Don't Want Valet Parking

[BarbaraMB]

Staying at the BWVs. After you unpack your car do you have to have someone park your car or can you park it yourself?

 

[colleen costello]

I think you can park yourself, but it's a bit off to the one side. We visited this Spring and my husband is an obsessed self-parker. He found a spot as close as possible (Mom uses a cane). It was very busy and the valets were going crazy... I don't think anyone "forces" you to use the valets.

 

[dvc guy]

You can drop your party off and self park if you want. It is a bit of a walk, and the Valet can get pretty busy during peak times. We have a rentall car so I always Valet.

 

[Eeyore1954]

You are not required to use valet parking. If they ask, you can tell them you'd prefer to self park.

Self-parking is a bit of a walk though at all the resorts. On the other hand, it is good exercise. (But on second thought, you'll already be doing plenty of walking at WDW -- shoot, I'd spring for the valet! Let them get the exercise -- I'm getting mine in the parks!!)

 

[ducklite]

Not sure if you're a DVC member, but if you are valet parking is free--you just need to tip them.

Sometimes when the lots aren't too full we'll valet the first day just to make the whole getting in easier, and then self park after that.

Anne

 

[iluvdisnee]

We are DVC members and werent aware of free valet, is it only at DVC resorts or all of them?

 

[DebbieB]

It's free for members only at the DVC resorts (BW, BC, WL), you don't have to be staying on points or even staying at WDW to get it, just show your member card.

I always valet when we arrive, it's easier to just have them take the luggage and the car and go right in to check-in. After that, we usually self-park. Sometimes that can be a challenge at BWV, especially in the evening, you may have to drive around to find a space. Valet was convenient last year when we had some heavy rain, we just valeted the car instead of walking in the rain.

 

[BarbaraMB]

It has nothing to do with paying for the parking. I am not sure how my husband feels about it but it is MY very first brand new van and I am not sure how I will feel about just handing it over. Does anyone else feel alittle over protecting towards their car?

 

[wdw4us2]

I am very overprotective of our cars. However, I do use valet at WDW. I generally make a joke about the car before turning the keys over to the valet and they assure me they'll be careful.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by BarbaraMB
It has nothing to do with paying for the parking. I am not sure how my husband feels about it but it is MY very first brand new van and I am not sure how I will feel about just handing it over. Does anyone else feel alittle over protecting towards their car?

We just bought an H-2 a a couple of months ago. We took a trip to Atlantic City the other day and DH actually valeted it! I was shocked! I usually self park when at WDW because we park it at check in and it doesn't leave that spot until check out. I can't see paying, what is it, $6 a day for it to sit there that whole time. That would cost me at least $60 for nothing!

 

[hygienejean]

We just came back from a wonderful stay at BWV's. We rented points and were able to use the free valet parking for our rented minivan. Wow what a bonus that was! I am curious as to what an acceptable tip might be? We usually did 1-2 dollars each time.....Hope it was okay b/c now we are so spoiled.......the valets were great. Have a super trip and you will love the BWV's!

 

[BarbaraMB]

We have no intention on moving our van after we get there. From what I understand I would get charged each day for valet service and I am not using my car? Do they park it and then leave it or do they move it around as necessary? Maybe it is just better for us to park it, leave it, and know where it is. Plus the added bonus of money saved.

 

[ducklite]

Unless you drive a Ferrari, Maseratti, Spider, Bently, DeLorean or something along those lines, I'm sure the valets don't really care--they've driven them all before.

Besides, it's just a car.

Anne (who thinks of cars as a mode of getting from point to point, and is happy to trade-in every other year rather than have to deal with getting the car reinspected.)

 

[BarbaraMB]

So they care more with an expensive sports car? It might be just a car but when you finally get the opportunity to get a brand new one just leaving it for the week with a valet service to move around at will makes me uncomfortable.

 

[jel0511]

I think what ducklite meant, was that they've driven all sorts of cars before and will treat it with respect. We'll be taking our new Acrua MDX down, and I'll gladly hand it over to valet. I don't want to schleep to/from the parking lot!!! Note to ducklite: with the new inspection laws here in NJ, you can now keep your car 4 years without inspection!!! I get a new one every 3 - 4 years, so this new law is VERY helpful so I don't have to wait on line!!! YIPPEE!!

 

[nops]

Can you clear this up for me? We've never valet parked before, but we are staying at BWV with DVC. If it's free, do we tip when we first arrive and they unload and park, and then again when we leave? We never use our car while we are there. How much do we tip?

 

[inaminute]

I'd worry more about leaving my car in a public parking lot for the driver next to me to slam his door into (or the one behind me backing into it; or the one in front not braking in time and hitting the front) than I would leaving it in the very capable hands of the Disney valet employees.

 

[jel0511]

nops - If you are a DVC member then there is no daily valet fee. If you aren't, they you are not entitled to the free valet and will be charged $6 per day to leave your car in the lot. Also, I ususally tip the valet $2 each way.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by inaminute
I'd worry more about leaving my car in a public parking lot for the driver next to me to slam his door into (or the one behind me backing into it; or the one in front not braking in time and hitting the front) than I would leaving it in the very capable hands of the Disney valet employees.

I only have a 2 y/o minivan and am not worried about someone parking next to me or a valet doing something wrong. Although I saw a valet drive like maniac at the WL one time! I just think it is a waste for me because I do not use my van once I check in. If I stay 12 days that is a fair amount for absolutely no service. That would be $72 plus tip for one drop off and one pick up. Now I am far from cheap and am a big tipper to boot but I don't feel the value is there for us. We are flying this trip and will have a limo doing the driving anyway so that isn't a worry this time!

 

[ducklite]

Originally posted by BarbaraMB
So they care more with an expensive sports car? It might be just a car but when you finally get the opportunity to get a brand new one just leaving it for the week with a valet service to move around at will makes me uncomfortable.

First of all, what I meant was they would treat them all the same, but perhaps drive some of the TRUE sports cars a little faster...heck, who wouldn't want to feelt he runmble of an Italian sports car while theyw ere driving it...fast

They park it and it doesn't move...although if I were a valet and someone handed me the keys to a Ferrari, I think i'd come up with a reason to have to move it...several time a day LOL!

Don't worry, they're not doing donuts in the parking lot with the minivans.

Anne