Disney Contracting Out

[Happy Birthday Cat]

Disney recently announced that they will be subcontracting bell and baggage service work at WDW. Here's a Link to the story.

For those of us who have come to know various bellmen over the years, this change will be sad when/if implemented. It's nice to check in to the BWV's and see the same bellman that I had five years ago and for him to remember my family. It was always one of those little things that really made DVC feel like "home".

It will be interesting to see how Disney makes this successful, especially at the DVC resorts (even though DVC Resorts aren't mentioned in the story).

HBC

 

[CarolA]

It's intersting that the change is starting at the GF. Of all the Disney hotels I have ever stayed at valet and luggage service was HORRID at GF. Maybe the BAGS workers won't take an hour to get a car (this happened THREE times during my one and only stay at that rip off!) Makes it hard for me to feel sorry for them

Luggage service at the All Stars was dramatically nicer then GF and at All Stars their hand wasn't out for the tip before they did ANYTHING!

 

[DVC Dude]

Luggage service at the All Stars was dramatically nicer then GF and at All Stars their hand wasn't out for the tip before they did ANYTHING!

Perhaps they will add a DVC to All Stars

 

[Granny]

HBC...thanks for sharing the story. I must admit that while we always chat with the Bell Service and valet personnel, I don't remember any of their names and they certainly never remember ours. I guess we're just not that memorable.

I guess as someone who pays for a portion of these costs, I should be happy to see Disney saving money. But as the article states, it really is a critical "first impression" position that can start a vacation off on the right foot or a bad note.

Obviously, the savings aren't being passed along to BWV members based on what I've seen with the large maintenance fee increase for next year!

 

[Halle]

I am saddened at this news. It's a good feeling to arrive 'home' to a famialiar face. There is a Disney loyalty among the workers and I honestly don't know if I'm comfortable with turning over my belongings (albeit a short time) to folks who may not feel the magic.

 

[n2mm]

We've been dealing with these contract folks since last year. The folks from BAGS are not Disney employees and they have been checking our bags and printing our boarding passes on our last 5 trips with no problems at all. We have used the BAGS folks at (AKL, WLV, BWV, CSR, WLV) and each time these folks are very helpful and pleasant. I actually thought they were Disney CMs and didn't realize they were not. They don't have their hand out for a tip, but do accept them and expect them as they are baggage handlers. We did notice in October, we were the only ones in the resort checkin line that tipped the baggage handlers. My family was shocked. As for Disney hiring more, what can they do? With the shortage of CMs, Disney has to do something to get the help. Of course, my solution would be to better pay their CMs, but I've always said that.

 

[jekjones1558]

Obviously, the savings aren't being passed along to BWV members based on what I've seen with the large maintenance fee increase for next year!

I didn't think that the 16¢ was bad. Did you see the correction on the other thread? ($4.85 NOT $5.11 per point)

 

[CarolMN]

I didn't think that the 16¢ was bad. Did you see the correction on the other thread? ($4.85 NOT $5.11 per point)

I agree - 3.4% is about the rate of inflation.

According to the info we just received, the compound rate since inception is 2.5%. Seems very reasonable to me.

 

[4formickey]

most companies are conttraction out anyway so this is not a surprise. Federal,,state and loca goverment all out source. They feel that they can save money.

 

[Granny]

I didn't think that the 16¢ was bad. Did you see the correction on the other thread? ($4.85 NOT $5.11 per point)

Jean....you are right. I wrote that when I thought the rate was going to $5.11 which was more like a 10% increase.

I agree, the 3.4% increase is much better!

most companies are conttraction out anyway so this is not a surprise. Federal,,state and loca goverment all out source. They feel that they can save money.

I agree but it would be like WalMart contracting out for "greeters", and other companies contracting out for the people who interact first and most directly with their customers. Just unusual for Disney to trust so completely that these key customer interaction positions will maintain the standards of friendliness and going the extra step that Disney CM's are renowned for.

 

[Chuck S]

I would bet that workmens comp premiums are higher for baggage handlers/bell services than many other Disney jobs. Probably because of potential back injuries, etc. It may be a smart financial move for Disney. If BAGS is willing to do adequate work at a cheaper rate, Disney should at least consider outsourcing them. They can always switch back to Disney CMs if it doesn't work out. I like their idea of switching over a few resorts for sort of a test run.

