"Free" valet parking

[MOQu]

Perhaps this is common knowledge, but I didn't know...

This August when we were staying at WDW, we showed our blue member card to valet park at BWV when we went to dinner at Spoodles. (We could have used our DDE card, but the DVC card was handy and has always worked). In the fury to pack/fly home, I just took our invoice and stuck it in with some other receipts.

A few weeks ago, I was looking the receipt over and saw we were charged $10 for the valet. I emailed the billing research dept and they responded that valet was not free because I was not staying at a DVC property during our stay. (We were at Pop for the weekend part of our stay). This was not what I had been told in the past, so I contacted DVC member services, who also insisted that valet is only free if you are staying at the DVC property.

Next time I go to valet park at BWV when I'm not staying there and they say I can valet for free, I'm taking the parking pass out of my window so there won't be any surprises!

 

[Deb & Bill]

Here is what it says on the DVC member website:
Valet parking is complimentary at Disney's BoardWalk Resort, Disney's Wilderness Lodge, and Disney's Beach Club Resort. Just show your Disney Vacation Club Member ID Card. Complimentary valet parking is not available at other valet parking operations or for Theme Park access.

You'll be charged the daily fee of $10.00 for this service at any other valet parking operation at the Walt Disney World Resort. Once you've paid for the valet service, you'll receive unlimited valet parking for the remainder of the day. Whether or not you are charged to valet park, gratuities are still appropriate. There will be no charge for Guests with disabilities who have the proper permits.


Nothing at all about you being an onsite guest at a DVC resort. Nothing about showing your resort ID that proves that you are staying on points. I think you got bad info from both the billing dept and MS.

 

[Chuck S]

I was also under the impression the valet parking at DVC resorts is free, whether you were staying at a DVC resort or not. Perhaps this is a change because of an agreement now that the valet services are outsourced? As perks can be changed or discontinued at any time, thanks for posting Member Services response, so now we know.

 

[Granny]

I was also under the impression the valet parking at DVC resorts is free, whether you were staying at a DVC resort or not. Perhaps this is a change because of an agreement now that the valet services are outsourced? As perks can be changed or discontinued at any time, thanks for posting Member Services response, so now we know.

I'm not sure we really do know. Unfortunately, it appears this is something still open to individual interpretation, and you may get a different answer if you ask a different CM as it true with so many things regarding DVC. During our July trip this year we valet parked at BWV and VWL with no problems just showing the card. No charge from BWV which is where we were staying.

The wording Deb quoted from the site is exactly the same as it has been for quite some time. You'd think that if they really meant to change the rules they would change the wording, wouldn't you?

I've valet parked at BWV a few times when not even staying on-site at WDW. Never had a problem though the last time was a couple of years ago.

I'll bet if you as a DVC Guide that question he/she'll tell you "No problem...it's still a perk whether you're staying on points or not!".

 

[KevGuy]

Call back billing again and get a refund lol.

 

[Safari Queen]

We just got back from BWV. The Perks booklet definitely said that valet was free but you had to show a DVC card and a Key to the World, showing you're a guest at a DVC resort. I was surprised, because I have used valet on a day trip when I was not booked at a resort. Sounds like the perk has changed a bit.

 

[Chuck S]

Well, it makes sense, I guess, especially for the EPCOT area resorts during Food & Wine. They may simply have been near capacity in the valet lot, and too many folks going to the park.

 

[jemiaule]

I was also under the impression the valet parking at DVC resorts is free, whether you were staying at a DVC resort or not. Perhaps this is a change because of an agreement now that the valet services are outsourced? As perks can be changed or discontinued at any time, thanks for posting Member Services response, so now we know.

I was at BCV on Thursday morning (10/25), had my car valet parked and was not charged.

Valet asked if I was checking in and I told them no, I was there to speak with guest services (long story), I was not staying at a DVC resort (nothing available ) and valet only had me show them my DVC card.

When I went back to get my car I was not charged anything; well other than the tip I gave the valet.

 

[MOQu]

Call back billing again and get a refund lol.

I did more than call them back. And not only was Ricco at member services absolutely insistant that you had to be staying at a DVC property to get free valet, but understood when I told him that there are lots of different answers being given out by member services. According to him, this would be rectified. Also, he had a $25 disney gift card sent to us to make up for the $10 charge.