they get this fixed quickly. It is annoying to have to wait at check-in to have the charges reversed.

 

[jdvm]

We've noticed a huge difference at valet parking at the various resorts. We always use our Disney Dining Experience card and it has become a real hassle. I think the thing that bothers us most is that it's obvious that the people who are wearing cast member badges aren't trained Disney employees.....and we miss familiar faces, particularly at the Contemporary. Some of those folks had been there 10 years or more.
j

 

[Maistre Gracey]

We've noticed a huge difference at valet parking at the various resorts. We always use our Disney Dining Experience card and it has become a real hassle. I think the thing that bothers us most is that it's obvious that the people who are wearing cast member badges aren't trained Disney employees.....and we miss familiar faces, particularly at the Contemporary. Some of those folks had been there 10 years or more.
j

I wrote a big letter to Guest Communications voicing my opinion on the "new valet company".
I encourage everyone to do the same.

MG

 

[bavaria]

my experience has varied. I arrived at AKL shortly after the change to new service, and hit a very rough spot. Had two very good conversations with the new valet service manager, who was quite genuine about improving service. On a return visit a few months later, no issues.

I did miss the old team at BCV - I thought that they did the best job of the resorts that I frequent. Keep in mind that I valet at hotels about 1/2 of the days in a year, so I have some experience. The new crew at BC was fine, just unfamiliar faces.

The big change for us was BW - after several poor experiences we usually valet at BC and walk to BW if we are dining. The BW valets in past were rushed, often cars took very very long to arrive, the radio was almost always changed from NPR, doors were not held, and directions not offered. On a recent stay we noticed the number of valet managers, quick service, politeness, doors held, directions offered, etc

So my experience varies - some better, some not quite as good in past.