How much do I need just to get to my room at AKL?

[H&Hmommy]

We will be at AKL in 2 weeks, from what I've heard they only have valet parking. Please, Please, Please tell me how this works. We will not be traveling with much cash so I really need to know how many people we will be tipping between the car and our suitcases, just trying to get to our room?
Thanks
Kim

 

[sherry8253]

Hi - You do not have to valet park at the AKL. You can self park and carry your own luggage. It is up to you. Some people only tip when they take the car out & not when they drop it off. If you are not going to be using your car alot or you don't mind walking from the parking lot, it will save you not only tipping but also the daily valet parking fee. When we valet park, we tip the bell boy/girl who gets your luggage out of the car as well as the person who brings the luggage to the room. My DH also tips each time he drops off the car when using valet parking as well as when he picks it up.

 

[H&Hmommy]

So if my husband drops me off to check in and he parks the car, will they have a cart I can wheel out to get the bags? Not to sound cheap, I just hate paying someone to do something that I can do myself and I could spend that money on something fun for the kids.
Kim

 

[jel0511]

If your husband drops you off, there will not be any carts for you to use, they are only for the bell people to use. Also, if you drop off, you will be expected to use bell services to take your luggage. It could be a very long walk to you room, and quite a haul with luggage. Also, if your room isn't ready, you'd have to drag it all out to the car, or still use bell services to hold it for you. Just check your luggage with bell services when you pull up. You only need to tip $1 - $2 per bag. Also, don't plan on not carry some cash with you into the parks. There are certain carts and of course those balloons that don't take room charge or credit card only cash. We never left our room with less than $20 and usually came back with less.

 

[gepetto]

They only let you drop off at the front door if you are using bell services. Otherwise you have to haul your bags up from the parking lot.

I suggest using bell services. Pull up to the front, have them take your bags and let your wife check in while you park the car.

 

[wedindisney2002]

I think I read this on another post but Im not sure. When staying at the AKL there is a charge per day for valet service. And that they can just add it on to your room bill. Does anyone know if that is true? If it is I dont like that idea. I mean if you are staying at that resort why pay for valet I would just tip the valet everytime that I picked up my vehicle.
We are driving to FL from NJ and I with all the walking around that we would be doing in the parks and getting back late to AKL Im really not going to feel like "hoofing it" (pardon the pun) back up from the p-lot to the resort and then another hike to the room.

 

[jel0511]

Yes, there is a daily fee to have your car parked in any valet lot in WDW. The fee is $6 per day. Actually WDW is on the low side when it comes to valet fees. I believe the fee at the Universal hotels is $12 per day. Most hotels charge to valet park your car.

 

[milmore104]

Your DH can definately drop you off at the door with your bags and then go and park the car. You don't have to use anything you don't want to. It's your money just politily say "no thank you" and thy will just walk away.
We stayed at AKL in Nov. we had a limo drop us off at the front door and noone even approched us and asked us if we would like help with our bags! And my DH and DD(2) were sitting outside with all our 5 bags for about an hour while I checked in.

PS Your going to LOVE it! Can I hide in your bag?