Downtown Disney Hotels - Valet Only?

[team weasel]

Hi All!

I just returned from a 4-night stay @ the Wyndham DTD where I was informed that they have moved to a 100% valet parking policy. I was really surprised since the Wyndham is not what I would consider a valet calibre establishment.

According to the manager, all of the DTD hotels are moving in this direction. Have any of you experienced this?

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Not sure where the "manager" got his facts but I expect he made them up just to get you to go away I just checked several hotels in DTD and all of them except the Wyndam still showed both a self park and valet option. Wyndam did only show the valet option

 

[team weasel]

That's what I thought. I searched all of the properties as well and didn't see any other "valet only" hotels, but I just wanted to put it out there just in case the websites weren't updated.

People were RAGING at the Wyndham staff members. Not only is it valet only, but the whole operation is managed by a third party company called "bags." Their website was not updated in a timely manner. Luckily I booked my room prior to the policy change so I was able to have the $9 per night fee refunded and self park.

I have always been a cheerleader for this hotel because of its location and staff friendliness, but no more. $27 in additional fees above the room rate is a bit much.

 

[Ali]

In March I stayed there for 4 days as a chaperone for my Son's Middle school problem solving team. We were in an outside wing room overlooking the parking lot. We learned really quickly that the valet don't mark where they put the cars, they use the alarms to beep the cars all night long and then run to the one with lights flashing and alarm going off.

I HATE that hotel.

 

[HopperFan]

In March I stayed there for 4 days as a chaperone for my Son's Middle school problem solving team. We were in an outside wing room overlooking the parking lot. We learned really quickly that the valet don't mark where they put the cars, they use the alarms to beep the cars all night long and then run to the one with lights flashing and alarm going off.

I HATE that hotel.

That is awful!!! We stayed there many moons ago under an old owner in the wing rooms and hated it as well. The rooms were so tight and I swear the elevators were closets. I've seen lots of great deals for the new owner but too scared to even try.

 

[team weasel]

In March I stayed there for 4 days as a chaperone for my Son's Middle school problem solving team. We were in an outside wing room overlooking the parking lot. We learned really quickly that the valet don't mark where they put the cars, they use the alarms to beep the cars all night long and then run to the one with lights flashing and alarm going off.

I HATE that hotel.

Wow. We didn't experience that on our visit, but our room faced the pool.

There are tons of little things about this hotel that always kind of irritated me, but I overlooked them because we really, REALLY loved the location. Another new thing we experienced on this visit was that they locked the thermostats to not go below a predetermined temperature. I know that is becomming a more and more common practice, but we never experienced it here.

I guess a good thing that came of it is that we are now booked onsite for our fall trip and will get to experience magic bands for the first time.

 

[Lewisc]

Hi All!

According to the manager, all of the DTD hotels are moving in this direction. Have any of you experienced this?

I don't have any facts but I'll speculate. It's probably easier to justify charging for valet parking then self parking. Going to valet only makes it easier to charge guests for parking. Valet parking means more cars can be parked in the same amount of space. Cars can even be parked at an off property location. That opens up space for a potential hotel expansion or other amenities, a larger pool area for example.

DTD hotels have moved in the direction of charging for parking and/or a resort fee. Changing to valet only is a logical next step.


FWIW the company handling valet services at the Wyndham, BAGS, Inc, is the same company which is responsible for RAC at Disney resorts. I think they also operate bell services at some Disney resorts

A comment. How many of us check our rental contracts carefully. Is a valet an authorized driver under the terms of our contract? I've read both.