DVC valet question for newbie

[corvair]

HI...we always use a car..my question is , when you valet park..do you tell them right away you are a DVC member. I have read on these boards you do not get charged.

Also, I would guess when you want the car brought up, you call down? And do you tip for both...when you get the car and drop off..

hope this is not to confussing....thanks...amy

 

[Dean]

Show your blue membership card. Tipping is appropriate and there are threads pertaining to that issue. The industry standard is to tip on pickup but many tip both ways, esp if they do something special such as remember your name, hold the door, etc.

 

[GeorgiaTiggerGirl]

Yes, simply show your DVC membership card. When you need your car, call from your room. I tip both ways, but that's just me! Have fun!

 

[DebbieB]

Just to clarify - valet parking is free only at the DVC resorts - Boardwalk, Beach Club, Wilderness Lodge. When we stay at BWV, I always call down for my car, it's usually there by the time we get there.

 

[JohnNJ]

When we stay at BWV, I always call down for my car, it's usually there by the time we get there.

That's one of the things I love about the Boardwalk. I have stayed in many of the Disney deluxe resorts and I always use valet parking but BW is the only one that let's you call the valet from your room. All of the other resorts told me, on the phone, that they would get my car when I came down.

 

[corvair]

Thanks for all of the replies just wondering who you show your membership card to. The person parking your car or at the front desk? And I will tip both ways...how much is appropriate in your opinion? thanks..amy

 

[DVCLiz]

That's one of the things I love about the Boardwalk. I have stayed in many of the Disney deluxe resorts and I always use valet parking but BW is the only one that let's you call the valet from your room. All of the other resorts told me, on the phone, that they would get my car when I came down.

Hmmm, I've never stayed at The Boardwalk, but have stayed many times at both BCV and VWL, and I've always requested my car from the room. Did it just last week at BCV, in fact. I suspect you may have had someone who wasn't quite on the same page. Next time, a pleasant "Hi, I'd like my car to be ready when I come down" should suffice, and if it doesn't, I'd discuss it with a supervisor in person. Having my car ready (with the AC booming) is one of the real pleasures of a WDW vacation for me!!!

 

[GeorgiaTiggerGirl]

I've also been able to call from my VWL or BCV room and have my car ready. I usually tip $2-3 for dropping off and picking up.

 

[JohnNJ]

I've always requested my car from the room.

I love the Beach Club and was going to buy points there until I saw how the villas turned out. The valets there are very professional, if not overly friendly. I'm convinced Wilderness Lodge is the place that they send the worst cast members in all of WDW.

 

[DebbieB]

Thanks for all of the replies just wondering who you show your membership card to. The person parking your car or at the front desk? And I will tip both ways...how much is appropriate in your opinion? thanks..amy

If you are staying on points, your parking permit will say "Member Parking Permit". When we stay at BWV, I've never had to show my card, they know by the permit. When we stayed at VWL last March and parked at BWV, I showed my card to the person at the booth when picking up the car. I usually tip $2 each way, unless the service is not prompt when they are not busy. For example, I hate it when I drive up and am left standing there for someone to come over and give me the claim check when there are valets just standing around.

 

[wdwaholic]

Just returned yesterday from AKL-C and BCV.At both places hubby was able to call down to Valet services from our room and request our van He especially loved this feature because by the time we would get there the valets would have put on the a/c and the van was nice and cool.my biggest problem was getting him to tip both on pick-ups and drop-offs!! I always made sure I was around for the pickups to tip the valets!!
Trish