 

[tjkraz]

When I first heard about this, I figured it was almost a natural extension of DME. With so many people taking advantage of DME, I'm guessing the percentage of guest bags handled from the resort front door to room has decreased dramatically. When folks use DME, often times they have ZERO exposure to the bellmen--the luggage is simply waiting in the room when they return later on their arrival day.

I know many people will automatically take issue with this on principle alone. Personally, I think it's kinda ridiculous to assume that Disney has given zero consideration to the potential drawbacks. Disney will still demand a certain level of service, and take action through the service provider when necessary.

 

[4formickey]

the company that I work for are contracting out many of the union jobs. At night, they are using labor that are paid $8 an hour. The union workers are making about $25 an hour. They really don't about customer service because their bottom line is to save a few bucks.

 

[tjkraz]

the company that I work for are contracting out many of the union jobs. At night, they are using labor that are paid $8 an hour. The union workers are making about $25 an hour. They really don't about customer service because their bottom line is to save a few bucks.

They probably have a very good reason to be concerned about the bottom line. After all, the company is paying people $25 per hour for a job that others are ready, willing and able to perform for $8 per hour. Hmmmm.

 

[4formickey]

They probably have a very good reason to be concerned about the bottom line. After all, the company is paying people $25 per hour for a job that others are ready, willing and able to perform for $8 per hour. Hmmmm.

so our union is fighting every day and the cuts that this public transit company (CTA) is hurting people of all races and income level. There is no reason that a person should have to wait 45 min for a bus during the middle of the rush hour when they are suppose to run 5 to 10 min apart. We have buses that are 15 years old that are falling apart on the street. More people are coming over from city hall ,after being laid off, making $80.000 / year. The fun of working for the goverment .

 

[Granny]

When I first heard about this, I figured it was almost a natural extension of DME. With so many people taking advantage of DME, I'm guessing the percentage of guest bags handled from the resort front door to room has decreased dramatically. When folks use DME, often times they have ZERO exposure to the bellmen--the luggage is simply waiting in the room when they return later on their arrival day.

I know many people will automatically take issue with this on principle alone. Personally, I think it's kinda ridiculous to assume that Disney has given zero consideration to the potential drawbacks. Disney will still demand a certain level of service, and take action through the service provider when necessary.

An interesting observation. Since we always drive I don't even think about DME other than trying to beat the DME crowd to the check in desk!

And I am not taking issue with this on principle. I was just making my own observation (following up on HBC's) that these positions are very important customer service positions and it is interesting that Disney is leaving a key component of customer service in another company's hands.

I am quite sure that Disney has some lengthy contract details about acceptable performance levels. I'm not really concerned about it, but will be interested to see how it works out.

 

[Maistre Gracey]

For those of us who have come to know various bellmen over the years, this change will be sad when/if implemented. It's nice to check in to the BWV's and see the same bellman that I had five years ago and for him to remember my family. It was always one of those little things that really made DVC feel like "home".

I agree totally with your thoughts here, HBC. Through the years I have come to know and like many of the valets at WL/VWL.

I'm all for service improving and becoming more efficient (although I always thought it was great at WL), but at what cost?
There are many considerations for the good folks who work at these positions, but from the Disney lover standpoint I hate to see the Disney "family" broken into pieces. I love looking at everything as a whole and saying to myself "it's all Disney".
That is becoming harder to do with the outsourcing of customer service positions...

MG

 

[kaytieeldr]

Perhaps they will add a DVC to All Stars

Well, there IS that whole unfinished section of Pop Century...

 

[jenelope]

Isn't BAGS the same company that handles the DME luggage?

On the one hand, yay for saving money. On the other hand, the bellman who helped me get my bags from my room to the SSR airline desk gave me a great bit of advice about a future trip and was very knowledgeable about the resort. I'd hate to lose that.

 

[craez4u]

HOw sad that this is happening here too. We really enjoy talking with the bellman. They have a lot of tip and the ones we have met usually remeber our faces at least! We have learned quite a bit of info from them too, most of it right on the money

I will miss them! Maybe tell will still be there but in other jobs.

Looks like if I want to work at WDW when I quit my real job, I will have to work for a company that WDW contracts out to